Bicycle Accidents Lawyers
Cyclists struck by drivers, doors, defects and unsafe roads.
Bicycle Accidents claims in Pennsylvania
A cyclist has the same right to the road as a driver, and almost none of the protection. A collision that would dent a bumper can mean surgery, months off work and a long rehabilitation.
This page is for people who were hit while riding, and for families handling the aftermath for someone who was. It covers how these crashes happen, who may be responsible, what a claim can include and what protects it early on.
Munley Law reviews bicycle cases at no charge and takes them with no fee unless it recovers compensation.
Free case review — tell us what happened and we'll take it from there.Why families bring these cases to Munley Law
Munley Law has represented injured people and their families from its Scranton base since 1959. The attorneys listed below handle this type of case, and the results shown are published matters the firm has reported.
$4.4 Million
Settlement
Settlement reached for car accident case.
$4.3 Million
Award
Jury award for a motorcycle accident victim.
$2.8 Million
Settlement
Settlement for a pedestrian accident case.
$1.9 Million
Verdict
Verdict for family injured by 16-year-old driver.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
“I am forever grateful for your respect, consideration, and kindness toward me and my daughters. May God bless and be with you both and yours forever, in all ways, in all things, in all times.”
Common causes
Distracted driving
A driver looking at a phone rarely sees a cyclist in time. Phone records and vehicle data can show what happened.
Speeding
Speed decides whether a cyclist is struck at all, and how severe the impact is when they are.
Dooring
A door opened into a bike lane leaves no room to react. Pennsylvania requires occupants to check before opening a door into traffic.
Failure to yield
Left turns across a bike lane and pulling out from a driveway or stop sign are common patterns.
Unsafe passing
Pennsylvania requires at least four feet of clearance when a driver passes a cyclist.
Roadway defects
Potholes, sunken grates, broken pavement and poor lighting can contribute to a fall or a collision.
Defective bicycle components
A frame, fork, brake or wheel that fails can point to a product claim rather than driver negligence.
Injuries frequently seen in these cases
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injury, including with a helmet
- Fractured collarbone, wrist, hip and lower leg
- Road rash requiring cleaning, grafting or scar revision
- Spinal and back injuries, including disc herniation
- Facial and dental injuries
- Internal injuries and, in the worst cases, fatal injuries
Who may be responsible
Responsibility depends entirely on the facts, and no one can determine it from a web page. These are the parties whose conduct is typically examined.
The driver
Speed, distraction, an unsafe pass, a turn across the cyclist's path or an opened door.
The cyclist's own conduct
Shared fault can reduce a recovery, but it does not automatically end a claim.
A bicycle or component manufacturer
Where a defect in the frame, brakes or wheels contributed to the crash.
A government or road authority
Maintenance, design or signage of the roadway or bike lane, subject to shorter notice deadlines.
Damages that may be recoverable
What a claim may include depends on the injuries, the available insurance and the evidence. Nothing here is a prediction of value.
- Medical treatment already received, from the emergency room through rehabilitation
- Future medical care and therapy a physician expects will be needed
- Wages lost while unable to work, and reduced earning capacity in longer-term cases
- Property damage, out-of-pocket costs and travel to treatment
- Pain, suffering and loss of life's pleasures where the law allows it
Steps that protect a claim
- Get checked by a doctor the same day — head injuries are often missed at the scene
- Call the police so there is an official report, even if the driver wants to settle it privately
- Photograph the bike, the vehicle, the roadway, the lane markings and your injuries
- Get names and numbers for witnesses before they leave
- Keep the bicycle, helmet and clothing exactly as they are — do not repair or discard them
- Be cautious about statements to the driver's insurer before you know the extent of your injuries
Frequently asked questions
Who pays my medical expenses after a bicycle crash?
In Pennsylvania, medical benefits under an auto policy often apply even though you were on a bicycle — your own policy, a household policy or the driver's coverage, depending on the circumstances. Health insurance may also pay, subject to reimbursement.
Does not wearing a helmet affect my claim?
Pennsylvania requires helmets only for riders under 12. Not wearing one does not bar a claim, though an insurer may argue it affected head injuries. How that is treated depends on the facts.
What rights do cyclists have on Pennsylvania roads?
Cyclists generally have the same rights and duties as drivers, and motorists must allow at least four feet when passing. Specific rules also cover lane position and lighting.
What if I was partly at fault?
Under comparative negligence, a cyclist who is not more at fault than the driver may still recover, with the award reduced by their share of fault.
What if a pothole or road condition caused the crash?
A claim against a municipality or the state may be possible, but notice deadlines are much shorter than the general two-year rule and immunities apply.
What if a defective bicycle part contributed?
Where a component failed, a product liability claim may exist against the manufacturer or seller. Preserving the bicycle itself is essential in that situation.
How long do I have to file?
Generally two years from the date of the crash in Pennsylvania under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524, with exceptions for minors and claims against government entities.
Should I talk to the driver's insurance company?
You can report the crash, but you are not required to give a recorded statement or accept an early offer. It is reasonable to speak with a lawyer first.
Question not answered here? Ask Robert — Munley's virtual intake assistant answers common bicycle accidents questions 24/7.
Related guides, tools and pages
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Where we serve
Munley Law represents clients across Pennsylvania. See the areas we serve for local courts, hospitals and roads, or browse the free tools.
This page is general information about this type of case. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Last reviewed 2026-09-01.
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