Bicycle Accidents in Bethlehem: Common Causes and Recovery

Bicycle Accidents in Bethlehem: Common Causes and Recovery

Bethlehem has become an increasingly popular city for cycling, with dedicated bike lanes, the Lehigh Valley Greenway trail system, and a growing community of commuters and recreational riders. But as more cyclists take to Bethlehem’s streets, the number of bicycle accidents has also increased. When a car, truck, or SUV collides with a cyclist, the rider has virtually no protection from the impact. The injuries are almost always serious, and in many cases they are life-changing. If you were injured in a bicycle accident in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania law gives you the right to hold the negligent driver accountable.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Bethlehem

The majority of bicycle accidents are caused by driver negligence, not cyclist error. The most common causes in Bethlehem include:

• Right-hook collisions. A driver passes a cyclist and then immediately turns right, cutting across the cyclist’s path. This is one of the most common and dangerous types of bike-car collisions.
• Left-turn accidents. A driver making a left turn fails to yield to an oncoming cyclist, either because they did not see the rider or misjudged their speed.
• Dooring accidents. A driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an approaching cyclist, giving the rider no time to react. Dooring accidents are common on Main Street, Broad Street, and other downtown Bethlehem streets with parallel parking.
• Rear-end collisions. A distracted or inattentive driver strikes a cyclist from behind, often at speed. These collisions are especially dangerous because the cyclist has no warning.
• Failure to yield at intersections. Drivers who run stop signs, red lights, or fail to yield when entering the roadway from driveways and parking lots frequently strike cyclists.
• Distracted driving. Texting, phone use, and other distractions reduce a driver’s ability to notice cyclists sharing the road.
• Unsafe passing. Pennsylvania law requires drivers to give cyclists at least four feet of clearance when passing (75 Pa.C.S. § 3303). Drivers who pass too closely can clip the cyclist or force them off the road.

Injuries Common in Bethlehem Bicycle Accidents

Because cyclists have no structural protection, the injuries from a collision with a motor vehicle are typically severe:

• Traumatic brain injuries, even when the cyclist was wearing a helmet. Helmets reduce severity but do not eliminate the risk of brain injury in a high-impact collision.
• Broken bones, particularly in the collarbone, wrists, arms, pelvis, and legs.
• Spinal cord injuries that can result in partial or complete paralysis.
• Severe road rash requiring skin grafts and causing permanent scarring.
• Internal organ damage from the force of impact.
• Facial injuries including broken jaw, dental damage, and eye injuries.
• Wrongful death in the most catastrophic collisions.

Your Legal Rights as a Cyclist in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania law treats bicycles as vehicles. Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers, including the right to use the roadway and the right of way at intersections. Key legal protections for cyclists include:

• The four-foot passing rule. Drivers must give cyclists at least four feet of clearance when passing.
• Right to use the roadway. Cyclists are entitled to use any road except limited-access highways. Drivers must share the road.
• Right of way at intersections. Cyclists have the same right of way as any other vehicle at intersections, stop signs, and traffic signals.

Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence rule (42 Pa.C.S. § 7102) applies to bicycle accidents. If you were partially at fault — for example, if you were riding without lights at night — your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. You can still recover as long as your fault is less than 51%.

Recovery After a Bicycle Accident

Bicycle accident recovery often involves a long and difficult process. Broken bones may require surgical repair with plates and screws. Traumatic brain injuries may require months of cognitive rehabilitation. Spinal cord injuries may result in permanent disability requiring lifelong care. The financial cost of these injuries can be enormous.

If your claim is successful, you may recover compensation for:

• All medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and future treatment.
• Lost wages and lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to work.
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Bicycle repair or replacement and damaged equipment.
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement from road rash injuries.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Bethlehem

• Call 911. Get police and EMS to the scene. An official police report is essential evidence.
• Get medical attention immediately. Even if you feel okay, adrenaline can mask serious injuries. Get a full evaluation at the ER.
• Document the scene. Photograph the intersection, the vehicle, your bicycle, your injuries, and any road conditions that contributed to the crash.
• Get the driver’s information. Name, insurance, license plate, and phone number. Get contact information from witnesses.
• Preserve your bicycle and gear. Do not repair or discard your bike, helmet, or clothing. These can serve as evidence of the force of impact.
• Do not give a recorded statement to the driver’s insurance company without consulting an attorney.
• Contact an attorney. Personal injury cases in Pennsylvania have a two-year statute of limitations.

Why Bethlehem Cyclists Choose Leeson & Leeson

Joseph F. Leeson III is a Super Lawyers Rising Star and a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. His combined JD, MBA, and CPA background gives him the financial expertise to calculate the full lifetime cost of catastrophic bicycle injuries.

Leeson & Leeson serves bicycle accident victims across the Lehigh Valley, including Bethlehem, Allentown, Easton, and the broader Lehigh Valley region.

Frequently Asked Questions