Every year in Philadelphia, hundreds of bicyclists are seriously injured or killed in crashes. Though these crashes are common in our city, they are also preventable. Through improved driving habits and better infrastructure, Philadelphia can dramatically reduce the number of crashes on our roads. In the pages that follow, we’ll explore the problem and talk about what you can do if you were hurt by a negligent driver.

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BICYCLE
INJURIES IN
PHILADELPHIA
How They Happen and What We
Can Do to Stop Them

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An Ongoing Problem in
Philadelphia
Every year in Philadelphia, hundreds of bicyclists are seriously injured or
killed in crashes. Though these crashes are common in our city, they are
also preventable. Through improved driving habits and better
infrastructure, Philadelphia can dramatically reduce the number of
crashes on our roads. In the pages that follow, we’ll explore the problem
and talk about what you can do if you were hurt by a negligent driver.
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Is Cycling Dangerous in
Philly?
Dozens of bicycle crashes happen every month in Philadelphia. They
can happen in any part of the city, at any time of the day, but there are
certain conditions that make a crash more likely. Increasing our
awareness of these conditions might help drivers and cyclists better
address the problem. Let’s look at when and where the risks for bicycle
accidents increase.
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Bicycle Crashes in
Philadelphia…
 Are most likely to occur in the afternoon and evening.
 Tend to increase significantly during the summer months.
 Are particularly common on heavily-trafficked streets like Broad
Street, Pine Street and Spruce Street.
Source: NBC10 News
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Dangerous Driving Behavior
and Bicycle Accidents
Negligent driving is often the cause of collisions with
bicycles. Distraction, impaired driving and other forms of
reckless driving put Philly’s cyclists in great danger.
However, safety advocates point to speeding as the most
dangerous driving behavior endangering cyclists.
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Collisions While Turning or
Veering into Nearby Lanes
A study from the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia said that the
majority of collisions between vehicles and cyclists occur at an angle.
We can infer from that finding that many bicycle injuries occur when a
motorist is turning or veering into a neighboring lane. This is one reason
why safety advocates push for protected bike lanes. These lanes provide
a barrier between the cyclist and other vehicles.
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Injuries Suffered in a Bicycle
Crash
The damage suffered by a cyclist in a crash is often severe. These are some of the
most common and severe injuries cyclists experience…
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 Head injuries
 Back, neck and spinal injuries
 Internal injuries or organ damage
 Road burn
 Fractures, such as broken hips, knees,
wrists or ankles
 Soft tissue damage.

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The Consequences of
Serious Injuries
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Pain and
Suffering
Post-traumatic
Stress Disorder
Medical
Bills
Missed Time
at Work
Lost
Income
Property
Damage

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Fixing the Problem Requires
Fixing Our Infrastructure
Philadelphia has invested in protected bike lanes, increased speed
enforcement and improved intersections to reduce the number of
bicyclist injuries and fatalities. Increasing our city’s budget to improve
cycling infrastructure should include building even more protected bike
lanes and repaving roads.
In addition to these improvements, increasing driver awareness
should be a top priority…
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What Drivers Should Do
Drivers should always be mindful of cyclists, particularly near
intersections and unprotected bike lanes. This includes maintaining a
reasonable speed at all times, signaling before turning and being aware
that cyclists will not be seen in blind spots. Drivers of large trucks or
other commercial vehicles should remember that their blind spots are
much bigger than those of other vehicles.
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When a Cyclist is Injured by
a Negligent Driver
If a careless driver injures a cyclist, they can be held accountable for the costs
associated with that cyclist’s injuries. A cyclist can file a personal injury claim to
seek compensation for the damages they have suffered. Compensation can help
an injured person with medical bills, ongoing treatment and loss of income
stemming from the accident. If a cyclist is killed by a negligent driver, surviving
family members can file a wrongful death claim to hold the driver responsible for
the financial consequences of their actions.
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Contact Wapner Newman to
Schedule a Free Consultation
The Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at
Wapner Newman have been standing up for the
rights of injured Philadelphians for decades,
and we have built our reputation on the service
and results we provide to our clients. If you or a
loved one has been injured in a bicycle
accident, we encourage you to contact us today
to schedule a free consultation with our legal
team.
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