Representing People Hit While Walking or Riding
When a car or truck hits someone on foot or on a bicycle, there is nothing between the person and the vehicle. These crashes often cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and injuries that change a life permanently. Too often, they are fatal.
The Injury Advocates represents pedestrians and cyclists across Broward County and South Florida, and families who have lost a loved one in these crashes. Our founder, Kweku Darfoor, is personally involved in every case, and we prepare each one as if it will go to trial.
Why South Florida Is So Dangerous for Pedestrians
Florida ranks fifth in the nation for pedestrian deaths, and the Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach area ranks 17th among U.S. metro areas, according to Smart Growth America’s Dangerous by Design 2026 report. Wide, fast multi-lane roads, long distances between crosswalks, and heavy traffic all add to the risk.
In Broward County, many of the cases we see begin on busy corridors such as State Road 7 (US-441), Broward Boulevard, Sunrise Boulevard, Oakland Park Boulevard, University Drive, and US-1, as well as in parking lots and school zones. Crashes are especially common at night, when drivers fail to see people in crosswalks or along the shoulder.
Common Causes of Pedestrian and Bicycle Crashes
Florida law requires drivers to give cyclists at least 3 feet of space when passing (Fla. Stat. § 316.083). When a driver breaks traffic laws meant to protect pedestrians and cyclists, that can be powerful evidence of fault.
Who Pays After You Are Hit?
Florida’s no-fault system still applies when you are hit on foot or on a bike. If you or a relative in your household owns a car, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage usually pays first, up to its limits, for part of your medical bills and lost income. If no one in your household has PIP, the PIP coverage on the vehicle that hit you may apply.
Serious injuries quickly go beyond PIP. Depending on the facts, you may also be able to recover from:
Finding every available policy is often the difference between a settlement that covers your future and one that falls short.
How Long Do You Have to File?
For most Florida negligence claims, including pedestrian and bicycle accidents, the deadline is generally two years from the date of the crash. Wrongful death claims also generally must be filed within two years. Claims involving government agencies have their own notice requirements. Evidence such as traffic camera and business surveillance video can be deleted within days, so it is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Related Articles
Related: Hit by a driver with no insurance while walking or cycling? Uninsured motorist coverage follows you, even on foot, and hit-and-run claims do not require physical contact.
Serious injuries to pedestrians and cyclists: brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, catastrophic injuries, herniated discs, and neck and back injuries.
Hit by a rideshare vehicle? The insurance available depends on the driver’s app status at the moment of impact. Uber and Lyft accidents →
After a pedestrian or bicycle crash, you may be facing surgery, long-term rehabilitation, and months away from work. We move quickly to secure video, photos, and witness statements, deal with every insurance company involved, and build the case for the full value of your injuries. If you cannot come to us, we can meet by phone, by video, or at your home or hospital.
See the settlements we have recovered for clients on our Case Results page.
Why Injured Pedestrians and Cyclists Choose The Injury Advocates
You do not need to own a car to make a claim. If you or a relative you live with owns a car, that PIP coverage usually pays first. If not, the PIP coverage on the vehicle that hit you may apply. Serious injuries can also be pursued against the at-fault driver beyond PIP.
Nothing up front. Your consultation is free, and we handle injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means our fee is a percentage of the money we recover for you. If we do not win your case, you owe no attorney’s fees and no case costs.
You may still have a claim. Drivers must use reasonable care to avoid hitting pedestrians, wherever they are. Under Florida’s comparative negligence law, you can generally still recover as long as you were not more than 50 percent at fault, though your award is reduced by your share of fault.
Your own uninsured motorist coverage can still pay for your injuries after a hit-and-run, even if the driver is never identified. Report the crash to police right away, get medical care, and we’ll work to identify the driver through video, witnesses, and vehicle evidence.
Florida does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets. An insurer may still argue that a helmet would have reduced a head injury, but not wearing one does not by itself prevent you from recovering for the driver’s negligence.
For most negligence claims, the deadline is generally two years from the date of the injury. Some claims, including those against government agencies, have additional notice requirements, so it is important to speak with a lawyer early.
