Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer Blog

Bicyclists have the same legal obligations that motorists do, and they also have the same legal right to use the road. However, the Associated Press notes that many Pennsylvania motorists ignore or endanger bicyclists – so many, in fact, that the state is ranked 40th in the nation for bicycle-friendliness by the League of American Bicyclists. To avoid PA bike accidents and injury, bicyclists often use the few available bike paths or cut through alleyways and parking lots.

Some Pennsylvania bicyclists have banded together and are seeking to make commuting safer and more convenient for bicyclists. In May, Commuter Services of Central Pennsylvania hosted a “Bike to Work” week, encouraging commuters to ride their bicycles instead of driving. The campaign focused on the benefits to riders, including exercise and enjoyment of the outdoors, and the benefits to the community as a whole, such as cutting down on air pollution.

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Lower Merion police have arrested a 75-year-old woman who they believe caused a hit-and-run auto accident in Philadelphia that injured a 13-year-old area boy. According to an article in The Philadelphia Inquirer, the woman, when confronted by authorities, said she thought she had struck a deer. But she had actually hit the teenager who was riding his bike west on Gulph Road near Morris Road. He was apparently not wearing a helmet.

The high-profile case generated a number of tips and culminated in the woman's arrest. She is likely to be charged with causing an accident involving death or personal injury, which is a third-degree felony and failure to render aid, which is a summary offense.

Regarding hit-and-run accidents, Pennsylvania law (Chapter 37, Section 3742) states: "The driver of any vehicle involved in a PA bicycle accident resulting in injury or death of any person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close thereto as possible but shall then forthwith return to and in every event shall remain at the scene of the accident." Even if you don’t have auto insurance or are underinsured, you still must fulfill your responsibility and the obligation to stop if you’ve been involved in an accident. The consequences, as are demonstrated in the above incident, are far too great for all parties involved if anyone in a car accident flees the scene.

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