Philadelphia Bicycle Lawyers Representing Injured Cyclists

Are you a bicyclist who has recently been injured in a traffic accident? You may have common questions such as:

• Was the driver at-fault for the accident?
• Who is responsible for my medical expenses?
• What if my bike was damaged or destroyed?

Our experienced personal injury lawyers can help you with any concerns you may have.

Over the past decade, bicycling has gradually become a more common form of primary transportation. This is especially true in urban areas, where the dense structure of a city makes biking especially convenient. Cyclists don't have to worry about finding parking spots, save money on gas and other automobile expenses, and reduce their carbon footprints.

Cyclists have the same rights as motorists and are required to abide by the same rules. However, many motorists fail to give cyclists the respect they deserve. When a negligent motorist causes an accident with a cyclist, the injuries are often quite serious. These victims deserve justice.

Common Types Of Accidents

Philly is slowly becoming more bike-friendly. Designated bike lanes help ensure the safety of riders, but accidents still happen. Some common dangers cyclists still face include:

• Accidents caused by negligent motorists
• Getting "doored" - when a motorist suddenly opens his door without checking for cyclists
• Cars driving in the bike lane
• Collisions at busy intersections

As cycling becomes more popular, drivers are slowly learning to adjust and become more aware of cyclists while they're on the road. Despite this fact, in 2014 there were still 551 bike accidents in Philadelphia.

Staying Safe

Since cyclists are completely exposed to their surroundings with little protection, it's important to ride safely. Safe riding reduces the risk of a serious accident, although sometimes reckless motorists cause accidents which are impossible to avoid. Important rider safety measures include:

• Wear a helmet
• Use bike lanes when available
• Ride with the flow of traffic
• Obey traffic laws and signals
• Use hand signals before turning
• Make sure your bike has reflectors and lights for riding after dark
• Be careful of getting doored when passing parked cars
• Stay aware of your surroundings

Following this advice will help to keep you safe, but plenty of responsible bikers still find themselves in serious accidents. It's the same case for auto accidents as well - all it takes is one bad driver to cause a serious accident that could change your life forever. When a cyclist is following the rules of the road and is struck by a negligent motorist, it needs to be treated just as seriously as accidents involving two or more motor vehicles.

Recovering After An Accident

For injured cyclists, the road to recovery is often long and painful. Those with serious injuries may not be able to bike or return to work for an extended period, while outrageous medical bills continue to pile up.

When such an accident could have been prevented by safer driving, it's important to make the negligent party who caused the accident pay. No one should be forced to deal with post-accident burdens alone, especially if they had nothing to do with causing the accident.

Consulting with an experienced bicycle accident attorney is the first step.  Before you speak with one, we recommend bringing along as much evidence as you can, including:

• Vehicle info and contact info from anyone involved in the accident
• Contact info from any witnesses
• Medical records
• A copy of the police report
• Pictures of the scene and your injuries

If you have a strong case, you may be eligible for the following forms of compensation:

• Medical expenses
• Past and future lost wages
• Loss of quality of life
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional suffering
• Property damage

At The Disability Guys Pennsylvania, our free consultations and contingency fees mean you pay nothing until you see results.