Although Philadelphia is much more bike-friendly than many other American cities, biking can still be dangerous when drivers act carelessly or recklessly. Hundreds of local bicyclists get hurt yearly in accidents caused by negligent drivers. After a collision, you may have limited time to enforce your legal rights and demand fair payment for the harm you’ve suffered.
Holding someone liable for injuring you is much easier with assistance from an experienced attorney at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers. A Philadelphia bicycle accident like Rich Godshall knows how to fight and win cases like yours. Our firm recovered a $3.5 million settlement for a child hit by a drunk driver while riding her bike. We will ensure you get fair compensation for the harm you should’ve never suffered.
How Fault Works in Bike Crash Cases
While bicyclists may have a much higher risk of getting hurt in traffic accidents than vehicle passengers, Pennsylvania courts don’t automatically side with the biker in a lawsuit. Instead, your Philadelphia bike accident attorney will have to prove the driver named as “defendant” in your claim was legally “negligent,” which means proving all the following:
- The defendant owed you a duty to act reasonably and responsibly to minimize the risk that they’d hurt anyone else
- The defendant did something reckless or careless enough to count as a “breach” of that duty
- That “breach of duty” directly led to your accident
- Your accident directly led to your injuries
Partial Liability for Biking Collisions
As our experienced lawyers in Philadelphia can further explain, you may need to prove that you weren’t negligent in a way that contributed to your bicycle accident. Otherwise, a court might assign you a percentage of “comparative fault” and reduce the total compensation you’re eligible to receive or prohibit you from getting any money at all.
Compensation for Injured Cyclists in Philadelphia
Assuming no issues with comparative fault, you have the right to pursue full compensation from someone who negligently caused you harm. A seasoned attorney at our firm can demand payment for every negative effect the bicycle accident had and will have on you, including:
- Physical discomfort and pain
- All past and future medical bills
- Emotional trauma and psychological suffering
- Lost or damaged personal property, including bike replacement or repair costs
- Loss of life’s pleasures
- Lost work wages or ability to work
Importantly, though, most people injured by another person’s negligence in Pennsylvania have two years after initially getting hurt to start filing a lawsuit. Contacting our experienced lawyers should be a top priority after a bike wreck in Philadelphia.
Talk to a Philadelphia Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
Cycling in an urban environment can be dangerous even if you take every precaution. Unfortunately, you can’t account for other people’s reckless behavior. If you can prove someone else is legally at fault for a collision, that person may be financially responsible for all the harm you suffered.
A Philadelphia bicycle accident lawyer will be a vital ally throughout the legal process of getting the payments you deserve. Learn more by calling Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers today.
