What is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident Case in Philadelphia?

At Cousin Benny, our goal is to help you recover the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled. That amount may range from tens of thousands of dollars to millions. Ultimately, the amount of damages depends on factors such as the severity of your injuries, the availability of insurance to cover your losses, how the accident happened, and who was at fault.

How Do You File a Claim for a Car Accident in Pennsylvania?

You can start filing a car accident claim through your insurance company, but some companies will lowball an estimate based on your losses. This is why it’s advisable to retain the services of a car accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident occurs. Your personal injury lawyers will act as your consultant when dealing with the insurance company and the court system in any of your Pennsylvania car accident claims.

How Long Do You Have To Sue Someone After A Car Accident in Philadelphia?

According to Pennsylvania law, the statute of limitations for a car injury claim is generally two years. At Cousin Benny, our Philadelphia car accident lawyer advises clients to file a personal injury lawsuit as soon as possible after the car accident occurs. Filing early helps ensure relevant evidence is preserved, and the memories of eyewitnesses remain fresh.

What Happens in PA if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?

In Pennsylvania, if the driver who caused the accident does not have auto insurance, you may be protected by carrying underinsured motorist coverage in your insurance policy. The uninsured motorist may face penalties, including loss of driving privileges, registration suspension, fines, and more, but you can also sue the other party for any damages to your vehicle and/or injuries you sustained.

Is PA an At-Fault State?

Pennsylvania is a “no-fault” state. This means that your auto insurance company will cover medical expenses up to your coverage limit for anyone injured on your policy in an automobile accident, regardless of negligence caused by both parties.

Philadelphia Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Cycling is a green alternative to using a motor vehicle, an inexpensive alternative form of transportation, and a great form of exercise. However, when bicyclists are hit by motor vehicles weighing thousands of pounds and comprised of metal, bicyclists often suffer serious injuries as a result. If you or your loved one has been injured in a bike accident that was someone else’s fault, you need legal representation.

Cousin Benny Personal Injury can help you with your bike accident case. Let our experienced legal team handle your case while you focus on your recovery. Call today for a free consultation.

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Why You Need a Bike Accident Lawyer

Bike accidents are different than other motor vehicle accidents because they often involve:

Severe injuries, like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and internal organ damage, that affect accident victims for years to come
Multiple at-fault parties, which may include corporate and governmental entities
Different insurance coverage that may be available to help offset some of the costs you incurred because of the bike crash
Accidents that don’t involve direct contact between the vehicle and bicyclist but still demonstrate negligence and compensable legal claims
Claims against government agencies based on unsafe bicycle infrastructure, including bike lanes that are not adequately protected with paint and plastic flexible posts, or because intersections lacked proper protection, such as bumpouts or daylighting

You need an experienced attorney who understands these legal intricacies and the nuances of bike accident claims. A lawyer from our personal injury law firm can help with your case by:

Evaluating your case during a free consultation
Investigating the accident and identifying all at-fault parties
Gathering evidence to help prove liability and the full extent of your injuries
Obtaining police reports and interviewing witnesses
Compiling information about your injuries and losses, including medical records, lost wages, future medical expenses, and more
Communicating with insurance companies on your behalf
Managing your legal claims
Negotiating a fair settlement
Litigating and holding individuals and institutions responsible for the harm they caused

Why Choose Cousin Benny Personal Injury for Your Bike Accident Claim

The attorneys at Cousin Benny Personal Injury live and work in Philadelphia just like you do. We are committed to protecting the rights of the injured. We support the mission of Vision Zero, which seeks to eliminate all traffic crashes in Philadelphia by 2050.

Our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of the injured. That’s what we have been doing with our more than 30 years of collective legal experience. We want to help you secure the compensation and justice that you deserve.

Our legal team understands the profound effects that a bicycle accident can have on a person and their family. We fight tirelessly to secure a fair settlement from the insurance company that acknowledges your short- and long-term losses. If the insurance company doesn’t offer fair compensation, we don’t hesitate to litigate your case to demand the compensation you deserve at trial. We never settle a case for less than maximum compensation.

Our attorneys give every client individual attention. They are familiar with every aspect of their case and treat them like family. We try to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the legal process and stay in constant contact with you so that you know the status of your case.

We work on a contingency-fee basis, so you don’t pay attorney fees upfront for our legal services. We receive a percentage of the financial recovery we make in your case. Learn more about your legal rights at no cost or obligation when you call us for a free case consultation.

Pennsylvania Bicycle Accident Statistics: How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in Philadelphia

According to Pennsylvania crash statistics from the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, 24 bicyclists died in 2021, the highest number in 20 years. Bicyclist deaths rose 9% between 2020 and 2021 and 50% between 2019 and 2021.

In 2021, 8 bicyclists died, the highest number of bicycle fatalities since 1997. This number of deaths represented a 40% increase in bicyclists killed between 2020 and 2021 and a 250% increase between 2019 and 2021.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Philadelphia

Many bicycle crashes occur in Philadelphia because drivers violate traffic laws, such as:

Speeding: Motorists may be driving too fast for conditions or above the posted speed limit. At higher speeds, motorists may not have enough time to stop before they collide with a pedestrian.
Tailgating: Motorists may violate Pennsylvania’s law requiring at least 4 feet of clearance when passing.
Distracted driving: Drivers may violate the hands-free driving law, which makes bicyclists susceptible to being injured because distracted drivers have delayed reactions to hazards.
Impaired driving: Motorists may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which makes them more likely to lose control of their vehicle or engage in reckless driving behaviors.

Other bicycle accidents occur because of dangerous streets without protected bike lanes. An experienced personal injury attorney can review your case to determine how it happened and who is responsible.

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Benjamin and Anthony know what it takes to get the most for every client.

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Who Is Responsible for Bike Accidents?

Motorists are responsible for many bicycle crashes because they may not respect the presence of cyclists on the road or follow applicable laws. They may not check blind spots before changing lanes or yield the right-of-way to bicyclists.

In some cases, the negligent driver tries to shift blame for the accident to the injured bicyclist. Even if you contributed to the accident, Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence system allows you to seek compensation for your injuries as long as you were not more responsible for the accident than the defendant. You need an experienced bicycle accident lawyer who can handle insurance settlement negotiations for you so that you are not taken advantage of.

To recover compensation for a bicycle accident claim, you need to prove the defendant violated the duty of care to drive safely and caused the accident. You may be able to meet this evidentiary burden with evidence your bike crash lawyer can obtain, such as:

Accident reports
Witness testimonies
Photos and videos of the accident
Helmet camera footage
Reports prepared by accident reconstruction experts

The trial attorneys at Cousin Benny Personal Injury have extensive experience conducting thorough accident investigations.

Recoverable Compensation After Bicycle Crashes

If you are a bicycle rider who was injured due to the negligence of another party, you may be able to seek financial compensation from the party or parties responsible for your injuries. Injury victims can seek compensation for the following damages they sustain in a bike accident:

Medical expenses: Injury claims can demand compensation for the payment of medical bills, ongoing medical treatment, and future medical expenses.
Lost wages: You can request compensation for the lost income you incurred while you were seeking medical treatment or recovering from your injuries.
Reduced earning capacity: In serious injury cases, such as those involving spine injuries, you may suffer permanent disabilities that prevent you from working or that cause you to transfer to a less lucrative job. You can seek compensation for your reduced or lost earning capacity.
Property damage: You can seek compensation for your bicycle damage and any other personal property that was damaged in the accident.
Physical pain and suffering: Bicycle accident injuries can cause extensive pain and suffering. You deserve fair compensation for what you’ve endured.
Emotional pain and suffering: You can also seek compensation for your emotional distress, mental anguish, and other negative psychological impact you suffered because of the bike crash.
Loss of enjoyment of life: Serious injuries can significantly interfere with your ability to enjoy life, favorite pastimes, and relationships with loved ones. You can seek compensation for this diminished quality of life.
Wrongful death damages: A wrongful death claim seeks compensation for the financial and non-financial losses that a family suffers due to the death of a loved one.

Our Philadelphia injury lawyers can identify all the damages you are entitled to and seek compensation for them through a personal injury claim.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accident Claims in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania law generally gives accident victims two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible for their injuries. If this deadline passes and the victim or their family has not taken legal action, they can be barred from ever recovering compensation.

Our Philadelphia bicycle accident attorneys help accident victims recover fair compensation from negligent drivers. Contact us before it is too late.

Call Cousin Benny Personal Injury Today for Your Free Case Review

Cousin Benny Personal Injury is dedicated to fighting for safer streets in Philadelphia. If you were injured in a bike accident in Philadelphia, we want to help you hold the negligent party accountable. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.