Bensalem Township sits in Bucks County, just northeast of Philadelphia, where busy corridors like Street Road (Route 132), Bristol Pike (U.S. Route 13), and U.S. Route 1 carry thousands of vehicles every day. Cyclists share these roads with fast-moving traffic, and the results can be devastating. If you or someone you love was hurt in a bicycle accident in Bensalem, a Philadelphia abogado de lesiones personales at MyPhillyLawyer is ready to help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us at (215) 227-2727.

Índice

Dangerous Roads for Cyclists in Bensalem and Why Crashes Happen

Bensalem’s road network was built around cars, not cyclists. That design reality puts riders at serious risk every time they take to the street.

PennDOT’s Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment identifies multiple segments of PA Route 132 (Street Road) in Bensalem Township as high-risk areas for cyclists and pedestrians, including stretches from Knights Road to High Avenue, from Philmont Avenue to Old Lincoln Highway, and from Central Avenue to Old Street Road. These are not quiet back roads. They are high-speed, high-volume corridors where cyclists have little protection.

U.S. Route 1 (Lincoln Highway), from Old Lincoln Highway to the Philadelphia city limits in Bensalem Township, is also flagged as a dangerous corridor for vulnerable road users. Riders who commute along this stretch face heavy truck traffic, limited shoulder space, and drivers who are not watching for bicycles.

The area around the Neshaminy Mall, Parx Casino, and the I-95 interchange creates additional hazards. Delivery vehicles, rideshare cars, and commuters all compete for the same lanes. A distracted driver, a driver who fails to check mirrors before opening a car door, or a motorist who cuts a turn too tight can cause life-altering injuries in seconds.

Across Pennsylvania in 2025, bicycle crashes represented 1.2 percent of total reported crashes and 2.7 percent of all traffic fatalities, with 28 bicyclist deaths and 1,335 injuries recorded statewide. Those numbers reflect real people on real roads, including the roads running through Bensalem every day.

Pennsylvania Bicycle Laws That Protect You After a Bensalem Crash

Pennsylvania law gives cyclists clear legal standing on the road. Knowing these rules matters because they form the foundation of your injury claim.

Under 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3501, every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway is granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except as to special provisions in the pedalcycle subchapter. In plain terms, a driver owes you the same duty of care they owe any other vehicle on the road.

Pennsylvania’s safe passing law requires that the driver of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle traveling in the same direction shall pass to the left of the bicycle within not less than four feet at a careful and prudent reduced speed. This rule, found at 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3303, is violated constantly on Bensalem’s busier roads.

Pennsylvania also has a “dooring” law that requires no person to open any door on a motor vehicle unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic. Under 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3705, a driver who flings open a car door into your path is legally responsible for the resulting injuries.

Pennsylvania’s helmet law requires all riders under age 12 to wear a helmet, and non-use of a helmet cannot be cited as evidence of negligence under 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3510. Adult cyclists who ride without helmets cannot have their claims dismissed solely on that basis.

When a driver breaks any of these rules and injures you, Pennsylvania law gives you the right to pursue compensation. The key is proving that the driver’s conduct caused your injuries, and that is exactly where MyPhillyLawyer goes to work for you.

Pennsylvania’s Comparative Negligence Law and What It Means for Your Bicycle Accident Claim

Drivers and their insurance companies often try to shift blame onto cyclists after a crash. Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence statute directly addresses this tactic.

Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 7102, Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. The statute states that a plaintiff’s contributory negligence will not bar recovery where that negligence was not greater than the causal negligence of the defendant. However, any damages the plaintiff recovers are reduced in proportion to their share of fault. So if you were 20 percent at fault for a crash and your total damages are $100,000, you would recover $80,000.

The critical line is 51 percent. If an insurer or jury finds you more than 50 percent at fault, you recover nothing. This is why insurance adjusters often try to argue that a cyclist was riding too far from the curb, failed to signal, or contributed to the crash in some way. They are trying to push your fault percentage over that threshold.

At MyPhillyLawyer, we know this playbook. We gather police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and physical evidence from the crash scene to build a clear picture of what actually happened. We work to keep your share of fault as low as the facts allow, which directly protects the value of your claim.

Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence law also allows for joint and several liability in certain situations. Under § 7102(a.1)(3), a defendant who is found to bear 60 percent or more of the total liability can be held jointly and severally liable for the full damages award. This matters when multiple parties, such as a negligent driver and a municipality that failed to maintain a safe road, both contributed to your crash.

Limited Tort Insurance and Bicycle Accidents: A Key Exception for Bensalem Cyclists

Many Pennsylvania drivers choose limited tort auto insurance because it costs less. That choice normally restricts them from suing for pain and suffering unless their injuries meet the legal definition of “serious injury.” But cyclists have a significant advantage here.

Pennsylvania law includes specific exceptions, or “carve-outs,” to the limited tort election, and one of these important exceptions applies directly to bicyclists. Even if you chose limited tort on your own auto insurance policy, you are not bound by those limitations if you are involved in a bicycle accident.

Under 75 Pa. C.S. § 1705(d)(3), the limited tort election does not apply when you are injured while riding a bicycle. This means that even if you personally carry limited tort auto insurance, you can still pursue full compensation, including pain and suffering damages, from the driver who hit you. This exception exists because cyclists are not in motor vehicles and should not be penalized by an insurance election they made for a completely different situation.

If you were hit by a drunk driver while on your bicycle, another carve-out also applies. Under 75 Pa. C.S. § 1705(d)(1)(i), if the at-fault driver is convicted of or accepts Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) for driving under the influence, your limited tort election would not apply.

These exceptions are not widely known, and insurance companies rarely volunteer this information. If you were in a Bensalem bicycle crash and you are worried that your insurance coverage limits your rights, call MyPhillyLawyer at (215) 227-2727 before you accept any settlement offer.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Bensalem Bicycle Accident?

A serious bicycle crash can change every part of your life. Pennsylvania law allows injured cyclists to pursue compensation for the full range of losses that a crash causes.

Economic damages cover the costs you can measure in dollars. Medical bills, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, prescription medications, and future medical care all qualify. Lost wages and reduced earning capacity are also recoverable if your injuries kept you out of work or permanently limited your ability to earn a living. Bicycle repairs or replacement costs fall into this category too.

Non-economic damages cover losses that do not come with a price tag but are just as real. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact of permanent scarring or disability are all compensable under Pennsylvania law. For cyclists who suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or amputations, these damages can be substantial.

In cases where a bicycle accident causes death, the surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim under 42 Pa. C.S. § 8301. This statute allows eligible survivors to recover damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, and the financial support the deceased would have provided. A separate survival action allows the estate to pursue compensation for the pain and suffering the victim experienced before death.

Pennsylvania’s two-year statute of limitations, found at 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524, applies to most bicycle accident injury claims. You have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. Missing that deadline almost always ends your right to recover anything. Do not wait. Contact MyPhillyLawyer at (215) 227-2727 or Toll Free: 866-352-4572 to protect your rights now.

FAQs About Bensalem PA Bicycle Accident Lawyers

¿Cuánto tiempo tengo para presentar una demanda por un accidente de bicicleta en Pensilvania?

Pennsylvania’s general personal injury statute of limitations, found at 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524, gives you two years from the date of your bicycle accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you will almost certainly lose your right to recover any compensation, regardless of how serious your injuries are. There are limited exceptions, such as cases involving minor children, but you should never rely on an exception to protect you. Contact MyPhillyLawyer as soon as possible after your crash.

¿Puedo recibir una indemnización aunque haya tenido parte de la culpa en el accidente de bicicleta?

Yes, as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. Under Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence law at 42 Pa. C.S. § 7102, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover if the other party was more at fault than you were. For example, if your total damages are $80,000 and you are found 25 percent at fault, you would recover $60,000. Insurance companies often try to inflate a cyclist’s share of fault, which is why having legal representation matters.

Does it matter that I was not wearing a helmet when I was hit by a car?

For adult cyclists, Pennsylvania law does not require helmet use, and under 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3510, the failure to wear a helmet cannot be used as evidence of negligence against you. An insurance company cannot legally argue that your injuries were your own fault simply because you were not wearing a helmet. Your right to pursue compensation remains intact regardless of whether you had a helmet on at the time of the crash.

What if the driver who hit me does not have insurance or does not have enough coverage?

This is a real concern in Bensalem and across Pennsylvania. If the driver who hit you is uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to make a claim through your own auto insurance policy’s uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, even though you were on a bicycle when the crash happened. Pennsylvania law allows cyclists to access this coverage in many situations. An attorney can review your policy and identify every available source of compensation, including homeowner’s insurance in some cases.

What should I do immediately after a bicycle accident in Bensalem?

Call 911 and get medical attention right away, even if you feel okay. Adrenaline masks pain, and some serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding may not be obvious immediately. Get the driver’s name, insurance information, and license plate number. Photograph the scene, your bicycle, and your injuries. Get contact information from any witnesses. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before speaking with a lawyer. Then call MyPhillyLawyer at (215) 227-2727. The steps you take in the hours after a crash can significantly affect the strength of your claim.

More Resources About Motor Vehicle Accidents

Áreas de práctica

Obtenga una evaluación de su caso hoy GRATIS

(215) 227-2727

ENVÍENOS UN CORREO ELECTRÓNICO

LLAMADA GRATUITA:
(866)-907-2231

SIN RECUPERACIÓN, SIN HONORARIOS. GARANTIZADO.

Nuestro historial de éxitos

Más de $500 millones recuperados

$80 Millones

Veredicto del jurado sobre la malla transvaginal

$20 Millones

lesiones de nacimiento que provocan daños cerebrales

$6.75 Millones

accidente de quad que causa daños cerebrales

Ver todos los resultados

De nuestros clientes

Ver más testimonios

Yo no habría sido capaz de lograr los resultados y llegar a la solución que se me concedió sin la representación legal de mi abogado Philly. Gracias Dean y Frank y todo su equipo.

Darnell B

Mi abogado Philly me representó por un accidente de auto. Todo el proceso fue un placer. Yo estaba más que satisfecho con el resultado. Durante un tiempo normalmente estresante, me sentí a gusto por todo el personal de Mi Abogado Philly y no dudaré en que me represente de nuevo.

Craig R.

MyPhillyLawyer absolutamente el mejor en Philadelphia. ¡Dean, Joshua y Deana son los mejores y te darán los resultados que te mereces! Estoy muy agradecido por su ayuda y apoyo.

Hass M.

Mi experiencia con el abogado MyPhilly ha sido maravillosa. No hay nada mejor que sentir que el equipo está de tu lado. El personal siempre ha atendido mis llamadas, sin importar la hora. Estoy muy agradecido por MyPhilly abogado.

Corynna M.

Recomiendo encarecidamente Dean Weitzman. Fue empático y escuchó atentamente el impacto que el accidente tuvo en mi salud física y mental. Creo que negoció el mejor acuerdo que podría haber conseguido.

Christina R.

Su equipo es absolutamente increíble y está ahí para ayudarle en cada paso del camino. Los recomiendo encarecidamente, saben lo que hacen y harán lo que sea necesario para ayudar a sus clientes.

Brittany M.