Who pays for my medical expenses after a bicycle accident in Pittsburgh?

If the accident was caused by a negligent driver, their insurance may cover your medical bills through their liability coverage. Additionally, your own health insurance policy can help cover medical expenses, including doctor visits, hospital bills, and rehabilitation. In some cases, you may also be able to pursue compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company through a personal injury claim.

How do Pittsburgh helmet laws affect my bicycle accident case?

Helmet laws can play a role in your bike accident case, depending on where the accident happened and whether you had a helmet on. In places with strict helmet rules, not having one could affect your chances of getting compensation for your injuries. Even in states without helmet laws, not wearing a helmet might be used against you by insurance companies or the at-fault party’s legal team to argue that you were partially at fault for your injuries. Wearing a helmet is always a good idea for safety, and it could even help your case if you end up in a crash.

What are my rights as a cyclist on the road?

As a cyclist in Pennsylvania, you have the right to share the road and are entitled to the same legal protections as motor vehicles. You also have the right to pursue compensation if a negligent driver causes your accident. Pennsylvania law requires drivers to give cyclists at least four feet of clearance when passing.

What if I was partially at fault for the crash?

Even if you were partially at fault for your bike accident, you may still be entitled to compensation. Pennsylvania follows a comparative negligence rule, which means your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover damages as long as you were less than 51% at fault.

Pittsburgh Bicycle Accident Lawyer | Personal Injury Attorneys

Q: What causes bicycle accidents?

Bicycle accidents can be caused by many different factors, but they are most often the result of negligent drivers. Common causes include distracted driving, failing to yield the right of way, unsafe lane changes, car doors opening into cyclists, speeding, or driving under the influence. Poor road conditions, low visibility, and driver inattention also contribute to crashes.

Table of Contents

If you or a loved one is injured while cycling in the Steel City, our Pittsburgh bicycle accident lawyers can help you get fairly compensated for your losses. We have almost seven decades of experience in protecting and fighting for people just like you, helping to recover millions of dollars in damages.

Our attorneys, several of whom are board certified, are known throughout Pennsylvania and beyond for holding the negligent accountable for their actions and for getting results at the negotiating table and in court. Clients regularly give us five-star Google Reviews, and we are routinely honored by legal directories and organizations such as Martindale-Hubbell, Best Lawyers, the American Association for Justice, Super Lawyers, and the National Trial Lawyers.

Munley Law’s Pittsburgh personal injury lawyers are on your side and will work tirelessly to ensure justice is handed out. Contact us today for a free initial case evaluation.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer at Munley Law

Free case consultation

Call Us At 844-686-5397

What Causes Bicycle Accidents in Pittsburgh?

The most common cause of a bike crash is getting hit by a car. A car may collide with a bicycle due to factors such as:

Low Visibility: Weather conditions may lead to low visibility, making it difficult for cars to see bicycles on the road.
Distracted Driving: Distracted driving refers to any behavior that causes a driver’s hands to leave the wheel, or their mind or eyes to wander from the road. When a driver is distracted, their chances of causing an accident are much higher.
Drunk Driving: An intoxicated driver’s reaction time is much slower than that of a sober driver, which may mean that even if they see a bicycle on the road, they may not be able to react in time to prevent a collision. Drunk drivers are also more likely to swerve, which could cause a collision.
Failure to Yield: Accidents can occur when the driver of a motor vehicle fails to yield when they should.
Dangerous Roads: Roads that are poorly maintained can be extremely dangerous and can cause an accident.

We know that bicycle accidents are all too common in Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania; in fact, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), there were 19 bicycle accident deaths, 1,255 bicycle crash-related injuries, and a total of 1,271 bicycle accidents in 2024. Figures like these often leave people wondering what causes these accidents. According to PennDOT, 74% of bicycle accident injuries and fatalities occurred in daylight in 2024. 64% of bicyclists were injured at intersections, and 63% of fatalities occurred on non-interstate roads.

What Kind of Injuries Can a Bike Accident Cause?

Bicycle accident in Pittsburgh, PA Bicycle accidents often result in injuries, ranging from minor to severe. Many areas have unsafe or insufficient bike lanes; other areas have no bike lanes at all, forcing bikes to share a space with vehicles many times their size. Additionally, if a car and a bike collide in an accident, the cyclist has little to no physical protection from injury.

Some of the bicycle accident injuries our lawyers have seen include:

Traumatic brain injuries: A traumatic brain injury usually occurs from a violent jolt or blow to the head or body, causing damage to the brain. These injuries are, unfortunately, a common result of a bike crash. TBIs can range in severity from mild to severe.
Facial injuries: Facial injuries can include things like scrapes and cuts to the face, as well as broken facial bones, road rash, damage to the eyes that results in vision loss, and more.
Bodily trauma: Bodily trauma encompasses a wide variety of injuries, including all manner of soft tissue and musculoskeletal injuries. This includes injuries such as whiplash, sprains, broken bones, ligament tears, and more.
Back injuries: When a cyclist is thrown from their bike, they may land hard on their back. This can cause severe damage to the back and spine, causing injuries like herniated discs or even paralysis.
Death: The devastating reality is that bike accidents can and do result in death. If a loved one of yours lost their life in a Pittsburgh bicycle accident, you may consider speaking to our injury lawyer in Pittsburgh about filing a wrongful death suit.

One important preventive measure that cyclists can take to reduce serious injuries is wearing a helmet. In Pittsburgh, the law requires anyone under the age of 12 to wear a helmet while riding a bike. However, people of all ages can benefit from the use of a helmet. In fact, research from the National Institute of Health revealed the following data: “the use of bicycle helmets was found to reduce head injury by 48%, serious head injury by 60%, traumatic brain injury by 53%, face injury by 23%, and the total number of killed or seriously injured cyclists by 34%.” Wearing a helmet is always a wise choice when biking.

What Does an Accident Attorney Recommend You Do After a Bicycle Crash?

The aftermath of experiencing any kind of road accident in Allegheny County can be incredibly traumatic and overwhelming. There is so much to consider — what kind of medical treatment do I need? How am I going to pay for this? Does insurance play a role? As soon as you begin working with a Pittsburgh bike accident lawyer at Munley Law, you can rest easy knowing you’re in the best hands — you can focus on recovery while we handle the rest.

That being said, there are some steps you can take in the immediate aftermath of an accident that set you up for a safe recovery and a successful claim. Here are some things you should do after experiencing a bicycle accident:

Seek medical care. If you have any serious injuries, seeking medical care should, of course, be your number one priority. Nothing is more important than your health and safety. Make sure you get examined by a doctor even if your injuries seem minor, as more serious damage may not be immediately obvious.
Call the police. Even if the driver or drivers involved tell you that calling the police is not necessary, it is always wise to call the police to the scene of the accident. They will write up a detailed report that serves as an official account of what happened, which can be very useful down the line as you pursue legal action.
Exchange information with the driver. Remember: you want to keep all communication with the other parties involved in the accident brief and to the point. Exchange contact and insurance information, and keep things polite, but refrain from any conversation beyond this. Your words could later be taken out of context and twisted as an admission of fault.
Gather evidence. The police will gather evidence, but it’s useful to gather evidence yourself as well. You can take pictures of the scene and the vehicles and bicycles involved, document your injuries, and more. If there were any witnesses to the accident, you can also speak to them and ask if they’d be willing to provide their contact information.
Contact an attorney. It’s always wise to contact an experienced attorney as soon as you can after the accident. It’s very possible for the driver’s insurance company to begin contacting you and attempting to negotiate with you just days after the accident — you’ll want to ensure that all of this communication goes through your attorney. The sooner you start working with a lawyer, the better chance you have of building a strong and successful case.

What Kind of Compensation Can an Accident Lawyer Recover For Your Bicycle Accident Claim?

A Pittsburgh bicycle accident lawyer giving advice to a client

The amount of compensation you can receive from a bicycle accident is highly dependent on the details of the accident itself. It’s difficult to provide any estimate without thoroughly knowing the case, but there are some areas that are always accounted for when attempting to settle a personal injury case.

Your Pittsburgh personal injury attorneys will review your case in great detail, looking at all the ways in which you were harmed and had to pay a literal or more abstract price for your suffering. Firstly, we will look at all the economic damages for which you may be eligible. These are all the costs that have a clear and distinct dollar value, things like medical bills and expenses, property damage, rehabilitative services, and more.

Then, we will look at all the non-economic damages relevant to your case. These are all the ways in which your accident has caused suffering or loss, even though these areas might not have an obvious monetary value. Things like pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life will be accounted for here.

Once we’ve taken all this into account, we will come up with a number that represents the value of your case. This number is the amount of money you’re asking the other party to put forward in order to settle the case and avoid going to trial. Ideally, the other party and their legal team will accept the first settlement offer, but it’s very likely they’ll counter with an offer of their own. We will negotiate with them until both sides agree on a satisfactory number.

It’s important to keep in mind that, under 42 Pa C.S.A. § 7102, Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This rule allows you to pursue compensation if you are less than 50% at fault for the accident, with any compensation you receive being reduced by your percentage of fault. Working with an experienced attorney gives you the best possible chance of securing a strong settlement.

Without a legal background, it can be difficult to know exactly how much your case is worth and what a fair settlement offer looks like. When you work with a Pittsburgh bicycle accident attorney at Munley Law, you can rest easy knowing someone is fighting on your behalf.

How Do Lawyers Discover Fault in a Bicycle Accident?

Bicycle accident in Pittsburgh, PA After your bike accident, one of the first things your lawyer will look at is whether or not you have a valid claim. In order to have a valid claim, you must be able to show that:

The at-fault party (for instance, the driver who hit you) owed you a duty of care
That they breached this duty of care, perhaps by driving recklessly or breaking the law
That this breach of care caused your accident
That your accident results in measurable losses

In some cases, the fault is clear. If a drunk driver swerved into the bike lane and hit a cyclist, it’s fairly obvious to all involved that the driver is at fault. In other cases, it can be more complicated, and multiple parties can be liable for the same accident.

In order to prove the validity of any personal injury claim and to establish the other party’s fault, your lawyer will work with you to gather evidence. Some forms of evidence that can be useful are:

The accident police report: In the state of Pennsylvania, the parties involved in the accident are allowed to obtain a copy of the report. The reports are usually available 15 days after the accident.
CCTV footage
Witness testimony
The driver’s phone records
Images from the accident scene

We will dedicate ourselves to finding and organizing all evidence that can help to prove your case. It is important to remember that, under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524 (2), Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations only gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. However, it’s best not to wait that long. Contact a Munley Law bicycle accident lawyer today to begin the process of receiving your rightful financial compensation.

Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer at Munley Law

Free Case Consultation

Call Us At 844-686-5397

How Can Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Help You?

We are deeply sorry that you or a loved one has been involved in a Pittsburgh bicycle accident. At Munley Law, we believe that no one should endure the aftermath of a traumatizing accident alone. Our experienced and dedicated attorneys are here to support you and help you secure your rightful financial compensation and justice.

The attorneys at Munley Law are experts in all things personal injury and have a highly impressive track record when it comes to settling personal injury cases of all kinds. Thanks to the settlements and verdicts we’ve obtained since 1959, our clients have recovered more than $1 billion in damages. Our incredible team of experienced lawyers and legal support staff work tirelessly on behalf of all our clients.

When you choose Munley Law, you know you’ll be treated with the compassion you deserve. In fact, two of our lawyers, namely Daniel and Caroline Munley, were honored by Martindale-Hubbell for their service to clients. The respected legal directory presented them with the Platinum and Silver Client Champion awards, respectively. It also gave all our partners AV Preeminent ratings.

In addition, the National Trial Lawyers named all our partners among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania, while Best Lawyers named Marion Munley as Lawyer of the Year for Personal Injury Litigation. Our partners have also been honored by organizations such as Lawdragon and Irish Legal 100. Marion Munley, Daniel Munley, J. Christopher Munley, and John Mulcahey are board certified in Civil Trial Advocacy and Civil Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Choose us if you want peace of mind following your bicycle accident in Allegheny County.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pittsburgh Bicycle Accident Cases

What Should I Do Immediately After a Bicycle Accident in Pittsburgh, PA?

Immediately after a bicycle accident in Pittsburgh, PA, seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries don’t seem serious. Call the police so they can create an official report, and exchange contact and insurance information with all those involved in the accident. If possible, gather evidence like witness details and photos of the scene. Contact our Pittsburgh bicycle accident lawyers so we can start protecting your rights.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Bicycle Accident?

The individuals or entities who can be held liable for a bicycle accident depend on the circumstances. In many cases, a negligent driver may be responsible, but other parties – such as a local government department for unsafe road conditions or a bicycle manufacturer for a faulty bike – could also share fault. We will investigate the details, review evidence, and determine who is legally responsible for your accident.

What Types of Compensation Can I Recover After a Bicycle Accident in Pittsburgh?

After a bicycle accident in Pittsburgh, you may be entitled to recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. The total amount depends on the severity of your injuries and how the accident has impacted your life.

How Long Do I Have to File a Bicycle Accident Claim in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524 (2) generally gives you two years from the date of the incident to file a bicycle accident claim. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to pursue compensation entirely. However, as building a strong case takes time, it’s best to consult an attorney as soon as possible.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Pittsburgh Bicycle Accident Claim?

You are not legally required to hire a lawyer for a Pittsburgh bicycle accident claim, but having one can significantly improve your chances of a successful outcome. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, and an experienced attorney knows how to negotiate effectively on your behalf. A lawyer will also handle various legalities, gather evidence, and build a strong case while you recover from the accident.

Contact Munley Law’s Pittsburgh Bicycle Lawyers for a Free Consultation

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Munley Law to meet with one of our incredible Pittsburgh bike accident attorneys. We know that you or your loved one has been through a traumatic experience, and we’re ready and waiting to provide the support you need. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and learn how we can protect your interests and help you recover compensation.

Types of Pittsburgh Personal Injury Claims We Handle

There are many different types of personal injury cases. When choosing a Pittsburgh injury lawyer to represent you, it’s important to find someone who has handled cases like yours. Munley Law has successfully secured compensation for victims of the following types of personal injury cases:

Robert W. Munley, III

Robert W. Munley, III is a seasoned personal injury attorney and award-winning courtroom advocate. While he regularly handles a range of personal injury cases, his focus is on truck accidents and workers’ compensation cases. Bob has served thousands of accident victims and workers, winning them millions with his bold advocacy.

Free case consultation

Call us at (844) 686-5397