Being hit by a vehicle while walking or riding a bicycle can result in serious injuries, even at lower speeds. Without the protection of a vehicle, pedestrians and cyclists are more vulnerable to head injuries, soft tissue damage, and other traumatic injuries that may require prompt medical attention.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), thousands of pedestrians and bicyclists are injured in traffic-related crashes each year. While some injuries are immediately apparent, others may take hours or even days to develop as swelling and inflammation increase.
If you’ve been injured while walking or riding a bicycle, seeking a medical evaluation as soon as possible can help identify hidden injuries, begin treatment, and document your condition.
Complete Care provides comprehensive treatment for pedestrian and bicycle accident injuries as part of our full range of accidents we treat throughout Florida.
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents often involve direct impact with a vehicle or the ground, placing significant force on multiple areas of the body.
The severity of an injury depends on factors such as vehicle speed, the point of impact, and how the body lands after the collision.
Some of the most common injuries include:
Muscles, tendons, and ligaments can be stretched or torn during the impact, leading to sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries.
Symptoms may include:
A blow to the head or sudden movement of the brain inside the skull can cause a concussion, even if you don’t lose consciousness. Symptoms may not appear immediately, making early evaluation important.
Symptoms may include:
Sliding across pavement can cause painful abrasions, cuts, and skin injuries that may require cleaning and treatment to reduce the risk of infection.
The force of a collision can also injure the spine and major joints, resulting in pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and lingering discomfort that may require ongoing treatment.
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents often cause more than one injury. A comprehensive medical evaluation helps identify both obvious and less visible injuries so treatment can begin as soon as possible.
The moments after a pedestrian or bicycle accident can be overwhelming, but taking the right steps can help protect both your health and your ability to receive appropriate medical care.
Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s important to be evaluated, as symptoms may not appear for hours or days after the accident.
If you’re able, move out of traffic and away from additional hazards. If you or anyone else has serious injuries, call 911 immediately and wait for emergency responders.
Some injuries, including concussions, internal injuries, and soft tissue damage, may not cause immediate symptoms. A prompt medical evaluation can help identify injuries early and begin treatment before they become more serious.
Call local law enforcement to have an official accident report created. This documentation may be important for insurance claims and your medical records.
If it’s safe to do so, gather information such as:
Attending follow-up appointments and following your provider’s recommendations can support your recovery and document your progress throughout treatment.
If you were injured in a Florida traffic accident, receiving an initial medical evaluation within 14 days may help preserve your eligibility for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits.
Seeking care as soon as possible also helps ensure injuries are diagnosed before they worsen.
Because pedestrian and bicycle accidents often affect multiple areas of the body, a comprehensive evaluation is important for identifying both obvious and less visible injuries.
Your provider will discuss how the accident occurred, review your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination.
Depending on your injuries, the evaluation may include an assessment of your range of motion, strength, balance, neurological function, and areas of pain or tenderness.
If additional evaluation is needed, diagnostic imaging can help identify soft-tissue injuries and other damage that may not be apparent on physical examination.
Depending on your symptoms, your provider may recommend:
At Complete Care, our integrated team works together to accurately diagnose your injuries and develop a personalized treatment plan based on your condition and recovery goals.
Treatment depends on the type and severity of your injuries, your symptoms, and how the accident has affected your ability to move and perform everyday activities.
The goal is to relieve pain, promote healing, restore function, and help you safely return to your normal routine.
Because pedestrian and bicycle accidents often involve multiple injuries, your care plan may include a combination of therapies tailored to your specific needs.
Many injuries can be treated with conservative, non-surgical care.
Depending on your diagnosis, your personalized treatment plan may include:
Some injuries, including tendon ruptures or joint instability, may require evaluation by our spine and orthopedics team.
When needed, our providers coordinate your care to ensure you receive the right treatment at every stage of recovery.
Not every head injury causes immediate symptoms. Even if you didn’t lose consciousness, you may have sustained a concussion or another type of traumatic brain injury.
Symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, memory problems, sensitivity to light or noise, and difficulty concentrating should never be ignored after an accident.
Complete Care provides comprehensive concussion care, including evaluation, diagnosis, and personalized treatment recommendations to support your recovery and help reduce the risk of long-term complications.
Our integrated team works together to address every aspect of your injuries, ensuring your treatment plan is coordinated across the providers involved in your care.
Recovering after being hit by a vehicle often requires care from multiple providers.
Complete Care makes the process easier by bringing your evaluation, imaging, treatment, and rehabilitation together through one coordinated team.
When you choose Complete Care, you’ll benefit from:
Whether you’ve been injured in a pedestrian or bicycle accident or another type of auto injury care incident, our team is committed to helping you recover as safely and efficiently as possible.
We also treat injuries from slip-and-fall accidents, providing comprehensive care for a wide range of traumatic injuries.
Our patient-centered approach ensures every provider is working toward the same treatment plan, helping you move forward with confidence.
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents commonly cause sprains, strains, concussions, road rash, lacerations, and injuries to the neck, back, and joints. Because these accidents often involve direct impact with a vehicle or the ground, multiple injuries can occur at the same time.
Yes. Some injuries, including concussions, soft tissue injuries, and internal injuries, may not cause immediate symptoms. A prompt medical evaluation can help identify hidden injuries and begin treatment before they become more serious.
If you were injured in a Florida traffic accident, receiving an initial medical evaluation within 14 days may help preserve your eligibility for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. Seeking care as soon as possible also allows your provider to document your injuries and begin treatment promptly.
Yes. Complete Care provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for concussions and other accident-related injuries. Our integrated team works together to diagnose your condition, coordinate your care, and develop a personalized treatment plan based on your needs.
No. Complete Care does not treat broken bones. If you suspect a fracture after a pedestrian or bicycle accident, go to the nearest emergency room. If a fracture is identified during your evaluation at Complete Care, we will refer you to an appropriate specialist for treatment.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. If your injury is a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room
Being hit by a vehicle while walking or riding a bicycle can cause injuries that aren’t always immediately apparent.
Early evaluation can help identify hidden injuries, begin treatment, and support a safer recovery.
With 30+ convenient locations across Florida, Complete Care makes coordinated care easy to access when you need it most.