South Florida Surgeon Critically Injured in Bicycle Crash on Rickenbacker Causeway

A South Florida orthopedic surgeon was critically injured Saturday morning after being struck by a driver while riding his bicycle on the Rickenbacker Causeway in Key Biscayne, according to Miami Police and the cyclist’s family.

The August 29, 2026 crash happened at approximately 8:30 a.m. near 3501 Rickenbacker Causeway.

Family members identified the injured cyclist as Dr. Gilbert Beauperthuy-Rojas, an orthopedic surgeon with HCA Florida Mercy Hospital. He was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition.

What Happened in the Rickenbacker Causeway Bicycle Crash?

Miami Police said officers responded to a traffic crash involving a vehicle and bicyclist Saturday morning.

Beauperthuy-Rojas was seriously injured and rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital.

His family later said he remained in critical condition and suffered severe injuries, including injuries to his kidney and liver. His brother-in-law said the family had also been told that, if he survives, he is expected to be paralyzed from the waist down.

The driver involved in the crash remained at the scene and was cooperating with investigators, according to police.

Authorities had not released information explaining what caused the collision.

Dr. Beauperthuy-Rojas Was a Regular Cyclist on the Rickenbacker Causeway

According to his family, Beauperthuy-Rojas had been riding the Rickenbacker Causeway every Saturday morning for approximately 16 years with his brother-in-law and a friend.

On the morning of the crash, however, he was riding alone.

HCA Florida Mercy Hospital described Beauperthuy-Rojas as a deeply valued member of its hospital community and expressed support for him and his family following the crash.

What Caused the Key Biscayne Bicycle Crash?

Police continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the collision.

The available report does not specify how the vehicle and bicycle came into contact, where each was positioned immediately before impact or whether speed, distraction, visibility or another factor contributed.

Investigators may examine the driver’s movements, the bicyclist’s position, roadway markings, traffic conditions and any available video from the area.

At this stage, authorities have not assigned fault to the driver or cyclist.

Florida Drivers Must Give Bicyclists Adequate Space

Florida law recognizes bicycles as vehicles in many circumstances and gives cyclists legal rights when using public roadways.

One provision that can become particularly important after a bicycle crash is Fla. Stat. § 316.083, which governs the overtaking and passing of vehicles.

When passing a bicyclist, Florida law generally requires a motorist to maintain a safe distance of at least three feet between the vehicle and bicycle.

Whether the three-foot passing requirement played any role in this crash depends on how the collision occurred. Police have not said the driver was attempting to pass Beauperthuy-Rojas at the time of impact.

Determining Who Had the Right-of-Way

Bicycle accident investigations often require a detailed reconstruction of the movements of both the cyclist and motor vehicle.

Depending on where the collision occurred, investigators may determine whether either person was changing lanes, turning, entering another portion of the roadway or traveling straight before impact.

Florida law generally gives bicyclists the same rights and duties applicable to drivers when operating on the roadway, subject to bicycle-specific provisions.

That means determining liability requires more than simply establishing that a vehicle struck a bicycle. Investigators must determine what each person was doing in the seconds before the collision and which traffic laws applied.

Evidence Could Be Critical in Determining What Happened

Because Beauperthuy-Rojas suffered catastrophic injuries, preserving evidence from the crash may be particularly important.

Investigators may examine:

• Traffic and surveillance camera footage
• Dash camera recordings
• Witness statements
• Crash-scene photographs and measurements
• Damage to the bicycle and vehicle
• Vehicle and bicycle resting positions
• Tire marks and roadway debris
• Event data recorder information from the vehicle
• Cellphone records when legally obtainable
• 911 and emergency response records
• Roadway markings, lighting and visibility conditions

The driver’s cooperation with police may assist investigators, but physical and electronic evidence can provide an independent way to reconstruct the collision.

Compensation After a Catastrophic Bicycle Injury

If evidence ultimately establishes that another person’s negligence caused the crash, Beauperthuy-Rojas may potentially have a personal injury claim for the resulting losses.

Catastrophic injuries can create damages extending far beyond the initial hospitalization.

Depending on the medical prognosis, potential damages may include emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, future medical care, assistive equipment, home modifications, lost income, diminished future earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other legally recoverable losses.

If paralysis is ultimately confirmed, evaluating future care needs may require testimony from physicians, rehabilitation specialists, vocational experts, economists and life-care planners.

Lost Earning Capacity Can Be Significant After a Career-Ending Injury

When a serious injury prevents someone from returning to a highly specialized profession, future lost earning capacity can become a substantial component of a personal injury claim.

Beauperthuy-Rojas is an orthopedic surgeon. If his injuries permanently prevent him from returning to surgery or otherwise substantially restrict his ability to practice medicine, an economic analysis could examine the income and employment benefits he reasonably would have been expected to earn over the remainder of his career.

Lost earning capacity is different from simply calculating wages missed during a hospital stay. It attempts to measure the long-term effect an injury has on a person’s ability to earn income.

Any such calculation would depend on Beauperthuy-Rojas’ actual medical prognosis and professional circumstances.

Comparative Negligence May Be Examined

Florida’s modified comparative negligence law under Fla. Stat. § 768.81 may become relevant if evidence shows that more than one person’s actions contributed to the collision.

Investigators may examine the conduct of both the driver and bicyclist before determining how the crash occurred.

In many Florida negligence cases, an injured person found more than 50% responsible for their own harm is barred from recovering damages. If the injured person is 50% or less responsible, damages may generally be reduced according to the percentage of fault assigned.

There is currently no evidence establishing that Beauperthuy-Rojas contributed to the crash.

Investigation Into Rickenbacker Causeway Bicycle Crash Continues

Miami Police continue to investigate the August 29 bicycle crash near 3501 Rickenbacker Causeway.

Dr. Gilbert Beauperthuy-Rojas was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle while cycling Saturday morning.

His family has reported severe injuries and a potentially life-changing prognosis. The driver remained at the scene and was cooperating with authorities.

Police had not yet released information explaining what caused the collision or assigned fault to either person involved.

We hope Dr. Beauperthuy-Rojas receives the care he needs and is able to make the fullest recovery possible.