tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49022576591706650402024-02-19T17:51:57.633-08:00Pittsburgh Bike LawyerProtecting the rights of injured cyclists. Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-18208133770237550752019-09-09T10:22:00.002-07:002019-09-09T10:30:25.204-07:00Don't get hit by a Left Cross!<h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", HelveticaNeue, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.2px; line-height: 25px; margin: 20px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The Left Cross</h3>
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One of the most common types of accidents involving cyclists is the "left cross." The left cross occurs when a left-turning vehicle fails to yield to the oncoming cyclist in the opposite lane. Under these conditions, the motorist either strikes the cyclist on the left side or the cyclist collides with the turning vehicle’s front passenger side fender.</div>
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Some drivers may claim that they never saw the cyclist or that she “just came out of nowhere.” But many times the driver just isn't paying attention or has failed to consider that a cyclist might be coming the opposite direction. In either case, the cyclist is the one who ends up on the pavement. </div>
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One way to avoid the left cross is to never assume that an oncoming left-turning vehicle sees you. Unless the motorist specifically waves you forward, you can assume he or she does NOT see you, even if you've made eye contact. </div>
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In this video, you can see what happens when a cyclist lawfully riding in the bike lane approaches an intersection and encounters a left-turning vehicle. Here, the cyclist had the right-of-way and the motorist was supposed to yield to cyclists. </div>
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We represented the cyclist in this video. You can see from the photo below that drivers approaching the intersection are supposed to yield to oncoming cyclists. The driver in this case did not. And liability was clear. Thankfully, the cyclist had a prompt recovery from his injuries. But it could have been a lot worse.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8BpnWl7vnAZz562CUMcU02YuDvOsTM0iEE80KBmD8xX_xLb9VS_SO66W9i3ipelHeLwQ9DVS3iX0ghAee9NTy-dm3UeUK3CW0lvgKE4JGA1H9IGrAPHj4AS8-qBhqZf3XK_zLLBAyDE/s1600/yield_to_cyclists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8BpnWl7vnAZz562CUMcU02YuDvOsTM0iEE80KBmD8xX_xLb9VS_SO66W9i3ipelHeLwQ9DVS3iX0ghAee9NTy-dm3UeUK3CW0lvgKE4JGA1H9IGrAPHj4AS8-qBhqZf3XK_zLLBAyDE/s320/yield_to_cyclists.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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There is no way to avoid every dangerous situation. But if you are aware of the most common types of collisions between cyclists and cars, many accidents can be avoided. To see the most common types of crashes and how to avoid them, click <a href="http://lawyercyclist.blogspot.com/2015/02/as-weather-starts-to-improve-look-twice.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">If you are injured while riding a bicycle as the result of a left cross or any other negligent driver action, you may be entitled to a recovery of medical expenses, wage loss, property damage, and pain, suffering, and inconvenience. Please contact </span><a href="http://www.dolfilawpc.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">me</a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">for a free initial consultation to discuss your case and explore your rights at (412) 227-9724. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Please be safe out there. And, thanks for reading.</span></div>
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Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-37503193474933919172019-06-24T11:53:00.002-07:002019-07-02T06:23:45.984-07:00Head injuries from bike crashes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Dolfi Law PC</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">1100 Washington Avenue, Suite 206</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Carnegie, Pennsylvania 15106</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">412-227-9724</span><br />
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<strong style="color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"><br /></strong><strong style="color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"><br /></strong><span style="color: red;"><strong style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">Important notice:</strong><br style="font-size: 13.2px;" /><em style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">The information provided in this blog article is not legal advice. The information and opinions provided herein are solely for the general interest of the visitors to this website. The information contained herein is only applicable to general principles of law in Pennsylvania and may not reflect current legal developments or statutory changes in various other jurisdictions. Therefore, the information and opinions contained in this blog should not be relied upon or interpreted as legal advice. No aspect of this blog article should be interpreted as establishing an attorney-client relationship between the reader and its author. Anyone reviewing this article should not act upon any information contained herein without first seeking the advice of legal counsel</em></span></div>
Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-15285302974497703252018-05-20T16:55:00.000-07:002019-07-02T06:24:40.188-07:00Tips for riding safely on the roads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Be safe out there and t</span><span style="font-size: small;">hanks for watching!</span></span></h4>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Matthew F. Dolfi, Esquire</span><i></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Dolfi Law PC</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">1100 Washington Avenue, Suite 206</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Carnegie, Pennsylvania 15106</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">412-227-9724</span><br />
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Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-25377702378443726702018-01-11T14:43:00.001-08:002019-09-22T11:43:13.335-07:00Thinking about buying an E-Bike? Great. But will you need insurance? <br />
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<a class="irc_mil i3597 ifKaF_SVtr9M-zixyDjKkw5M" data-ctbtn="2" data-cthref="/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiCvM3w9tDYAhXGkeAKHZW8AM0QjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcommons.wikimedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFile%3AZusatzzeichen_1010-65_-_E-Bikes%2C_StVO_2017.svg&psig=AOvVaw1gemHcjqKzTrBemaelNIOr&ust=1515795048659588" data-noload="" data-ved="0ahUKEwiCvM3w9tDYAhXGkeAKHZW8AM0QjRwIBw" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiCvM3w9tDYAhXGkeAKHZW8AM0QjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcommons.wikimedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFile%3AZusatzzeichen_1010-65_-_E-Bikes%2C_StVO_2017.svg&psig=AOvVaw1gemHcjqKzTrBemaelNIOr&ust=1515795048659588" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk" rel="noopener" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><br /></a>
E-Bikes are quite popular these days. Some might say, they're all the rage. They're all over the local bikes shops and I even saw one in a Best Buy. The appeal is undeniable, particularly in Pittsburgh, where a steep climb is just a river away. <br />
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It would be great to have a little electric-powered assist to help on those climbs or river-crossings. And, unlike the pros, you don't even have to hide your electric motor! But, if you've decided to put a little kick in your ride, by going with a spiffy new E-bike, are you going to be required to register and purchase motorcycle insurance? <a class="irc_mil i3597 ifKaF_SVtr9M-zixyDjKkw5M" data-ctbtn="2" data-cthref="/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiCvM3w9tDYAhXGkeAKHZW8AM0QjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcommons.wikimedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFile%3AZusatzzeichen_1010-65_-_E-Bikes%2C_StVO_2017.svg&psig=AOvVaw1gemHcjqKzTrBemaelNIOr&ust=1515795048659588" data-noload="" data-ved="0ahUKEwiCvM3w9tDYAhXGkeAKHZW8AM0QjRwIBw" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiCvM3w9tDYAhXGkeAKHZW8AM0QjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcommons.wikimedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFile%3AZusatzzeichen_1010-65_-_E-Bikes%2C_StVO_2017.svg&psig=AOvVaw1gemHcjqKzTrBemaelNIOr&ust=1515795048659588" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk" rel="noopener" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><img alt="Image result for ebikes" class="irc_mi" height="176" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/Zusatzzeichen_1010-65_-_E-Bikes%2C_StVO_2017.svg/600px-Zusatzzeichen_1010-65_-_E-Bikes%2C_StVO_2017.svg.png" style="margin-top: 149px;" width="320" /></a>After all, that thing has an engine in it and is no longer just a "human-powered" vehicle. Has the E-biked crossed over into the realm of being a "motor vehicle?" This article will try to address some of those questions. </div>
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In 2014, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a law, known as Act 154, permitting "pedacycles with electric assist" to be operated upon Pennsylvania roadways. These "E-bikes" are defined under the motor vehicle code as pedacycles so long as they:</div>
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<li> do not weigh more than 100 pounds;</li>
<li>have two or three wheels more than 11 inches in diameter;</li>
<li>have a motor rated at no more than 750 watts;</li>
<li>are equipped with operable pedals; </li>
<li>and cannot go over 20 mph on a level surface when powered by the motor, only.</li>
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Got all that? Good. If not, just take this list with you next time you go bike shopping. <br />
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If your new e-bike qualifies as a pedacycle, then the "<a href="http://lawyercyclist.blogspot.com/2014/12/pa-bike-laws-know-rules-of-road.html" target="_blank">Rules of the Road</a>" apply and you can ride as you would any normal human-powered bicycle. In other words, all the old rules apply. <span style="color: red;"><b>But note that you must be 16 years old to operate an E-bike in Pennsylvania. </b><span style="color: black;">See <a href="http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=75&div=0&chpt=35&sctn=14&subsctn=0" target="_blank">here</a>.</span> </span></div>
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But do you need insurance? For now, the answer appears to be no. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">See </span><a href="http://peopleforbikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/E-Bike-Law-Handouts_PA_Revision_compressed.pdf" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">. Vehicle i</span>nsurance is only required for those vehicles that must be registered. And, for now (at least), E-bikes do not <b><i>appear</i></b> to require registration. I say that they don't <b><i>appear</i></b> to require registration because the law requires certain types of vehicles to be registered (thereby triggering the need for insurance) and the law exempts certain types of vehicles from being registered. See <a href="http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=75&div=0&chpt=13&sctn=2&subsctn=0" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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The law does not specifically require E-bikes (i.e., pedacycles with electric assist) to be registered in PA. But the law does not specifically exempt E-bikes from registration, either. For example, "any vehicle moved solely by human or animal power" does not require registration. But, a motorcycle does need to be registered. Its odd that the legislature would specifically exempt <b><i>solely </i></b>human-powered vehicles from registration but not "pedacycles with electric assist." </div>
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I think the absence of E-bikes from the list of exemptions was intentional. By leaving E-bikes off the list, for now, our lawmakers can wait-and-see how things play out. If they want to add E-bikes to the list later, they can. But, once they're on the list, it is more difficult to take them off.<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">So, for now, it appears that you do not <b>need</b> insurance for your E-bike. <b><span style="color: red;">But you may want to get it, anyway</span></b>. A few companies have started writing insurance policies for bicycles and E-bikes because, under many circumstances, your homeowners or auto insurance policy will not cover certain types of damages. Click <a href="https://electricbikereview.com/guides/insurance-for-electric-bikes/" target="_blank">here</a> to see some types of insurance available to cyclists, along with a helpful video. A discussion of the circumstances where your homeowners or auto insurance will or will not apply is beyond the scope of this article. </span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-size: small;">Be safe out there and t</span><span style="font-size: small;">hanks for watching!</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Carnegie, </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pennsylvania 15106</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">Search terms: Bicycle accident cases and lawsuits, E-Bikes, Electric Assist Bikes, Bicycle collisions, Bicycle safety, Bike accident lawsuits, Bike accidents, Bike collisions, Risks for bicycle riders, accident attorney, accident lawyer, bicycle, bicycle accident laws, bicycle accident, bicycle accident attorney, bicycle risks, bicycle safety, bike accident, cycling, defective road conditions, dangerous roads, dangerous streets, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Matthew F. Dolfi, Matt Dolfi, Pittsburgh Bike Lawyer, Pittsburgh Bike Accident, lawyer-cyclist, The Lawyer Cyclist, dolfilaw, Dolfi Law PC</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: #0563c1;"></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-30927888174082558252017-03-16T14:12:00.002-07:002019-07-02T06:25:19.270-07:00How to Lock Your Bike<h3>
I have previously blogged about the proper method to lock your bike. To review that article, click <a href="http://lawyercyclist.blogspot.com/2015/10/bike-thieves-beware.html" target="_blank">here</a>. If you're more of a visual person, please check out my youtube video showing how I lock my bike when I commute to work. </h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Be safe out there and t</span><span style="font-size: small;">hanks for watching!</span></span></h4>
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Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-58947377973602187902017-01-16T14:07:00.001-08:002019-07-02T06:25:31.314-07:00Is Riding Under the Influence Against the Law? In Pennsylvania, riding a bicycle while intoxicated is treated nearly the same as driving while intoxicated. So you can be pulled over on your bike and cited for riding while intoxicated. You might even be charged with public intox, disorderly conduct, and a host of fines. <br />
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The Motor Vehicle Code states that if you're riding a bicycle (with no engine) upon the roadway, you are considered to be operating a "pedacycle," and a pedacycle is a "vehicle." But note that a bicycle is NOT a MOTOR vehicle. The distinction between a “vehicle” and “motor vehicle” is important because the operator of a pedacycle is subject to prosecution for “driving under the influence” of alcohol or other controlled substances. However, because a pedacycle is not a “motor vehicle,” the implied consent law (under which motor vehicle operators are deemed to have given consent to one or more chemical tests of breath, blood, or urine for the purpose of determining the alcoholic content of blood) is not applicable to cyclists. Also, evidence of the consumption of alcohol by a cyclist is inadmissible at trial as unfairly prejudicial, unless the evidence reasonably establishes intoxication. Evidence of intoxication for a cyclist includes, but is not limited to, objective criteria such as staggering, stumbling, slurred speech, or erratic operation of the bike.<br />
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If you're going to have a few drinks, its probably best to leave the bike chained up and call an Uber.<br />
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But keep in mind that a horse is not a vehicle! In the case of <i>Noel v. Travis, </i>Justice Eakin took some liberty with his dissenting opinion, arguing that the appellant <i>should</i> have been found guilty for riding a horse while intoxicated. He explained:<br />
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">A horse is a horse, of course, of course,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">And no one can talk to a horse of course</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">That is, of course, unless the horse is the famous Mr. Ed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Go right to the source and ask the horse</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">He’ll give you the answer that you’ll endorse.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">He’s always on a steady course. Talk to Mr. Ed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">A horse is a horse, of course, of course,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">but the Vehicle Code does not divorce</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">its application from, perforce,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">a steed, as my colleagues said.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">“It’s not vague” I’ll say until I’m hoarse,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">and whether a car, a truck or horse</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">this law applies with equal force,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">and I’d reverse instead.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Because I cannot agree this statute is vague or ambiguous, I respectfully dissent.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Noel v. Travis, 857 A.2d 1283, 1289 (Pa. 2004).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Be safe out there and t</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">hanks for reading.</span></span></h4>
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Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-34340581339182864602016-08-24T07:18:00.001-07:002019-07-02T06:26:33.274-07:00Illinois Lawmakers Recognize What Pennsylvanians Already Knew - Bicycles are Vehicles!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you're riding a bike in Illinois, you can feel just a little bit safer because a new law, known as "Dennis's Law," will go into effect on January 1, 2017. Dennis's Law states, simply, that the traffic laws apply equally to cars and persons riding bicycles. Specifically, "every person riding a bicycle upon a highway shall be </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-size: large; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">granted all of the rights ... and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this Code..." To see the text of the new code provision, click </span><a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&SessionId=88&GA=99&DocTypeId=HB&DocNum=5912&GAID=13&LegID=95398&SpecSess=&Session=" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The new law comes on the heels of a 2015 fatal accident in which 68-year-old Hampshire, Illinois, resident, Dennis Jurs, was killed in a collision with a vehicle. To read about the accident, click <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elgin-courier-news/news/ct-ecn-hamp-fatal-st-0520-20150519-story.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The driver involved in the accident with Jurs was stopped at an intersection. The driver had a stop sign. Jurs was approaching the intersection on his bike and did not have a stop sign. The driver failed to yield to Jurs and proceeded through the intersection, striking Jurs, and killing him. The driver was issued a citation for failing to yield the right-of-way to Jurs. But, later, a Kane County judge dismissed the citation against the driver for failing to yield the right-of-way because - in Illinois - a bicycle was not considered to be a vehicle entitled to all of the rights of the road. </span><br />
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<a href="https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2933707788_ac928b16bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2933707788_ac928b16bb.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Under Dennis' Law, cyclists will be "granted all of the rights” of motorists, including the right to be granted the right-of-way. The new law was apparently well-favored and passed through the Illinois House and Senate nearly unanimously, with only one vote against it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In Pennsylvania, the Motor Vehicle Code, Title 75, defines a vehicle propelled solely by human-powered pedals as a “pedacycle.” A pedacycle is a “vehicle” for purposes of the Motor Vehicle Code. Because bicycles are propelled by human-powered pedals, people on bikes are considered to be operating “vehicles” upon the roadways and, therefore, they are generally afforded all of the rights of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code. However, we are also subject to all of the duties applicable to motorists. For a complete review of the laws applicable to cyclists in Pennsylvania, check out my prior post, <a href="http://lawyercyclist.blogspot.com/2014/12/pa-bike-laws-know-rules-of-road.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">While Pennsylvania has some favorable bicycle laws, such as a <a href="http://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/safely-passing-bicyclists.aspx" target="_blank">four-foot passing law</a> (note that Pa is currently the ONLY state with a four-foot requirement; other states have 3-foot, 2-foot, or no minimum distance required), Pennsylvania still does not treat bicycles completely equal to motor vehicles. Pennsylvania law also still permits local regulation of bicycle laws, rather than state-wide regulation and uniformity. As a result, local regulations in Philadelphia, for example, are more restrictive than those throughout the rest of the state. See <a href="http://lawyercyclist.blogspot.com/2014/12/pa-bike-laws-know-rules-of-road.html" target="_blank">here </a>to review some of the restrictions applicable in Philadelphia. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dennis's Law represents another move in the right direction for people on bikes. But we still have a long way to go. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Be safe out there and t</span><span style="font-size: large;">hanks for reading.</span><br />
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</span></span>Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-49787947815168891892016-01-11T11:42:00.001-08:002019-07-02T06:26:06.411-07:00Riding at night in Pittsburgh - To see or not to see. That is the question. <br />
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<h4>
According to <a href="https://www.hbl.org/staradvertiser-lights/">Honolulu Star-Advertiser</a>, just under half of all fatal bicycle accidents in the United States from 2010-2014 occurred at night. Of the 1,509 bicycle riders killed at night during the five-year period, only 63 - representing 4 percent - were using lights. A <a href="https://btaoregon.org/2011/03/survey-result-bike-light-use-good-but-not-good-enough/">survey</a> of bike light use in Portland, Oregon found that 9 of 10 bicyclists had front lights, but one in nine of those were inadequate. Thus, in Portland, 20% of cyclists were using inadequate front lights! For purposes of the survey, "adequate" was defined as “visible from one block away.”</h4>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlmZJwhdY0GQjBC48PxkRrpGpjCS51tVxz7XH6KPeKzpr4LKAq_aENMPs6qkx9vZAwPKki6CVbSRCiVJ6nmTRtJU9feQ6peFn6fp-PMdMO5L-UYf6HKGViYQwln5iZM8fQMt5Os0RNrU/s1600/R0560095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlmZJwhdY0GQjBC48PxkRrpGpjCS51tVxz7XH6KPeKzpr4LKAq_aENMPs6qkx9vZAwPKki6CVbSRCiVJ6nmTRtJU9feQ6peFn6fp-PMdMO5L-UYf6HKGViYQwln5iZM8fQMt5Os0RNrU/s320/R0560095.JPG" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local cyclist, Matt Mayhew, on his morning commute.</td></tr>
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Although the Portland surveyors found one block of visibility to be "adequate," the Pennsylvania Motor vehicle Code requires more. In Pennsylvania (click <a href="http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/75/00.035.007.000..HTM">here </a>to read the statute), the law requires any cyclist riding between sunset and sunrise to have a headlamp that emits a beam of white light intended to illuminate the cyclist’s path and be visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front. The cyclist must also have a red reflector facing to the rear which is visible at least 500 feet, and an amber reflector on each side of the bicycle. Cyclists can supplement the required front and rear lamps/reflectors, but the front lamp must emit a white beam or light and the rear lamp must emit a red beam or light. Any supplemental lamps or reflectors worn by the rider should be capable of being seen from at least 500 feet to the front and 500 feet to the rear of the bicycle.<br /> <br /><br />If you're going to be riding at night - for training or conquering that 2016 New Year's resolution - you need to get yourself some lights. Pennsylvania law requires a headlight (as well as tail and side reflectors), and it just makes good sense.<br />Check out this GCN video, below, for tips on how to choose lights and where to place them. As always, be safe out there!</h4>
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<br />Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-23940053959603129972015-10-16T10:43:00.000-07:002019-07-02T06:28:08.507-07:00Bike Thieves, Beware!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Is there anything worse than a bike thief? Probably. But after having my cyclocross bike stolen from inside my office building this week, it sure doesn't feel like it.<br />
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That's right. Someone came into my office building, rode the elevator to my floor, walked past my receptionist, and stole my "cross" bike from inside an adjacent, unused office space. The audacity! The nerve! <br />
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I went through all five stages of grief in just a few hours: denial ("There's no way this could have happened. Not HERE. Not to ME!"); anger ("I'm gonna find the guy - or girl - and TAKE it back...by force!); bargaining ("If I check the surveillance tapes, we'll find it. If I had put the bike in my office, this wouldn't have happened. Shouldn't my receptionist have seen - or DONE - SOMETHING!"); depression ("My cross racing season is over. I guess I'm not riding into work anymore."); and acceptance ("It's time to call the police, the insurance company, and my bike shop.")<br />
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I know. I know. It's just a bike, right? An inanimate object made of carbon fiber with a rapidly depreciating M.S.R.P? But it sure doesn't feel like just a bike to me. Rather, I feel violated on multiple levels. Someone took MY bike. It's how I get to work 2-3 days a week. It's how I stay fit after sitting on my butt in front of a computer all day. It's how I race and (pretend) to be competitive at my age. It's how I manage stress, blow off steam, meditate, and keep my peace of mind. Someone took all that from me! And, what's worse, they came right into my office - a place where I spend more waking hours than my home - and stole something so dear to me. They stole my bike. Well, I'm not happy about it. So, bike thieves, beware! <br />
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Truth is - my bike is gone. And there is little I can do about it now. It's not coming back. It's time to move on. But, what can I - and you - do to prevent future bike thieves? Turns out there are some ways to prevent or, at least, deter a bike thief.<br />
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According to an article by nutcasehelmets.com (for the full article, click <a href="http://nutcasehelmets.com/2014/08/protect-bike-thieves/" target="_blank">here</a>, you should:<br />
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1. Invest in a decent lock;<br />
2. Use it correctly;<br />
3. Choose location wisely; and<br />
4. Document your bike.<br />
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So, what is a decent lock? Nearly every article I've seen suggests a <a href="http://thesweethome.com/reviews/best-bike-lock/" target="_blank">U-lock</a>. You can grab one of these babies at your local bike shop.<br />
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How do you use it correctly? Lock the frame, not just the wheels. If you lock your wheels, chances are your going to lose the frame. See photo, above. The photo, below, shows proper bike lock positioning.<br />
<img src="https://dukebikers.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/lockyourbikehowtolockdiagra.gif?w=590"> <br />
Location, location, location. Unlike me, you shouldn't park your bike in the same spot day after day, even if that spot is inside your office or home. Bike thieves may be scouting your routes. Police even believe that online ride sharing websites are leading to an increase in bike thefts because thieves are tracking bikes to people's homes! For that article, click <a href="http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/police-renew-appeal-for-cyclists-to-protect-personal-information-on-ride-sharing-sites-195381?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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For my part, I recommend keeping your bike in sight at all times. I may even choose to switch out my computer chair and just sit on my bike all day. All kidding aside, you can't stay in the saddle 24 hours a day, right? If you have to leave your bike, please choose a location that is well-lit and well-traveled. A back alley is probably not a good choice. <br />
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Finally, make sure to record and maintain the serial number and a photo of your sweet ride. If you bought your bike locally, the bike shop should maintain the serial number in their system. But, in case they don't, it's good to have identifying information available for the authorities and your insurance company.<br />
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BikePgh runs an "I <3 My Bike Anti-Theft Program" that is set up to deter theft and prevent stolen bikes. For a link to that site, click <a href="https://bikepgh.org/i-heart-my-bike/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Thanks for reading.<br />
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Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-5424003098543423712015-09-04T09:26:00.001-07:002017-11-01T16:28:16.510-07:00Happy Labor Day Weekend<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Where has the Summer gone? Fall is upon us. This weekend looks like sunshine and 90s. Pittsburgh Bike Lawyer wishes you a happy and safe Labor Day weekend full of long and rolling miles. Get out there and ride! </h3>
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Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-72799898571607968342015-06-17T13:15:00.002-07:002017-11-01T16:28:38.036-07:00Guest Post - Are Cyclists Required to Use the New Bike Lanes?<br />
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Guest Post: Lawyer/Bike Racer, Rick Holzworth, Discusses Whether Cyclists are Required to Use Bike Lanes</h1>
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Bike lanes are popping up all over the City. (See <a href="http://bikepgh.org/2015/06/12/new-bike-lane-construction-begins-in-oakland/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://bikepgh.org/2007/06/12/the-paint-is-to-the-pavement-on-liberty-ave/" target="_blank">here</a>.) And the statistics are showing that people on bikes are using them. (See <a href="http://bikepgh.org/2015/06/04/city-bike-counter-data-shows-more-than-24000-trips-in-may-on-penn-avenue-protected-bike-lanes/" target="_blank">here</a>.) The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership recently released a report showing that cyclists on Penn Avenue made <strong>over 24,000 trips on the Penn Ave bike lane in the month of May, alone!!! </strong><br />
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According to <a href="http://bikepgh.org/2014/09/23/new-census-numbers-show-pittsburgh-has-the-nations-largest-bike-commuter-jump-since-y2k/" target="_blank">Bike Pgh,</a> the US Census report recently showed a "meteoric 408% increase in Pittsburgh bike commuting since 2000, the largest jump of any City in the nation." The statistics also indicate that Pittsburgh doubled its bike commuting numbers since 2007, roughly around the time that we started developing our bike lanes. This dramatic increase in cycling within the City puts Pittsburgh in 11th place for rate of bike commuters, just behind Philadelphia. Those are some impressive numbers. <br />
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But, now that we have all these bike lanes - and now that all these people are commuting all over town - are people on bikes required to use the new bike lanes? Lawyer and cyclist, Rick Holzworth, says that while cyclists <em>should </em>use the bike lanes, we are not <em>required</em> by law to use them. You can read Rick's blog <a href="http://offthefrontcycling.com/now-that-weve-built-it-are-they-legally-obligated-to-come/" target="_blank">here</a>. You may also read more about Rick's practice <a href="http://www.foxrothschild.com/richard-l-holzworth/" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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<span style="color: red;">Rick does a great job explaining Pennsylvania's “choice of ways” doctrine and how - when a person is faced with two alternate routes: one safe and one not-so-safe - that person is typically required to choose the safer route in order to avoid being charged with "contributory negligence" in failing to protect himself or herself from foreseeable harm. </span>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">So does that mean we have to use the Bike Lanes because they're safer? Not necessarily. </span></span></header><header class="entry-header"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYnyzLArupmP8viErwJLYs3z8F71fG9MeEUYODav5xJQrnOVedy41D7H2obUhfO0Ito8RmQUYXR8PUdCoP39kjOervmB3dd0cyInGZSpR5QtdSB9KmKJ0VtLu9fY_MwD4wmiqFsDABuY/s1600/Holzworth_Richard_Main-large-headshot_jpg_pagespeed_ce_wYE3enQobV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYnyzLArupmP8viErwJLYs3z8F71fG9MeEUYODav5xJQrnOVedy41D7H2obUhfO0Ito8RmQUYXR8PUdCoP39kjOervmB3dd0cyInGZSpR5QtdSB9KmKJ0VtLu9fY_MwD4wmiqFsDABuY/s200/Holzworth_Richard_Main-large-headshot_jpg_pagespeed_ce_wYE3enQobV.jpg" width="150" /></a>
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<span style="color: black;">Rick's article points out that the choice-of-ways doctrine is not construed as imposing unreasonable restrictions on travel. Instead, people have "freedom of movement" and "cyclists are not required to go out of their way to find the safest route." Rather, Rick notes, when cyclists are presented with two options, a safe option and a risky option, they probably should choose the safe option (<em>duh!)</em>. But that does not mean cyclists are required to use the bike lanes if a safe and alternate option exists. </span></span></header><header class="entry-header"><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Thanks for reading. </span></span></header><header class="entry-header"> </header><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><div>
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Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-55147218951220359852015-03-18T09:56:00.000-07:002019-10-28T06:13:19.792-07:00Dangerous Road Conditions Present Hazards. Watch Out!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSeS9a4Df2aS6wj7tZPRRfQKUBD0r0ZpS8PqIgZSzFm0ZBGHPgOsRbpgdFM335W_SShGjyZMejiHwpFioXp9ol9H72b-ixKVBNJQza0buEI3GdqD6ijXH9ar7SBkKukQfBHiraMOmaqs/s1600/bike_lane_pothole_ig3l6f55s296y.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSeS9a4Df2aS6wj7tZPRRfQKUBD0r0ZpS8PqIgZSzFm0ZBGHPgOsRbpgdFM335W_SShGjyZMejiHwpFioXp9ol9H72b-ixKVBNJQza0buEI3GdqD6ijXH9ar7SBkKukQfBHiraMOmaqs/s1600/bike_lane_pothole_ig3l6f55s296y.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As the weather starts to improve and cyclists start to get back out on the roads, you may notice that some serious potholes and cracks have developed over the winter. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_be8z8QqfshS6-MO-kwslUbBizaEKY85PyOsu-vcmXnm9VoWHWRnj2Daay6lusNVXAyoutkSv1QhoMtjTkrQOOFiwlXCU1_qiyrmqT5ROz7bdsGOHIWk8VMewtDZwxETmiH1wh1BokM/s1600/1938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_be8z8QqfshS6-MO-kwslUbBizaEKY85PyOsu-vcmXnm9VoWHWRnj2Daay6lusNVXAyoutkSv1QhoMtjTkrQOOFiwlXCU1_qiyrmqT5ROz7bdsGOHIWk8VMewtDZwxETmiH1wh1BokM/s1600/1938.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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With all kidding aside, road hazards can swallow tires, cause flats, and cause a rider to lose control. As you start to get back out there, keep an eye out for dangerous road conditions. And, if you see any major hazards, please report them to the local authorities so that they may be repaired as quickly as possible. <br />
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Local municipalities, such as the City of Pittsburgh, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania can be liable for injuries and damages caused by defective road conditions. But, in order for liability to attach, the municipality or state must have prior notice of a dangerous condition and fail to act to correct that condition.<br />
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If you are injured while riding a bicycle as the result of a defective or dangerous road condition, you may be entitled to a recovery of medical expenses, wage loss, property damage, and pain, suffering, and inconvenience. Please contact <a href="http://www.dolfilawpc.com/" target="_blank">me</a> for a free initial consultation to discuss your case and explore your rights at (412) 227-9724. <br />
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Please be safe out there. And, thanks for reading. <br />
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Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-62110546334619131362015-02-21T07:08:00.001-08:002017-11-01T16:29:47.190-07:00It's Time for People on Bikes to Stop Yelling "Clear" at Intersections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When proceeding through an intersection on a group bike ride, it's fairly common to hear a lead rider call out "CLEAR" as an indication that there are no vehicles approaching and that it is safe for other riders (behind the leader) to enter and proceed through the intersection. Some bike safety advocates actually promote the practice. </div>
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But what happens if a lead rider announces that an intersection is clear when it isn't? What if someone relies on a lead rider's "clear" call and is struck by a car because the leader misjudged the timing or just didn't see the car? Can the lead rider be liable to the follower because he or she gave an imprudent "clear" call? More importantly, if there is a chance that someone could be injured because they relied on the assurances of another rider, wouldn't it be better to avoid that chance altogether?</div>
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It's time for people on bikes to stop yelling clear at intersections. Every rider has a responsibility to ensure that it's safe to cross an intersection. We all have a duty to assess the risks for ourselves. If a lead rider chooses to "clear" an intersection, he or she does so at the risk of assuming liability to any rider who is injured due to the lead rider's negligence. Here is why. </div>
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1. Pennsylvania's "No-Duty" Rule. </h3>
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From a starting point in the analysis, its important to understand that in any negligence case, a plaintiff must establish that another person owed him or her a legal "duty of care." Once there is a duty of care, the plaintiff has to prove that the other person breached that duty.<br />
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In Pennsylvania, strangers do not ordinarily owe each other any duty of care. Rather, Pennsylvania has a general "no-duty" rule which states that a defendant owes no duty to warn, protect, or ensure others against risks that are common, frequent, expected, or inherent in an activity. <br />
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As it relates to cycling in a group, the "no-duty" rule is generally going to apply because encountering a vehicle while cycling is a pretty common and disturbingly frequent occurrence. With that being said, there are circumstances under which liability could arise. <br />
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2. Creating a Duty of Care Through Conduct. </h3>
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As long as one does not behave in a manner that creates a duty of care, there should be no liability. But what happens when someone takes on the responsibility of clearing an intersection for another rider? Arguably, that person has created a duty to clear the intersection in a reasonable manner. In other words, by "clearing" an intersection, a rider may have created a duty where one ordinarily does not exist. <br />
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Pennsylvania courts have acknowledged the legal principle that "one who assumes to act, even though gratuitously, may thereby become subject to the duty of acting carefully." Individuals normally have no duty to act for the protection of others. But, if a person chooses to act (and, to be clear, yelling "clear" is an "act"), then that person cannot "act" in a manner that increases the risk of harm to others. Therefore, if a rider calls "clear" and another rider enters an intersection relying on the first rider's assurances and is injured, a case of negligence <u><em>may</em></u> arise.<br />
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3. What the Courts Have Said on the Subject. </h3>
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Pennsylvania courts have not yet addressed the "clear" call issue between cyclists. So, there is no direct guidance on this subject. However, Pa courts have addressed the question of whether a motorist who waives on another motorist can be liable for contributing to an accident. <br />
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In the case of <a href="http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=90151255149659380&hl=en&as_sdt=6&as_vis=1&oi=scholarr" target="_blank"><em>Askew by Askew</em> <em>v. Zeller</em></a>, the court considered the question of whether a motorist who gave a hand signal to another motorist (i.e., she waived her hand from left to right) could be liable for an accident that occurred when the other motorist made a left-hand turn and was struck by an oncoming car. Ultimately, the court dismissed the signaling defendant from the case, but only because the court found that her gesture was not the <em>legal cause</em> of the accident. Rather, the court found that the plaintiff "clearly and unequivocally" admitted that he interpreted the defendant's hand signal "only to mean [that] she would remain stopped" and that he could proceed in front of her. The plaintiff conceded that he never relied on the defendant's hand gesture as an indication that no other traffic was approaching the intersection. Thus, under the specific facts and circumstances of the <em>Zeller </em>case, the defendant who made the hand gesture could not be found liable because - in the chain of events of the collision - the defendant's actions were not the legal cause of the plaintiff's accident. <br />
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Despite the dismissal of the defendant in the <i>Zeller </i>case, the court held that it is normally for a jury to determine: (1) the type of signal made by a motorist (e.g., whether the driver was giving an "all clear" signal or simply yielding the right-of-way); (2) what reasonable interpretation could have been given to the signal (i.e., could the plaintiff have reasonably believed that the defendant-driver was giving an "all clear" signal or not); (3) whether or not the signaler's act was negligent under the circumstances; and (4) whether or not the signaler's act was the legal cause of the accident. Thus, the court held that - given the right circumstances - it would be improper to dismiss a signaling defendant. For example, if the plaintiff in <i>Zeller </i>had testified that he relied on the defendant's signal as an "all clear," then the court may have allowed the case to go to the jury. <br />
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<i>Zeller</i> gives some guidance to cyclists. If the significance of a hand gesture between two passing motorists is normally a jury question, then the significance of a verbal gesture between cyclists could also be a jury question. And once a case makes it to a jury, it is possible that a signaling (or, announcing) defendant could be found liable to a plaintiff for injuries and damages sustained in an accident. <br />
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4. The Assumption of the Risk Doctrine.</h3>
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Assumption of the risk is a defense that is established by proving that the plaintiff voluntarily and knowingly proceeded in the face of a known and obvious danger. On any group bike ride, people would probably agree that every rider has assumed the (common, frequent, expected, and inherent) risks of the ride. As a corollary to the "no-duty" rule, application of the assumption of the risk defense is going to depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each case.<br />
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Murphy's Law tells us that if something can go wrong, it will. Although the defenses of "no-duty" and "assumption of the risk" may apply in certain (and perhaps, most) situations, it is undeniable that some factual circumstance exists whereby a lead rider who calls "clear" might be liable to a following rider who is hit by a car at an intersectional crossing because the lead rider created an unexpected situation that the following rider could not have anticipated.<br />
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It should also be noted that the status of the assumption of the risk doctrine in Pennsylvania is unclear. It seems to continue as a valid defense though some courts have recognized that it was abolished by Pennsylvania's comparative negligence act. <br />
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5. To Clear or Not to Clear - That is the Question. </h3>
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On any group bike ride, it is incumbent upon every rider to confirm that the path is clear. Riders should check - and double check - every intersection regardless of whether another rider tells them that it is "clear." <br />
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But some riders do not do this. Rather, some riders blindly follow the lead wheel like "bike lemmings." It is not hard to understand why this happens. <br />
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There can be a "follow-the-leader" mentality in any group. Consider the concept of a "herd" or "mob" mentality. Also, a group bike ride necessarily requires communication between riders to: (1) point out road hazards, including ice, bumps, dead animals, pot holes, etc.; and (2) indicate speed and direction changes. Thus, it can be easy to disengage and zone out - particularly if you are working hard or exerting yourself - and just follow the leader. But, if you blindly follow the leader into an intersection, you could find yourself in a perilous situation. <br />
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Every rider in a group needs to be responsible for their own safety. It is incumbent upon each rider to confirm that every intersection is clear before proceeding. Lead riders can call out obstacles, debris, and general road conditions, but for the safety of everyone in the group, riders should stop yelling "CLEAR" at intersections. Otherwise, if someone yells "clear," and it's not, that person could be the subject of a lawsuit and (like <em>Zeller</em>) find their name in italics on some cyclist's blog. <br />
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To read more on this subject (which is clearly a hot-button topic), check out the numerous comments from <a href="http://roadbikerider.com/">RoadBikeRider.com</a> by clicking <a href="http://www.roadbikerider.com/newsletters/issue-no-655-cold-weather-may-help-you-lose-weight" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.roadbikerider.com/newsletters/issue-no-656-new-product-review-cyckit-aeroclam" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://www.roadbikerider.com/comments#comment-3310" target="_blank">here</a>. To summarize, the author narrowed the key issues down to the following "kernals":<br />
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<li>The practice of yelling “clear” is, in fact, pretty widely accepted but varies from place to place. </li>
<li>Those who follow the practice do so with the understanding that it remains incumbent upon each and every rider in the group to “look out for themselves” – that a “clear” call is really just a temporal courtesy from the person at the front of the group, at that particular time that they arrive at the intersection, stop sign, etc. When you get there, check for yourself. (Which is exactly the way it works in the groups I ride in: Calls of “clear” continue from the front to the back of the group as riders get to an intersection and “clear it” for themselves.)</li>
<li>So, the “clear” call really means the intersection is clear for me to cross right now. It’s not meant to be a green light for others. (Just as a call of “car left” may mean there’s still time for the next few riders to safely cross before the car is close enough to be a threat. Again, though, it’s up to each rider to check for himself or herself.)</li>
<li>Most of this group repeated a refrain I ride by (and taught my son last year when teaching him to drive): Expect all drivers, at all times, to do the stupidest possible thing – and be prepared for it. (Like many of you who ride in urban or suburban settings, especially, I see distracted drivers in many forms on every single ride, no exceptions. I also look both ways, repeatedly, even at green lights, and work hard to stay safe.)</li>
<li>It seems that most experienced riders follow pretty much the same protocol – and that the issue of calling out “clear” is sort of courtesy window dressing. It’s still an expectation in some (maybe even most) locales, but experienced riders know exactly what it means – and how to approach the situation whether they’re in a “clear-calling” group, or a silent group.</li>
<li>The best policy (if it’s possible) is to discuss the “rules of the group” before any group ride – and reinforce what any particular “calls” mean (and don’t mean). And to clearly reiterate that each rider is ultimately responsible for his or her own safety on the road.</li>
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As most experienced riders know, any group ride can be joined by a new or unexperienced rider. While the "regulars" may know and practice the "rules of the group," its the unknowing rider who could be subject to the dangers of the "clear" call. For that reason, its a practice that I think should stop. What do you think? <br />
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Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-60281326283069939162015-02-09T06:54:00.003-08:002019-09-09T10:32:02.681-07:00As the Weather Starts to Improve: Look Twice, Save a (Bicyclist's) Life!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOCy4spzWbGECKKGN0CiRBhpwrH2Ha1Qihxbnblehyphenhyphenj875W0BiyFjbiwybcH_jPH5hy2YM_gPn7wwwNnZh4njJ3F9-9jMZlbPvgE96hKAiEyvXQY395GPtSz1VSOhTEdeB5xu6a8OEOs/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOCy4spzWbGECKKGN0CiRBhpwrH2Ha1Qihxbnblehyphenhyphenj875W0BiyFjbiwybcH_jPH5hy2YM_gPn7wwwNnZh4njJ3F9-9jMZlbPvgE96hKAiEyvXQY395GPtSz1VSOhTEdeB5xu6a8OEOs/s1600/images.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The ubiquitous slogan that is typically seen relating to motorcycles all over Pennsylvania. Its usually followed with the phrase: "Motorcycles are everywhere." But bicycles are everywhere, also. And motorists need to be on the lookout for us, too.<br />
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According to a study in 2010, bicycle commuting in the City of Pittsburgh saw a whopping 206% increase over a ten year period. The results were published on Bike Pgh's website and can be seen <a href="http://bikepgh.org/2010/10/01/pittsburgh-sees-206-rise-in-bicycle-commuting-since-2000-fourth-largest-increase-in-the-country/" target="_blank">here</a>. In 2010, Pittsburgh witnessed the fourth largest growth of cyclists in the Nation! And, that was before Mayor Peduto started installing bike lanes throughout the City. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_hleiRZZORIRSnxn0xCh3SlIPxqOOWNGA4PHErMdeYo7AmHOCD6MOazOHvFXs_vO83q8jI3MESU2gUiDsDeRgevmWNvsC6AeICFpLAA7qEgFDMX_LAH_cqGJLGjMyeQibiyEc5HRi4g/s1600/bc1f25c7d369c6648378abf614b437b9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_hleiRZZORIRSnxn0xCh3SlIPxqOOWNGA4PHErMdeYo7AmHOCD6MOazOHvFXs_vO83q8jI3MESU2gUiDsDeRgevmWNvsC6AeICFpLAA7qEgFDMX_LAH_cqGJLGjMyeQibiyEc5HRi4g/s1600/bc1f25c7d369c6648378abf614b437b9.jpg" width="200" /></a>As we spin into 2015 - and start to anticipate warmer temperatures - you can expect to see more and more cyclists taking to the trails, bike paths, and roads. When that occurs, it will be essential for motorists to keep both eyes on the lookout for cyclists. <br />
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For now, as we just look forward to getting through the winter, there are some things you can do as a cyclist to avoid a car-on-bike collision. <a href="http://bicycling.com/">Bicycling.com</a> offered the following tips on <a href="http://www.bicycling.com/news/advocacy/ride-smart" target="_blank">how to avoid the five most common bike-vehicle accidents</a>. Here they are:<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong>1. THE LEFT CROSS - </strong>In this scenario, a motorist fails to observe a cyclist and makes a left turn directly in front of the cyclist. According to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC), this type of accident accounts for nearly half of all bike-car crashes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJkRGYcuitSHev0EuXfE4AP5AkokoyE9nXdg1bQSROJAByoWVd0gpvVUXsMcI5WeULYfwBmmPZTsfqXrCYqmLO2GukSFBwYUoTxS7DDmtbkxCDMpmZbE4g-hMRA5XmjDCCiP3uOZFNEE/s1600/accident-left-cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJkRGYcuitSHev0EuXfE4AP5AkokoyE9nXdg1bQSROJAByoWVd0gpvVUXsMcI5WeULYfwBmmPZTsfqXrCYqmLO2GukSFBwYUoTxS7DDmtbkxCDMpmZbE4g-hMRA5XmjDCCiP3uOZFNEE/s1600/accident-left-cross.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #274e13;">HOW TO AVOID IT: If you see or anticipate a car turning left into your path, turn right into the lane with the car. Also, never creep into an intersection at a red light or stop sign in order to get a head start.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong>2. THE RIGHT HOOK - </strong>Here, a motorist passes a cyclist on the left and then turns right into the rider's path.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5ALJQ7MSq2yUdkEoFsAEQS0irzi1FKIirxsAjkETAmEFzEC5_1wCmHPpQ08XEF544bv-yjdZpNn6hH8j1__BqeFJPuAmHcwev_85zrNOo5IcNUEdvscbymxBqPc_bzx2R5-WJkx6JW8/s1600/accidents-right20hook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5ALJQ7MSq2yUdkEoFsAEQS0irzi1FKIirxsAjkETAmEFzEC5_1wCmHPpQ08XEF544bv-yjdZpNn6hH8j1__BqeFJPuAmHcwev_85zrNOo5IcNUEdvscbymxBqPc_bzx2R5-WJkx6JW8/s1600/accidents-right20hook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #274e13;">HOW TO AVOID IT: As you approach an intersection, take the whole lane. Its your legal right. If you're in middle of the lane as you approach an intersection, motorists have no choice but to stay behind you until you proceed through the intersection. Also, use hand signals early, <em>before</em> you reach the intersection, to alert motorists of your intentions.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b>3. GETTING "DOORED" - </b>A driver or occupant of a parked vehicle opens their street-side door directly in the path of an oncoming cyclist. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9Amhyphenhyphenk17STUxiR4GVBqBgJG2lNJw9nVTznjHxiH0B-RFeeVoIITZl3fKSbvmzs7Iglv7boubje1VNVRN1bhYJoetQIn8P4S3nxJnnUTDzEv9omMwZcg65CcZkml17icHvPlRgaTkNiI/s1600/PBCAT.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9Amhyphenhyphenk17STUxiR4GVBqBgJG2lNJw9nVTznjHxiH0B-RFeeVoIITZl3fKSbvmzs7Iglv7boubje1VNVRN1bhYJoetQIn8P4S3nxJnnUTDzEv9omMwZcg65CcZkml17icHvPlRgaTkNiI/s1600/PBCAT.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: #274e13;">HOW TO AVOID IT: Always ride at least 3 feet from parked cars, taking the lane if necessary. If you can't take the lane, look ahead and try to spot any occupants inside vehicles who might "door" you. In the winter-time or colder temperatures, keep a lookout for exhaust fumes. They will alert you to someone who has just parked their care and might be exiting the vehicle. It will also alert you to someone who may have just entered their vehicle and may be planning to pull suddenly out from a parked position. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong>4. GETTING "PARKING-LOTTED" - </strong>This happens when a motorist exits a driveway or parking lot directly into the path of an oncoming bicyclist.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3DHVpuQpzjYmcu9KompqLqR0PJtkCLKgfXnuB5utvfI7XWFF23XqwiVVfje0l2wf8rbwWt8atbYzjjqAbXM9a4Qgs0lMd1LRfzXAD0kxOvoOjUzj6BNJODiTT36JP8jS4qGV3lkjoTA/s1600/images.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3DHVpuQpzjYmcu9KompqLqR0PJtkCLKgfXnuB5utvfI7XWFF23XqwiVVfje0l2wf8rbwWt8atbYzjjqAbXM9a4Qgs0lMd1LRfzXAD0kxOvoOjUzj6BNJODiTT36JP8jS4qGV3lkjoTA/s1600/images.png" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #274e13;">HOW TO AVOID IT: According to Bicycling.com, no bike-handling tricks can overcome the dangers of riding on a road with numerous parking lot exits. It is suggested that you simply take an alternate route with less parking lots or side streets. If you can't avoid your route, always obey the traffic laws, slow down near intersecting parking lots and side streets, and ride fully in your lane. Most important, stay off the sidewalks because motorists are not looking for you there.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong>5. THE OVERTAKING - </strong>A motorist hits a cyclist from behind.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYg9L8GbWY1lzmBonrG08zwQLtFYP4F2sx7nTfHeIhgr3AhIU2X40hwZyuZTDuLB249t2g5mk2aD3WkJ8SYgP53HQ9ghvuZrSNLNPdVEEq1Y3o7T3lp0hvBfDJe-tElPIuPKgiffp_DiY/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYg9L8GbWY1lzmBonrG08zwQLtFYP4F2sx7nTfHeIhgr3AhIU2X40hwZyuZTDuLB249t2g5mk2aD3WkJ8SYgP53HQ9ghvuZrSNLNPdVEEq1Y3o7T3lp0hvBfDJe-tElPIuPKgiffp_DiY/s1600/Untitled.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;">HOW TO AVOID IT: Make yourself as visible as possible by using reflectors and lights on your bike at night. Wear clothing with hi-vis colors during the daytime. Ride predictably by signaling your turns and avoid swerving. You may also consider a rear-view mirror to help observe cars approaching from the rear. Avoid headphones, too. Because, if you're wearing headphones, you are certain to have no notice of that oncoming vehicle. </span><br />
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While you wait for the Spring, please be safe out there. And, thanks for reading. <br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"></span><br />Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-15223416966637197112015-01-22T08:58:00.001-08:002020-04-27T09:08:51.653-07:00Does Pennsylvania's Four Foot Safe Passing Law Actually Make Cycling Any Safer? Is More Required? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In April, 2012, a new law went into effect in Pennsylvania requiring a driver overtaking a bicyclist to provide at least four feet of space between their car and the bicycle. The "safe passing" law, which can be found at <a href="http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=75&div=0&chpt=33&sctn=3&subsctn=0" target="_blank">75 Pa.C.S. § 3303</a>, states that drivers must also pass at a careful and prudent <i>reduced </i>speed. Drivers are permitted to cross the center line, even in a no passing zone, if it is safe to do so and necessary to overtake a cyclist while providing the necessary buffer zone. (See <a href="http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=75&div=0&chpt=33&sctn=7&subsctn=0" target="_blank">75 Pa.C.S.§ 3307</a>.) <span style="color: red;">Violation of the law is a summary offense that carries a whopping $25.00 fine.</span><br />
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With the enactment of the safe passing law, Pennsylvania became one of 34 states to have enacted "safe passing" legislation. <span style="color: red;">Pennsylvania's four foot buffer zone is the largest among all of the "buffer zones" created by states' safe passing laws.</span> Many states require only three feet, while some other state's laws simply provide that a motorist must pass at a safe distance and speed. But, those laws do not define what is a "safe" distance or speed. To read more about the different states' safe passing laws, click <a href="http://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/safely-passing-bicyclists.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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The enactment of a safe passing law in Pennsylvania is a great idea and a nice step towards rider safety. Indeed, I believe that it's absolutely necessary. But, is the passage of a safe passing law, alone, enough? I don't think so. <br />
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<span style="color: blue;">One reason that the enactment of the safe passing law, alone, is not sufficient to curb accidents between bicycles and cars is that the law is virtually impossible to enforce.</span> Out on the road, there is nearly no way to accurately analyze how much distance exists between two moving vehicles. Sure, you can eyeball it. But a police officer would need to be sitting in the perfect location, at the perfect time, in order to actually observe a violation of this law. And, if a motorist knows that an officer is nearby, he or she is unlikely to attempt an unlawful pass.<br />
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According to an article published by the Pittsburgh <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2013/05/24/Review-finds-Pennsylvania-s-new-bike-safety-law-not-closely-enforced/stories/201305240119" target="_blank">Post-Gazette</a>, <span style="color: red;">over one year after the safe passing law was enacted, police in the City of Pittsburgh had yet to issue even a single citation!</span> In the first 13 months after the law was passed, there were only 15 citations in the entire state of Pennsylvania - with none being issued in Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. A cyclist quoted in the Post-Gazette's article stated that she collected helmet camera footage of a vehicle failing to safely pass. She took the footage to the police and the charges discussed included harassment and endangering a person with a vehicle. She claimed that the police did not even discuss the driver's alleged failure to pass at a safe distance. <span style="color: blue;">This example highlights one of the other problems associated with safe passing laws: lack of awareness. </span> <br />
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After a law is newly enacted, it takes time for people (and police) to become aware of the law and its application. You may not even know that you have violated a traffic law until you are pulled over and issued a citation. <span style="color: red;">Ignorance of the law is no defense to a criminal citation. </span> But that fact does not help to prevent the incident from occurring in the first place. Thus, the key to the effectiveness of any law is informing the public about its existence and application. <br />
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Too many motorists do not even know about the four foot law and, worse, think that cyclists do not belong on the road! There are no signs on the roads advising of the four foot law and no postings. Until recently, Pittsburgh barely had any bike culture to speak of. Organizations like <a href="http://bikepgh.org/" target="_blank">Bike Pittsburgh</a> are helping to improve cycling awareness in the City. But, until drivers and cyclists learn to respect each other and understand the interplay of the Rules of the Road, the safe passing law is not likely to have much effect. To read more about Pennsylvania's Bike Laws, click <a href="http://lawyercyclist.blogspot.com/2014/12/pa-bike-laws-know-rules-of-road.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation ("PennDOT"), the number of bicycle crashes and injuries actually increased in the year following enactment of the safe passing law. <span style="color: red;">Statistics regarding bike crashes can be deceiving, though, as police are only required to disclose to PennDOT reported crashes that involve death, injury, and/or damage to a vehicle requiring a tow.</span> To read more about crash reporting, click <a href="http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Bike-Crash-Map-Missing-Reported-Incidents-239308371.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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Since damaged or destroyed bicycles are not capable of being towed, an accident that destroys a bicycle, but not the car, may not generate a report that will be published to PennDOT. Rather, only an accident involving serious injury will generate a report. In any event, the take home message here is that there needs to be greater education of motorists and police regarding the enactment and application of Pennsylvania's four-foot safe passing law. <br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Also, in order to have any impact, the safe passing law must carry a stiffer penalty.</span> A $25.00 fine and summary offense is simply insufficient. As noted by Pittsburgh Police Commander Scott Schubert in the Post-Gazette article, officers are not inclined to enforce the safe passing law because they are "busy with more serious matters." Until this law gets some real teeth, it is not worth an officer's time to make a stop and issue a citation. Likewise, a summary offense is not worth the District Attorney's time to prosecute. So, many violations of the safe passing law may simply be ignored. <br />
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<span style="color: red;">If a violation of the safe passing law carried a felony charge, subject to a hefty fine and a prison sentence, then it might become a "more serious matter" worthy of the attention of motorists and police.</span><br />
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Some states have passed "vulnerable road user laws." According to the League of American Bicyclists, vulnerable road user laws seek to "raise the legal stakes for a motorist who injures or kills a bicyclist or pedestrian." Such laws increase the penalty if a motorist carelessly strikes and either kills or injures a vulnerable user of the road. Some examples of vulnerable users include cyclists, runners, walkers, skate boarders, highway construction workers, and horse-drawn carriage riders. A violation of the vulnerable road user law could result in the suspension of driving privileges, heavier fines (than a summary offense), and jail time. <br />
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Here is the text of the League of American Bicyclists proposed legislation:<br />
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<u>Vulnerable Road User Law</u><br />
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INFLICTION OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO VULNERABLE ROAD USERS<br />
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Section 1: As used herein, the term “vulnerable road user” includes:<br />
(a) a pedestrian, including those persons actually engaged in work upon a highway, or in work upon utility facilities along a highway, or engaged in the provision of emergency services within the right-of-way; or<br />
(b) a person riding an animal; or<br />
(c) a person lawfully operating any of the following on a public right-of-way, crosswalk, or shoulder of the highway:<br />
1. A bicycle;<br />
2. A farm tractor or similar vehicle designed primarily for farm use;<br />
3. A skateboard;<br />
4. Roller skates;<br />
5. In-line skates;<br />
6. A scooter;<br />
7. A moped;<br />
8. Motorcyclists;<br />
9. Horse-drawn carriage drivers;<br />
10. a person on an electric personal assistive mobility device; or<br />
11. a person in a wheelchair. <br />
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Section 2: A person who operates a motor vehicle in a careless or distracted manner and causes serious physical injury or death to a vulnerable road user shall be guilty of infliction of serious physical injury or death to a vulnerable user.<br />
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Section 3: A person issued a citation under this section shall be required to attend a hearing before a court of appropriate jurisdiction.<br />
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Section 4: A person found to have committed an offense under this statute shall be required to<br />
(a) have his or her driving privileged suspended for a period of no less than 6 months; and one or more of the following:<br />
(b) pay a monetary penalty of not more than two thousand dollars; or<br />
(c) serve a period of incarceration which may not exceed thirty days; or<br />
(d) participate in a motor vehicle accident prevention course; or<br />
(e) perform community service for a number of hours to be determined by the court, which may not exceed two hundred hours.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Pennsylvania has not enacted any vulnerable road user laws, yet</span>. <br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Do you believe that the safe passing law, alone, is sufficient to deter accidents with cyclists? Should Pennsylvania enact vulnerable road user laws, too? </span><br />
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Until Pennsylvania passes such legislation, be safe out there and please obey all of the traffic laws. Thank you for reading. <br />
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<b>Matthew F. Dolfi</b><br />
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<br />Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-23550372974713905072015-01-16T13:19:00.001-08:002020-04-27T09:07:33.615-07:00Dangerous and Unrestrained Dogs - What should a cyclist do?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="userContent">Recently, I was riding my bike with a group of experienced cyclists on a quiet farm road (on the other side of a quaint, covered bridged) when we encountered a highly-aggressive, unrestrained pit bull and an intimidating (albeit, much more passive, but equally unrestrained) Akita. <span style="color: red;">Please note that I am not disparaging pit bulls, Akitas, or any other breeds. I only mention the breed here to provide detail to the story</span>. Anyway, we were climbing up a hill so, naturally, I was in the back of the pack, about 50 yards behind the two leaders of the ride. From that position, I observed the pit bull rush down from his yard, approach our lead rider, and bite him on the foot! </span></div>
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<span class="userContent">I immediately pulled up and straddled my bike. I was joined by another of the riders. Together, we watched as the pit bull continued to chase our friends up the road for about 30 yards. Thankfully, they rode free without another incident. But, as the dog lost interest in them, it turned back around and refocused its attention on us! </span></div>
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<span class="userContent">As the pit bull approached at a full sprint, I imagined the worst. I didn't know whether to turn around and race down the hill or to prepare to fight. I tried to stay calm. My buddy hopped off his bike and placed it between himself and the dog. So, I did the same. </span></div>
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<span class="userContent">As the dog got close, we both <span class="text_exposed_show">yelled (loudly) for him to stop and sit. Thankfully, the dog listened. But he did not retreat. I still did not know whether to turn around and flee or try to walk past his yard. Our friends were now at least 100 yards down the road. My buddy made the decision to walk on, so I (reluctantly) followed. </span></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show">We were able to walk our bikes up the hill to our friends, but not without the pit bull staying within 10 yards of our every step. Every time we tried to remount our bikes, he would come closer! We yelled at him and he would retreat a little bit each time. The Akita kept a watchful eye on us, but (thankfully) never got to the road. Once we were about </span><span class="text_exposed_show">50 yards down the road, the pit bull finally let us go. The rider who was bitten was wearing thick shoes and booties to protect his feet. So, he wasn't injured. I'm not sure if he will ever ride that road again, but I will definitely think twice about it. </span></div>
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Incidents with dogs (on or off the bike) are frightening. Even the best, well-trained dogs can be unpredictable. They can bite, knock you down, or injure you while you attempt to flee from an attack. You might suffer a puncture wound, a broken bone, or a head injury. An encounter with a vicious dog may even leave you with post-traumatic stress. The encounter I had with the pit bull will not be forgotten any time soon. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24px;"></span><br />
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If you have suffered an encounter with a vicious dog (or other animal), it is important that you protect your rights. You should immediately:<br />
<ol>
<li>Seek medical attention;</li>
<li>Notify local animal control;
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<li>Take photographs of your injuries;</li>
<li>Gather information, including the location of the dog's residence and the names and addresses of any witnesses; and </li>
<li>Consult a lawyer.
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In Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, you can report a dog bite or attack incident to the Dog Warden at (412) 418-2163. In Pittsburgh, attack victims and medical personnel may also report the incident to the <a href="http://pittsburghpa.gov/animalcontrol/" target="_blank">Bureau of Animal Care and Control</a>. A police officer or Animal Care and Control Officer will then investigate the incident. For more on what to do in the event of a dog bite or attack, see <a href="http://statelaws.findlaw.com/pennsylvania-law/pittsburgh-dog-bites-the-basics.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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If you were injured and need to seek recovery for your pain and suffering, it is not enough to show that the dog was an allegedly "vicious breed." Rather, the critical question is whether or not the dog exhibited vicious tendencies, i.e., a history of aggressive behavior and attacks, and whether or not its owner knew about those tendencies. <br />
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In Pennsylvania, vicious propensities can be exhibited by the dog's conduct on the day in question. In other words, the dog (and its owner) are not entitled to "one free bite." Further, it must also be shown that the dog's owner failed to properly restrain the animal. Pennsylvania has leash laws that prevent owners from permitting dogs to leave the owner's premises while uncontrolled. An owner can claim that his/her dog escaped. In that case, the question for the jury will be whether or not the owner took reasonable steps to restrain the dog. For example, if a dog can jump a six foot fence, then (clearly) a four foot fence is not sufficient to restrain that dog. <br />
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Avoiding an incident in the first place is always better than dealing with the aftermath. For some tips on what to do in the event of an encounter, see <a href="http://bicycling.about.com/od/howtoride/tp/dogs_and_bikes.htm" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://thefinalword.hubpages.com/hub/Prevent-Dog-Biting" target="_blank">here</a>. If you are involved in a dog attack, please do not hesitate to contact <a href="http://www.dolfilawpc.com/" target="_blank">me</a> for a free consultation and to discuss your case.<br />
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In the meantime, be safe out there and thank you for reading. <br />
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<b>Matthew F. Dolfi</b></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Dolfi Law PC </b><br />
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<strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Carnegie, Pennsylvania 15106</strong><br />
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Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-20167962371872496182015-01-12T15:03:00.005-08:002020-04-27T09:12:16.158-07:00Are you receiving treatment following an accident that is "medically necessary?" If not, your insurance company can deny coverage. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEILeEAnR-8qLyxupyRkQOlapF57nKkQESj8h_Oa4ZaQzTJo0UJvI5ocBUQ6XgOZtgmWDNOg5JZ7kwxoRVY4h63C9ECbpaJmX3nvuSZGVb-_iA54VEAEwM3DfCmt3TP1rUkZLe5CFqGs/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEILeEAnR-8qLyxupyRkQOlapF57nKkQESj8h_Oa4ZaQzTJo0UJvI5ocBUQ6XgOZtgmWDNOg5JZ7kwxoRVY4h63C9ECbpaJmX3nvuSZGVb-_iA54VEAEwM3DfCmt3TP1rUkZLe5CFqGs/s1600/download.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<o:p><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">I. Introduction.</span></o:p><br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;">First, here are some basics. If someone is injured in an accident involving a motor vehicle in Pennsylvania, the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law (or, "MVFRL") establishes the manner in which the individual must seek reimbursement for medical bills. <span style="color: red;">The MVFRL states that if you are a "named insured" on an automobile insurance policy, you must look first to that policy to cover your expenses.</span> This kind of coverage is known as "first party" insurance. </span></o:p><br />
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></o:p><br />
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;">The next place you might look to recover medical bills is any policy under which you are an insured (as opposed to a "named insured"). A "named insured" is someone who is actually named on the policy. An "insured," by contrast, is a spouse, child, or other relative living in the same house as the "named insured." </span></o:p><br />
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></o:p><br />
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;">If you are not a named insured or an insured, but you were occupying an insured vehicle at the time of an accident, you can recover under the insurance policy for that vehicle. <span style="color: red;">Cyclists are not considered to be occupying a vehicle for purposes of recovering "first party" benefits.</span> </span></o:p><br />
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></o:p><br />
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;">Finally, if you are not a named insured, an insured, or were not the occupant of a motor vehicle (e.g., a pedestrian or cyclist), then you can seek to recover from the policy of any vehicle involved in the accident (not including parked or unoccupied vehicles). </span></o:p><br />
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></o:p><br />
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;">All of these sources of benefits come <em>before </em>you may seek to recover from a negligent driver who injured you. The insurance coverage of another responsible person is called "third party" insurance coverage (I'm still not sure who the "second party" is).</span></o:p><br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">II. Medical Treatment Must be Reasonable and Necessary.</span> </o:p><br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The MVFRL was designed to reduce the costs associated with automobile accidents. <span style="color: red;">As such, s</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">ection <span style="color: red;">1797</span> of the MVFRL limits the amount that medical providers
(e.g., physicians, chiropractors, and physical/occupational therapists) may charge for treatment, accommodations, products, or services rendered to
patients injured in automobile accidents where the injury is covered by an
automobile insurance policy.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The MFVRL
also requires providers to seek reimbursement of their bills from an insurer and prevents
providers from seeking any payment from the patient with regard to the
difference between the provider’s ordinary charges and those paid by an insurance
company. So, as long as you have coverage, your provider must submit your medical bills to your insurance carrier. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In furtherance of reducing costs associated with motor
vehicle accidents, <span style="color: red;">the MVFRL permits an insurance company to contest its
obligation to pay for ongoing medical treatment by submitting a patient’s treatment to
a peer review organization, or “PRO.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If, upon a timely challenge, a PRO determines that treatment is
unreasonable or unnecessary, the provider may not collect (or must return with
interest) any related payments. <span style="color: blue;">That means that your expenses for ongoing (or, even, past) medical treatment will no longer be covered by insurance! <span style="color: black;">In that case, you will be responsible for the payment of any additional treatment charges. </span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">An injured person (<u>or their provider</u>) can challenge a PRO determination that treatment
was unreasonable or unnecessary by: (1) requesting reconsideration of the PRO; or (2) by filing an appeal to the court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a court finds that the treatment
provided was reasonable or necessary, the insurer must pay to the provider any
outstanding fees for treatment, plus 12% annual interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the insurer’s conduct is found
to be wanton (i.e., totally unreasonable), the insurer can be subject to a payment of treble (or, triple)
damages. Likewise, if the insurer is found to have acted with no reasonable foundation in refusing to pay benefits, they may be subjected to an award of attorneys fees for the time expended to recover the medical bills. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">If an insurer denies payment for medical or rehabilitation
treatment <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">without first seeking a peer
review through a PRO</i>, and if a court finds that the treatment rendered was reasonable or necessary, then the insurer
must pay to the provider all outstanding amounts, plus interest at 12%, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">as well as the costs of the challenge and
all attorney fees</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Attorneys’
fees and costs are hotly contested in these types of cases and are typically <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">only</i> recoverable
in the event that an insurance company fails to challenge the treatment through
a PRO (i.e., acts wantonly).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If an insurance company
timely challenges treatment before a proper PRO, attorneys’ fees and costs will generally be “off the table,” even if the treatment is ultimately found to have been
reasonable or necessary. I</span><span style="font-size: large;">f a court finds that the treatment was unreasonable or unnecessary, then the provider may not recover for those services and must return any unreturned payments, with interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">III. Clarification from the Supreme Court on an Award of Attorney's Fees.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Some courts have awarded attorneys fees to providers where an insurance company <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">improperly </i>uses the PRO
process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one case, the court
awarded attorney’s fees and costs to a provider because the insurance company
did not submit the charges to a PRO in a timely manner (i.e., within 90 days of
receipt of the bills for treatment).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also, the court in that case found that an independent medical
examination (or, an “IME”) was not the equivalent of a PRO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather, because the purpose of an IME
is to determine whether or not treatment is causally related to an accident
and/or whether a patient has reached maximum medical improvement, an IME does
not necessarily address the issue of whether or not a provider’s treatment was
reasonable or necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus,
where the insurance company relied upon an IME to refuse payment of the
provider’s medical bills, the court held that the insurer did not properly
avail itself of the PRO process. Therefore, the court awarded attorney’s fees and costs
to the provider after it also found that the provider’s treatments were reasonable and
necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">In another case, a trial court awarded attorney’s fees and
costs because it found that the insurance company – who did utilize the PRO
process – did not follow certain accepted peer review processes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, the court found that
the insurance company’s PRO was “invalid.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On December 31, 2014, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted
the insurance company’s appeal of the trial court’s decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On appeal, the Supreme Court will examine, among other
things, whether or not the lower court improperly awarded attorneys fees even though the insurer utilized the peer review process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">IV. Conclusion.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">If you are injured in an accident involving a motor vehicle in Pittsburgh or Western Pennsylvania, your medical expenses may be covered from a variety of "first-party" sources. If you do receive "first-party" insurance coverage, the insurance company can challenge whether your treatment is reasonable or necessary. If they do - and if they obtain a PRO report stating that your treatment is no longer reasonable or necessary - then you may need to fight back in order continue receiving benefits. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">An experienced <a href="http://www.dolfilawpc.com/" target="_blank">insurance attorney</a> can help you (or, your provider) resolve these issues. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for reading and, as always, keep the rubber side down.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Matthew F. Dolfi</b></span></div>
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<b>Dolfi Law PC</b></div>
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Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-9065657539616390502015-01-06T08:47:00.001-08:002016-01-11T08:45:36.407-08:00Getting the word out - The Lawyer-Cyclist appears on the New York Bike Accident Blog!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Many thanks to Jim Reed and </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">the New York Bike Accident Blog for passing the message along!</span></div>
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" 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I recently posted an article discussing the implications of the “full tort" and "limited tort” options on car insurance in Pennsylvania and what they can mean for insured bicyclists who are injured by motorists. <a href="http://lawyercyclist.blogspot.com/2015/01/full-tort-or-limited-tort-does-limited.html?spref=fb" target="_blank">(Read the article here)</a>. </div>
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On January 6, 2015, New York and Pennsylvania bike accident lawyer, Jim Reed, re-posted the Lawyer-Cyclist's article as a guest post on his blog, the New York Bike Accident Blog. (<a href="http://www.zifflaw.com/NYBikeAccidentBlog/guest-post-pa-bicycle-attorney-explains-tort-insurance-options-for-pennsylvania-bicyclists/" target="_blank">Read the guest post here</a>). <br />
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Jim is an exceptional bike lawyer and advocate, a member of <a href="http://www.bikelaw.com/" target="_blank">Bike Law USA</a> (a National network of Bike Law attorneys), and a friend of the Lawyer-Cyclist. Learn more about Jim and his practice <a href="http://www.zifflaw.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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<a href="http://www.zifflaw.com/lawyers/jim-reed/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="James Reed." class="wp-image-5996 " src="http://www.zifflaw.com/NYBikeAccidentBlog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/James-Reed-Ziff-Law-Firm.jpg" height="223" width="150" /></a></div>
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Jim Reed</div>
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I am proud to have been recognized by Jim and the New York Bike Accident Blog! I also appreciate the opportunity to appear as a guest blogger on the New York Bike Accident Blog page.<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Thank you for reading and for your support!</span> <br />
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Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-76661985456348834642015-01-03T08:48:00.001-08:002019-07-02T06:28:49.268-07:00Full tort or limited tort - Does a limited tort selection on an automobile insurance policy apply in a bicycle accident? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The short answer is - no. If you are injured by a motorist while riding a bicycle, your ability to recover for pain and suffering is not affected by a limited tort selection on your motor vehicle insurance policy. </div>
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In Pennsylvania, all motorists are required to carry motor vehicle insurance. The law that requires automobile insurance in Pennsylvania is known as the <a href="http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=75&div=0&chpt=17" target="_blank">Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law</a>, or the MVFRL. Under the MVFRL, you must choose between the "limited tort" option and the "full tort" option on your own insurance policy. Under the full tort option, if you are injured in a motor vehicle accident while you are occupying or operating a motor vehicle, you may recover from a negligent driver your economic damages (e.g., medical and wage loss expenses) plus non-economic damages (e.g., pain, suffering, and inconvenience). But, if you have chosen the limited tort option, you may recover economic damages, <i>but you may not recover damages for pain and suffering unless you have suffered a "serious injury." </i></div>
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A "serious injury" is defined as an injury resulting in death, serious impairment of a body function, or a permanent disfigurement. Thus, if you do not suffer a serious injury in a motor vehicle accident - and if you have chosen the limited tort option on your automobile insurance policy - you cannot recover any damages for pain and suffering! </div>
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Many people believe that if they are involved in a bicycle accident with a motor vehicle (car, truck, bus, etc.), their limited tort insurance selection applies and precludes recovery for pain and suffering in the absence of a serious injury. But, that is not the case. Instead, because you are not occupying or operating a motor vehicle at the time of a bicycle accident, your limited tort selection does not apply. </div>
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In 2004, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court held, in <i>L.S., a Minor v. David Eschbach, Jr., Inc., </i>844 A.2d 1215 (Pa. 2004), that the MVFRL does not apply to pedestrians. In that case, an eleven year-old girl was struck by a car after she had exited a school bus and was attempting to cross the street. At the time of the accident, the young girl lived with her mother and was, therefore, an "insured" under her mother's automobile insurance policy. Her mother had selected the limited tort option on her insurance policy. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court held that because the young girl was an innocent pedestrian who was not operating or occupying a motor vehicle at the time of the accident, she should not be limited to a recover of economic damages, only. Rather, she should be able to seek and recover economic and <em>non</em>-economic damages from the defendant-driver. </div>
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The Supreme Court's analysis regarding a pedestrian applies equally to a cyclist because a cyclist is not occupying or operating a motor vehicle at the time of an accident. Thus, the cyclist is not bound by a limited tort selection on his/her automobile insurance policy. </div>
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If you were injured while riding a bicycle as the result of the negligence of a motorist, you may be entitled to a recovery of medical expenses, wage loss, property damage, and pain, suffering, and inconvenience. Please contact <a href="http://www.dolfilawpc.com/" target="_blank">me</a> for a free initial consultation to discuss your case and explore your rights at (412) 227-9724.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.48px;">Carnegie, PA 15106<br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">412-227-9724</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br /></strong></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><strong>W</strong></span><strong style="color: #222222; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">ebsite:</strong><br /><b style="color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dolfilawpc.com/" style="color: #771100; text-decoration: none;">www.dolfilawpc.com</a></b><br /><span style="font-size: 14.85px;"><b style="color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"></b></span></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Facebook page:</b><br />
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<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">The information provided in this blog article is not legal advice. The information and opinions provided herein are solely for the general interest of the visitors to this website. The information contained herein is only applicable to general principles of law in Pennsylvania and may not reflect current legal developments or statutory changes in various other jurisdictions. Therefore, the information and opinions contained in this blog should not be relied upon or interpreted as legal advice. No aspect of this blog article should be interpreted as establishing an attorney-client relationship between the reader and its author. Anyone reviewing this article should not act upon any information contained herein without first seeking the advice of legal counsel. </em></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">Search terms: Bicycle accident cases and lawsuits, Bicycle collisions, Bicycle safety, Bike accident lawsuits, Bike accidents, Bike collisions, Risks for bicycle riders, accident attorney, accident lawyer, bicycle, bicycle accident laws, bicycle accident, bicycle accident attorney, bicycle risks, bicycle safety, bike accident, cycling, defective road conditions, dangerous roads, dangerous streets, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Matthew F. Dolfi, Matt Dolfi, Pittsburgh Bike Lawyer, Pittsburgh Bike Accident, lawyer-cyclist, The Lawyer Cyclist, dolfilaw, Dolfi Law PC</span><br />
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Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-58244031096582686002015-01-01T05:55:00.000-08:002017-11-01T16:32:45.404-07:00Happy New Year. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wishing you a safe and happy </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2015! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Keep those pedals turning </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">stay tuned </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">for helpful legal and safety tips in the new year. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Matthew F. Dolfi, Esquire</span></b></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"></span><i><br /></i></b></span> <span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Dolfi Law PC</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">BNY Mellon Center</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">500 Grant Street, Suite 2900</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">412-227-9724</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br /></strong></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><strong>W</strong></span><strong style="color: #222222; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">ebsite:</strong><br /><b style="color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dolfilawpc.com/" style="color: #771100; text-decoration: none;">www.dolfilawpc.com</a></b><br /><b style="color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"></b></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Facebook page:</b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PghBikeLawyer" style="color: #771100; text-decoration: none;">https://www.facebook.com/PghBikeLawyer</a></b><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"><br /></strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"></span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"><br /></strong><strong style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">Important notice:</strong><br />
<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">The information provided in this blog article is not legal advice. The information and opinions provided herein are solely for the general interest of the visitors to this website. The information contained herein is only applicable to general principles of law in Pennsylvania and may not reflect current legal developments or statutory changes in various other jurisdictions. Therefore, the information and opinions contained in this blog should not be relied upon or interpreted as legal advice. No aspect of this blog article should be interpreted as establishing an attorney-client relationship between the reader and its author. Anyone reviewing this article should not act upon any information contained herein without first seeking the advice of legal counsel. </em></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">Search terms: Bicycle accident cases and lawsuits, Bicycle collisions, Bicycle safety, Bike accident lawsuits, Bike accidents, Bike collisions, Risks for bicycle riders, accident attorney, accident lawyer, bicycle, bicycle accident laws, bicycle accident, bicycle accident attorney, bicycle risks, bicycle safety, bike accident, cycling, defective road conditions, dangerous roads, dangerous streets, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Matthew F. Dolfi, Matt Dolfi, Pittsburgh Bike Lawyer, Pittsburgh Bike Accident, lawyer-cyclist, The Lawyer Cyclist, dolfilaw, Dolfi Law PC</span><br />
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Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-56871536466605142622014-12-22T06:29:00.001-08:002014-12-22T06:29:58.779-08:00Seasons greetings and best wishes to you! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2ej1_kpHhiMVtWpX7hhKundM1bDNYe9WCiBrbFxDfQpZ4uR3ZX8k3kJ7VTUfY5-PlRT_8xdSXYYiOLseabmSAwaMMCOFqfAPf6dfNuE2X_IRjkVi4THhkKI_u-giUcFqxRGm5yphgXk/s1600/8287728728_53427eecbc_d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2ej1_kpHhiMVtWpX7hhKundM1bDNYe9WCiBrbFxDfQpZ4uR3ZX8k3kJ7VTUfY5-PlRT_8xdSXYYiOLseabmSAwaMMCOFqfAPf6dfNuE2X_IRjkVi4THhkKI_u-giUcFqxRGm5yphgXk/s1600/8287728728_53427eecbc_d.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Happy Holidays</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><strong>and </strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Thanks for reading.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong>Matthew F. Dolfi</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong>The Lawyer-Cyclist and Pittsburgh Bike Lawyer</strong></span> </div>
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Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-36161689733536580742014-12-19T13:21:00.002-08:002017-11-01T16:32:02.600-07:00Check out and like my Facebook Page!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKuxv4sC8JH1b3ac0pQv8D7QXDrbV0FGSCnV13eYpPLhWS5d4qzfkpWgbPUSvO2kdMB_5_WMb_VcGEKbYas5C53Dw_CVBhd3mWktTTKh2nFaC9cBdlYTeZlb2NY7r2rPswveVbyVR4nQ/s1600/Untitled1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKuxv4sC8JH1b3ac0pQv8D7QXDrbV0FGSCnV13eYpPLhWS5d4qzfkpWgbPUSvO2kdMB_5_WMb_VcGEKbYas5C53Dw_CVBhd3mWktTTKh2nFaC9cBdlYTeZlb2NY7r2rPswveVbyVR4nQ/s1600/Untitled1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To stay informed and safe on the road, please visit and like my Facebook page at </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PghBikeLawyer" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Pittsburgh Bike Lawyer.</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Thanks for reading!</span> </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><strong>Matthew F. Dolfi</strong></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><strong>The Lawyer-Cyclist and Pittsburgh Bike Lawyer</strong></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Matthew F. Dolfi, Esquire</span></b></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"></span><i><br /></i></b></span> <span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Dolfi Law PC</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">BNY Mellon Center</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">500 Grant Street, Suite 2900</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">412-227-9724</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br /></strong></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><strong>W</strong></span><strong style="color: #222222; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">ebsite:</strong><br /><b style="color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dolfilawpc.com/" style="color: #771100; text-decoration: none;">www.dolfilawpc.com</a></b><br /><b style="color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"></b></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Facebook page:</b><br />
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Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-30034472492148171342014-12-15T10:37:00.002-08:002018-03-04T12:38:17.216-08:00What to do in the event of a crash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZhhJ43viv76_dhQUNolyCXClkpi15HNbQkXKspcaH0B1ibswMZPcOOhSMFo91TLIS2hOo1ttQRhOYmxm3uOtlouJBJCtJJg5FuiU_f6lihkQR03vjRPB3DuDsGd_qb9bTmkrec7ajwg/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZhhJ43viv76_dhQUNolyCXClkpi15HNbQkXKspcaH0B1ibswMZPcOOhSMFo91TLIS2hOo1ttQRhOYmxm3uOtlouJBJCtJJg5FuiU_f6lihkQR03vjRPB3DuDsGd_qb9bTmkrec7ajwg/s1600/download.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Accidents happen. Sometimes, despite your best efforts to "keep the rubber side down," you just can't stay upright. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">Here are some helpful tips in the event of a crash. </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Assess the situation.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're like me, the first question you ask after an accident might tend to be, "How's my bike?" Resist that urge. Instead, take a few minutes to assess your personal situation and to make sure that you're in a safe location. If you're capable, move yourself and your bike to safety. If your bike was thrown any distance from you, take note of its location as you will need to provide this information to the authorities. If you're in serious pain (e.g., having neck or back pain, or think that you may have broken a bone), don't try to move or you may further injure yourself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Begin to look for witnesses, to evaluate the scene, and try to remain calm. If you were struck by a motorist or another party, resist the urge to confront or argue with him/her. If the police arrive, you need to be cool-headed and rational, not hot-tempered and emotional. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Seek medical attention. </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If an ambulance arrives, do not reject a medical examination. A seemingly small injury could wind up being something much worse and your adrenaline might prevent you from feeling the full effects of your injury while you're still on the scene of the accident. Even if you feel okay, it is best to let the paramedics do their job. If you struck your head in the accident, twisted your neck or back, or think that you might have any broken bones, get to the hospital immediately. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're hurt and an ambulance has not yet arrived, call 911 or have someone do it for you. Cyclists are tough folks, there is no doubt about that. But do not downplay the severity of the accident or your injuries to the authorities. Paramedics and the police will take notes regarding your condition. Most of what they report comes from you! If you downplay the accident or your injuries, that gets written into a report that may come back to haunt you in a subsequent lawsuit. So, be honest, but don't understate the facts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, note that police reports in Pennsylvania are typically reserved for accidents where a vehicle is towed or where someone is injured. Since your bike is not going to be towed, you need to convey the significance of your injury to the authorities because a police report will typically be generated only if someone goes to the hospital. So, in the event of an accident, call 911 and take a trip to the local ER in the ambulance. You're better safe than sorry and, if your injuries turn out to be worse than you initially thought at the scene, you'll be glad that you took a trip to the hospital and obtained a report. You may need that police report down the road in order to establish liability against another party, to assert an underinsured or uninsured motorist claim, and to preserve facts and evidence such as witness statements and measurements of the scene of the accident.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But what about the costs of medical care? Do not let that concern deter you from obtaining necessary medical attention. If the accident was caused by a motorist, there is a good chance that you can recover from the driver's insurance or from your own automobile insurance carrier. If you don't have a car or your own insurance policy, you may qualify as an insured under a family member's automobile insurance policy. If the accident was a hit and run, which qualifies as a crime, you may be eligible to receive medical and/or income loss benefits from the </span><a href="http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/available_services/14558/financial_assistance/600143" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Victims' Compensation Assistance Program</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. In short, don't skip a hospital visit because you don't think you can afford it. Even if you think the accident was your fault, get to the hospital! </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Gather some evidence. </span></b><br />
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If you are able to move around after an accident, talk to any witnesses on the scene and save their contact information. If the accident involved a motorist, get his or her name, address, phone number, and insurance information. <span style="background-color: white;">If the police arrive, tell them what happened but <b>don't understate your injuries </b>or offhandedly accept some or all of the liability. Some police officers tend to have a bias against cyclists and they will report a "minor injury" or "no injury" if that is what you tell them. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Be honest with the police, but remember the old maxim: "anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law." In a civil lawsuit, admissions that you make at the scene of an accident or in a police report can be used against you. And, as noted above, you may not fully appreciate how bad the accident or your injuries are until after your nerves calm down and your adrenaline levels return to normal. So, don't admit fault, don't understate your condition or your injuries, and get the names of the other driver and any witnesses.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">If the accident involves a hit and run, report it to the police and your insurance company as soon as you possibly can. You may be able to recover uninsured motorist benefits from your own insurance carrier, but <i>only</i> if you notify the police AND your automobile insurance carrier within 30 days of the accident. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>4. Next, examine your bike. </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Even if you feel well enough to ride, you should consider calling a friend or a taxi for a ride home or to the hospital. You might have a mild concussion or a hairline fracture. </span><span style="background-color: white;">After crashing in the 2014 Tour de France, race-favorite Alberto Contador rode his bike for half an hour with a fractured tibia bone before pulling out of the race. Then, he required surgery. It took defending champion, Chris Froome, two crashes in a single day of the 2014 Tour de France before he pulled out of the race. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">You are not Alberto Contador or Chris Froome. You're not contending for a World title. So, unless you're 100% certain that you're not injured and your bike is not damaged, it is probably best to call for a ride and to stay off the bike for (at least) a little while. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">If you are going to get back in the saddle, make sure that your fork is not damaged, your handlebars are not broken, and your wheels are not bent. If they are, do not ride. Also, if your cranks, saddle, or seat post are bent or broken, stay off the bike. It is also a good idea to take your bike into a local bike shop after any accident to assess its condition, check for damages, and true your wheels. If your helmet stuck the ground or a vehicle, you should replace it. Save any receipts for services to your bike or expenses resulting from the accident, as those can be proof of damages that you can submit for reimbursement in a later lawsuit or insurance claim. </span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><br />
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<b>5. The aftermath.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Many times after a traumatic event, pain takes a few hours to set in. Have you ever done a hard workout, felt good, but then felt incredibly sore the next day? Muscle strains and sprains sometimes take a few days to fully develop. If you have left the scene of a bicycle accident feeling well, only to develop soreness hours or, even, days later, it is crucial to seek proper medical attention from your family care physician or a walk-in medical clinic. In addition to getting evaluated for injuries and obtaining peace of mind, if you need to file a lawsuit for damages down the road, documented medical treatment will be necessary to establish your claim. Your primary care physician can refer you for x-rays, send you to an orthopedic physician, and prescribe physical therapy, if necessary. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">As soon as possible after the accident, contact the insurance company of the other driver and/or your own insurance carrier. You will need to file a claim in order to receive any benefits. The insurance company may send you forms and ask for a statement. If you are asked to provide a <b>written or recorded statement</b>, you should refuse to do so before talking to a lawyer. Again, anything you say (orally or <i>in writing</i>) can and will be used against you in court! If you are asked to sign any medical authorizations (which serve to release your privileged medical treatment records to the insurance company), you may also want to consult an attorney. At the very least, you should restrict the authorizations to releasing medical treatment records relating specifically to your accident. In most cases, the authorizations sent by insurance companies are broad and unlimited. You need to restrict what is released by the authorization to the treatment that you received after the accident. Otherwise, the insurance company will be able to review all of your medical records from any provider included on the authorization. For this reason, consultation with a lawyer may be required.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Even if you decide not to retain a lawyer to assist you with your claim, it is helpful to speak with a lawyer about your accident, your injuries, and the claim process. Most lawyers - </span></span><a href="http://www.dolfilawpc.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">including me</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> - will provide a free initial consultation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>6. Something to consider before your next ride. </b></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you are going to be on the road, always carry identification or purchase Road Id or a similar product. Road Id identifies you and your important personal contacts to the authorities in the event that you cannot provide the information yourself.</span><br />
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Also, current medical research is revealing how concussions and even mild traumatic brain injuries can lead to long-term health problems. Some medical providers, such as <a href="http://www.novacare.com/services/sports-medicine/concussion-management/" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">NovaCare Rehabilitation</span></span></a>, provide baseline concussion testing. A baseline concussion test allows a clinical team of specialists to compare your personal results from before a diagnosed concussion to your post-accident results. Using that data, a specific healing and rehabilitation protocol can be established for your specific injury. If you ride a bicycle on a frequent basis, it is a good idea to get yourself screened and establish a baseline for concussion analysis. <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Before departing <span style="font-family: inherit;">for any ride, you should let friends or loved ones know when and where you're going to be riding. From personal</span> experience, I recommend that you be honest regarding your ride times. If you are going for a three hour ride, do not tell your friends or loved ones that you will only be gone for two hours. Initially, they'll worry about you when you do not come home on time. And, eventually, they'll start to add an hour on to your stated ride time. When that happens, you might find yourself stranded without aid for a significant period of time. So, be honest about your ride time and carry identification because you can't always keep the rubber side down.</span> </div>
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Thanks for reading. <br />
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Pghbikelawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00588798730115926707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902257659170665040.post-6363156684499142522014-12-09T08:00:00.002-08:002017-11-01T16:31:09.406-07:00Pa Bike Laws - Know the Rules of the Road<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDHPBJBmfPCb_X-t-0O17zJx4f0o5ezJGDq4x-Jpk0TwAvKDvEnmetMHDtGHvwIsQQKoMUfw9W1qxVLJ0xMTCeejKiwtXG-MJw-3GYAznm2ddHeVRnaWTL0NSD0aAL1T5RmJswXSy8JM/s1600/vancouver-cyclists-bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDHPBJBmfPCb_X-t-0O17zJx4f0o5ezJGDq4x-Jpk0TwAvKDvEnmetMHDtGHvwIsQQKoMUfw9W1qxVLJ0xMTCeejKiwtXG-MJw-3GYAznm2ddHeVRnaWTL0NSD0aAL1T5RmJswXSy8JM/s1600/vancouver-cyclists-bike.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bicycling on the road can be dangerous. Unexpected road conditions, inclement weather, distracted drivers, and inattentive passengers exiting from parked vehicles can present serious hazards. Knowing the "Rules of the Road" can help to reduce the risks of these hazards and keep you safe for that next ride. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<br />
Here are some of the pertinent rules to know next time you hit the road. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><u>Bicycles are “Vehicles.”</u></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Under the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code, Title 75, vehicles
propelled solely by human-powered pedals are considered “pedacycles.”<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Pedacycles are “vehicles” for purposes of the
Motor Vehicle Code, but they are not “<i>motor</i>
vehicles.”<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Because bicycles are propelled by
human-powered pedals, cyclists are considered to be operating “vehicles” upon
the roadways and, therefore, they are generally afforded all of the rights of
the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code, but they are also subject to all of the
duties applicable to motorists.<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref3" title="">[3]</a></span></span><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref3" title=""><!--[endif]--></a></span>
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The distinction between a “vehicle” and “motor vehicle” is
important to cyclists because the operator of a pedacycle is subject to
prosecution for “driving under the influence” of alcohol or other controlled
substances.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> However, because a pedacycle is not a “motor
vehicle,” the implied consent law (under which motor vehicle operators are deemed
to have given consent to one or more chemical tests of breath, blood, or urine
for the purpose of determining the alcoholic content of blood) is not
applicable to cyclists.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Also, evidence of the consumption of alcohol
by a cyclist is inadmissible at trial as unfairly prejudicial, unless the
evidence reasonably establishes intoxication.<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"> <a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref6" title=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></a> </span>Evidence of intoxication for a cyclist
includes, but is not limited to, objective criteria such as staggering,
stumbling, slurred speech, or erratic operation of the bike.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> It would not be difficult for a trained
police officer to meet the burden of establishing intoxication. Therefore, it is best to avoid drinking and
riding.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> II.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><u>Stay to the Right, Mostly.</u></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong> </strong>When riding a bicycle on the roadways, it is lawful – and
always best – unless otherwise impractical or unsafe, to ride on the right-hand
side of the road or upon the shoulder.
Motorists expect cyclists to keep to the right (unless the cyclist is
passing another vehicle or attempting to make a left turn) and, therefore, this
is the safest location to ride. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Under the Motor Vehicle Code, bicycles may be ridden on the
shoulders of roads, in the same direction as traffic upon the roads, and may be
operated at speeds slower than prevailing speeds.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> If a cyclist is travelling at a speed slower
than the prevailing speed of traffic, he or she should operate in the
right-hand lane or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of
the roadway unless passing another vehicle or preparing to make a left turn at
an intersection or into an alley, road, or driveway.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref9" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Cyclists do not always have to travel in the right-hand
lane or along the right-hand curb or edge of the road. Rather, a cyclist may use more of the roadway
if unsafe conditions exist or if the road is no wider than one lane of traffic
in each direction.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref10" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> But, as a general matter, cyclists are moving
slower than the prevailing speeds of traffic and should, therefore, keep to the
right. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> For cyclists riding on the right-hand side of the road, caution
must be exercised when riding near parked vehicles so that the rider may avoid
suddenly and unexpectedly encountering an open car door. The Motor Vehicle Code prohibits motorists from
opening car doors unless it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without
interfering with the movement of other traffic.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref11" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[11]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Further, the Code prohibits motorists from
leaving car doors on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic from
being left open for any period of time longer than necessary to load or unload
passengers.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref12" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[12]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Courts have even held that although motorists
and passengers in motor vehicles have the right to step out of their vehicles
and onto the roadway, they have a duty to look for approaching traffic,
including bicycles, and must continue to look when exiting a vehicle and
exercise reasonable care under the circumstances.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref13" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[13]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Notwithstanding these provisions of the Motor
Vehicle Code, many motorists are likely unaware of these rules or they disregard
them. Therefore, it is essential that
cyclists exercise caution for their own safety while passing vehicles parked
along the right side of the road. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">III.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Riding Bicycles on the Left-Hand Side of the Road.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Although bicycles should typically be ridden on the
right-hand side of the road, or in the right lane, there are times when
bicycles may lawfully be operated on the left-hand side of the road. Cyclists riding on one-way streets that have two
or more marked traffic lanes (all in the same direction of travel) may ride as
near the left-hand curb or edge of the roadway as practicable, exercising due
care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref14" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[14]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Also, if a cyclist – while riding in the
right-hand lane or as near to the right-hand curb of the road as practicable – is
overtaking another vehicle (e.g., a car or another bicycle), the rider <i><u>must</u></i> pass to the left of the
other vehicle at a safe distance and stay to the left of the other vehicle
until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"> <a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref15" title=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[15]</span></span><!--[endif]--></a></span>
This rule applies to motor vehicles
passing cyclists traveling on the road.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref16" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[16]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <b><u>Note</u></b>:
Pennsylvania law requires an operator of a motor vehicle who is overtaking a cyclist
proceeding in the same direction as the motorist to pass to the left of the cyclist
<b>at a distance not less than four feet </b>at
a careful and prudent reduced speed.<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref17" title="">[17]</a> </span></span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">IV.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Riding
Side-By-Side on the Roads<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> When riding on highways, cyclists are not permitted to
ride more than two abreast.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref18" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[18]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> This restriction does not apply to cyclists
riding on paths or parts of the road set aside for the exclusive use of
pedacylces. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Note:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> In Philadelphia,
cyclists must ride single file upon all roadways.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref19" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[19]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> This restriction in Philadelphia does not
apply to cyclists riding on paths or parts of the road set aside for the
exclusive use of bicycles. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">V.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Riding on Sidewalks<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Unless permitted by “official traffic-control devices,” bicycles
typically may not be ridden upon sidewalks in business districts. If there is a usable pedacycle-only lane
adjacent to a sidewalk, bicycles <i><u>must</u></i>
be ridden in the bike lane and not upon the sidewalk.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref20" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[20]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> If a cyclist is properly riding on a sidewalk,
or any other path that is also used by pedestrians, the cyclist must yield the
right-of-way to pedestrians and give an audible signal before overtaking or
passing any pedestrian.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref21" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[21]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> In Philadelphia, no person 12 years of age or
older may ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk in any district.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref22" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[22]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><b style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">VI.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><b style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Riding Without a Helmet</span></u></b></span></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Generally, it is only unlawful for a person under 12
years of age to ride a bicycle without a helmet.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref23" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[23]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Violation of this law may result in a fine to
the parents or guardians of the youth of no more than $25.00.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref24" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[24]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Although it is unlawful for an individual under 12 years
of age to ride a bicycle without a helmet, the fact that a cyclist was not
wearing a helmet may not be used as evidence against the cyclist in any civil
lawsuit to establish contributory negligence or for any other reason.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref25" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[25]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Thus, if a cyclist is injured while riding a
bicycle without a helmet, evidence of the fact that he or she was not wearing a
helmet at the time of the accident causing his or her injuries is not
admissible in any civil lawsuit. The
term “wearing a pedalcycle helmet” means having a pedalcycle helmet of good fit
fastened securely upon the head with the helmet straps.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref26" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[26]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">VII.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lamps, Reflectors, and Other Equipment <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> If a cyclist is riding between sunset and sunrise, he or
she must have a headlamp that emits a beam of white light intended to
illuminate the cyclist’s path and be visible from a distance of at least 500
feet to the front.<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"> <a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref27" title=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[27]</span></span><!--[endif]--></a></span> The cyclist must also have a red reflector
facing to the rear which is visible at least 500 feet, and an amber reflector
on each side of the bicycle.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref28" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[28]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Cyclists can supplement the required front
and rear lamps/reflectors, but the front lamp must emit a white beam or light,
and the rear lamp must emit a red beam or light.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref29" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[29]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Any supplemental lamps or reflectors worn by
the rider should be capable of being seen from at least 500 feet to the front
and 500 feet to the rear of the bicycle.
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Pedacycles operating on the roads must have brakes
capable of stopping the pedacylce within 15 feet from an initial speed of 15
miles per hour on dry, level, and clean pavement.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref30" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[30]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Also, cyclists may equip their bikes with an
audible device that is capable of providing an audible signal from at least 100
feet away.<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"> <a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref31" title=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[31]</span></span><!--[endif]--></a></span> But cyclists may not equip their bikes with sirens (unfortunately!). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">VIII.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cyclists Have a Duty to Ride Their Bicycles Safely</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> With only a few minor exceptions, every person operating
a bicycle upon a highway must obey the applicable rules of the road as
contained in the Motor Vehicle Code. That
means that a bicycle rider has the same duty as any other vehicle operator to
keep the vehicle under such control that he can stop or turn it to avoid
collisions.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref32" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[32]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> A cyclist cannot “willy-nilly” run his bike into
a standing vehicle and then recover damages for his resulting injury.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref33" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[33]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The fact of whether or not a cyclist was keeping his/her bicycle
under control is likely to be a question for a jury in any civil lawsuit. In one case, the court held that where the
cyclist saw a parked automobile 75 feet away and knew that his view around a curve
was obstructed, the cyclist was bound to realize that he would not be able to
determine whether or not he could pass the automobile safely until he was
almost upon it.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref34" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[34]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> The court held that the cyclist’s “clear duty
was to bring his bicycle under such control that he could stop behind the
parked automobile and not run into it if the necessity, created by a vehicle
approaching in the opposite direction, should develop.”<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref35" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[35]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> With regard to the age of the rider, courts have held
that a boy of fifteen years of age is deemed to be sufficiently capable of
appreciating the dangers incident to bicycle riding to convict him, in a proper
case, of contributory negligence as a matter of law.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref36" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[36]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <b><u>Note</u>: </b>In Philadelphia, the use of headphones
connected to an audio device while operating a bicycle is prohibited.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref37" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[37]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Also, with only limited exceptions, bicycles
are not permitted to be operated on freeways.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref38" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[38]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Freeways are defined by the Motor Vehicle
Code as limited access highways to which the only means of ingress and egress are
by interchange ramps.<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref39" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[39]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Highways are defined by the Motor Vehicle
Code as “the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly
maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes
of vehicular travel.”<a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftnref40" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[40]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Matthew F. Dolfi, Esquire</span></b></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"></span><i><br /></i></b></span> <span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Dolfi Law PC</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">BNY Mellon Center</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">500 Grant Street, Suite 2900</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">412-227-9724</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br /></strong></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><strong>W</strong></span><strong style="color: #222222; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">ebsite:</strong><br /><b style="color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dolfilawpc.com/" style="color: #771100; text-decoration: none;">www.dolfilawpc.com</a></b><br /><b style="color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"></b></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Facebook page:</b><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">Search terms: Bicycle accident cases and lawsuits, Bicycle collisions, Bicycle safety, Bike accident lawsuits, Bike accidents, Bike collisions, Risks for bicycle riders, accident attorney, accident lawyer, bicycle, bicycle accident laws, bicycle accident, bicycle accident attorney, bicycle risks, bicycle safety, bike accident, cycling, defective road conditions, dangerous roads, dangerous streets, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Matthew F. Dolfi, Matt Dolfi, Pittsburgh Bike Lawyer, Pittsburgh Bike Accident, lawyer-cyclist, The Lawyer Cyclist, dolfilaw, Dolfi Law PC</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C.S. § 102 <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <i>Kronenbitter v. Com., Dept. of Transp.,
Bureau of Driver Licensing</i>, 615 A.2d 949 (Pa. Commw. 1992).</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C.S. § 3501(a)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <i>Com. v. Brown</i>, 620 A.2d 1213 (Pa. Super.
1993)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C.S. § 1547(a); <i>Com. v. Sheriff</i>, 7
Pa. D. & C.4th 201 (C.P. 1990), aff'd, 414 Pa. Super. 652, 598 A.2d 1333
(1991)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Locke
v. Claypool, 426 Pa. Super. 528, 627 A.2d 801 (1993)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn7">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <i>Id.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn8">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C.S. § 3505(b)-(c)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn9">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn9" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[9]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75 Pa.C.S.
§ 3301(c)(1)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn10">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn10" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[10]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C.S. § 3301(c)(2)(i)-(ii)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn11">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn11" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[11]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C.S. § 3705<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn12">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn12" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[12]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <i>Id.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn13">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn13" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[13]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <i>Heath v. Klosterman</i>, 23 A.2d 209 (Pa.
1941).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn14">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn14" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[14]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C.S. § 3505(d)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn15">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn15" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[15]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C.S. § 3303(a)(1)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn16">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn16" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[16]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <i>Id.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn17">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn17" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[17]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C.S. § 3303(3)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn18">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn18" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[18]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C.S. § 3505(e)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn19">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn19" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[19]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> The
Philadelphia Code, Title 12, § 12-804<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn20">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn20" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[20]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C.S. § 3508(b)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn21">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn21" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[21]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C.S. § 3508(a)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn22">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn22" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[22]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> The
Philadelphia Code, Title 12, § 12-808(2)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn23">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn23" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[23]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C.S. § 3510(a)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn24">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn24" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[24]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C.S. § 3510(d)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn25">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn25" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[25]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C.S. § 3510(c)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn26">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn26" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[26]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C.S. § 3510(e)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn27">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn27" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[27]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C.S. § 3507(a)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn28">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn28" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[28]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<i>Id.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn29">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn29" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[29]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span><i>Id.</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn30">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn30" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[30]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C.S. § 3507(c)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn31">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn31" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[31]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75 Pa.C.S. § 3507(b)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn32">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn32" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[32]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <i>Gallenz v. Griffiths, </i>38 A.2d 721 (Pa.
Super. 1944) (citing <i>Mehler v. Doyle</i>,
115 A. 797 (Pa. 1922)). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn33">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn33" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[33]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <i>Id. </i>(citing <i>Simrell v. Eschenbach</i>, 154 A. 369 (Pa. 1931)). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn34">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn34" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[34]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <i>Id.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn35">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn35" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[35]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <i>Id.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn36">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn36" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[36]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <i>Id. </i>(citing <i>Geiger v. Garrett</i>, 113 A. 195 (Pa. 1921)).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn37">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn37" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[37]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> The
Philadelphia Code, Title 12, § 12-812(1).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn38">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn38" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[38]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C. § 3511(a).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn39" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%;">[39]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> 75
Pa.C. § 102.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///N:/Dolfi/Forms/PA%20Bike%20Laws.docx" name="_ftn40" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[40]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Id.</span></i></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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