Life-changing injuries can happen when a motorist hits a bicycle rider. However, if you have been involved in a cycling accident, you may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries.
A Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney with Morelli Law may be able to help you recover financial damages to pay for your medical costs and other damages.
Our personal injury attorneys have recovered over $1 billion in damages for our clients, and we may be able to help you to maximize your compensation.
Causes of Bike Accidents in Philadelphia
Philly is a popular city for bicyclists. Bikes are used for commuting, recreation, and commercial delivery services. Bike lanes are available, and the city is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in America. However, anytime bicycles share the road with motorists, the potential for accidents exists.
Liability in bicycle accidents isn’t always apparent, so it’s essential to enlist the help of a Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney. Your lawyer will be able to assign liability and identify all potentially liable parties to build your case and protect your rights.
- Driver distraction
- Speeding or not compensating for slippery roads and weather conditions
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failure to obey traffic signals, stop signs
- Failing to yield
- Excessive speed
- Violation of motor vehicle laws by drivers
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Rideshare and taxi drivers picking up passengers
- Driver fatigue
- Inattentive drivers
- Not compensating for weather conditions
- Loose manhole covers
- Defective pavement, bad road surfaces
- Driver inexperience
- Cell phone use
Determining the causes of an accident requires extensive collection and review of evidence. Our legal team is experienced and has the resources to conduct a thorough evaluation.
Have You Been Injured In An Accident? Contact Morelli Law
877-751-9800You May Have Delayed Onset Injuries After a Bicycle Accident
Even if you walked away from a bicycle crash, you might still have been injured. It’s important to seek medical attention after any accident, especially when blunt force trauma may be a factor. Concussions, serious brain injuries, hemorrhages, and internal damage can be masked by the adrenaline your body produced after the accident.
The endorphins are the body’s natural response to danger and pain, and you may not notice potentially serious injuries until hours or even days later. If you feel as though something isn’t quite right, seek medical help immediately.
Injuries After a Bicycle Accident
The severity of injuries after a bicycle accident can range from scrapes and bruises to fatal injuries. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, many people can sadly suffer life-changing physical harm.
Your Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney will have familiarity with the challenges and costs associated with these injuries and will work to obtain appropriate compensation to cover the current and potential medical expenses. Some common injuries suffered by car vs. bicycle accident injury victims include:
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Road rash and complications from infection
- Loss of hearing or vision
- Broken or lost teeth
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of limbs and amputation
- Lacerations, puncture wounds
- Spinal cord injuries, paralysis
- TBI, brain injuries, concussions
- Bone fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Shoulder dislocation
- Amputation and loss of limbs
You wouldn’t necessarily negate your claim if you got up and walked away from your accident. Don’t be alarmed if you discovered your injuries after the fact and have recently decided to seek legal help.
First, seek immediate medical attention and get a full evaluation by a qualified medical professional. Then reach out to a personal injury lawyer to learn about your legal options.
Contact our Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers today
877-751-9800Comparative Negligence in Bicycle Accident Cases
Philadelphia follows the rule of modified comparative negligence, as do many other states. This means that liability can be shared by multiple parties, including the cyclist. As long as the bicycle rider is found to be less than 50% responsible for the accident, they may still collect damages.
The percentage of fault assigned to you will reduce the amount you can collect. For example, if the jury awards you $100,000, but your portion of the fault is determined to be 10%, you will have your award reduced by that 10% and collect $90,000.
If other parties share the blame for the accident, the percentage of the award they pay directly correlates to the percentage of the blame they are assigned by the court. Though the driver of a vehicle is generally held to a higher duty of care, you may still share in the liability.
A Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney will work to present evidence to reduce or negate any claims of liability against you.
Who Can Be Liable for a Bike Accident in Philadelphia?
Several parties can be held liable in any bicycle accident if negligent behavior was the cause. The commonly cited parties of liability, or defendants, in bicycle accidents, are:
- Transit companies
- Taxi, Uber, and Lyft drivers
- Other bicyclists
- Municipalities or government agencies
- Negligent drivers’ employers
- Pedestrians
- Vehicle and equipment manufacturers if faulty parts are to blame
- Truck drivers
- Bus drivers
Even though Pennsylvania follows a no-fault rule, the state still allows bicycle accident injury victims to pursue and collect substantial compensation in many circumstances.
If you are not certain whether you are eligible to pursue damages for injuries you suffered in a bike crash, a Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney can review your case at no cost to you.
Contact Us Today for a Free Case Evaluation
Bicyclists are common in Philly, yet many times motorists disregard cyclists as other legal occupants of the road. Motorists often don’t understand the importance of looking for motorcycles on the road and fail to notice them because they simply aren’t as large as other vehicles.
If you have been injured due to the negligent behavior of a motorist, our bicycle accident lawyers in Philadelphia may be able to offer you assistance and legal representation.
Do not hesitate to contact Morelli Law today. Our attorneys work on a contingency basis and will review your case at no cost. There is no risk or obligation to find out more about your options for pursuing legal action.
Call or text 877-751-9800 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
