PA College Student Killed In A Bicycle Accident| PA Bicycle Accident Lawyers

by Daniel J. O'Brien [email protected]

On Sunday, September 23, 2012, a college student from Pennsylvania tragically died when his bicycle was hit by a car.  The student from Pennsylvania was a sophomore at McPherson College in Kansas.  The details of the accident have not been released by officials.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 630 fatalities as a result of bicycle accidents in 2009, and these deaths accounted for 2% of all traffic fatalities in 2009. 

51,000 cyclists were injured in car accidents.  17%, or about 8,000, of the injured cyclists were children 14 years of age or younger.

Many motorists are wary when they see cyclists on the road.  However, bicycles on the roadway are, by law, vehicles with the same rights, and riders have the same responsibilities as drivers.

In Pennsylvania, a law was passed in April of this year to provide more protection for bicycle riders who share the road with motorists. 

 The new "rules of the road" require:

• drivers to leave a 4-foot distance or buffer zone when passing a bicyclist;
• drivers making a turn to give cyclists the right of way when the cyclists are traveling in the opposite direction of the drivers; and
• bicycle riders to avoid disrupting normal traffic patterns.

Cyclists and drivers need to work together and respect each other on the road to reduce bicycle accidents and fatalities.

Bicycle riders who sustain injuries as a result of car accidents may be entitled to compensation from the driver at-fault. If you were injured in a bicycle accident, speak to an experienced knowledgeable Philadelphia, PA car accident personal injury lawyer about your rights to pursue damages. 877.944.8396

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