If you are involved in a bike accident, contacting a Reading bicycle accident attorney at Munley Law can help you get reasonable compensation as quickly as possible. Considering more than 1,000 bicycle accidents happen in Pennsylvania every year, it’s vital that you understand what you should do to protect yourself and your rights if you’re involved in a crash.
For almost seven decades, our award-winning attorneys have shouldered the legal burden for injured individuals in Bucks County and further afield. We’ve negotiated with insurance companies, argued cases before juries and judges, and obtained multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts for our clients. Our tireless pursuit of justice continues to be recognized by local, national, and international organizations such as Lawdragon, Irish Legal 100, and Super Lawyers.
What happens in the aftermath of a bicycle crash can either support your quest for justice and fair compensation or jeopardize it. If you’ve been injured in a crash, contact Munley Law for a free consultation.
What Should You Do Following a Bicycle Accident in Reading, PA?
Bicycle accidents can happen in an instant, and, sadly, they’re relatively common in the Keystone State. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation revealed that the number of these accidents increased from 1,100 in 2023 to 1,271 in 2024, continuing the upward trend seen over the previous two years. However, the 19 fatalities that occurred in 2024 were the second-lowest number of fatalities in the five years from 2020 to 2024. The 20 to 34 age group saw the greatest representation among bicyclists injured (26.1%) or killed (31.6%) in accidents.
Follow these steps if you’re involved in a bike accident in Reading, PA:
- Move to Safety and Seek Medical Attention: To avoid further injury, try to get to a safe location. Ensure you are alright and seek medical care and immediate medical attention for everyone involved.
- Report the Accident to Law Enforcement: If someone is injured or has substantial property damage, quickly inform the police. Obtain a copy of the police report.
- Exchange Important Details and Gather Witness Information: Share your contact and insurance information with the other parties involved, including drivers, passengers, and witnesses. Make a point of noting the vehicle’s color and license plate number. You’ll also want to obtain the names and contact information of witnesses who observed the collision. Their testimonies might be useful when submitting an insurance claim or a court action.
- Document the Accident Scene: Take pictures of the accident scene, including the positioning of the automobiles, the condition of the highway, and any visible bike and vehicle dents, bruises, and personal injuries.
- Take Note of Important Details: Record the incident’s time, date, location, and any other relevant details, such as weather or road conditions.
- Contact a Reading Bicycle Accident Lawyer: Consult with a bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible, preferably before speaking to insurance companies. A lawyer specializing in bicycle crashes can assist you in better understanding your rights and choices. A skilled advocate can advise you whether or not to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit. A lawyer may increase the value of your claim by preserving the crucial evidence required to establish your bicycle accident case, including medical statements, witness testimonies, and the police file. Specifically, bicycle accident lawyers may help you recover damages and the complete and reasonable compensation to which you are entitled for your bodily harm, doctors’ costs, lost earnings, discomfort, and suffering.
The Reading bike accident lawyers at Munley Law are available 24/7. We will listen to your story respectfully and provide you with legal advice you can trust.
“Since 1959, we have secured over $1 billion in
compensation for our clients.”
Daniel W. Munley
Call us at (844) 686-5397 What Mistakes Should You Avoid After a Bicycle Accident?
After a bicycle accident, avoiding the most common mistakes can help maximize your fair compensation and protect your legal rights. Some bicycle accident victims quickly disclose fault, others avoid seeking medical care after a bicycle accident, and some don’t report the accident to the police.
There are also bicycle accident victims who negotiate with insurance companies and delay consulting a good accident lawyer, often settling for much less than their case warrants. Avoid making the following mistakes after a bicycle accident in Reading, PA:
Admitting Fault at the Accident Scene: Do not admit fault or apologize at the accident scene, as your statement could be used against you. Instead, make factual statements and avoid any speculation.
Not Medical Attention Immediately: Although your injuries may appear minor, it is essential to seek medical care immediately. Some injuries are severe, and some may not immediately manifest. Early documentation is important, especially concerning head injuries that may take some time for symptoms to become fully apparent.
Consulting With Insurance Companies Without Legal Advice: Insurance adjusters will want to offer a quick settlement of less than you deserve. A bicycle accident lawyer can protect your rights and negotiate on your behalf.
Delaying Legal Consultation: Seek legal assistance once you have been involved in a bicycle accident. Delaying legal advice will lead to the loss of important evidence or critical evidence that may weaken your case. Early legal advice is necessary to protect your rights, follow the legal process, and take the steps needed to obtain compensation.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer at Munley Law
Who Pays for a Bicycle Accident in Reading, PA?
Coverage for bicycle crashes in Reading, Pennsylvania, may be determined under various insurance policies, depending on the party responsible. Typically, multiple insurance policies would be relevant, such as the cyclist’s auto insurance (if applicable), the at-fault driver’s auto insurance, and potentially the cyclist’s health insurance.
What Types of Insurance Policies Could Cover Your Reading Bicycle Accident Claim?
Some of the insurance policies that would potentially cover a bicycle accident victim’s legal claim that happens in Pittsburgh, PA, include:
- Auto Insurance: The motor vehicle’s driver’s insurance company might also cover the cyclist’s accident injuries and damaged property. Auto insurance consists of bodily injury liability and property damage liability.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: If the at-fault driver does not have insurance or has insufficient insurance to cover the cyclist’s damages, their uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage steps in to pay for medical bills and other damages.
- Health Insurance: Cyclists may use health coverage to cover medical expenses incurred in a bicycle accident, including medical treatment, hospital bills, surgery, and rehabilitation.
- Personal Injury Protection: Auto insurance carriers often offer personal injury protection (PIP). This coverage covers a cyclist’s medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. Many Pennsylvania-insured motorists opt not to buy PIP.
- Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance: A cyclist’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy may have bicycle accident coverage, which often covers liability. Cyclists must be familiar with the insurance available to know where to get compensation for accident injuries and damages.
How Does Fault Affect Bike Accident Insurance Claims in Pennsylvania?
Fault is significant in Pennsylvania because it directly impacts insurance claims. Specifically, Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative fault system under 42 Pa C.S.A. § 7102, awarding damages proportionately to at-fault parties if they’re less than 51% responsible for the accident. The cyclist’s damages will be reduced directly to their liability for the accident, provided they are partially responsible.
What Do You Need to Know About Your Insurance vs. the At-Fault Party’s Insurance in a Reading Bike Accident Claim?
After a bicycle accident, you should know your insurance company’s claim options. You may file a claim with their insurance company, use the at-fault party’s insurance, or use both. Experienced attorneys may facilitate the process and help you understand your rights regarding adequate compensation from insurance companies.
What if You’re Involved in a Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident in Reading, PA?
If you are involved in a hit-and-run bicycle collision in Reading or the surrounding area, you must act quickly to protect your rights and recover compensation.
Legal Options and Steps to Take
Get treatment for any injuries you may have sustained and compile detailed information about the accident scene. If possible, document the accident scene by taking photos. Notify the police that you have been involved in a crash, and if applicable, with a hit-and-run car. Describe the event’s specifics, including the time, location, and what happened to the other car and/or passengers. Get treatment for any injuries you may have sustained and compile detailed information about the accident scene.
The Role of Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Suppose the guilty driver cannot be identified or does not have car insurance. In that case, your uninsured motorist provision can pay for physical accidents and property damage you sustain in the accident.
How Can a Bike Accident Lawyer Help Find the At-Fault Driver or Secure Compensation?
A Reading personal injury lawyer competent in handling hit-and-run bicycle accidents can also help in other ways. They will:
- Collaborate with the police to find the at-fault driver
- Collect facts backing up your story
- Deal with insurance companies
On top of this, a Reading bike crash lawyer at Munley Law can offer a free consultation. Our attorneys will walk you through the litigation procedure and ensure you get reasonable compensation. By hiring a bicycle accident attorney immediately after a crash, you improve your prospects of identifying the at-fault driver or recovering money from your uninsured motorist provision, alleviating a hit-and-run bicycle accident’s financial and emotional expense.
Why Choose Munley Law?
The Reading bicycle accident attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury attorneys realize that not all motor vehicle drivers agree to share the road. We are here to assist the victims of bicycle crashes caused by negligent drivers.
Our Reading personal injury attorneys hold a combined 250 years of experience in a court of justice defending bicycle wreck victims and their families. They are proudly recognized for their excellent skills and performance. Four of our attorneys have board certifications in Civil Trial Advocacy and Civil Trial Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and two are members of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Our lawyers have been honored by Best Law Firms, made the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers List, and the list of Best Lawyers in America, with Marion Munley being named Lawyer of the Year for Personal Injury Litigation. Marion’s currently the Vice President of the American Association of Justice, and Daniel Munley was named a Lawyer of Distinction. In addition, the National Trial Lawyers named Caroline Munley among the Top 25 Women Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania and named all our partners among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania. All our partners were named to the Irish Legal 100 list. Over almost seven decades, we’ve secured settlements and verdicts worth more than $1 billion.
We are a family-operated personal injury law firm, representing and defending clients since 1959. We never charge any fees until we get your case.
Contact Munley Law for a Free Consultation
Getting expert legal representation is one of the best things you can do for yourself after a bicycle accident in Berks County.
Contact Munley Law today and schedule a free consultation with our Reading bike accident lawyer.
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.
