More people are bicycling around Philadelphia city streets. Cyclists bike to work and school, and it is becoming some people’s preferred way to get around the city.
It also means that more bicycles share the road with cars, trucks, and buses. The inevitable conclusion is that more accidents involving personal injuries are bound to happen with bicyclists in motor vehicle accidents.
If you have suffered personal injuries in a bicycling collision with a car, truck, or bus in which the driver was clearly at fault, you may be eligible for compensation for your financial losses. If so, a Philadelphia bicycle accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC might be able to help you learn what your rights are in such an accident. Call a member of our team today at 800-959-1444.
We have worked on cases of bicycle accidents with motor vehicles, resulting in serious injuries to the bicyclist. In many cases, the drivers of the vehicles were uninjured. You can share your experience with an attorney who can work with you to gather evidence to go up against an insurance company or all the way to trial.
Bicycles and the Road
A person who gets on a bike for exercise and transport in Philadelphia should not have to worry about personal safety from cars and other vehicles. Unfortunately, hundreds of cyclists suffer serious personal injuries in crashes with vehicles every year. In 2018, more than 800 bicyclists died in crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
In more cases than not, negligent, distracted drivers are the ones who are usually found to be accountable for a crash with a cyclist. The injuries that bicyclists suffer are much more serious, as the bicyclist has limited protection while riding, other than padded clothes and a helmet. Even with this protection, bicyclists suffer serious injuries from being hit on motorists on urban and suburban streets.
The truth of the matter is, getting hit on your bicycle by a car in traffic can lead to life-threatening injuries, loss of income, emotional and physical stress, and possibly even death. For all these circumstances, you can consult with a Philadelphia bicycle accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC to learn more about the case. Our attorney can help uncover hidden evidence, find out information about the car or truck driver, and all of this information might lead to a settlement from the insurance company.
Call us today to speak to a representative about your bicycle accident in Philadelphia.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accidents lawyer serving Philadelphia, call 800-761-5225
Collisions with Bicycles
Philadelphia has tight streets that tend to favor public transportation and cars over bicycles. Because of this, it is very important that a bicyclist take the utmost precaution when riding in the streets. A bicycle rider can have the right kind of reflectors, working brakes, and a protective helmet, but even with these precautions, a bicyclist can suffer serious personal injuries when collided into by a negligent driver.
Many drivers in their cars are not attuned to be looking for a bicyclist on busy city streets. This can present challenges for both the bicyclist and the driver.
By not seeing cyclists, negligent drivers can easily cause these common types of bicycle accidents in greater Philly:
Open Door Accidents
This common type of accident is prevalent in big cities. As the bicyclist is riding in the bike lane next to parked cars, a driver does not look in the side view mirror before exiting the car and slams their open car door into a cyclist. In many cases, the bicyclist has zero time to react and usually is thrown over the handlebars and the door upon impact. Serious injuries can occur from this type of accident.
Bike Lane Accidents
By law, bicyclists must ride on the far right of the street’s right lane or in a bike lane on the right side of the street. When a car wants to turn right at the next intersection, the driver should generally signal its intention, look over the right shoulder, and make sure the coast is clear to change lanes to the right for the upcoming turn. Too often, drivers do not do this. By swerving over, the car can crash into the bicyclist, causing the cyclist to be thrown from the bike in a serious accident.
Blind Spot Accidents
Simply put, these kinds of accidents are just driver negligence and driver carelessness. Bicyclists should always be on the lookout for errant, distracted drivers, and when seeing one, slow down or move away from that vehicle. Otherwise, the bicyclist may get hit by a car, especially on city streets where delivery trucks or buses may be blocking the view of drivers.
Philadelphia Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-761-5225
Statute of Limitations
In Pennsylvania, you have up to two years from the date of your accident to file a claim in civil court for a personal injury lawsuit, according to Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 5524. It is your legal right to file a lawsuit if you have been in an accident while riding your bike, and a car caused the accident.
Typically, personal injury claims settle outside of court in a payment from negotiations with the negligent party’s insurance company. However, if negotiations prove unsuccessful, you must file your lawsuit within two years from the day of the accident. If not, then you generally forfeit any right to compensation.
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Work with Legal Experts
If you have suffered serious injuries by being hit by a driver, and need legal assistance, contact a Philadelphia bicycle accident lawyer from Ben Crump Law, PLLC. Our team of legal experts can help you figure out a way to seek financial restitution for the medical, emotional, and physical costs you have endured in the accident. Receive a free consultation when you call 800-959-1444.
Call or text 800-761-5225 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
