Despite being named #12 in bike-friendliest states, Pennsylvania bicycle accidents are on the rise.
According to the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, bicycle fatalities in 2021 were the highest in 20 years in PA. Across the rest of the nation, riding a bicycle on our roads is now more dangerous than at any other time in the past three decades. Unfortunately, many of these accidents are caused by the negligence of motorists who share the roads with cyclists.
You may not know where to turn if you have been injured in a bicycle accident in PA. Even if you are covered by insurance, chances are you are not receiving the compensation and full benefits you truly deserve under the law. At Silver & Silver, we will help you navigate this vulnerable time and fight to get you fair compensation for your injuries.
Why Are Bicycle Accidents on the Increase?
Experts who are seeing a sharp rise in bicycle accidents suggest that this may be due to several different factors:
- An increase in driver distraction
- Consumer shifts to larger vehicles, including SUVs and trucks
- Roadways that are becoming wider and faster
- Revitalized popularity in bicycling and bike-sharing programs
Bicyclists are smaller, more difficult to see, and far more vulnerable to serious injuries in an accident situation. With the continued use of smartphones among drivers, texting and other distractions now rival drunk driving as one of the most common causes of accidents on our roads. Add our love affair with larger trucks and SUVs, and bicyclists are often hit higher on the body because of the size of the vehicle, causing more serious injuries than if they were hit on the lower extremities.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Pennsylvania, the Upper Darby, PA bicycle accident lawyers at Silver & Silver can help you get fairly compensated for your injuries and other damages so you can heal and move forward.
The Vulnerability of the Cyclist
When an unprotected bicyclist shares the road with larger vehicles, the cyclist is at a grave disadvantage. Because of their lack of protection and exposure, bicyclists are subject to devastating injuries and fatalities when a collision occurs. While a motorist is not always at fault, studies have shown that four out of five bicycle accidents are caused by the driver of a vehicle.
Bicycle accidents are commonly caused by:
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Side-swipe accidents that fail to leave adequate room while passing a cyclist
- Dooring accidents when a motorist opens a vehicle door in the path of a cyclist
- Failure to yield
- Speeding
- Failure to stop at traffic signs and signals
- Blind spot crashes when a driver fails to check their blind spot
- Unsafe turning
- Unsafe lane changes
- Reckless driving
Who Pays For Your Injuries in a Bicycle Accident in PA?
Pennsylvania is a no-fault insurance state. If you are a driver in Pennsylvania and you are injured in a bicycle accident, your PIP auto coverage will pay for your injuries up to the limits of your policy. Furthermore, if you have limited tort coverage, that limitation to seek pain and suffering benefits will not apply to you as an injured cyclist. But if your accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, you may also have the ability to hold that driver liable for your damages, including:
- Your medical expenses
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost wages
- Future medical care as it relates to your injuries
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage, such as damage to your bike
- Pain and suffering
Any medical deductible or co-pays will become part of your damages, so it is important that you save all receipts and documentation for any medical care and expenses you incur.
Getting the Help of an Upper Darby Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, retaining an Upper Darby bicycle accident attorney may be critical to getting fairly compensated for your injuries. At Silver & Silver, we have dedicated our careers to the rights of injured individuals and their families. Let us help you. Call us at (610) 638-7255 or schedule a no-cost consultation through our website contact form.
Disclosure:
This website is designed to provide only general information. The information presented on this website is not formal legal advice. You should not rely on any general information from any source for making legal decisions. Each legal matter is unique and requires specific attention from a qualified and experienced attorney. Unless a representation agreement has been signed with the Law Offices of Silver and Silver, we are not your legal representatives.