The painted bike lanes on Lehigh Avenue in Fairhill, Philadelphia run right beside parked cars, leaving riders exposed to opening car doors. Double-parked trucks can force riders into traffic. Drivers making right turns at cross streets can also cut them off. Pennsylvania law allows you to bring a personal injury claim when a driver or passenger causes one of these bicycle accidents.
Cyclists hurt on Lehigh Avenue can turn to Rand Spear – The Accident Lawyer for help. In this discussion, our Fairhill, Philadelphia, bicycle accident lawyers answer key questions about these collisions, from how they happen to who is at fault.
Does Lehigh Avenue Have a Protected Bike Lane in Fairhill, Philadelphia?
No. Through Fairhill, Lehigh Avenue’s bike lanes are marked only by paint, with no physical barrier between riders and moving traffic. The avenue’s only protected bike lanes, where parked cars separate riders from traffic, are on East Lehigh between Kensington and Aramingo Avenues.
That stretch is entirely east of Fairhill. The city upgraded its painted lanes to protected ones in 2022 through the Lehigh Avenue repaving project. A later traffic safety project from 5th Street to Aramingo Avenue added speed cushions, raised center dividers, and clearer sightlines at intersections, but it did not add a bike lane.
North 5th Street and Lehigh Avenue are the neighborhood’s two main shopping streets. Fairhill’s part of the avenue is a wide, two-way street lined with shops and on-street parking.
Cyclists there ride in the bike lane, with parked vehicles on one side and passing traffic on the other. That leaves little room to steer away from an opening door or a vehicle that drifts too close.
Why Are Opening Car Doors So Dangerous for Lehigh Avenue Cyclists?
Cyclists in Fairhill’s bike lanes ride within reach of car doors that can open with almost no warning. They pass on the traffic side of parked cars, which is where drivers usually step out. Riders who hit the door, or steer hard to avoid it, can be thrown into the travel lane and struck by a passing vehicle.
A car door can open anywhere along a block, not only at a corner. NHTSA data shows that 60% of cyclist deaths nationwide in 2024 happened away from intersections.
How Do Double-Parked Trucks Put Cyclists at Risk in Philadelphia’s Fairhill?
A double-parked truck blocks the bike lane, forcing cyclists out into moving traffic. Drivers coming up behind may have only a second to spot the rider, creating a serious risk of a sideswipe collision. Delivery drivers stepping out of their cabs can also open doors directly into a passing cyclist’s path.
Delivery trucks frequently double-park on Lehigh Avenue because of the many small businesses along the corridor. Because Fairhill’s bike lanes lack physical barriers, drivers can easily pull in and stop in the lane.
How Do Right-Turning Drivers Cause Bicycle Accidents at Lehigh Avenue’s Cross Streets?
A driver who passes a cyclist and then immediately turns right at an intersection can cut directly across the rider’s path, a dangerous maneuver known as a right-hook crash. Drivers who have just passed a bicycle often assume they are far enough ahead to complete the turn, leaving the rider with no time or room to brake.
Because the bike lane runs along the right side of Lehigh Avenue, drivers turning right onto side streets must cross directly over it. Parked cars and stopped trucks near corners can also block a turning driver’s view of an approaching cyclist.
Why Are Bicycle Accidents So Serious for Riders in the Fairhill Area of Philadelphia?
Unlike drivers, cyclists have no metal frame, seat belt, or airbag to protect them. Even a slow collision with a vehicle or a car door can cause severe injuries. The NHTSA counted five cyclist deaths in Philadelphia in 2024, out of 136 people killed in traffic crashes across the city. The city’s cyclist death rate that year, 0.32 per 100,000 people, matched the national rate exactly.
Riders who survive can face head injuries, broken bones, and time away from work. When a crash throws a rider into moving traffic, a second impact from another vehicle can make those injuries worse.
What Duties Do Drivers Owe Cyclists on Lehigh Avenue in Fairhill, Philadelphia?
Drivers and their passengers must take reasonable care not to hit cyclists. Those who fail to do so may be held responsible for a rider’s injuries. Pennsylvania law requires anyone opening a vehicle door to wait until doing so is reasonably safe. Opening the door also must not interfere with other traffic, which includes people on bikes.
Drivers may not turn or pull out of a parking space until they can do so with reasonable safety. A double-parked truck that blocks a driver’s view does not excuse the driver from watching for riders.
If a driver or passenger broke one of these rules and hit you, you may be able to file a claim against them. At Rand Spear – The Accident Lawyer, our Fairhill bicycle accident lawyers hold careless drivers on Lehigh Avenue accountable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lehigh Avenue Bicycle Accidents in Fairhill, Philadelphia
- What Should I Do First if a Car Hits Me While I Am Riding in Fairhill?
Get medical care right away, even if you feel well enough to ride home. If you can, photograph the vehicle, any open door or double-parked truck, and the spot where your bike landed before anything is moved. Call the police so the crash is on record, and ask nearby shops on Lehigh Avenue whether their security cameras caught it.
- What Losses Can I Recover After a Bicycle Accident in Fairhill?
Usually, you can recover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering caused by the crash. Save your receipts, pay records, and doctor’s notes to show what the injury has cost you.
- What Affects How Long a Bicycle Accident Claim Takes in Fairhill?
The biggest factor is usually how long your medical treatment lasts. A fair settlement is hard to calculate until your doctors know whether you will need more care, such as surgery or physical therapy. A dispute over who caused the crash, or a case that must go to court, can add months.
If You Were Hurt in a Crash, Contact Our Fairhill, Philadelphia Bicycle Accident Lawyers at Rand Spear – The Accident Lawyer
If an opening car door, a passing vehicle, or a right-turning driver hit you while you were riding on Lehigh Avenue, reach out to our Fairhill, Philadelphia bicycle accident lawyers at Rand Spear – The Accident Lawyer. Our team can handle the calls from the driver’s insurance company while you recover. Call 215-985-0138 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Located in Philadelphia, as well as Cherry Hill and Marlton, NJ, we assist clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
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