Riding a bicycle can be a great way to get exercise. But when sharing the roadway with motor vehicles, it can turn deadly when other drivers fail to pay attention to bicyclists. After all, a bicycle is no match for a motor vehicle in an accident. The injuries can be life changing and catastrophic for the bicycle rider.

That is why it is important to have a bicycle accident lawyer assist you after you’re involved in an accident. If you are involved in a Philadelphia bike accident, our experienced lawyers are available to help you get the compensation that you deserve. You may be entitled to damages including, but not limited to, lost wages and medical expenses.

Our bicycle accident lawyers will review the facts of your case and advise you on how we may be able to best assist you in recovering compensation for the injuries sustained as well as property damage, if any was caused from the accident. 

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Philadelphia

Unfortunately, bicycle accidents are very common. In fact, in 2017 there were 1,137 bicycle accident fatalities in the state of Philadelphia alone, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The majority of bicycle-related accidents occur when a car collides with a bike. A person on a bicycle may not be visible because they are much smaller than other vehicles sharing the roadway, which makes it more difficult for drivers to see them at intersections where more traffic is present.

Common reasons for bicycle accidents include the following:

• Distracted drivers.
• Drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Speeding.
• Dangerous road conditions that may be hazardous to cyclists such as poor lane surfaces, debris on roads and potholes.
• Drivers failing to obey traffic rules including running red lights, stop signs and failing to yield the right of way.

What To Do If You Have A Bicycle Accident

If you have been in a bicycle accident with a vehicle, it is important to take the following immediate steps: 

• Seek medical attention if any injuries are sustained. 
• Call the police and have them fill out an accident report.
• Document everything including taking pictures of the accident scene and your injuries. 
• Get contact information from all parties involved including witnesses. 

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

Head injuries, including life-altering traumatic brain injuries, are the most common bicycle accident injury, particularly among bicyclists without helmets.

Back injuries can be suffered, causing damage to your spinal cord or other vertebrae. Broken bones, scrapes and bruises may also result from falling or crashing into something due to a loss of control during the bicycle accident. All of these injuries may keep you out of work for significant amounts of time, leading to lost wage and future lost wage claims.

How a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help?

If you were injured on a bicycle and it was someone else’s fault, you should not hesitate to contact a Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident. It is important to be aware that there is a statute of limitations in PA for how long you have to file a personal injury claim against whoever was responsible for the crash. Because memories fade and witnesses can be more difficult to locate, do not delay in pursuing your claim. 

If you’ve been injured and are finding yourself Googling lawyer near me, give our law firm a call instead—our bike accident lawyers may be able to investigate your case. Call Premier Legal Solutions, PLLC at 267-824-2425 or head over to 1lawyer.com and fill out our contact form.