Bicycles are healthy alternative transportation β they save gas (and money) and are a great way to stay in shape. But because cyclists also have to share the road (which is often not very bike-friendly) with automobiles, SUVs, motorcycles and even semi-trucks, they can also be a dangerous alternative.
Drivers are not necessarily looking out for bikers and some can be quite aggressive toward them. According to six years of crash data gathered by the Post-Gazette, about half of all bicycle accidents are NOT the cyclist’s fault.
Unfortunately, as more people are using bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation, automobile drivers are becoming less patient and more reckless. PennDOTβs Crash Facts and Statistics Report shows that in 2013 there were 1,383 bicycle crashes in Pennsylvania, most of which occurred at intersections.
A bicycle accident can be catastrophic with most victims suffering severe physical injuries β broken bones, fractures and head injuries and even death. If you or your loved one was involved in a biking accident, you may have the right to seek compensation for injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages or lost future wages as well as property damage.
The Pittsburgh personal injury lawyers at Stewart, Murray and Associates Law Group will do everything possible to get you the money you deserve and recover what you are owed for your injuries.
If you have motor vehicle insurance your injuries from the bike accident will be handled by your car insurance company. The types of coverage you have will determine what expenses your auto insurance will cover.
If you do not have auto insurance, the insurance of the driver of the automobile may cover your expenses if they are found at fault, however their insurance may not cover all of your medical expenses or lost wages.
If you do not have insurance and were not at fault for the accident, call our office for a free legal case evaluation so we can better advise you on your options.
If you are involved in a bicycle accident in which another vehicle was at fault or if there were unsafe road conditions where you crashed, you have every right to seek compensation for your injuries. However, you must do so within a certain time frame, typically within two years. However, the sooner you contact an attorney, the better your chance will be of building a strong case.
Our personal injury attorneys will conduct an extensive investigation into your accident, collecting evidence and talking to witnesses and law enforcement officers as needed to present a strong case.
We will fight the insurance companies aggressively in order to get you the best possible result. We are successful because our attorneys have had the experience of working on both sides of personal injury cases for plaintiffs as well as defendants. This has given us an advantage in representing our clients against the insurance companies that are part of these claims and actions.
We have a team of lawyers, investigators, and field experts who work together to build a strong case for our clients. We know when to negotiate, when to go to court and how to get you money for your injuries. We will try to get the maximum compensation you deserve.
Our attorneys are not just here to collect a paycheck β we are here to make a difference. We are here to answer your questions and we offer free case evaluations. We do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
Contact us today if you or your loved one has suffered injuries due to a bicycle accident.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 800 bicyclists die in the United States each year, while the average age of cyclists killed in motor vehicle accidents is 47.
Statistics provided by BikePGH show that pedestrians and bicyclists in Pittsburgh are killed βat a higher rate than auto drivers.β The report also reveals that aggressive driving is a factor in about a third (32 percent) of all motor vehicle crashes involving a bicyclist.
Although Pennsylvaniaβs bicycle safety laws are quite straightforward, many motorists fail to abide by the state rules and end up causing injuries and deaths on the roads and highways of Pittsburgh and elsewhere in our state.
The process of recovering damages as a victim of a bicycle accident differs from the process of seeking compensation as a driver or passenger of a car or even a motorcycle. Thatβs why we decided to ask our Pittsburgh bicycle accident attorney from SMA Law Group to answer your most common questions about bicycle crashes.
Or can you actually recover damages after a bicycle crash without being legally represented? Thatβs a tricky question to answer, but if you look at the statistics, you will notice that those who choose to be represented by a lawyer receive larger payouts. According to Martindale-Nolo research, people who hired an attorney received settlements or awards that were $60,000 higher than those who didnβt.
Hiring a bicycle accident attorney in Pittsburgh or elsewhere in Pennsylvania is not about getting maximum compensation for your losses and damages. It is also about reducing the stress associated with complicated and exhausting legal processes, as well as letting a professional do everything that is required from you while allowing yourself to focus on your recovery after the injury.
Here at SMA Law Group, our best bicycle accident lawyers in Pennsylvania are cyclists ourselves. We know bicycle-related laws by heart, and we understand the situations in which a bicyclist can and cannot be negligent, careless, or reckless. By hiring one of our lawyers, you get all of the following benefits:
When you call our Pittsburgh bicycle accident lawyer to get a free consultation about your case, you will be advised of the options on pursuing maximum compensation for your damages and losses. Our attorney will have to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the details of your case, in the course of which multiple liable parties may be discovered.
The more parties you can hold accountable for your injury, the bigger the amount of money you can recover. Some of the parties that may be held liable for your injury include:
The types of damages that you can recover after your bicycle crash depend on a variety of factors in your particular case, including but not limited to:
The type of compensation and the amount that you can recover as part of your personal injury suit depends on the factors mentioned above, but the following types of damages may be available:
That is only a short list of damages that may be available in your case following a bicycle accident. Contact our Pittsburgh bicycle accident attorney at SMA Law Group for a free case evaluation. Call our offices at 412-765-3345.
Thorough, supportive! I greatly appreciated what Jonathan and his office did for me to get justice and even communicated with my insurance on my behalf. I sincerely appreciate it!
Call 412-765-3345 for a free case evaluation. Our attorneys are available by phone, email or in-person.
SMA Law Group attorneys believe in aggressively representing our clients while maintaining the personal compassion needed when counseling clients through difficult situations and navigating a complex legal system. Contact us today.
