A Philadelphia Bicycle Accident Attorney Explains How Road Hazards Can Be Dangerous in the Spring

As temperatures rise and the threat of snow subsides, Philadelphia-area roads become crowded with cyclists. Despite the green grass and colorful flowers springing to life, several concerns also emerge at this time of year. Warmer weather presents challenges for cyclists, including wet roads, potholes, and driver negligence. Cycling in the spring is not as simple as jumping on your bike and heading out wherever and whenever you would like. Instead, planning for a safe ride is the best way to avoid injuries and other bad outcomes; however, if you have already suffered an injury while cycling, there are steps to take right now that can help you tremendously, beginning with making a call to an experienced Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney.

Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., advocates for those who are injured in cycling accidents. Whether your injuries were caused by a negligent driver, an unfilled pothole, or a wet road, our team of legal professionals understands the challenges you are facing. Contact our office today for a free consultation.

Examining the Risks That Arise for Cyclists in the Springtime

Each season presents its risks for cycling. Spring is no exception to this rule. As a cyclist, being aware of these risks is crucial for your safety, and understanding the legal consequences of sustaining injuries while riding your bicycle.

Winter is commonly regarded as the most treacherous season for Philadelphia area cyclists, particularly in terms of road conditions. While the snow and reduced visibility of colder months do pose their fair share of risks to cyclists, spring should not be underestimated when it comes to difficult weather-related hazards. As the weather changes, the remnants of the past year’s impacts on roads begin to surface.

Consider that the roads in and around Philadelphia undergo significant changes in response to temperature fluctuations. Cold weather, which can last for months on end, shifts to warm weather seemingly at the drop of a hat. As the weather changes, roads can crack. These cracks can expand and contract as the weather heats and cools. Moisture creeping into these cracks is how huge potholes are created. Experienced cyclists are aware of the safety hazards presented by potholes.

What Happens When You Hit a Pothole While Cycling?

Even the most experienced cyclist will struggle to avoid potholes in the spring. Navigating around these potholes may sound like a minor inconvenience, but it is anything but that. When you hit a pothole or even clip the edge with your tire, it can send your bicycle careening out of control. Successfully missing a pothole with your bicycle may still lead to a troublesome situation.

Hitting a pothole while out for a cycling trip means that your chances of being hit by a driver increase dramatically. The margin for error when cycling is awfully small. A quick turn to avoid a pothole can send you directly into the path of an oncoming vehicle. On the other hand, hitting a pothole directly means that a flat tire is a distinct possibility. Flat tires can be replaced. What happens with you and your bicycle between the time your tire bursts and the replacement of the tire is what matters when it comes to your health.

Another consideration when thinking about potholes is whether the city of Philadelphia or another municipality is responsible for the upkeep of the road. Road maintenance is an ongoing process. A municipality cannot examine area roads once a year and then leave it at that. Rather, if you believe that a road was not properly cared for, then this is something worth discussing with an experienced Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney.

April (May and June) Showers Bring May Flowers – and an Increased Risk for Cycling Injuries

The same moisture on roads that creates potholes also creates conditions ripe for slick and dangerous surfaces. When wetness is not creeping into cracks in the roadway, it can also linger on surfaces during and after rain showers. Not only is the water itself a safety hazard, but so, too, are the substances which come to the surface. Oil and other roadway debris combine with the rain to create an extremely dangerous mix of conditions that can lead to injuries for cyclists.

Vehicles may hydroplane on wet surfaces. This is when a vehicle’s tires no longer contact the road’s surface. Even if a vehicle is traveling at low speeds, hydroplaning is possible. Heavy rain creates a circumstance where this outcome is possible. As a cyclist, you must be vigilant on the road at all times, especially when it is raining heavily. As the weather changes and road conditions adjust to warmer weather, you must pay close attention to your riding, but also to the vehicles traveling around you.

One safety check that even experienced cyclists often overlook is checking the tread of their tires on a regular basis. When was the last time you performed this critical examination? Jumping on your bicycle without looking at your tires is not a wise decision to make, especially when you consider that you may not have ridden your bicycle over the winter months. Additionally, consider reducing your speed when it is raining heavily. The slicker the road surface, the more stopping time is required.

More People on the Roads Means a Greater Likelihood of Accidents

Philadelphia winters are notoriously long and cold. Those first few days of cold and snow are beautiful in late fall and early winter. However, as we progress into the New Year, most Philadelphians grow tired of the shorter days and cold temperatures. That it will be snowing regularly throughout these months means that we are all looking forward to warmer weather and the opportunity to get outdoors once again.

On a practical level, the spring months are the first opportunity for most of us to exercise our newfound freedom from the cold, windy months of winter. We are eager to leave our cold-weather clothes at home and head out for a bicycle ride. At the same time, our neighbors are flocking to area lakes, the coast, or to city parks. Increased bicycle and vehicle traffic is a byproduct of this exuberance. Unfortunately, the more people on area roads means a greater likelihood for accidents involving bicycles and vehicles.

When motorists are not paying close attention to road conditions, it is cyclists who are usually put in harm’s way. What’s more, cyclists tend to suffer significant injuries when involved in motor vehicle accidents. While drivers are required by law to yield to pedestrians, including cyclists, that requirement is not always heeded by drivers. The net effect is that the serious consequences of cycling-automobile accidents are felt most acutely by those traveling on two wheels rather than four.

What Options Do You Have After Being Injured in a Bicycle-Automobile Accident?

The hours and days after an accident can be among the most painful, stressful periods of your life. Consider that medical bills, pain and suffering, as well as lost wages from missed work, begin to pile up. You may be able to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance. At the same time, if your losses are significant enough, there exists the real possibility that a single insurance policy is insufficient to compensate you fairly. This is when understanding your legal options makes a world of difference.

Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., is a Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney who knows how to hold negligent drivers accountable for their actions. No matter if the motorist was driving recklessly, speeding, or simply distracted, our team of legal professionals knows how to approach the situation with an eye towards your recovery. A personal injury claim can be filed against that driver’s insurance company. It takes an attorney with a well-trained eye to spot potential issues in your claim that can help you maximize its value.

When road hazards lead to bicycle accidents, Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., understands the complex nature of filing an insurance claim against the city of Philadelphia or any other municipality that may be responsible for maintaining the road. Gathering sufficient evidence to substantiate your claim is not always easy. It takes a team of advocates to navigate the system of filing a claim against a well-funded municipality.

Contact an Experienced Philadelphia Bicycle Accident Attorney Today

Do not allow a negligent driver to get away with injuring you. Bicycle accidents can not only cause injuries but also harm your emotional well-being. Instead of sitting idly after an accident, take a proactive approach. Contact a Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney at Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. to learn more about your legal options. We offer complimentary consultations, which enable you to ask questions and receive information tailored specifically to your circumstances.