If you or a loved one were injured in a bike accident in Bethlehem or the surrounding areas, Munley Law’s Bethlehem bike accident lawyer is here to help. With nearly 70 years of experience in protecting Pennsylvania’s injured, we understand the intricacies of personal injury law and the long-term struggles you face following an accident.
If we accept your case, we will fight for justice and fair compensation on your behalf, just as we’ve done for other bicycle accident victims in Lehigh and Northampton counties. Over the years, we’ve secured more than $1 billion in settlements and verdicts, and our lawyers have been recognized by the press and honored by respected legal institutions such as Martindale-Hubbell, Lawdragon, the American Association for Justice, and Super Lawyers.
Even with laws in place to protect vulnerable road users like cyclists, a bicycle is still no match for a passenger vehicle. Let us hold those responsible for your accident accountable for their actions. For a no-obligation, free consultation, contact the Bethlehem personal injury lawyers at Munley Law today.
What are the Common Causes of Bike Accidents in Bethlehem, PA?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year nearly 1,000 bicyclists die, and an estimated 120,000 are injured in crashes across the United States. Most of these accidents occur in urban areas, such as Allentown, and in suburban areas, such as Bethlehem.
Despite laws in place to protect cyclists, such as Pennsylvania law requiring motorists to allow four feet of distance when overtaking a bicycle, accidents still occur. Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Driving under the influence
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Maneuvering around a cyclist
Unfortunately, these types of accidents often lead to severe and sometimes fatal collisions–and worse yet, most bicycle accidents are preventable.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 What Severe Injuries are Common in Bike Accidents in Bethlehem, PA?
With the average passenger vehicle weighing anywhere from 2,600 pounds to 4,400 pounds, and a bicycle weighing 19 pounds to 29 pounds, it’s no wonder that most bicycle accident victims sustain some of the most severe injuries in motor vehicle accidents.
The most common severe injuries in a bicycle accident include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Internal organ damage and bleeding
- Broken bones
- Lacerations and amputations
- Road rash
In some cases, bicycle accidents result in death, accounting for more than 2% of people who die in motor vehicle collisions each year. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), 19 cyclists lost their lives in accidents across the state in 2024.
What Options Do You Have For Financial Recovery After a Bike Accident?
We don’t often think of a bicycle as a motor vehicle, so when we’re involved in a car accident while on our bike, knowing what insurance policies apply can be confusing.
So long as you carry automobile accident insurance, your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance should compensate you–even though you weren’t driving your car. However, some policies only cover up to a certain amount of damage, so at that point, you may need to kick into your health insurance coverage.
You may also have the option to sue the at-fault driver, provided you have not already accepted a settlement from the insurance companies. In these cases, it is in your best interest to work with a Bethlehem bicycle accident attorney at Munley Law to determine who is at fault and what options you may have to move forward.
What Compensation Can You Receive in a Bike Accident Claim?
Once it has been established who is at fault in your Bethlehem bike accident, you can then pursue compensation from the insurance companies or the at-fault party in a personal injury suit.
The compensation you may be entitled to in a successful claim includes:
- Medical bills for past and current care related to the accident
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity in the case of long-term disability
- Pain and suffering
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage
- Wrongful death expenses, like funeral and burial costs
How much compensation you can recover will ultimately depend on the severity of your injuries. Because of this, it is critical that you save and document all records of medical treatment, medications, surgeries, rehabilitation, and any other medical care you receive or will need to receive in the coming months, years, etc.
If you fail to seek medical attention after the accident and injuries present themselves, it may be harder to seek compensation for all injuries and losses. Without medical records linking your injuries to the accident, the insurance company or defendant’s lawyers may argue that your injuries occurred before the accident happened. It is always best to get medical attention after an accident not only to protect your health but also to strengthen your legal case.
“Since 1959, we have secured over $1 billion in compensation for our clients. When someone is seriously injured, they’re up against insurance companies with unlimited resources. My job is to level that playing field, and fight until they get the justice they deserve.”
Daniel W. Munley
How Can the Bike Accident Lawyers of Munley Law Help You?
Getting hurt in a bicycle accident can feel overwhelming simply because of the severity of the injuries you sustained. You may worry about how you’ll pay your medical expenses, how you’ll take care of your family, and how you’ll move forward from the event.
But you don’t have to shoulder this burden alone. Munley Law can help. Our lawyers will:
- Reconstruct the accident by gathering all relevant evidence to work with experts and specialists in the field. This helps us establish liability and build your claim.
- Talk with witnesses and gather testimony.
- Calculate the value of your claim by taking a holistic approach to your loss–it’s more than just medical bills and property damage–it’s your livelihood at stake.
- Negotiate with insurance companies and the at-fault party to reach the fairest compensation amount.
- Represent you in court if a settlement cannot be reached.
With us on your side, you can focus on recovery while we hold those responsible for their negligence accountable and pursue justice on your behalf.
Why Choose Munley Law for Your Bethlehem Bike Accident Lawyer?
With more than 250 years of combined experience in defending the rights of accident victims in the Keystone State, Munley Law is your greatest ally when you’re injured in a cycling accident. Since 1959, our attorneys have negotiated aggressively with insurance companies and fought fiercely in court for clients, securing multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts that have enabled injured Pennsylvanians to move on with their lives or find closure.
Our firm and our lawyers have been honored by various institutions for our work in personal injury law. Marion Munley is a member of the invitation-only The Summit Council and was named a Pennsylvania Trailblazer by The Legal Intelligencer. She and Caroline Munley are members of the International Society of Barristers and of Litigation Counsel of America, in which she’s a Senior Fellow and Caroline a Fellow. Lawyers of Distinction named Daniel Munley a Lawyer of Distinction, while the National Trial Lawyers named all our partners to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania list. Four of our attorneys, including Marion, Daniel, J. Christopher Munley, and John Mulcahey, have board certifications in Civil Trial Advocacy and Civil Trial Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
With credentials and accolades like these, it’s clear that Munley Law is the legal powerhouse you need to champion your rights in your quest for justice following a bike accident in Lehigh County or Northampton County, PA.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bethlehem Bike Accident Lawyers
What Should I Do Immediately After a Bicycle Accident in Bethlehem, PA?
Immediately after a bicycle accident in Bethlehem, PA, seek medical attention, even if you don’t have any visible injuries. Call the police to report the accident and gather as much evidence as you can at the scene, including photos, witness contact information, and the driver’s insurance details. Contact a Munley Law Bethlehem bike accident lawyer before speaking to the insurance company. These steps can protect your physical health and your legal rights.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Bike Accident in Bethlehem?
More than one person can be held responsible for a bike accident in Bethlehem. A negligent driver may be partly responsible, with other parties such as employers, vehicle owners, pedestrians, or government entities responsible for unsafe road conditions sharing responsibility. Your lawyer will thoroughly investigate the accident to identify all liable parties and pursue compensation from each of them.
Do I Have a Valid Claim if I was Partially at Fault for the Bike Accident?
Yes, you may still have a valid claim if you were partially at fault for the bike accident, as Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 42 Pa C.S.A. § 7102. You can recover compensation as long as you are less than 51% at fault, although your award may be reduced by your percentage of fault. A bicycle accident attorney can help protect you from unfair blame by insurance companies.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
Under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524(2), Pennsylvania law generally gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the deadline is reached before you file your claim, you may be barred from recovering compensation entirely. Enlist the help of Munley Law’s Bethlehem bike accident lawyers to ensure your claim is filed on time.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Bethlehem Bike Accident Lawyer at Munley Law?
You don’t need to pay anything up front to hire a Bethlehem bike accident lawyer at Munley Law. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so we’ll only get paid if we recover compensation for you through a settlement or verdict. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.
Injured in a Bethlehem Bike Accident? Call Munley Law
At Munley Law, we have nearly seven decades of experience fighting for Pennsylvania’s injured, including those hurt in bicycle accidents in Bethlehem. We know how complex these cases can be and how emotionally draining it can feel to have to relive the accident again and again just to get some financial relief.
With this in mind, we do everything in our power to make the legal process a smooth one for you and your family. We can handle everything from start to finish, and you don’t have to worry about any upfront costs. Our Munley Law bike accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay a dime until a settlement or verdict is reached on your behalf. Further, you’ll never pay more than you win.
Time is of the essence as Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524(2) gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury suit.
Contact the Bethlehem bike accident lawyers at Munley Law online for a no-obligation, free consultation today.
Daniel W. Munley
Daniel W. Munley is an award-winning personal-injury attorney and champion of plaintiffs’ rights. For decades he’s won multi-million verdicts and settlements and is recognized as a national leader in truck and rideshare litigation,including a record $26 million truck settlement in Northeastern Pennsylvania and a $20 million recovery in 2024 for life-altering commercial-vehicle injuries.
