Bicycle Injuries

Bucks County Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Whether you ride your bicycle for weekend recreation in Feasterville or use it as a means of environment-friendly transportation, you should not have to worry about the risk of a serious bicycle accident caused by a negligent motorist. However, children and adults alike are at risk of serious injuries in bicycle collisions, and it is important to hold the responsible party accountable. When a bicycle accident causes serious injuries, the victim can require surgery and other extensive medical treatments, which can result in substantial medical bills. Moreover, the victim may require costly prescription medications and rehabilitative therapies. The party that caused the accident should be liable for these costs.

At The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers, we can help you to seek financial compensation from the careless driver that caused your injuries. An experienced Feasterville bicycle accident lawyer can examine the facts of your case today and can suggest a plan for filing a bicycle accident claim.

Learning More About Pennsylvania Bicycle Accidents

According to a report from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Penn DOT), bicycle crashes represent only 1.1 percent of all traffic-related fatalities, yet the numbers are still staggering. In 2014 alone, 19 bicyclists suffered fatal injuries in Pennsylvania, while nearly 1,300 suffered serious injuries. While the total number of crashes has decreased in recent years, the number of fatalities has actually risen. As such, it looks as though bicycle crashes are becoming more deadly. For instance, in 2011, there was a total of 1,316 bicycle accidents and 11 deaths. By 2014, the number of collisions had dropped to 1,309, but the total number of deaths had risen to 19. What are some other facts and figures you should know about bicycle injuries and fatalities?

  • Children between the ages of 5 and 14 are most likely to be involved in a fatal bicycle accident;
  • About 25 percent of all bicycle fatalities involve riders between the ages of 5 and 14;
  • Bicyclists between the ages of 15 and 19 account for the next highest number of fatalities and nearly 16 percent of all bicycle accident injuries;
  • The highest rate of bicycle accident injuries occurs in riders between the ages of 20-34, accounting for nearly 33 percent of all nonfatal injuries and more than 21 percent of all fatalities;
  • Majority of bicycle injuries and fatalities occur during daylight hours;
  • More than 75 percent of all nonfatal bicycle accident injuries take place during daylight hours, while nearly 53 percent of all fatal bicycle injuries occur during daylight hours;
  • Few bicycle accidents occur at dusk, although more than 17 percent of all nonfatal bicycle accident injuries happen during the nighttime on streets that are equipped with lights;
  • Most bicyclists suffer nonfatal injuries at intersections (64.6 percent) and fatal injuries at intersections (52.6 percent);
  • About 95 percent of all bicycle deaths occur on non-interstate state highways in Pennsylvania; and
  • Around 56 percent of all nonfatal bicycle injuries happen on local roads.

Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

At The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers, we have years of experience representing clients who have been injured in bicycle accidents. As with other types of motor vehicle collisions, injuries can vary widely in bicycle collisions. Sometimes injuries are minor, while other bicycles can sustain life-threatening and fatal injuries. Frequent injuries in bicycle collisions include but are not limited to:

  • Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions;
  • Other head trauma;
  • Spinal cord injuries;
  • Other neck injuries and back injuries;
  • Broken bones and fractures;
  • Bruises and lacerations;
  • Internal bleeding; and
  • Emotional and psychological injuries.

No matter how minor your injuries, you should not have to pay for another party’s negligence. An aggressive Feasterville bicycle accident lawyer at our firm can assist with your case.

Damages in Feasterville Bicycle Accident Lawsuits

If you file a bicycle accident lawsuit, what kinds of damages can you be eligible to receive? First and foremost, bicycle accident victims may be eligible to receive compensatory damages. As the name of these damages suggest, compensatory damages are intended to compensate victims for different types of losses. There are two kinds of compensatory damages:

  • Economic damages: economic damages compensate a victim for specific economic losses, meaning those that come with an objective dollar amount. For instance, economic damages can compensate for hospital bills, surgery costs, and lost wages.
  • Non-economic damages: non-economic damages compensate a victim for losses that are not economic in nature. Instead, non-economic damages compensate a victim for losses that are more subjective in nature, such as pain and suffering, the loss of enjoyment of life, or the emotional trauma of disfigurement. Given that damages amounts may vary for these losses depending upon the specific facts of the victim’s case, as well as the jury’s ideas about what is fair, non-economic damages tend to be more controversial than economic damages.

In addition to compensatory damages, a bicycle accident victim also may be eligible to receive punitive damages. As the name suggests, these damages are punitive in nature and thus are intended to punish the defendant for especially harmful behavior. While these damages still go to the victim, the reason a jury may award them is different. Generally speaking, punitive damages are not common and are not always awarded in personal injury lawsuits. However, when a defendant’s actions seem particularly egregious, a jury can award them.

How Much Time Do I Have to File a Bicycle Accident Claim?

Under Pennsylvania law, a bicycle accident victim is required to bring a claim within two years from the date of the accident. If the victim fails to bring her claim within this period of time, she may lose her right to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.

Given this relatively short window, it is essential to begin discussing your bicycle accident claim with a Feasterville personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Seek Advice from a Feasterville Bicycle Accident Attorney

If you were injured in a bicycle accident caused by another party’s negligent behavior, you deserve to be compensated. An aggressive bicycle accident lawyer in Feasterville can examine the specific facts of your case and can develop a plan for moving forward with your claim. Contact The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers today to get started on your case.

Feasterville Office
Attorneys Gabriel Levin and John Mattiacci at The Levin Firm welcome the opportunity to meet and work with you.
Toll Free: 877.825.8542