A Philadelphia Bicycle Accident Attorney, Pennsylvania’s Bicycle Laws, And Your Rights On The Road

Cyclists in Pennsylvania are protected under the law when riding on the road, just like motorists. A cyclist has just as much of a right to occupy a lane of traffic and move from Point A to Point B as a car or truck driver. Likewise, if a cyclist causes an accident, they can also be held legally responsible for damages and injuries caused by their actions. Have you been injured on the road as a cyclist? Contact Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., today for more information on how to protect your rights. Understanding your rights as a cyclist is key to remaining safe while cycling. Once you suffer an injury, do not hesitate to contact a Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney who fights for his clients. 

How Are Bicycles Treated Under Pennsylvania Traffic Laws?

The state law of Pennsylvania treats bicycles much the same as motor vehicles. For example, as a cyclist, you must ride your bicycle on the right side of the road. You may not ride your bicycle against traffic. Finally, if riding with other cyclists, each of you must ride single file unless you are in the process of passing another cyclist. 

More frequently, especially in larger metropolitan areas like Philadelphia, bike lanes are gaining popularity. This means there are dedicated lanes of traffic only for cyclists that motor vehicles are legally prohibited from utilizing. However, most streets and roads do not have dedicated bike lanes. In a situation where you find yourself travelling by bicycle on a road with no bike lane, you must use the shoulder in the farthest right lane. 

How Does Insurance Work Regarding Bicycle Accidents?

Being injured in a cycling accident is an unfortunate situation to find yourself in. Not only are you in pain, but you also need to find out how to pursue an insurance claim to protect your rights under the law. This can be a daunting challenge depending on the nature of your injuries and the circumstances you find yourself in. Contact Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. to find out how an experienced Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney can help you protect your rights. 

If a motorist was operating their vehicle negligently and caused you to suffer an injury, then that means that you have the ability to file an insurance claim against the at-fault driver. This may be done either through the at-fault driver’s insurance or through your own uninsured motorist policy if the motorist is determined not to have insurance coverage on the date of your accident. 

How Must A Cyclist Observe The Laws Of The Road When Riding In Traffic?

Since cyclists are treated the same as motorists under the law, the same rules apply when it comes to honoring traffic signals, stop signs, and other roadway indicators. Red lights and stop signs apply just as much to cyclists as they do to motorists. Just as a motorist must yield to a pedestrian crossing the street, so, too, must you as a cyclist. Passing another cyclist or a vehicle must also be done on the left. 

What Laws Exist For Cyclists Regarding Safety Equipment?

An adult cyclist is not required to wear a helmet when riding their bicycle. Children twelve years of age or younger must wear a helmet when riding their bike. When riding your bicycle, you must equip it with a bell or horn.

Visibility on the road is critical to remaining safe as a cyclist. There are only so many things you can do as a cyclist to make yourself more easily seen by motorists, pedestrians, and fellow cyclists. Even motorcyclists struggle to make themselves visible on the roads. For cyclists, a white front light and rear reflectors are necessary before pedaling out onto the road. Pedestrians and vehicles can become distracted and not see you pedaling by. The more reflective you and your bicycle are, the less likely you will be injured in an auto-cyclist or pedestrian-cyclist accident. 

Motorists Must Drive Safely, Especially In Poor Weather

One of the most dangerous conditions for a cyclist to venture out onto the roads is bad weather. Pennsylvania is home to cold Winters, rainy Springs, and extreme weather in the Summer. All of these seasonal weather patterns add up to potentially treacherous conditions for cyclists. Not the least of all reasons for this is the reality that motorists can take their minds off the road and potentially cause a life-changing accident to occur.

Being in a hurry means you may come into contact with distracted or aggressive drivers. Impatience with a cyclist may lead a motorist to ignore traffic laws and attempt to pass without sufficient room to spare. A vehicle clipping your front or rear tire is more than enough to send you spiraling out of control. Recall that motorists must yield to both pedestrians and cyclists. 

Consider Factors Related To Roadway Conditions That Cause A Bicycle Accident 

Changing weather conditions mean changing road conditions. Water that remains on roadway surfaces can lead to cracking and degradation of the road. This means that the various municipalities in the state have a responsibility to maintain roadway surfaces. 

The failure to maintain safe roadways can place the state of Pennsylvania, a county transportation department, or the city where you live in a position of liability for your cycling accident. 

However, filing an insurance claim or eventually a lawsuit against a municipality or other governmental defendant is different from doing so against a business or private individual. To ensure that your insurance claim or lawsuit is filed and pursued appropriately, please contact Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. Our team of experienced legal professionals serves cyclists who have been injured due to unsafe road conditions. 

What Can A Philadelphia Bicycle Accident Attorney Do To Help You After A Cycling Accident?

An investigation of your accident must be conducted to determine what happened. Your recollections about the accident may be incorrect based on the nature of your injuries. It would not be unexpected to find that you remember something that did not happen. An experienced Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney can help you contact witnesses, request camera footage, and interview all parties involved to determine who was at fault for your injuries. 

Depending upon the type of accident you were involved in, there may be multiple parties who were at fault for your injuries. Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., can provide you with an overview of who is at fault in your case. This allows you to prepare for future legal proceedings and to begin negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company. 

Insurance companies are notoriously difficult to work with after an accident. Instead of trying to work through a settlement on your own, consider reaching out to a Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney who has served injured cyclists before. A quick settlement can mean a settlement that falls short of expectations. Instead of accepting the first settlement offer proposed, consider contacting our office first to discuss your options. We offer free consultations and can provide you with an overview of your case, outlining what to expect moving forward. 

What Is Your Case Worth?

It is difficult to attach a dollar value to physical and mental impairments suffered in an accident. A common question to ask in this situation is how much your case is worth. This question requires that you consider fully the circumstances you find yourself in currently. That means looking at your injuries, the need for rehabilitation, any lost wages you suffered, and the emotional damage you sustained, as well. This is not as simple as adding up the proposed cost of items at the grocery store. 

Instead, work with a Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney who has served clients who have been injured in cycling accidents before. Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., takes into consideration all relevant factors when estimating a value for your case. Our team of skilled legal professionals leaves no stone unturned when estimating your damages. Those damages represent the lion’s share of what you will be asking for in an insurance settlement or from the at-fault party after a trial. 

Economic And Non-Economic Damages

When pursuing economic damages after a cycling accident, you are looking to receive payment for losses you can put a specific dollar value on. Examples include lost earnings, property damage, and medical expenses. 

On the other hand, non-economic damages are those that are more complicated to try to total. Loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and mental anguish may have taken a toll on you, but it is not a straightforward process to estimate their value. This is where an experienced Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney can make a big difference in your case. 

Contact A Philadelphia Bicycle Accident Attorney At Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., For Guidance After A Bicycle Accident

A Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney knows how to fight for you and preserve your rights after a bicycle accident. Contact us today for a free consultation.