Bicycle accidents in Scranton leave riders in a difficult position. The injuries are often serious, such as head trauma, broken bones, and spinal damage, and the insurance process that follows is rarely straightforward. Drivers’ insurers frequently dispute liability or argue the cyclist contributed to the crash, and without legal representation, that argument often sticks.
Munley Law has been handling personal injury cases in Scranton for more than 70 years and has recovered over $1 billion for clients across Pennsylvania. That track record matters when an insurer is disputing fault after a bicycle accident. Our Scranton bicycle accident attorneys have seen the same fault-shifting arguments before and know which ones carry real weight and which are just pressure tactics.
If you’ve been hit on a Scranton road while riding a bicycle, don’t wait. Contact our bicycle accident lawyers today to schedule a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 What Are the Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Scranton, PA?
Many bicycle accidents in Scranton are caused by driver negligence, such as failing to yield to bicyclists or distracted driving. At Munley Law, our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), 1,278 bicycles were involved in accidents in 2024, leaving 19 bicyclists dead. Of these accidents, 30 bicycles were struck by light trucks, vans, or SUVs, and 19 bicycles were struck by passenger cars. While 2024 saw an increase in bicycle accidents in Pennsylvania from 2023’s 1,100, the number of fatalities decreased from 2023’s 27.
Many factors can contribute to bicycle accidents in Scranton, including:
- Distracted driving: Drivers using their cell phones, eating, or engaging in other distracting behaviors may fail to see bicyclists.
- Failure to yield: Drivers who fail to yield to bicyclists at dangerous intersections, crosswalks, or other locations can cause serious accidents.
- Unsafe passing: Drivers who pass bicyclists too closely or attempt to pass when it is unsafe can cause collisions.
- Dooring: Drivers and passengers who open their car doors without checking for bicyclists can cause bicyclists to collide with the door.
- Poor road conditions: Potholes, debris, and other hazards on the road can cause bicyclists to lose control and crash.
- DUI: Drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol may have impaired judgment and reaction times, putting cyclists at risk.
Scranton adds its own factors on top of these. The narrow streets in the downtown corridor, where parallel parking lines both sides of the road, are a consistent source of dooring accidents. The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail crosses several intersections where cyclists moving at speed meet drivers who don’t always check. The University of Scranton area has a mix of student cyclists and car traffic that creates its own hazards. And the city’s hills mean descents where drivers can be caught off guard by a cyclist coming through faster than expected.
What Are the Most Common Injuries in a Bicycle Accident?
Bicycle accidents can result in many injuries, some of which can be life-changing. Common types of injuries suffered by bicycle accident victims in Scranton, PA include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Head injuries are a common result of bicycle accidents and can range from mild concussions to severe TBIs.
- Spinal cord injuries: These injuries can cause paralysis or loss of sensation and can require ongoing medical care and rehabilitation.
- Broken bones: Fractures of the arms, legs, ribs, and other bones are common in bicycle accidents and can take weeks or even months to heal.
- Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, and bruises, can cause significant pain and limit a person’s mobility.
- Road rash: When a person is thrown from their bicycle, they can suffer abrasions and lacerations from sliding across the pavement. This type of injury is often called “road rash.”
- Internal injuries: Blunt force trauma to the chest or abdomen can cause internal bleeding or damage to organs.
- Death: Injuries sustained in a bicycle accident are often fatal, which may warrant help from a Scranton wrongful death lawyer.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Scranton, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. Then, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you get the compensation you need to recover. The Scranton personal injury attorneys at Munley Law are here to help.
What Kinds of Compensation Can a Victim Receive After a Bicycle Accident in Scranton?
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Pennsylvania due to the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. This can include economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical expenses: This can include the cost of emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, medication, and any other necessary medical care related to your injuries.
- Lost wages: If you missed work due to your injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for the lost wages. You may also be able to recover for future lost wages.
- Pain and suffering: This can include physical pain, emotional distress, and a reduced quality of life as a result of your injuries.
- Property damage: If your bicycle or other property was damaged in the accident, you may be able to recover the cost of repairs or replacement.
- Funeral and burial costs: If you lose a family member in a
Your lawyer will take all your losses into consideration when calculating how much compensation you deserve. This includes quantifiable damages and those that are intangible and subjective. That said, it’s worth noting that, under 42 Pa C.S.A. § 7102, Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which allows you to recover compensation if you’re less than 51% responsible for the accident. If you share any responsibility below this threshold, your compensation will be reduced by your portion of blame.
For example, if you’re 20% responsible for the accident, the amount of compensation you receive will be reduced by 20%.
Additionally, you’ll need to ensure your Scranton bicycle accident claim is filed before the deadline of two years from the date of the accident, set by Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524 (2). Missing this deadline could prevent you from pursuing compensation.
“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
Why Choose Munley Law for Your Scranton Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
When a cyclist is hit in Scranton, the insurer’s first move is usually to shift some portion of fault onto the rider. Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence rules mean that even a modest fault assignment reduces your recovery. This is where an experienced Scranton accident lawyer comes into play. Four of our attorneys, Marion Munley, Daniel Munley, J. Christopher Munley, and John Mulcahey, all hold board certifications in Civil Trial Law and Civil Practice Advocacy, and that carries weight when an insurer knows a case is heading toward trial and starts calculating its exposure.
Their recognition in the field goes beyond those certifications. Marion Munley serves as Vice President of the American Association for Justice, the national organization for plaintiffs’ attorneys. She and Daniel Munley are members of the American Board of Trial Advocates, which vets attorneys based on trial experience and peer review. Marion and Caroline Munley belong to the International Society of Barristers and the Litigation Counsel of America, both invitation-only organizations limited to trial lawyers. That level of recognition points to one thing: courtroom litigation, not just settlements.
If you were hit by a driver in Scranton while riding your bicycle, contact Munley Law to schedule a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scranton Bicycle Accident Cases
What Should I Do After a Bicycle Accident in Scranton, PA?
After a bicycle accident in Scranton, PA, seek medical attention immediately. Next, report the accident to the police and gather evidence like photos, witness information, and driver details, if possible, and notify your insurance company. Contact a Scranton bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights and start building your case.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Bicycle Accident in Pennsylvania?
Various parties can be held responsible for a bicycle accident in Pennsylvania. Liability often falls on negligent drivers who fail to yield or who drive distracted or pass bicyclists unsafely. However, other parties may be responsible, such as vehicle owners, employers, or government entities responsible for unsafe road conditions. Our lawyers can investigate your accident to identify all responsible parties.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bicycle Accident Claim in Scranton, PA?
Under Pennsylvania law (42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524), you generally have two years from the date of the incident to file a bicycle accident claim in Scranton. This deadline is set by the statute of limitations and missing it can bar you from pursuing compensation for your injuries. Consult a lawyer soon after your accident to ensure all deadlines are met.
What if I was Partially at Fault for the Bicycle Accident?
If you were partially at fault for the bicycle accident, you may still be able to pursue compensation, depending on your share of responsibility. Under 42 Pa C.S.A. § 7102, Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which allows you to pursue compensation if you were less than 51% at fault for the accident. However, any compensation you receive may be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, your compensation will be reduced by 15% if you are found to be 15% responsible for the accident.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Scranton Bicycle Accident Lawyer at Munley Law?
It costs nothing upfront to hire a Scranton bicycle accident lawyer at Munley Law. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay legal fees if we successfully recover compensation for you through a settlement or verdict. This allows you to pursue justice without worrying about out-of-pocket legal costs.
Contact a Scranton Bicycle Lawyer at Munley Law Today
Our attorneys also have a proven track record of helping bicycle accident victims recover the compensation they deserve. When you hire Munley Law, you know you are getting a team of knowledgeable attorneys to fight for you. Plus, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Scranton, contact us today for a free consultation.
Munley Law
227 Penn Ave.
Scranton, PA 18503
(570) 865-4699
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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.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on April 9, 2026.
