Philadelphia Bicycle Accident Lawyers
A great way to take in and enjoy all that Philadelphia has to offer is by biking throughout the city. Philly offers great bike routes! At the same time it is critical to prepare to make sure that you understand the rules of the road for bikers. Safety comes first. Remember to always wear a helmet and take all precautions necessary to avoid a bicycle accident.
An informative Philadelphia Magazine review ‘19 Bike Trails Around Philadelphia That You Need to Try” covers some of the best and most interesting.
PENNSYLVANIA BIKE ACCIDENTS: SOME IMPORTANT FACTS
According to an extensive PennDot report from 2018:
- Children ages 5 to 14 were the most vulnerable to injury including fatal injury while riding a bicycle. Over a sixth of the injuries involving bicycles were suffered by this age group. Another vulnerable group, persons ages 15 to 19, accounted for 15.3% of the total injuries.
- The majority of bicyclists were injured at intersections and fatally injured at non-intersections.
- The majority of bicyclists’ injuries occurred during daylight hours. However, several of the fatalities occurred during non-daylight conditions.
- 83% of the fatalities of bicyclists occurred on state roads in 2018, while 50% of the injuries occurred on non-state roads.
HOW CAN PENNSYLVANIA BICYCLISTS REDUCE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY?
Pennsylvania's Vehicle Code considers "pedalcycles" as vehicles and provides that every person riding a pedalcycle (or bicycle as they are more commonly known) upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and responsibilities applicable to a driver of a vehicle, with certain exceptions
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation recommends many precautions including some of the below:
Riding on the Roadway
- Bikers should ride on the shoulder of the road,in the same direction as the flow of traffic, but are not required to do so.
- Persons riding bicycles on a roadway should not ride more than two abreast (side-by-side), unless on paths or roadways set aside for exclusive use of bicycles.
- Motor vehicles must allow 4 feet of distance when overtaking a bicycle and travel at a careful and prudent speed. It is the motorist’s responsibility to provide this distance, not that of the cyclist.
- No person shall open any door on a motor vehicle unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with traffic flow.
- Cyclists may be injured or killed when a door is opened in their line of travel (dooring). Therefore, a distance of 4 feet should be kept between parked motor vehicles and the line of travel when riding along parked vehicles.
Serious injury cases are not just business for us – they’re personal. When we take on a new client, we adopt them as part of our family, and we fight for them in every way possible.
That has been our motivating force in capturing hundreds of millions of dollars for clients we have represented during the past 50-plus years. It is also the reason we aspire to be the best personal injury firm in the country.
Definitely YES!
- The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation recommends that all bicyclists wear helmets. Children 12 years of age and younger are required to wear helmets.
The same directive helps bikers in making sure that the helmets they wear meet critical standards.
Additionally, in Pennsylvania there are specific regulations regarding front lamps and reflectors:
If you use your bike between sunset and sunrise, it must be equipped with a front lamp and rear and side reflectors that are visible from at least 500 feet. This is both to help other motorists see you and also to illuminate your path
Being aware of the common causes of bicycle accidents can help save lives and prevent serious injuries. Because car drivers are a major cause of bicycle accidents one needs to be cognizant of negligent drivers and adhere to right-of-way protocols. Driver error is behind many of these incidents, which can often be traced to violations of traffic laws and general carelessness.
Types and causes of bike crashes include:
- Road defects - any pothole and other road impediments
- Dooring - car doors can suddenly open and hit unsuspecting bicyclists
- Cars rear end - bikers need to sense when a car is dangerously close behind them
- Pedestrians - bikers need to avoid pedestrians getting in their way
- Dangerous Drivers - veering into designated bike lanes
- Drunk drivers
- Left hand turns - these types of turns need to be done very carefully
- Large trucks and buses - bikers should stay very clear of these types of vehicles.
Fortunately, Pennsylvania law provides injured cyclists with recourse as the victim of a bicycle crash, including the right to seek compensation from the responsible party. Injured bicyclists can turn to the Rothenberg Law Firm LLP bicycling attorney team who can assist at every stage of the complex legal process, from filing an insurance claim to settlement negotiations to litigation. Please contact our Philadelphia office today to set up a free consultation with one of our bicycle accidents attorneys to determine your rights.
A bicycle injury resulting from bicycle accidents and bicycle collisions can range from a small, little scratch to tragically, life altering serious injuries and even death.
A bicycle accident injury might include:
- Concussions and loss of memory
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Head Injury
- Neck injuries
- Facial lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Arm, hand,finger injuries
- Broken bones
Liability in Bicycle Accident Claims
No two bicycle accidents are the same. While many bike accident cases occur as a result of negligence on the part of the person who crashed into the bicyclist, there are many issues that come into play. Therefore, bike accident attorneys can help you determine negligence and will work every step of the way to make sure you are able to recover the monetary compensation you deserve for your injuries. Your personal injury lawyer will understand how the relevant bicycle laws impact your specific case.
First, anyone who is suffering from an injury after a bicycle accident should immediately call the police or 911 and tell them you need medical assistance. If you can, it is recommended to take pictures of the crash scene and the cars involved so that you can show a lawyer. Make sure everyone is safe and get all of the medical assistance you need. Then, seek the help of a bicycle accident attorney before you talk to an insurance adjuster or a private investigator hired by an insurance company. There are multiple challenges in the process of filing a bicycle accident claim, therefore, you should consult with an attorney who can fight for your rights.
Our bike accident attorney team at The Rothenberg Law Firm LLP will fight on your behalf throughout the legal process. We’re aggressive in negotiating with an insurance company, and we’re always prepared to take your case to court. Our goal is to recover monetary damages for such losses as, but not limited to:
- All medical bills and expenses - past, present and future
- Wages you lost because you could not work
- Pain and suffering;
- Scarring and disfigurement; and
- Diminished quality of life.
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Contact a Skilled Philadelphia Bicycle Accident Attorney to Discuss Your Legal Remedies
Bicycle accidents involve legal issues that you may not be able to handle on your own. If you attempt to negotiate on your own you might not be able to achieve the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries. You can trust our attorneys at the Rothenberg Law Firm LLP to fight to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. To learn more about how we can assist with your bicycle accident claim, please call 1-800-624-8888 or contact us online for your free case evaluation.
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“The Rothenberg Law Firm was very attentive when I made the initial contact with them regarding my personal injury claim. They were very clear in explaining to me the process including both the pros and cons of a case. Their lawyer’s mastery of this field of law is evident and they are backed by a firm that has many years of experience. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend their services to anyone in need of help for personal injury issues and beyond.”
"The Rothenberg Law Firm explained all aspect of the case and laws in NY and NJ so I was able to understand exactly what was needed and what can happen. I had complete confidence in them. Their lawyers are very smart, quick, and sympathetic to my loss."