Bike share programs like POGOH are a great way to enjoy the pleasures of cycling if you don’t own a bike, but things can go wrong, and our Pittsburgh bikeshare accident lawyer is here to help if your ride ends in a crash. We’ve protected the rights of injured Pittsburghers since 1959, investigating accidents, negotiating with insurance companies, arguing in court, and obtaining multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts.
Gain peace of mind by entrusting your bikeshare accident case to our highly qualified, experienced attorneys who routinely receive honors and accolades from Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and Best Law Firms. All our lawyers are members of the American Association for Justice and the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and we regularly receive five-star Google Reviews from clients.
If you have been injured in a bikesharing accident in the Steel City, Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys’ Pittsburgh bicycle accident lawyers can help. Our personal injury lawyers have your absolute best interests at heart and are ready to fight for you. Contact us today for a free bicycle accident case evaluation.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 What are the Common Causes of Pittsburgh Bikeshare Accidents?
The most common causes of Pittsburgh bikeshare accidents include:
Collisions with car doors: Often, Pittsburgh bicycle accidents happen as a result of a car door being opened unexpectedly into a cyclist’s path. Particularly in a large city like Pittsburgh, where many cyclists are forced to ride in a tight space between parked cars and moving traffic, this is fairly common. In general, it is the driver’s responsibility, not the biker’s, to prevent this type of incident. If this accident does occur, the driver is most likely the one facing liability. As a driver, be sure to check your surroundings thoroughly before opening your
door, particularly if you’re near a bike lane.
Collisions with motor vehicles: Unfortunately, collisions with drivers are one of the most common forms of bicycle accidents. In fact, in 2023, there were 1,166 pedal cyclist fatalities due to motor vehicle collisions across the US. In addition to these fatalities, 49,989 cyclists were injured in a crash that involved a car. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, cyclists in this state are permitted to ride in the rightmost lane of traffic on both two-lane and multilane roadways. Bikes may move out of the bike lane in certain instances as well, such as when overtaking a vehicle that’s heading in the same direction, or if an obstacle makes it necessary to do so. Of course, any instance in which a bicycle and a car share a lane poses a significant threat to the cyclist and increases the risk of bicycle accidents.
Poorly maintained bikes: Using a bikeshare service comes with the inherent risk of the bike being damaged or poorly maintained. A bike that doesn’t work properly greatly increases the rider’s risk of obtaining serious injuries in a Pittsburgh bicycle accident.
Additional causes of bicycle accidents: Roadway damage, falling, or colliding with a stationary object may also cause bicycle accidents in Allegheny County.
Our Pittsburgh bikeshare accident lawyers have investigated accidents resulting from the common causes described above and from other causes. We know what to look for to build a case that gives you the best chance of obtaining the justice and compensation you deserve.
How Common are Bicycle Accidents?
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the number of bicycle crashes in the Keystone State increased between 2022 and 2024. 2022 saw 810 accidents, 2023,100 accidents, and 2024, 1,271 accidents. The department did not specify how many of these accidents involved bikeshare bicycles or how many occurred in Allegheny County. Even so, it’s clear that these accidents happen relatively frequently.
Why Choose Munley Law for Your Pittsburgh Bikeshare Accident Lawyer?
At Munley Law, we believe that no one should have to face confusing and overwhelming legal or insurance systems alone after a bikeshare accident. We are here to support all injury victims and help you find a way through this difficult time.
The bicycle injury attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys are experts in all things personal injury-related and have a highly impressive track record when it comes to personal injury cases. Over almost seven decades, we’ve won thousands of cases and have enabled clients to recover more than $1 billion in damages. Our incredible team consists of ten excellent, highly experienced personal injury lawyers and dozens of excellent legal support staff whose singular goal is to protect your rights.
The National Board of Trial Advocacy board certified four of our attorneys, including Marion Munley, Daniel Munley, and J. Christopher Munley, as well as John Mulcahey, in Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy, and all our partners received AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, which are this respected legal directory’s highest ratings. In addition, the National Trial Lawyers named all our partners among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania, while Lawdragon named them to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list. Our partners were also named to the Irish Legal 100 list.
Each of our lawyers has over a decade of experience, as well as hands-on trial and courtroom experience. We do not get paid or receive any fees unless we win your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pittsburgh Bikeshare Accidents
What Kind of Compensation Can I Recover if I’ve Been in a Bicycle Accident?
If your case is not sufficiently covered through insurance, you may need to file a personal injury suit in order to receive the compensation you are owed. You can work with your Pittsburgh bicycle accident lawyer to gather evidence of the impact the accident has had on your life and the financial burden it has caused. In general, compensation in a personal injury case can include the following:
- Cost of medical bills
- Cost of mental health services
- Coverage of lost wages
How Can I Stay Safe While Riding My Bikeshare Bike in Pittsburgh?
- Know when to ride. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, regardless of the time of year, most bicycle accidents and fatalities tend to occur between 6 PM and 9 PM. Pay particular attention to your surroundings if you are riding during these hours.
- Know the local traffic laws. Traffic laws vary from state to state and city to city. Make sure you’re familiar with the specific regulations regarding biking where you are so that you can move with the flow of traffic safely.
- Use hand signals when turning. Bike and motor vehicle accidents can occur when a car isn’t prepared for a bike to turn. Make your intentions clear by signaling upcoming turns with your hands so cars can give you a safe amount of distance.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Bikeshare Bicycle Accident?
In the immediate aftermath of the accident, your primary goal should be to seek medical attention if you have experienced a serious injury or any injury of any kind. After that, call the police. Once the police arrive at the scene, they will examine the area, interview those involved as well as witnesses, and ultimately write a report. The police report generally serves as the official account of what took place and can be helpful to your bicycle accident case, particularly if you go to trial.
What Evidence Do You Need for a Bikeshare Accident?
You are advised to gather your own evidence. If you have been hit by a car, for instance, you should immediately take pictures of the vehicle and the surrounding area. You should also document your injuries, should you have sustained any that are immediately visible. You should take down the license plate number and information (both personal contact information and auto insurance company information) from the other drivers or other parties involved.
Can I Sue a Bikeshare Company Like POGOH for My Bicycle Accident?
Yes. Depending on the specifics of your case, you may be able to take legal action against a bike share company if you were injured while using one of their bicycles. POGOH, for instance, has a duty to keep all its bikes in safe, working condition. The company states on its site that riders are obligated to check the bike before riding to ensure it is working properly, but not all damage is visible to the eye, especially for an inexperienced cyclist. If your bicycle accident occurred as a result of a damaged or poorly maintained bike, you may have a case against the company.
Who is at Fault in a Bicycle Accident?
Depending on the circumstances, several different parties may be at fault in a bicycle accident. These parties can include the driver of a car, van, SUV, or truck, a pedestrian, the city department responsible for road maintenance, or the bikeshare company. Proving liability takes a thorough investigation, which is why it’s wise to speak with an attorney with proven experience in handling bicycle accident cases in Allegheny County, PA.
What Role Do Insurance Companies Play in a Pittsburgh Bicycle Accident?
In a Pittsburgh bicycle accident, insurance companies play the role of potentially covering you if you are injured or your property is damaged. In Pennsylvania, motor vehicle insurance also applies to bike accidents, and all drivers are legally required to carry insurance. That means that if you are hit by a car while on a bike, you may potentially be covered by either the driver’s insurance or your own car insurance, depending on the case.
What is Comparative Fault and How Does it Affect Me?
Under 42 Pa C.S.A. § 7102, comparative fault essentially means that a plaintiff’s damages are reduced by whatever percentage of fault they themselves share. In other words, the compensation you are able to recover is reduced if you are partially at fault for the bicycle accident. For example, if you’re found to be 20% responsible for your bikeshare bicycle accident, your compensation will be reduced by 20%. The one caveat is that if you, as the plaintiff, are determined to bear more than 50% of damages, you are prevented from recovering any damages at all.
Contact Our Pittsburgh Bikeshare Accident Lawyers
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys to meet an incredible Pittsburgh bicycle accident attorney. Under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524 (2), the statute of limitations in Pennsylvania usually only allows two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation on your bicycle accident case and learn how we can protect your interests.
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.
