Hit by a Car on a Bicycle? Call Our Bicycle Accident Attorneys in Newtown Square, PA
Individuals hit by a car and injured while riding a bicycle face challenges that other people hurt in a slip and fall, dog bite, or other motor vehicle accident may not face. This is because cyclists injured often suffer catastrophic, disfiguring, and often permanent injuries when they are injured in a car crash since riders have no protection from impact other than a helmet. Some motorists that hit cyclists will also hesitate, and some may even flee the scene in a hit and run accident, leaving a victim with no help and possibly insurance coverage issues. With over 1,000 cyclists injured and 20 wrongfully killed each year in Pennsylvania, this is a big problem for our state. This is why victims who have been injured in a bicycle collision should call our bicycle accident attorneys in Newtown Square, PA, for help.
Our aggressive personal injury team at Silver & Silver will fight for your rights by investigating the accident, identifying all liable parties, and working with law enforcement to determine who is at fault for your crash. We will not let insurance companies protect dangerous drivers to avoid fairly compensating a victim of a bicycle accident. If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a bicycle accident or any other motor vehicle crash in Pennsylvania, call our experienced bicycle accident attorneys in Newtown Square, PA, to schedule a FREE consultation.
Common Personal Injuries in a Bicycle Accident Case
Since cyclists have limited protections while driving a bicycle, they are often more likely to suffer serious personal injuries in a collision. This is a combination of the fact that cyclists are both 1) higher up off the ground while riding a bike, and 2) have little if any protection from a direct impact with a vehicle or the pavement.
As a result, many cyclists suffer injuries requiring admission to the hospital, surgery and sometimes multiple surgeries, physical therapy or occupational therapy, and prolonged recovery and absence from work. These factors can create hardship for a victim and their family.
Some of the most common personal injuries from a bicycle accident in Pennsylvania include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries or TBIs
- Spinal cord injuries or SCIs
- Paralysis such as paraplegia or quadriplegia
- Broken bones or fractured bones
- Organ injuries
- Nerve injuries like brachial plexus nerve injuries
- Road rash injuries or scarring
- Shoulder dislocation or separations
- Neck and back injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Torn ligaments, tendons, or muscles, and
- Many other personal injuries that our experienced bicycle accident lawyers in Newton Square, PA, could recover compensation for you in a personal injury lawsuit.
Proving Liability in a Bicycle Collision Case
Victims who have been injured in a bicycle accident case may be entitled to compensation for their conscious pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, and other damages. A victim must establish liability (or fault) against a defendant or group of defendants to recover these damages. This can be done in several ways.
First, a victim can establish that the defendant(s) were negligent by failing to exercise reasonable care in the use or operation of their motor vehicle to avoid causing a reckless or careless accident. A driver who fails to check for a bicyclist, runs a red light, or otherwise hits a cyclist may be found negligent for a crash.
Second, a victim may be able to establish liability by proving that the defendant violated a vehicle and traffic code that was meant to protect the victim from the harm that occurred. This is called the doctrine of negligence per se and it often applies in motor vehicle accident cases, especially involving bicycle accidents. This doctrine can automatically establish liability against a defendant in certain instances, allowing a victim only to have to prove causation and damages.
Were You Injured in a Bicycle Wreck in Pennsylvania? Call Silver & Silver
With over 40 years of experience representing personal injury victims throughout Pennsylvania, the compassionate and skilled lawyers at Silver & Silver are the right choice for a victim or family who is suffering intense agony, pain and suffering, high medical expenses, and significant lost wages after any type of accident. This is particularly true for bicycle accident victims who often suffer some of the worst personal injuries in a crash. Learn how we can help you by calling schedule a FREE case consultation with one of our bicycle accident attorneys in Newtown, PA, by dialing 610-638-7255 or sending us a message through our “contact us” box available here.