Pennsylvania Bicycle and E-Bike Accident Lawyer

Somerset attorney gets you the compensation you deserve for your injury

Bicyclists and e-bike riders in Pennsylvania enjoy some of the nation’s most beautiful roads and scenic trails, but sharing the road with larger vehicles comes with real risks. If you’ve been injured in a bicycle or e-bike accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be facing serious injuries, missed work and significant medical bills. At the law office of Matthew R. Zatko, Attorney at Law in Somerset, I am dedicated to helping accident victims recover fair financial compensation for their losses.

Pennsylvania traffic laws affecting bicycle and e-bike riders

Pennsylvania treats bicycles and e-bikes (“pedalcycles with electric assist”) as vehicles whose riders are owed the same duty of reasonable care as other lawful road users. Moreover, motorists must operate with heightened caution around bicycles and e-bikes because they are more vulnerable than cars or trucks. Specifically, Pennsylvania law requires motorists to give all cyclists at least four feet of clearance when passing and to pass at a “prudent reduced speed.” When motorists fail to abide by their duty of care, accidents can happen, often with devastating injuries to riders. In the worst-case scenario, a wrongful death can occur.

Legal requirements for bicycle and e-bike users in Pennsylvania

There are certain restrictions on riding bicycles and e-bikes on public roads. These vehicles are generally prohibited on freeways and limited‑access highways, such as interstates. They may be used on ordinary state and rural highways, as well as on municipal streets. However, riders must follow these safety rules:

  • Obey all traffic laws (signals, stop signs, right-of-way rules).
  • Ride in the same direction as traffic.
  • Use the right lane of the roadway, except when passing, making a left turn or avoiding hazards.
  • Use required lighting at night (front white light, rear red reflector or lights).

Pennsylvania law requires all bicycle and e-bike riders and passengers under 12 years old to wear a helmet that meets federal safety standards. There is no statewide law that mandates helmet use for riders 12 years of age or older, though some municipalities may have their own rules for headgear use.

How comparative negligence works in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule for car accident claims, including those involving bicycles and e-bikes. It means that if a cyclist is found partially at fault for your accident — for example, not using lights at night or failing to signal a turn — their compensation may be reduced in proportion to your degree of fault. However, if they are found to be 51 percent or more at fault, they would be barred from recovering compensation. These determinations can be highly subjective and insurance companies often try to shift blame onto injured cyclists. As your attorney, I will push back against these tactics and focus the claim on the negligent conduct of the motorist involved. 

Will not wearing a helmet affect your compensation?

Though there is no statewide helmet law for adults, wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of serious head or neck injury. What’s more, not wearing a helmet can be considered in a comparative negligence analysis, which can reduce the amount of a victim’s damages in a head injury case. Insurance companies and defense counsel may argue that your injuries could have been less severe had you worn a helmet. I challenge unfair assessments of injuries and fight for maximum recovery of damages.

Talk to a Somerset bicycle accident lawyer today

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a bicycle or e-bike accident in Somerset or anywhere in Pennsylvania, you need a skilled lawyer on your side. Matthew R. Zatko, Attorney at Law, brings years of experience standing up for accident victims against insurance companies and defense counsel. Call me at 814-443-1631 or contact me online to schedule a free initial consultation.