- Why Do You Need a Bike Accident Lawyer in Philadelphia, PA?
- What Are the Main Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Philadelphia?
- What Are the Most Typical Bicycle Accident Injuries in Philadelphia?
- What Types of Damages You Can Recover After a Bicycle Accident?
- How Much Is Your Bicycle Accident Case Worth in Philadelphia?
- Who Can Be Liable for a Bicycle Accident?
- Philadelphia Bicycle Accident Statistics
- Statute of Limitations for a Bicycle Accident Claim in Philadelphia
- Contact Our Philadelphia Bicycle Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation Today!
- Get a FREE case evaluation today
- Frequently Asked Questions
Larger cities, like Philly, get more crowded by the day, and many people choose to switch from cars to bikes to avoid the issues caused by the growing congestion rates. Although healthy and practical, cycling in the city hides many dangers.
Narrow streets, negligent drivers, and lack of proper infrastructure pose multiple threats for such vulnerable road users as cyclists. If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, you should know your rights and seek a just settlement for the problems it caused you. A skilled Philadelphia bicycle accident lawyer can help you handle the process and recover every type of damage sustained in the accident.
Why Do You Need a Bike Accident Lawyer in Philadelphia, PA?
Recently, local authorities agreed to make the city safer for bicyclists and other road users. While they are working on how to drop the number of traffic fatalities to zero by 2050, since 2020, the city has seen only a slight decrease in traffic-induced deaths and injuries across the city.
If you’ve been hit by a car or got hurt due to unfavorable cycling conditions, a trusted Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney can help you claim all the damages while you focus on recovery. They will negotiate with insurance companies, find missing pieces of evidence, and use the right tactics to maximize your financial compensation.
What Are the Main Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Philadelphia?
Our bike accident lawyers have handled bicycle accident cases caused by different things, from defective bicycles to dogs chasing the cyclist. However, as our experience shows, these causes are more frequent than others:
- Open doors: Many motor vehicle drivers still fail to check their side mirrors before opening car doors, which leads to dooring accidents.
- Negligent drivers: Distracted car drivers can inflict serious damage on a bicyclist and their property. Some accidents may even lead to the wrongful death of the cyclist.
- Road conditions: Missing bike lanes, potholes, debris, and other riding challenges serve as yet another common reason why bicycle riders get injured in the city.
- Road rage: Not all car drivers are willing to share the lane with a cyclist. Aggressive drivers tailgating bicyclists, cutting them off, and intentionally crowding them create dangerous situations that lead to severe injuries and even fatalities.
What Are the Most Typical Bicycle Accident Injuries in Philadelphia?
Even a seemingly minor injury can trigger serious consequences that impact a cyclist’s life. Due to the lack of protection that bike riders have, these are the most common injuries in bicycle accidents across the city:
- Head traumas: Many cyclists sustain such head injuries as concussions, TBIs, and skull fractures as a result of falling off the bicycle. This type of personal injury is widespread among riders who are not wearing helmets.
- Back injuries: Spinal injuries are common because of the lack of back protection. The force of the collision may enforce long-term conditions such as paralysis and loss of limb sensitivity.
- Broken bones: Various fractures are also frequent among bike riders, especially broken arms, wrists, and ribs, which are usually the direct aftermath of the collision with the vehicle or hard surface.
- Dental damage: A head-on fall can induce such facial traumas as broken teeth, dislocated jaws, cuts, and bruises.
- Road rash: Skin abrasions are very typical consequences of a cyclist falling on a harsh road surface. While this may seem an insignificant injury at first, road rash can cause serious infections.
What Types of Damages You Can Recover After a Bicycle Accident?
An injured party can apply for two main types of damages — economic and non-economic damages. However, in some instances, it is possible to opt for punitive damages to punish the at-fault party and potentially prevent similar incidents in the future.
Economic and non-economic damages include but aren’t limited to the following options:
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Medical expenses
Every hospital visit, prescription, surgery, or other medically relevant costs are up for fair compensation. However, it is imperative to keep all the medical bills and records to prove your expenses.
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Lost wages
Many bicycle accidents result in lost income and subsequent damages. An injured cyclist has the right to recover those wages and the potential loss or decrease in their earning capacity that derives from the bike crash.
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Property damage
Whether it is a broken bike, phone, or any other valuable item, the at-fault party or their insurance company must cover the total cost of repairs or replacement of your belongings.
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Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
If the bicycle accident triggers depression, anxiety, or any other mental condition that affects your life negatively, you can receive compensation for these aspects in your personal injury case. However, it often takes an experienced lawyer to help you recover this type of damage.
How Much Is Your Bicycle Accident Case Worth in Philadelphia?
Minor incidents may bring you from $1,000 to $10,000 in compensation, but some instances result in hundreds of thousands, if not millions, in damages. Every case is unique, and it takes a skilled injury lawyer to calculate a rightful settlement.
There are a few major factors that can affect the final amount of the reimbursement recovered:
- Scale of injuries: The more severe the injury, the higher the compensation. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer will also assess the injuries based on the future impact they may have on your life.
- Fault: In some cases, both parties contribute to the accident. That is why it is so important to have a legal expert investigate your case and gather the necessary evidence to eliminate or at least decrease your liability, if any.
- Insurance coverage: The at-fault party does not always have a sufficient insurance policy to cover your losses. In cases like that, a trained Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney can advise you on how to act to secure the reimbursement that you seek.
Who Can Be Liable for a Bicycle Accident?
Depending on the underlying conditions, you can hold the following parties accountable:
- Negligent driver: An inattentive vehicle operator, a speeding or reckless driver can be held responsible for a bicycle accident.
- Governmental entity: If poor road conditions or a missing sign have led to an incident, you can file a lawsuit against the municipality and make them compensate for your losses.
- Pedestrians: Sometimes, a cyclist and a pedestrian have to share the lane. Should the latter initiate the accident by suddenly stepping in front of you or crossing unsafely, they can be determined liable.
Philadelphia Bicycle Accident Statistics
In 2024, there were 3 bicycle accident fatalities in Philadelphia. Compared to 2023, when 10 people died in bike incidents, the rates seem to improve. The city’s Pedestrian and Bicycle plan might have had a positive impact on cycling safety. However, the number of unprotected bike networks across the city and growing congestion still pose a palpable threat to the cycling community.
Statute of Limitations for a Bicycle Accident Claim in Philadelphia
Not every injured cyclist knows that when they seek compensation for their losses, the claim must be filed within a certain timeframe. If you fail to do so, you may lose your right to a fair settlement. In Pennsylvania, the deadline for filing a personal injury claim is two years from the date of the accident. There may be some exceptions to the law based on the specific circumstances of the incident. So, it is always a wise decision to consult an attorney first.
Contact Our Philadelphia Bicycle Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation Today!
A reliable attorney is your best chance of winning the legal battle without even participating in it. Our team will assess, file, and succeed with the case while you recover from the accident. Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group works on a contingency fee basis and offers a free consultation to make sure that everyone gets a fair chance for a rightful settlement.
Contact us today — we listen carefully, act decisively, and negotiate persuasively to secure the financial compensation you deserve!
Share the details of your situation with us so we can begin advocating on your behalf. We customize our approach to fit the unique needs of each client.
