Pennsylvania Bicycle Accident Lawyer

When cyclists in Pennsylvania face issues and concerns, they’re much akin to the problems most others in the U.S. face: infrastructural challenges and safety issues, especially when riding alongside traditional traffic. These can lead to bicycle accidents that cause serious harm to the riders involved, leaving them to deal with mounting medical bills, missed work, and considerable pain and suffering. The silver lining, however, is that a Pennsylvania bicycle accident lawyer from Rieders, Travis, Dohrmann, Mowery, Humphrey & Waters can help injured riders, such as yourself, fight for the compensation you deserve for your losses.

What Are the Causes of Bicycle Accidents?

Bicycle Accidents Happen for a Variety of Reasons

Most bicycle accidents occur as a result of preventable actions, particularly those that arise when drivers are not being careful. These include:

• Distracted driving
• Not yielding to cyclists when required
• Opening car doors without looking for approaching cyclists (“Dooring” accidents)
• Driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs
• Speeding or aggressive driving
• Not keeping enough space when passing cyclists
• Poor road conditions that local authorities should have fixed.

A Williamsport bicycle accident lawyer from our firm will carefully look into the details of your case to determine the exact order of events and the party that should be held responsible for your injuries.

Types of Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

The most common outcomes of bicycle accidents are serious injuries that need extensive medical care and recovery time. Some of these include:

• Head injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Road rash and soft tissue injuries
• Internal injuries and organ damage
• Facial injuries and dental problems
• Mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder.

When you partner with our firm, we will work to ensure you can seek compensation that covers all these impacts.

Pennsylvania Bicycle Laws

Generally, cyclists in the Keystone State have the same rights and responsibilities as its drivers, though there are a few distinct differences, namely:

• Cyclists must ride as far to the right as practical unless turning left or avoiding hazards.
• Drivers must stay at least four feet away when passing a bicycle.
• Helmets are only required for cyclists under 12 years old.
• Bicycles used at night must have a front lamp visible from 500 feet and either a rear red reflector or lamp visible from the same distance.
• Hand signals for turns and stops are required (left arm out for left turns, left arm bent up for right turns, and left arm bent down for stopping).
• Two cyclists can ride side by side but must return to a single file when being passed by faster vehicles.
• Cyclists are just as entitled to the roadway as anyone else.

The bike accident attorneys at Rieders, Travis, Dohrmann, Mowery, Humphrey & Waters are well-versed in these laws and the ways they may apply to your situation.

Navigating Insurance Claims After a Bicycle Accident

The degree and extent to which Pennsylvania’s Financial Responsibility Laws govern bicycle accidents is a complex matter that you should discuss with the attorney. You may need to deal with your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, the at-fault driver’s liability insurance, and coverage for underinsured or uninsured motorists.

Why Choose Us?

The Road to Recovery Starts with Legal Support

At Rieders, Travis, Dohrmann, Mowery, Humphrey & Waters, our team of Pennsylvania bicycle accident lawyers bring years of experience to every case we handle. Beyond that, we stand out for the following reasons:

• We’ve successfully obtained substantial settlements for injured cyclists throughout Pennsylvania.
• We know the local roads, traffic patterns, and court systems of Williamsport and its nearby communities.
• We combine the resources of a large practice with the personal attention of a small firm.
• We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which often leads to better settlement offers.
• Our attorneys have earned recognition from peers and clients for their dedication to achieving justice.

We believe every injured cyclist deserves skilled representation, regardless of their financial situation. That is why we handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis; you pay nothing unless we obtain compensation for you.

If you have been hurt in a bicycle accident, do not wait to get legal help. Call Rieders, Travis, Dohrmann, Mowery, Humphrey & Waters at (570) 323-8711 for a free consultation.

The Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accident Claims

In Pennsylvania, you generally have two years from the date of your accident (including bicycle accidents) to file a personal injury claim. However, there are exceptions that might apply to your case, such as the following:

• If the injured person is under 18, the two-year clock typically does not start until they turn 18.
• Cases involving government entities may have much shorter notice requirements.
• The discovery rule may apply if injuries are not immediately apparent.

Regardless of exceptions or extensions, missing these deadlines can permanently prevent you from seeking compensation.

How We Can Help With Your Bicycle Accident Claim

Our Pennsylvania bicycle accident lawyers provide complete legal services tailored to your specific needs. These are as follows:

• Conducting a thorough investigation of your accident
• Working with accident reconstruction experts when needed
• Documenting all your injuries and understanding their long-term impacts
• Calculating the full value of your claim
• Handling all communications with insurance companies
• Negotiating strongly for a fair settlement while preparing your case for trial, if necessary.

Our goal is to handle all of your legal burdens so you can focus on healing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accidents

Here are answers to some common questions we receive from bicycle accident victims:

Can I still obtain compensation if I was partially at fault for the bicycle accident?

Yes. Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover damages as long as you are found to be less than 51% responsible for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

How much is my bicycle accident case worth?

The value of your case depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, your medical bills, whether you have any lost wages, your pain and suffering, and your available insurance coverage. A bike accident attorney can give you a specific estimate after reviewing the details of your case.

How long will my bicycle accident case take to resolve?

Case timelines vary depending on how complex the case in question is, as well as how serious the victim’s injuries are, and whether the case will settle or go to trial. Some can be resolved in months, while others could take a year or longer.

What if the driver who hit me did not have insurance?

If the at-fault driver was uninsured, you may still have options. These might include filing a claim under your own uninsured motorist coverage, your health insurance, or possibly pursuing a claim against another party who shares responsibility for the accident.

Every bicycle accident case has its own unique challenges, but with proper legal guidance, you can navigate the claims process successfully and focus on your recovery.

Contact a Pennsylvania Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a Pennsylvania bike accident, you do not have to go through these challenging times alone. The experienced Williamsport bicycle accident lawyers at Rieders, Travis, Dohrmann, Mowery, Humphrey & Waters are ready to fight for your rights and help you get the compensation you need to move forward. Let us put our knowledge, resources, and determination to work for you.

Contact Rieders, Travis, Dohrmann, Mowery, Humphrey & Waters at (570) 323-8711 today for experienced guidance.

Attorney Cliff Rieders

Cliff Rieders is a Nationally Board Certified Trial Lawyer practicing personal injury law. A large part of his practice involves multi-district litigation, including cases related to pharmaceuticals, vitamin supplements and medical devices. He is admitted in several state and federal courts, as well as the Supreme Court of the United States. Rieders is the past regional president of the Federal Bar Association and is a life member of the distinguished American Law Institute, which promulgates proposed rules adopted by many state courts. He is a past president of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, formerly Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association. As a founder of the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, he served on the Board for 15 years.

Not only has Rieders held many highly esteemed, leadership positions, he authored legislation related to the Patient Safety Authority and the Mcare Act, which governs medical and hospital liability actions in Pennsylvania. He authored texts upon which both practitioners and judges rely, including Pennsylvania Malpractice Laws and Forms, and Financial Responsibility Law Issues in Pennsylvania, the latter governing auto and truck collisions in Pennsylvania. In addition, he wrote several books on the practice of law in Pennsylvania regarding wrongful death and survivor actions, insurance bad faith, legal malpractice claims and worker rights, among others. Rieders also serves as a resource to practitioners as a regular speaker for Celesq, an arm of the world’s largest legal publisher, Thomson Reuters West Publishing.

As recognition of his wide range of contribution to his profession and of his dedication to protecting the rights of his clients, he received numerous awards, among them the George F. Douglas Amicus Curiae Award, the Milton D. Rosenberg Award, the B’nai B’rith Justice Award, and awards of recognition from the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers. [ Attorney Bio ]