Pittsburgh Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Trusted Bicycle Accident Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA

Although Pennsylvania’s 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. 

If you or someone you love 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.

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. 

Contact the Pittsburgh bicycle accident lawyer at SMT Legal today to answer your most important legal questions.

Bicycle Accidents and Insurance: Who Pays?

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.

Should you hire a Pittsburgh Bicycle Accident Attorney?

Can you recover damages after a bicycle crash without being legally represented? That’s 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 didn’t.

Hiring a bicycle accident attorney in Pittsburgh is 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 SMT Legal, our best bicycle accident lawyers in Pittsburgh 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:

• Free consultations about your case
• Strong legal strategy
• Full and thorough calculation of your damages and losses
• No upfront costs
• Effective negotiations with insurance companies and other parties on your behalf
• Guidance through medical treatment and billing
• Cooperation with the police, accident reconstruction experts, and a variety of other specialists
• Preparation of a lawsuit to go to trial, if necessary

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accidents in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit for a bicycle accident (42 Pa. C.S. § 5524). Missing this deadline typically bars you from recovering compensation, regardless of how strong your case is. Exceptions exist — such as claims involving a minor or a government entity, which carry shorter notice deadlines (as little as six months for claims against a municipality) — so it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your crash.

Can I Still Recover Damages If I Was Partly at Fault?

Yes. Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule (42 Pa. C.S. § 7102): you can still recover damages as long as you are found less than 51% at fault, though your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance adjusters routinely try to shift blame onto cyclists by pointing to helmet use, bike lane positioning, clothing visibility, or alleged signal violations — none of which are automatically disqualifying under PA law. An attorney gathers police reports, witness statements, traffic camera or dashcam footage, and crash-scene evidence to counter these tactics and keep your fault percentage as low as possible.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Pittsburgh Bicycle Accident?

1. Call 911 and request police and medical response, even if injuries seem minor.
2. Move to safety if you’re able, but don’t leave the scene.
3. Exchange information with the driver — name, contact info, insurance, and license plate.
4. Photograph everything — vehicle damage, your bike, the road, skid marks, signage, and your injuries.
5. Get witness contact information before people disperse.
6. Seek medical care the same day, even without visible injuries — some injuries (concussions, internal bleeding) surface later, and a medical record ties your injuries to the crash.
7. Avoid giving a recorded statement to the driver’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
8. Contact a Pittsburgh bicycle accident lawyer promptly — evidence and witness memory degrade quickly.

How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in Pittsburgh?

According to PennDOT crash data, Allegheny County has recorded more than 700 reported bicycle crashes since 2015, including at least 14 cyclist fatalities. Pittsburgh’s hilly terrain, narrow streets, and mix of dedicated bike lanes with unprotected shared roads make certain corridors — such as Penn Avenue, the South Side Flats, and sections of the Great Allegheny Passage approach — higher-risk for cyclist-vehicle collisions.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Pittsburgh Bicycle Accidents?

• Distracted driving (texting, navigation use)
• Failure to yield right-of-way at intersections
• Dooring (a parked car occupant opening a door into a cyclist’s path)
• Speeding or unsafe passing distance (PA law requires drivers to leave at least 4 feet when passing a cyclist, 75 Pa. C.S. § 3303)
• Poor road conditions — potholes, debris, inadequate lighting
• Impaired driving
• Low visibility at dusk/night

What Injuries Commonly Result From Bicycle Accidents?

• Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Fractures (wrists, collarbones, hips)
• Road rash and lacerations
• Internal organ injuries
• Dental and facial trauma
• Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety around riding

What Types of Damages Can You Recover After a Bicycle Accident?

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 severity of your injury
• The estimated amount of time to fully recover
• Whether or not you are expected to recover fully
• The extent to which your injury affects your personal and work life, etc.

The following types of damages may be recovered:

• Property damage
• Loss of income
• Loss of work opportunities and earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship
• Mental anguish

How Can I Maximize My Compensation After a Bicycle Accident?

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 other motorist for breaching his or her duty of reasonable care
• The bicycle manufacturer for manufacturing and selling defective bikes
• Public entities for failing to provide a safe environment such as the design of intersections, maintenance of roadways, bike lanes, lighting, and other elements
• Safety gear manufacturers for failure to produce safe helmets and other protective equipment
• Manufacturers of tires, wheels, pedals, and other bicycle parts and components for selling defective, faulty, or malfunctioning parts

If you are the victim of a bicycle accident, our personal injury lawyers can help answer your questions and provide details about the best way to collect compensation.

A bicycle accident can be catastrophic with most victims suffering severe physical injuries – 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.

FAQs

Who Pays for Medical Bills After A Bicycle Accident in Pittsburgh?

If you have auto insurance, your own policy typically handles your injury expenses first, with coverage details determined by the type of policy you carry. If you’re uninsured and not at fault, the at-fault driver’s insurance may cover some costs, though it often won’t cover everything — a free case evaluation can clarify your options.

Should I Hire A Pittsburgh Bicycle Accident Attorney?

Cyclists who work with an attorney tend to walk away with significantly larger settlements than those who go it alone, according to Martindale-Nolo research showing a $60,000 average difference. An attorney also handles negotiations, paperwork, and insurance companies so you can focus on recovering.

What Types of Damages Can I Recover After A Bicycle Accident?

Depending on the severity of your injury and its impact on your life and work, you may be able to recover property damage, medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and loss of companionship, among other losses.

How Can I Maximize My Compensation After A Bicycle Accident?

A thorough investigation can uncover multiple liable parties beyond just the other motorist — including bicycle manufacturers, safety gear makers, or public entities responsible for unsafe roads — and identifying all of them can increase your total recovery.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Bicycle Accident Claim in Pittsburgh, PA?

In Pennsylvania, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a bicycle accident lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to recover compensation entirely. Certain exceptions — such as claims involving a minor victim or a government entity — can shorten or extend this window, so it’s best to consult a Pittsburgh bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after your crash.

Can I Recover Compensation If I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?

Yes, you can still recover compensation in Pennsylvania as long as you were less than 51% at fault for the accident, under the state’s modified comparative negligence rule. Your final award is reduced by your percentage of fault, which is why it matters to have an attorney who can push back on insurance company attempts to unfairly shift blame onto the cyclist.

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Contact the Pittsburgh Bicycle Accident Lawyers at SMT Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation

The Pittsburgh personal injury lawyers at SMT Legal will do everything possible to get you the money you deserve and recover what you are owed for your injuries We will fight the insurance companies aggressively in order to get you the best possible result.

We are successful for our clients 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 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. 

Contact us for more information.