How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help After a Bicycle Accident in Wyomissing

Did you or a family member sustain injuries in a bicycle accident in Wyomissing, PA? Bicyclists are extremely susceptible to serious injuries. If you were injured, an experienced Wyomissing bicycle accident lawyer at Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help you fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.

Over the years, our lawyers have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of accident victims like you. Collectively, we have over 120 years of experience handling personal injury cases and workers’ compensation claims.

Don’t wait too long to seek legal advice. Contact our law offices in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania today to schedule a free consultation with our lawyers at (717) 388-2325.

How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help After a Bicycle Accident in Wyomissing

How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help After a Bicycle Accident in Wyomissing

Bicycle accidents usually cause serious injuries. Recovering can take all your time and energy. It can also quickly start to drain your bank account.

While it’s unfortunate, insurance carriers often make it difficult for accident victims to recover the fair compensation they deserve. They might try to downplay the extent of your injuries or give you the runaround. They might even try to blame you. 

The reality is that the insurance adjuster is much more likely to take your bike accident case seriously if you have a respected Wyomissing personal injury lawyer in your corner.

When you hire Marzzacco Niven & Associates as your legal representation, we will:

  • Investigate the accident
  • Identify all responsible parties and sources of insurance coverage
  • Calculate the value of your case
  • Hire leading experts in medicine, accident reconstruction, and other specialties
  • Negotiate with the insurer for the highest settlement possible

If the at-fault party refuses a fair settlement deal, our Wyomissing personal injury attorneys will take your case to trial. We’re here to protect you in any way we can. Just give us a call for more information.

How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in Wyomissing?

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reports that 822 bicyclists were involved in motor vehicle accidents in 2020. Twenty-two bicyclists were killed, and another 799 riders sustained injuries.

The number of bike accidents actually declined significantly in 2020. Just a few years back, in 2016, 1,304 bicycle accidents were reported across the state of Pennsylvania. 

Still, bicycle accidents always have the potential to cause severe injuries. Most bicycle accident injuries occurred at intersections in 2020. On the other hand, almost half of all fatal bike accidents happened at non-intersections.

What Is My Wyomissing Bicycle Accident Case Worth?

Most accident victims want to know how much their personal injury case is worth before launching a legal battle. Our lawyers must first review the specific details of your case before estimating your case value. Despite that, we can provide some guidance.

The factors that are most important when calculating the value of your personal injury claim are:

  • The type of injuries you’ve suffered
  • The cost of your medical treatment, rehab, and expenses
  • Your need for ongoing care and the duration of your recovery
  • Whether you miss time at work and lose income because of the injury
  • Whether the injuries are severe enough to impact your future earning potential
  • How the injuries will impact your quality of life and lifestyle
  • Whether you contributed to the accident in any way

On a practical level, the available insurance coverage could limit the value of your claim. That’s why it’s always important to identify every party who contributed even slightly to your accident.

Our Wyomissing bicycle accident attorneys have been handling cases like yours for decades. We’ve been successful because we’re dedicated to providing the personal attention your case deserves. To learn more about how we can help, call our law firm to schedule a free case review today.

What Types of Damages Are Available to Bicycle Accident Victims?

As the victim, you’re responsible for identifying the specific types of damages you’ve sustained. Pennsylvania personal injury laws classify damages as either economic damages or non-economic damages.

Economic damages are your financial losses. Most victims are entitled to compensation for the medical expenses they incur and their lost wages during recovery.

Additional examples of economic damages include:

  • Reduced future earning potential
  • Physical therapy
  • Nursing care
  • Long-term care
  • Property damage

Non-economic damages are more difficult to prove. That doesn’t make them any less important.

Some examples of non-economic damages include:

We’ll often work with experts when assessing the value of these highly personal losses. Their testimony and opinions will make it much more difficult for the insurance companies to downplay the extent of your pain and suffering. 

Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed For a Bicycle Accident in Pennsylvania?

In today’s world, cyclists are just as likely to contribute to a car accident as drivers. In fact, recent studies show that about one-third of all bicyclists displayed distracted behavior. The insurance company will use that data to prove that you caused your own injuries.

If they succeed, the consequences can be serious. Pennsylvania follows modified comparative negligence laws. Accident victims can recover partial compensation if they share partial fault for an accident. However, if you’re found to be mostly responsible, you forfeit your right to compensation entirely.

We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation For All of Your Bicycle Accident Injuries

Recovering from any injury can be difficult. The types of injuries sustained by bicyclists can take weeks, months, and even years to heal.

At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, we often represent injured cyclists who have suffered:

Bicycles simply don’t protect people in the same way that motor vehicles do. If you or a loved one were injured, our Wyomissing bike accident attorneys are here to offer our support. Call or contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.

What Causes Most Bicycle Accidents in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania?

Many bike accidents occur because drivers fail to share the roads with bicycle riders responsibly. That can put riders at significant risk of harm.

Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents are:

  • Distracted driving and failure to watch for cyclists
  • Texting while driving
  • Drowsy driving
  • Failure to leave a safe distance between the vehicle and the shoulder
  • Failure to yield the right-of-way 
  • Changing lanes without checking blind spots
  • Lack of dedicated bike lanes, infrastructure, and protective barriers
  • Speeding
  • Aggressive driving
  • Unsafe passing
  • Illegal lane changes
  • Illegal or unsafe turns
  • Failure to obey traffic signals and stop signs
  • Drunk driving
  • Driving under the influence of drugs
  • Hazardous road conditions, including potholes and damaged pavement 
  • Vehicle defects, such as faulty brakes

Multiple factors might play a role in your crash. If you were hit by a car while cycling in Wyomissing, our lawyers can help you determine the cause.

How Do I Prove Negligence After a Bicycle Accident in Pennsylvania? 

Most bicyclists are injured because of simple negligence. Negligence is a failure to exercise due caution under the circumstances. While the negligent party didn’t mean to hurt anyone, they were careless, and someone was injured anyway. Negligent parties can be held financially accountable–but you’ll have to prove that they caused your injuries first.

To prove negligence, you must prove four separate things:

  • A legal duty of care existed
  • A breach of duty occurred
  • The breach of duty caused the accident
  • You sustained damages because of the accident

Your police and accident report might contain some details. It’s likely that the insurance company will want additional proof.

You might wonder how you’ll get the evidence you need if you’re in the hospital or stuck home with painful injuries. Our lawyers in Wyomissing will handle all of the details of the investigation.

We’ll gather evidence such as:

  • Eyewitness statements
  • Video surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic lights 
  • Dash cam footage
  • Experts in accident reconstruction
  • Details from the accident scene
  • And more

A thorough investigation can make or break your case. It can also take time. If you were injured, call our lawyers as soon as you can so that we can work to recover the strongest evidence possible after the crash.

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

Under Pennsylvania law, bicycle accident victims must take legal action and file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the accident. While exceptions do exist, they’re few and far between. In the vast majority of cases, you lose your right to seek compensation after the two-year statute of limitations expires.

Contact a Wyomissing Bicycle Accident Lawyer For a Free Consultation

Did you or a loved one suffer injuries in a bicycle accident in Berks County? You may have the right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party. An experienced Wyomissing bicycle accident lawyer can evaluate your case and help you understand your legal options. Get more information today by calling our team at Marzzacco Niven & Associates for a free consultation.