Best Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Erie, PA

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Erie, Pennsylvania?

  The number to call for non-emergency matters in the city of Erie is (814) 870-1125.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Erie, Pennsylvania?

  The Erie Police Department's Right to Know Officer (RTKO) needs a written request. Requests are not officially accepted until they are handed to the Right to Know Officer in person, sent by email, fax, or marked "delivered" by certified mail.

  Right to Know requests are accepted by the Erie Police Department from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday (except on holidays).

  For more information visit https://www.openrecords.pa.gov/

• Is it always the fault of the driver of a motor vehicle who hits a bicycle in Erie?

  In Erie, bicycles have the right to share the road with motor vehicles. They do, however, have a responsibility to behave responsibly. The simple answer is that, although the motorist is often at fault, there are times when the biker may be partly or fully at blame. The motorist, for example, may allege that the bicycle dashed into the roadway so swiftly that they did not have enough time to halt and avoid the collision.

• In the event of a bicycle accident, how long do you have to file a claim in Erie?

  Injured bikers in Erie have a limited length of time (or "statute of limitations") to bring personal injury lawsuits in court. According to 5524 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, sufferers of personal injuries have just two years from the date of their accidents to submit a claim for compensation. You may lose your right to financial restitution if you miss this deadline. Nonetheless, there may be situations when these time constraints are waived.

• How do bicycle accidents affect Erie residents?

  When road accidents happen, bikers are at a huge disadvantage. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that the average car weighs more than 4,000 pounds. When a car hits a bicycle, the force of the collision can do a lot of serious damage.

  In 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation made the following decisions:

  • There were more than 800 bike accidents, and 22 people died.
  • 49% of bike accidents happened on roads that were not state roads.
  • Children between 5 and 14 years old were most likely to get hurt.

• What should you do if the driver who hit your bike in Erie ran away from the scene?

  You may still be eligible to collect damages if you were riding a motorbike or bicycle in Erie and were struck by a driver who fled the scene. If you have auto insurance, you may try to have your losses paid for by the uninsured motorist coverage up to your policy's limitations. In the event of an accident, you will not be able to get uninsured motorist (UM) coverage if you waived it during the insurance purchase process.

• Can you sue if you lost a loved one in a bicycle accident in Erie?

  In the event that a family member was killed in a bicycle accident in Erie, the family has the right to bring a wrongful death case against the motorist who was responsible in causing the accident. The compensation that your family is awarded will not only assist with the unanticipated bills, but it will also assist in securing your family's financial future.