Allentown Bicycle Accident Lawyer

A bike ride is exercise, recreation, transportation, or even peace of mind. But in Allentown, where traffic doesn’t always make space for cyclists, especially on busy roads like Hamilton or Union, one wrong move by a driver can change everything. 

All too often, bike rides in and around Allentown end with a trip to the ER, a totaled bike, and a long recovery ahead. The driver may have walked away without a scratch while you're stuck dealing with painful injuries, missed work, medical bills, financial distress, and a growing list of things you can’t do on your own.

Let an Allentown bicycle accident lawyer with Leeson & Leeson help you turn things around. Our firm has helped injured cyclists across the Lehigh Valley pursue compensation and a way forward after devastating crashes. You should never have to bear the cost of someone else’s negligence. Call us today at (610) 691-3320 and we’ll guide you through the next steps with honesty, dedication to your recovery, and over 50 years of experience, relentlessly fighting for injury victims like you.

When Winning Is the Only Option

We understand the courts, know the insurers’ game, and do not blink when it comes to fighting for the compensation you may be entitled to under Pennsylvania personal injury law.

Key Takeaways

  • The lack of protective barriers means cyclists often absorb the full force of a collision, frequently resulting in serious injuries, lifestyle disruptions, and long-term financial stress.
  • Most crashes happen at intersections or on local roads, often during daylight, when cyclists should be most visible.
  • Even low-speed collisions can lead to brain injuries, fractures, and months of rehabilitation, especially when drivers fail to yield or respect bike lanes.
  • Pennsylvania law does not require adults to wear helmets, and not wearing one doesn't prevent you from filing a claim.
  • Insurance companies rarely offer a fair deal to injured cyclists without legal pressure, especially if liability is disputed or injuries are long-term.
  • An experienced Allentown bicycle accident lawyer can take on the legal burden, deal with the insurance company, and fight for the compensation you need to recover and move forward.

Why Choose Leeson & Leeson for Your Allentown Bicycle Accident Case?

When you’re injured and starting the long recovery journey, the law firm you choose can make a big difference not just in the outcome of your case, but your experience getting there. For over 50 years, Leeson & Leeson has earned a trusted reputation throughout Allentown and the Lehigh Valley by combining legal insight with genuine compassion. Here’s why so many injury victims turn to us:

Decades of proven results

Our firm has recovered millions for clients in personal injury claims, including serious vehicle-related cases.

Treated like family

You’re not just another case number. We treat you with the same care and dedication we’d give to our own family.

Local and trusted

Based in nearby Bethlehem, our family-owned firm has been a part of the Lehigh Valley legal community since 1969. We understand the roads, courts, and insurance companies in Allentown.

Joseph Leeson III – a recognized leader

Attorney Joseph Leeson III is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and was named one of the Top 10 Lawyers of 2025 for his commitment to justice.

No fees unless we win

We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay unless we recover compensation for you.

Clients speak for us

Our client testimonials reflect the high level of satisfaction and trust we’ve built in the community.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Allentown

By now, you've likely already seen a doctor or been to the ER. That was the most important first step. Once your immediate medical needs are being addressed, it’s time to think about your legal and financial well-being.

Hire a bicycle accident lawyer

Insurance companies will try to settle fast and cheap—before you know the full cost of your injuries. A lawyer can protect your rights, evaluate your case, and fight for full compensation.

Follow your treatment plan

Keep every medical appointment. Follow through with referrals, therapy, and medications. Gaps in care can hurt your health and your case.

Document your recovery

Start a journal or video diary. Record your pain levels, emotional struggles, missed work, and how the accident affects your daily life. Doing this provides evidence for your pain and suffering damages.

Save everything

Keep hospital records, doctor’s notes, and receipts. Hold onto your damaged bike and helmet. These could serve as evidence.

Avoid speaking with the at-fault driver’s insurer

You’re under no obligation to provide a statement. Let your attorney handle communications to avoid mistakes like accepting an unfair settlement offer or making a recorded statement that could be used against you.

Bicyclists face real dangers on the road, especially when drivers aren’t paying attention. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, in one recent year, Pennsylvania reported:

  • 1,100 total bicycle crashes
  • 27 fatalities
  • 1,086 injuries

That same year marked a troubling increase in bicycle crash fatalities—the highest in five years, reversing previous progress toward safer roads.

A deeper look shows:

  • Children (0-14) made up 21% of injuries.
  • Adults (20-34) suffered the most fatalities (22.2%) and injuries (23.9%).
  • 65% of bike accidents resulting in injuries happened at intersections, while 41% of deaths occurred elsewhere.
  • 59% of fatalities happened in areas without traffic control devices.
  • 77.4% of injuries happened during daylight, but 56% of fatalities happened in the dark.

These numbers highlight how vulnerable bicyclists are, especially on roads without signals or during evening hours.

Do I Have a Bicycle Accident Claim?

Most bicycle accident claims are based on negligence, a legal concept that holds someone responsible when their carelessness harms another person. 

To build a successful claim, your attorney will need to establish all four of the following elements:

  • The driver had a duty of care: All drivers are legally required to operate their vehicles in a safe and reasonable manner to protect others on the road, including cyclists.
  • That duty was breached: The driver acted carelessly or unlawfully, such as by speeding, texting while driving, or failing to yield at an intersection.
  • Their actions directly caused the crash: There must be a clear connection between the driver’s behavior and the accident that injured you.
  • You suffered actual damages: These can include medical bills, lost income, physical pain, emotional distress, and other real losses resulting from the crash.

You’re not expected to prove these things on your own. That’s our job. The sooner you involve a lawyer, the sooner we can start gathering evidence and protecting your rights.

Common Injuries in Allentown Bicycle Accidents

Bicyclists are some of the most unprotected people on the road. Even a low-speed collision can cause life-changing injuries. Unlike people in cars, you don’t have a metal frame, airbags, or a seatbelt to absorb the impact.

Some of the most common injuries include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Even with a helmet, your brain is at risk in a crash
  • Spinal cord damage: These injuries can cause permanent disability or paralysis
  • Broken bones and fractures: Arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones are often broken
  • Internal bleeding or organ damage: These can be life-threatening and may not show symptoms right away
  • Severe road rash: Debris and pavement can cause skin injuries that require grafting
  • Facial injuries: Broken jaws, dental trauma, or eye damage from impact or debris
  • Psychological trauma: Anxiety, PTSD, and depression are common after serious accidents

Receiving medical attention right away protects your health and also creates a record that supports your injury claim.

Bicycle Accidents Hotspots in Allentown

Certain areas in Allentown pose a greater risk for cyclists, whether due to traffic patterns, lack of bike infrastructure, or high-speed traffic. Based on local traffic data and patterns, these are some known danger zones:

  • Hamilton Street near 15th: Busy intersections and heavy vehicle traffic
  • Tilghman Street corridor: Speeding and distracted driving are common here.
  • Lehigh Street and South 6th: Limited bike lanes and poor visibility
  • Route 22 interchange areas: High-speed merges make cycling extremely dangerous.
  • Downtown Allentown crosswalks: While more pedestrian-friendly, many drivers ignore cyclists crossing legally.

The combination of narrow lanes, driver inattention, and minimal bike infrastructure puts cyclists at daily risk in these locations.

What’s Really Causing Bicycle Crashes in Allentown?

Many bicycle accidents aren’t “accidents” at all. They’re preventable incidents caused by drivers who fail to take basic precautions around cyclists. In Allentown, we see a wide range of contributing factors, many of which involve the same types of driver behavior.

Here are some of the most common bike crash causes in the area:

  • Failure to yield at intersections: Intersections are the most dangerous places for cyclists, and drivers often misjudge or ignore a rider’s right-of-way.
  • Distracted driving: Phone use behind the wheel continues to be a major threat to cyclists, especially on busy roads like Lehigh or Union Boulevard.
  • Speeding in residential areas: High-speed vehicles on roads like Tilghman or Hamilton leave no time to react when a cyclist is nearby.
  • Opening car doors without looking: Dooring accidents happen often on narrow Allentown streets with parallel parking and little bike infrastructure.
  • Aggressive driving and close passes: Drivers who fail to give the legally required four feet of space put cyclists at risk of sideswipes
  • Driving under the influence: Alcohol or drug-impaired drivers have reduced reaction times and judgment, making them especially dangerous around vulnerable road users.

Every crash has its own story. Whether your injuries were caused by a distracted commuter or a careless delivery truck, we’re here to investigate and hold the right parties accountable.

Seeking Compensation for Bicycle Accident Injuries in Allentown

A bicycle crash can impact every part of your life, from your ability to work to how you sleep to whether you can ride again. While no amount of money may completely erase the harm that’s been done, the right compensation can ease your recovery, make your losses more bearable, and regain a sense of normalcy.

Pennsylvania law allows injury victims to pursue both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages may include:

  • Emergency medical care and hospital bills
  • Follow-up treatments, rehab, and surgeries
  • Prescription medications and assistive devices
  • Lost wages or lost earning ability
  • Damage to your bicycle or gear

Non-economic damages may include:

  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress or anxiety
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Scarring or disfigurement
  • Loss of companionship in wrongful death cases

Wrongful Death:

If someone you love lost their life in a bicycle crash, no legal process can ease that kind of pain. Grief doesn’t follow a timeline, and neither does the emotional fallout that comes with such a sudden, preventable loss. But while you focus on honoring their memory and caring for those left behind, there may be legal steps that can help ease some of the financial strain.

Through a wrongful death claim, surviving family members may be able to recover compensation for funeral costs, lost financial support, and the emotional damages that come with losing a spouse, parent, or child. 

At Leeson & Leeson, we approach every wrongful death case with sensitivity, discretion, and deep respect for your loss. We’ll walk you through your options, answer your questions honestly, and make sure you’re never treated like just another case.

Let Our Personal Injury Team Deal with the Insurance Companies

After an accident, you can expect a call from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. They may seem cooperative and helpful, but their job is to protect their company’s profits by minimizing payouts, not to pay you fairly on your claim. 

Here’s why working with a lawyer can protect you:

  • Insurers offer you less than your case is worth: fast settlements often ignore long-term needs and pain and suffering.
  • They may use your words against you: even casual remarks can be twisted to shift blame.
  • They may delay your claim: hoping you’ll get desperate enough to accept less

At Leeson & Leeson, we know how to deal with insurers. We gather strong evidence, present a clear claim, and push for full compensation. If they refuse to settle fairly, we’re prepared to take your case to trial. We don’t back down when the stakes are high.

How a Lawyer Can Help You After a Bicycle Crash in Allentown

As you focus on healing, your lawyer can focus on the fight. At Leeson & Leeson, we take care of everything, so you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

Here’s what we do for you:

  • Investigate the crash: We gather photos, police reports, witness statements, and more
  • Work with your doctors: To understand the full scope of your injuries and future needs
  • Handle all paperwork and filings: So nothing gets missed
  • Negotiate with the insurance company: To push for full and fair compensation
  • Prepare your case for court: If needed, we’re ready to try your case in front of a jury

You’re not in this process alone. Let us take the legal pressure off of you so you can focus on your health and your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, you likely lose your right to file. There are rare exceptions, so it’s best to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.

What if I was partly to blame for the accident?

Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can still recover compensation as long as you were less than 51% at fault. Your compensation would be reduced in proportion to your share of fault. A lawyer can help make sure blame is assigned fairly.

How much does a bicycle accident lawyer cost?

We handle cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing up front, and we only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t recover money for you, you owe us nothing.

Can I still recover damages if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?

Yes. Pennsylvania law only requires helmets for riders under 12 years old. Adults are not legally required to wear one, and not wearing a helmet does not bar you from filing a claim. However, the defense may try to argue that it contributed to your injuries. Our Allentown bicycle accident attorneys fight to keep the focus on the negligent driver’s actions, not you. 

How long will my case take?

Every case is different. Some cases may settle in a few weeks, while others can take longer. We push to resolve cases as efficiently as possible while still fighting for maximum value. If you have any concerns about the timeline, contact us. There are never any guarantees, but we will be happy to discuss the possible scenarios and what you may expect. 

Talk to an Allentown Bicycle Accident Lawyer at Leeson & Leeson Today

You didn’t ask to be in this situation, and you shouldn’t have to bear the financial fallout from someone else’s carelessness. Whether you were injured on your way to work, riding near Muhlenberg College, or hit while commuting through Center City Allentown, you deserve accountability and a way forward.

At Leeson & Leeson, an experienced Allentown personal injury lawyer, we’ve spent decades helping accident victims throughout the Lehigh Valley rebuild after serious injuries. We don’t answer to insurance companies. We fight for real people with real injuries. We take your case personally, and we fight for a recovery that reflects the full scope of your losses.

Call us today at (610)691-3320 or contact us online to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. The sooner you call, the sooner we can get to work.

Leeson & Leeson
Fax: (610) 691-8719