OUR PHILADELPHIA BICYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS HELP YOU WIN
10 Consecutive
Years
Our Clients
Owned Business
Real Automobile Accident Cases Won
$10,000,000 SETTLEMENT
$3.5 MILLION AWARD
$1,055,000 SETTLEMENT
Real Accident Stories
Why Choose Philly Lawyers
How We Help You Win
Getting those Injured in a Bicycle Accident what they Deserve
We are dedicated to fighting aggressively on behalf of our clients to ensure they receive the maximum compensation possible for their case. When calculating the value of your case, we take into account all types of damages, both present and future. This includes medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost earnings, wage loss, physical disabilities, scars, limb loss, as well as serious brain and head injuries. We recognize that the impact of a bicycle accident extends beyond physical injuries and also consider emotional distress, depression, anxiety, pain, and suffering when seeking compensation. Our commitment to your well-being goes beyond legal representation, as we work closely with medical professionals, psychologists, and long-term care planners to address your specific needs.
What to do if you’ve been in a Bicycle Accident
Bicycle accidents can result in serious injuries that have a profound impact on the lives of victims. While cycling can be an excellent form of exercise, the conditions of the roadways and sidewalks in Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia can pose significant risks. It’s important to note that bike accidents can occur not only due to collisions with other vehicles but also as a result of obstructions caused by businesses or property owners.
When a bicycle collides with an automobile, the consequences can be deadly. Negligent drivers who fail to pay attention or disregard the rights of cyclists can create dangerous situations. According to PennDOT, there have been numerous reportable accidents involving bicyclists and pedestrians in Bucks County and Montgomery County over recent years.
The Impact of a Bicycle Accident
Victims of bicycle accidents often face unexpected medical expenses, loss of income, and a significant reduction in their quality of life. However, under the laws of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, these victims have the right to seek compensation for their losses. It’s important to act promptly, as personal injury cases generally have a statute of limitations of two years. Therefore, we recommend contacting a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident occurs.
In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations allows bicycle accident victims to file a personal injury claim within two years from the date of the injury. It’s crucial to adhere to this time frame, as delaying the filing could result in the loss of your right to recover compensation for your accident-related losses.
The Impact of Negligence on Bicycle Accidents
Proving negligence in a bicycle accident often requires further investigation, interviews, and analysis. Various types of collisions, such as the “Left Cross,” “Right Hook,” “Side Swipe,” and rear-end collisions, can help determine the party at fault. If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident with another vehicle, it’s crucial to review the facts of the accident with an attorney who can help you understand your rights and options.
When dealing with insurance companies, it’s important to exercise caution. While most personal injury cases settle without going to court, accepting a settlement offer from an insurance company without legal representation may not be in your best interest. Insurance companies often undervalue damages, including pain and suffering and future medical expenses, in order to minimize their payout. Settling a case without the guidance of an experienced lawyer can result in accepting an offer that is far less than what your case is actually worth. An attorney can help establish the true value of your case and ensure that the insurance company treats you fairly. If the insurance company refuses to provide a reasonable settlement, your attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf to pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
If you need assistance with a bicycle accident case, we encourage you to contact Kats, Jamison & Associates to speak with a dedicated Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney. Our team is ready to provide you with expert legal advice and representation tailored to your specific circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay to speak with an attorney?
Philly Lawyers offers free case reviews so that you can better understand your legal options. This means you pay nothing for your first consultation. Additionally, Kats, Jamison & Associates works on a contingency fee basis meaning that if you do choose to hire us, you pay us nothing unless and until we win your case.
How do you determine negligence for a bicycle accident?
Often, most drivers will not readily admit that they were distracted or failed to yield to a bicyclist. Perhaps the driver was not paying attention or did not follow a traffic law correctly, which caused the accident or conditions for the accident to occur. Due to this and many other reasons, identifying negligence in a bicycle accident often requires further investigation, interviews and analysis.
What is the bicycle accident statute of limitations in PA?
Statute of limitations is a window of time which determines how long a person has to claim an injury against another party. This law exists for a variety of reasons. For example, the quality of evidence can deteriorate over time. If an act occurred in the distance past, it might be unclear to determine who is really at fault and liable for the accident.
Based on Pennsylvania law, bicycle accident victims have two years from the date of the injury to bring forth a personal injury claim against another party. Although there are some exceptions to this rule, you typically have two years to file your case, otherwise you will lose your right to recover compensation for your accident-related losses.
The insurance company wants to settle – should I?
Settling a case with an insurance company is not recommended as you run the risk of accepting an offer that is worth far less than what your case is actually worth. An experienced, knowledgeable lawyer will help you determine how much your case is really worth and will ensure that the insurance company treats you in a fair manner. If an insurance company refuses to offer an acceptable settlement, your attorney may file a lawsuit on your behalf to ensure that you get the maximum compensation you deserve.
What should I do immediately after I’ve been involved in a bicycle accident?
Call the police and make sure an ambulance is sent as soon as possible. Make sure everyone involved in the accident is conscious and responsive. Stay at the scene even if the accident isn’t serious, the police should be called regardless and a police report should be filed. It is important when speaking to the police that you stick to the facts, do not speculate, and most importantly do not admit any fault. Make sure you take as many pictures as you can with your cell phone. Also, we suggest taking a picture of the other person’s license plate, their drivers license, and insurance information. The pictures should document any damage that is caused by both vehicles. Seek medical attention as soon as possible if injured, even if you do not feel any pain, you may be in a state of shock and could experience medical issues later on.
What should I do before leaving the scene of an accident?
After a car/bicycle accident, it is important to collect as much information as possible. Document the names, addresses, license plates of any other vehicle involved in the accident. Either document the weather conditions at the time of the accident or take pictures of the scene surrounding the accident. If you believe that road maintenance or lack thereof was a factor in the accident – it is important to document this as well.
After your immediate medical injuries have been taken into account, it is then time to speak with a lawyer immediately. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the more time you will have to successfully prepare a personal injury case. The team at Kats, Jamison & Associates will analyze your car/motorcycle accident and determine whether or not you have a claim. Through this process we will make sure to protect your rights and guard you from predatory insurance company practices.
How do I know if I have a personal injury case regarding a bicycle accident?
If you are experiencing pain, injury, or financial damages as a result of someone else’s negligence. You may have a personal injury case. If the other driver was at fault or failed to follow the legal rules of the road – our car accident attorneys may be able to prove that the other party is liable for those damages. For example, if you were rear-ended in a car accident, typically the other driver is responsible for that accident and the insurance company could be liable for any damages
What should I expect the first few days following a bicycle accident?
Within the first few days, you will receive communications from both your insurance company and the other driver’s insurance company. You may be contacted by your health insurance company, doctors, and even attorneys. The other driver’s insurance company may request that you sign medical authorizations so they can retrieve your medical records. Before you speak to any of these people or sign any documents, it is important that you seek legal counsel.
How do I pay for medical expenses while my case is pending?
You may have a difficult time paying for your medical expenses, even if you have health insurance. Make sure to bill any treatment as you normally would through your healthcare provider. Additionally, you may have medical payment coverage under your car insurance plan. This could be used to cover your co-pays and other medical expenses that your health insurance company may not cover initially.
What type of compensation should I expect to receive for my bicycle accident case?
This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on many factors. If we are successful in proving that the other party is liable for your injuries and damages, you could be compensated for medical bills and any other hospital costs, lost wages, costs of rehabilitation and physical therapy, disability or disfigurement, pain and suffering, wrongful death, including loss of financial support and any other out of pocket expense that was related to your accident.
How long will it take to complete my case?
Depending on the severity of your injuries and the length of time you need to heal from your injuries will determine the length of your claim. We also have to factor in the willingness of the other party to settle as they make their initial offer. If unreasonable offers are made, your claim may proceed to trial, which will increase the length of your claim.
What are the fees for representing me in a bicycle accident case?
At Kats, Jamison & Associates all personal injury accident cases are handled on a contingency-fee-basis. This means that we will never charge you upfront for any cost and we will advance all costs and expenses. You will not have to reimburse our Firm for any costs unless we are successful. You will pay absolutely nothing for lawyers’ fees unless we win a monetary sum in your case.