On Byberry and Red Lion Roads in Somerton, Philadelphia, drivers who misjudge an oncoming rider during a left turn or lane change often cause motorcycle accidents. Both roads were built long before automobiles, and their sharp bends and angled intersections make motorcycles harder to see and judge. Because riders have little physical protection, injuries can be severe. If a careless driver hits you, they can be held financially responsible through a personal injury claim.
At Rand Spear – The Accident Lawyer, our Somerton motorcycle accident lawyers seek compensation for riders from the drivers who caused their crashes. The rest of this discussion looks at how both roads took shape and at the driving mistakes that are easy to make on them.
The Long History of Byberry and Red Lion Roads
Founded in 1694, Byberry Township once covered this part of the Far Northeast. Its early routes began as Lenape footpaths and later became wagon trails, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Byberry Road and Red Lion Road trace back to that era, long before cars existed.
Most of Somerton’s homes and side streets came centuries later. Builders fit the new blocks around the old roads instead of straightening them. As a result, Byberry and Red Lion still bend and cross many side streets at an angle.
Red Lion Road also carries through traffic. It has few features designed to slow drivers down.
Why Do Angled Intersections Make Motorcycles Harder to Judge in Somerton, Philadelphia?
An angled intersection gives drivers a poorer view of oncoming traffic, making a motorcycle’s speed and distance even harder to judge. At a square intersection, drivers can look straight left and right before they turn or pull out. At a slanted one, traffic arrives from an angle, so the size of a gap is harder to read. Depending on the angle, checking one direction can mean looking partly behind the vehicle.
Because a motorcycle occupies a small profile in a driver’s view, it is easy to miss entirely. NHTSA data shows that 38% of nationwide motorcyclist fatalities in 2024 occurred in crashes at intersections.
Why Are Left Turns So Dangerous for Riders on Byberry Road?
Left turns are dangerous because one misjudged gap puts the turning vehicle directly across a rider’s path. In April 2022, a car traveling at high speed hit a pickup truck turning left onto Byberry Road at Bustleton Avenue. The fatal crash split the car in half. Neighbors told NBC10 Philadelphia that crashes at the intersection happen regularly, including one the week before.
A left turn across traffic can be even more dangerous when the vehicle going straight is a motorcycle. Mile for mile, motorcyclists in 2024 died at almost 27 times the rate of people in passenger cars, NHTSA figures show.
How Do the Bends on Byberry and Red Lion Roads Hide Motorcycles?
A bend shortens how far ahead drivers can see, so an approaching motorcycle may stay out of view until it is close. Drivers waiting at a nearby side street have less time to spot a rider and judge the gap. A larger vehicle traveling ahead of the bike makes the problem worse. Waiting drivers may see only that car or truck and pull out right after it passes, into the motorcycle’s path.
Riders rounding a bend may also find a vehicle stopped or turning across their lane, with little distance left to brake.
How Can a Lane Change on Red Lion Road Lead to a Motorcycle Crash?
An unsafe lane change can cause a crash when a driver fails to notice a motorcycle in the adjacent lane or loses control. A motorcycle can easily be hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot, where a quick mirror check might miss it. Drifting is another major danger; a vehicle that gradually wanders out of its lane gives a nearby rider very little time or warning to react.
In April 2025, a car went out of control during a lane change on Red Lion Road, NBC10 reported. It veered into oncoming traffic, and a 19-year-old passenger was killed. Riders coming the other way face the same danger when any vehicle leaves its side of the road. A motorcycle has little room to escape, forcing riders to brake hard or steer toward the edge of the road.
Who Is at Fault When a Driver Pulls Into a Rider’s Path in Somerton, Philadelphia?
Usually, the driver who turned or pulled out in front of the motorcycle is at fault. Pennsylvania law requires drivers turning left to yield to oncoming vehicles that are close enough to be a hazard. A motorcycle counts as a vehicle under that rule. Anyone pulling out of a side street must also wait for a safe gap in traffic.
Before changing lanes, drivers must make sure the move is safe. Misjudging a motorcycle’s speed or distance does not excuse a driver who fails to yield.
At Rand Spear – The Accident Lawyer, our Somerton motorcycle accident attorneys examine the intersection’s layout and evaluate what the other driver could see. This investigation helps establish which driver made the dangerous maneuver.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accidents in Philadelphia’s Somerton Neighborhood
- How Can I Tell if I Have a Case After a Motorcycle Crash?
You may have a case if another driver’s mistake caused your crash and you were injured. You can call us even if you are not sure exactly what happened. We can talk it through with you and tell you whether a claim makes sense.
- What Happens if the Driver Who Hit Me Has Too Little Insurance?
Your own policy may help. If the at-fault driver had no insurance or not enough, your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can pay for injuries that driver’s insurance does not cover. In Pennsylvania, insurers must offer this coverage, but buying it is optional, and turning it down requires signing a written rejection form.
- What Can I Recover After a Motorcycle Accident in Somerton?
You can seek money for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. What your claim is worth depends on how serious the injuries are and how long recovery takes.
Were You Hurt While Riding? Talk to Our Somerton, Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers at Rand Spear – The Accident Lawyer
If a driver’s mistake on Byberry Road or Red Lion Road left you hurt, reach out to our Somerton, Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Rand Spear – The Accident Lawyer. We represent riders injured by careless drivers across the Far Northeast. 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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