tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62891676419918374632024-03-19T01:25:08.450-07:00Philly Bike LawyerPHILLY BIKE LAWYER was created for bicycle accident and crash victims. Our team of experienced trial lawyers represent cyclists injured by negligent drivers, potholes, faulty repairs, product defects and other dangerous conditions. If you were injured while riding your bicycle, we can help! Contact us at <a href="http://www.phillybikelawyer.com">phillybikelawyer.com</a> or call (267) 423-4464.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11253672026819545923noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-69172990157343284092018-06-01T14:45:00.001-07:002018-06-01T14:52:53.457-07:00Use Google Maps to Win Your Pothole Case<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwpvM3a4__u0sufgJBLs1MdyTS23sAZUd8iuezuQra66_gNuBQcBgP202KRp1ftAkMXexSaEMXK3-xD4KfO31HBLjWKVE8rR3NMb76zQEOAk3o7zN8aLYpyJ4IgyTMUAMoH6AUiimnugz/s1600/Pothole+Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="325" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwpvM3a4__u0sufgJBLs1MdyTS23sAZUd8iuezuQra66_gNuBQcBgP202KRp1ftAkMXexSaEMXK3-xD4KfO31HBLjWKVE8rR3NMb76zQEOAk3o7zN8aLYpyJ4IgyTMUAMoH6AUiimnugz/s320/Pothole+Logo.png" width="281" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">Many bicyclists think the City of Philadelphia (and other municipalities) is immune from lawsuits. While this is generally true, the City can be sued for bicycle crashes caused by potholes or other defects in the street. 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 8542, 8255.</span><br />
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In order to win a pothole case, the bicyclist must prove that the City had "constructive" or "actual" notice of the pothole before the bicyclist's crash. <i style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.85px;">See</i><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.85px;">,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.85px;"> </span><i style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.85px;">e.g.</i><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.85px;">,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.85px;"> </span><i style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.85px;">Mason v. City of Allentown</i><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.85px;">, 2013 Pa. Dist. & Cnty. Dec. LEXIS 443 (Pa. C.P. 2013).</span></div>
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Constructive notice means the City was not actually aware of a pothole before the crash, but <i>should have </i>been aware of the pothole. <span style="font-size: 14.85px;">Had the City been acting with reasonable diligence, moreover, then</span> the pothole would have been discovered and corrected . The longer the pothole existed before the crash, the more likely the City will be found liable through constructive notice.</div>
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But how does a bicyclist prove the age of a pothole? And how does a bicyclist prove the existence of a pothole once it's paved over?</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.85px;">I previously wrote about Pennsylvania's </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">“Right to Know Law” (or “Open Records Law”), 65 P.S. §§ 67.101,</span><i style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"> et seq.</i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.85px;">, and how bicyclists can submit information requests to determine whether roadwork was performed in the area of a pothole. Right to Know requests can also be used to determine if the City received prior complaints about a pothole.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.85px;">Google Maps is another powerful tool, particularly Google's "<a href="https://support.google.com/earth/answer/148094?hl=en">time machine</a>" feature. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.85px;">In most cities, Google Street View cars will photograph the same roadway once every few years. In addition to capturing <a href="https://mashable.com/2017/08/26/weird-google-street-view-sightings/#7uWY0zOkMmqw">bizarre glimpses of everyday life</a>, these photographs often capture potholes and other roadway defects. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.85px;">Here's a pothole - in a bicycle lane - that injured one of my clients last month:</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLeOkrzBdzvRkcY27o_TgEmJu_IVZVyje1ALEE5chbLYXUYG8EfO5jmgAxqJmjei9weYEuHnGGkNOK5FRhbmph9Lst-70CgIOzkaWD6zQIvArFeU9mUUQukGA00oK_Bq-ueSYy63ZsNfE/s1600/IMG_2996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLeOkrzBdzvRkcY27o_TgEmJu_IVZVyje1ALEE5chbLYXUYG8EfO5jmgAxqJmjei9weYEuHnGGkNOK5FRhbmph9Lst-70CgIOzkaWD6zQIvArFeU9mUUQukGA00oK_Bq-ueSYy63ZsNfE/s320/IMG_2996.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken on May 25, 2018</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKbwJU_f2oWj7AV7biZn-rYus_yWzizOMTbaY-6So48R1_7R-7qP2_Rp1khYacVsOP3nEDjNIMFnwy-3cZECm63FqO8HG0CbK7Aty4TU6Yn2BQvT1LrXg9vpuRxOhEieO_ZaZSUlOcXib/s1600/IMG_2997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKbwJU_f2oWj7AV7biZn-rYus_yWzizOMTbaY-6So48R1_7R-7qP2_Rp1khYacVsOP3nEDjNIMFnwy-3cZECm63FqO8HG0CbK7Aty4TU6Yn2BQvT1LrXg9vpuRxOhEieO_ZaZSUlOcXib/s320/IMG_2997.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken on May 25, 2018</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">That same pothole is depicted on Google Maps, which also shows the pothole's progression:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kNiikUUyXqqB_hj-Dl5JBkVT5WNqEtn3YSCltCE-hB4F8AlVSPM82ZjvTOl_cw6cPV46EXnJbU3YnLXtjg0cfM-XrMHjk_FiMmlWKR4tUwBEcxE8NH7RxaPpQYcAZQHoEeFQ3fwt0uq8/s1600/Oct+2016.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="1527" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kNiikUUyXqqB_hj-Dl5JBkVT5WNqEtn3YSCltCE-hB4F8AlVSPM82ZjvTOl_cw6cPV46EXnJbU3YnLXtjg0cfM-XrMHjk_FiMmlWKR4tUwBEcxE8NH7RxaPpQYcAZQHoEeFQ3fwt0uq8/s640/Oct+2016.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From October 2016, Showing Roadwork at the Future Pothole Site</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbA7PM-zqirWylzQ1aW-e8_ToszfOnxX7g5ubwTHhCVDK-3fl4Q4XhjDpCP7WNE1gvE5H-ygJVjh_U3HcL6s4BmPVPTXnYU6aJUgi1pE456nXakcuHuhqLeSUQ2Vlh4QDE6WtG6qYiBIfw/s1600/July+2017.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1550" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbA7PM-zqirWylzQ1aW-e8_ToszfOnxX7g5ubwTHhCVDK-3fl4Q4XhjDpCP7WNE1gvE5H-ygJVjh_U3HcL6s4BmPVPTXnYU6aJUgi1pE456nXakcuHuhqLeSUQ2Vlh4QDE6WtG6qYiBIfw/s640/July+2017.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From July 2017, Showing the Pothole for the First Time</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43avT9IdP5Vwh2XLJznh5L5axsrY7pZJ2k9-wG3PJs-c9FOgvYOD3Uedag46x3K4c7rSY16oLa8jgWq_pMK-RLnbMqVYNcr-scuzpTEyQ9wQRBsyKTM7PypdKDfYtiKek6hiOi2LpbX9S/s1600/Nov+2017.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="1520" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43avT9IdP5Vwh2XLJznh5L5axsrY7pZJ2k9-wG3PJs-c9FOgvYOD3Uedag46x3K4c7rSY16oLa8jgWq_pMK-RLnbMqVYNcr-scuzpTEyQ9wQRBsyKTM7PypdKDfYtiKek6hiOi2LpbX9S/s640/Nov+2017.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From November 2017, Again Showing the Pothole</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">The first Google Maps image shows roadwork in October 2016 where the pothole would eventually develop. The next two images establish that the pothole existed as far back as July 2017. My client's accident happened nearly ten months after that.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">Thanks to Google Maps, it should be a breeze charging the City with constructive notice.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">If your injuries were caused by a pothole or defect in the street, you should contact an attorney at </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"><span style="color: #bf9000;">PHILLY BIKE LAWYER</span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"> - all consultations are free, just call (267) 423-4464. Call now or submit an inquiry <a href="http://phillybikelawyer.com/contact.php">here</a>. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">You have six months from your bicycle accident to file your pothole claim with the City. </span><br />
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Philly Bike Lawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075934686713753631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-57923989218271656962017-04-13T08:34:00.002-07:002017-04-13T08:34:41.065-07:00Protected Bike Lane in University City to be Discussed on April 19<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-hc_seLTsc-sZRfGan0z-PlAaqVx72zkr7ZKChpqh6QCnVufAOapGQI2WS7kjm9-fPNwtyl-6aEQoBP8p7VGiNBdT3pliMzOrmOHfQfsxJn9Ev5zO5aH-1K67xZ8p4elMtmM3cBx8hLx/s1600/WChestnutSt_PublicMtgAnnouncement_April2017-1-1-768x994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-hc_seLTsc-sZRfGan0z-PlAaqVx72zkr7ZKChpqh6QCnVufAOapGQI2WS7kjm9-fPNwtyl-6aEQoBP8p7VGiNBdT3pliMzOrmOHfQfsxJn9Ev5zO5aH-1K67xZ8p4elMtmM3cBx8hLx/s320/WChestnutSt_PublicMtgAnnouncement_April2017-1-1-768x994.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As part of its <a href="http://phillybikelawyer.blogspot.com/2015/11/vision-zero-philadelphia-new-policy.html">Vision Zero</a> plan, the City of Philadelphia has proposed a protected bike lane on Chestnut Street, between 34th and 45th Streets, in University City. The public is invited to attend an open house to discuss the project.<br />
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<b><u>Open House Details</u></b><br />
Date: Wednesday, April 19, 2017<br />
Time: Between 6:30 - 8 PM<br />
Where: The Enterprise Center, 4548 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA<br />
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<br />Philly Bike Lawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075934686713753631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-1431655310945044552017-03-28T14:32:00.000-07:002017-03-28T14:33:23.406-07:00Spring is a Dangerous Time for Bikers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yBPQ9_mWu5k5YFCrP0G4hb3I3WFIYYHXSov1j8yFxoI53dRNEdk6C_h6UEjiPxZHHsyudHg2QZPYWKuNVCHcUTfHl3R1V-CLVIHdMDlm9N9r1gNmm8nPAKxVBdBYDOFapUUDMzsMwv5y/s1600/cherry-blossom-1716757_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yBPQ9_mWu5k5YFCrP0G4hb3I3WFIYYHXSov1j8yFxoI53dRNEdk6C_h6UEjiPxZHHsyudHg2QZPYWKuNVCHcUTfHl3R1V-CLVIHdMDlm9N9r1gNmm8nPAKxVBdBYDOFapUUDMzsMwv5y/s640/cherry-blossom-1716757_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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It was a long winter, but Spring is finally here. That means Philadelphia's bicycle scene is blossoming, just like the cherry trees along the Schuylkill River. That should bring a smile to everyone's face.<br />
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But Spring can also be a dangerous time for bicyclists. Many are getting back on the road for the first time in several months. City drivers are reacquainting themselves with the 4 foot rule. And, to make matters worse, the Spring thaw means potholes will be <i>everywhere</i>. <br />
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A word of advice: get back into it slowly. Review the <a href="http://phillybikelawyer.com/FAQs.php">laws</a>, stay away from Broad Street and, most importantly, have your bicycle serviced at your neighborhood shop. <br />
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If you have the misfortune of being in an accident, call <b><a href="http://phillybikelawyer.com/contact.php">PhillyBikeLawyer</a> </b>at 267-423-4464.Philly Bike Lawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075934686713753631noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-72630393793728495512016-11-30T06:09:00.000-08:002016-11-30T06:09:10.942-08:0063 Pedestrian and Bicyclist Fatalities in 20162016 has been a horrible year for pedestrians and bicyclists in Philadelphia, with 63 fatalities to date. Mayor Kenny has promised to implement a <a href="http://phillybikelawyer.blogspot.com/2015/11/vision-zero-philadelphia-new-policy.html">Vision Zero</a> policy, as one of his <a href="http://phillybikelawyer.blogspot.com/2016/06/phillys-groundbreaking-soda-tax-passes.html">soda tax</a> payoffs, but little progress has been made.<br />
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Read more at <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/inga_saffron/If-you-want-to-kill-someone-and-not-get-punished-use-a-car.html">philly.com</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcrYFefYNKm-Kg262X4gEI0PxwYr7QJFDZCyob_YQbFeJIHnEO90smZxCsdhr4xwgegEjDqW2aKFSl0isRSXpJv8dRHiRAC71odaP8WaNduTZaMGpyI_rvwqPTxQEU1fkDmNrP3sca8sB/s1600/000.philly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcrYFefYNKm-Kg262X4gEI0PxwYr7QJFDZCyob_YQbFeJIHnEO90smZxCsdhr4xwgegEjDqW2aKFSl0isRSXpJv8dRHiRAC71odaP8WaNduTZaMGpyI_rvwqPTxQEU1fkDmNrP3sca8sB/s640/000.philly.jpg" width="505" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/inga_saffron/If-you-want-to-kill-someone-and-not-get-punished-use-a-car.html">http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/inga_saffron/If-you-want-to-kill-someone-and-not-get-punished-use-a-car.html</a></td></tr>
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<br />Philly Bike Lawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075934686713753631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-20987856128647752422016-09-02T08:33:00.002-07:002016-09-02T08:33:57.409-07:00Is urban cycling worth the risk?Interesting article by the Financial Times: <a href="https://ig.ft.com/sites/urban-cycling/">https://ig.ft.com/sites/urban-cycling/</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="large" height="231" src="https://ig.ft.com/sites/urban-cycling/assets/london-large.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Illustrations: Lucas Varela; Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2016</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Philly Bike Lawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075934686713753631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-81827886686759326082016-07-05T14:44:00.001-07:002016-07-05T14:44:41.940-07:00How Citizens United Led to Philly's Progressive Soda Tax<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As <a href="https://phillybikelawyer.blogspot.com/2016/06/phillys-groundbreaking-soda-tax-passes.html">previously reported</a>,
Philadelphia has become the second city to pass a soda tax. Revenue from this tax will go towards
building safer streets in Philadelphia under Mayor Kenney’s <a href="http://phillybikelawyer.blogspot.com/">Vision Zero</a> plan, which is
good news for bicyclists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fvni3FMypSiXHyJDtDFuB0VLc4qCsZlYJnX4BrxL4d-RFE1XEHDaUpBhzsADcVKYxuFXynKhm0hLJfn_ujnabVZuITEVJFP922Xk81ULvuEZZiaNiKRe1QQHynrYZ-wevy54Jrp1Ofsn/s1600/gty_mayor_bloomberg_big_gulp_thg_130319_wmain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fvni3FMypSiXHyJDtDFuB0VLc4qCsZlYJnX4BrxL4d-RFE1XEHDaUpBhzsADcVKYxuFXynKhm0hLJfn_ujnabVZuITEVJFP922Xk81ULvuEZZiaNiKRe1QQHynrYZ-wevy54Jrp1Ofsn/s400/gty_mayor_bloomberg_big_gulp_thg_130319_wmain.jpg" width="333" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, many are still unaware of the private funding
that Mayor Kenney received to overcome opposition from the Beverage Lobby. Philadelphia For A Fair Future, a non-profit
group, provided funding to Kenney’s Administration, which was used to mount an
effective pro-tax campaign. This
non-profit group was formed under 501c(4); meaning, it was allowed to raise unlimited amounts of money without
disclosing the identity of donors.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/blog%203%20.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Recently, former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg - who failed to
uphold his own soda ban - admitted that he donated an astounding $1.5 million
to Kenney’s non-profit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Money in politics has become highly
topical since the Supreme Court’s ruling in <i>Citizens
United v. Federal Election Commission</i>.
In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that non-profit groups,
which can accept unlimited corporate funding, do not have to release the names of donors. Under
this ruling, corporations can increase their influence on politics by injecting
cash into campaigns through anonymous donors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 200%;">Thanks to </span><i style="line-height: 200%;">Citizens United, </i><span style="line-height: 200%;">Kenney was able to solicit anonymous funding. Had the Beverage Lobby known Bloomberg was one of Kenney's pro-tax funders, one could imagine a different sort of opposition. Indeed,
Philadelphians might have thought differently about the soda tax had they known an
out-of-state billionaire seeking revenge against the Beverage Lobby paid for Kenney’s television commercials.
Certainly, Bloomberg would have been an easier target than
</span><span style="line-height: 32px;">preschoolers</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that’s the irony of the soda
tax. A democrat mayor passed a
progressive tax opposed by corporate lobbyists thanks largely in part to <i>Citizen’s United</i> - what is widely considered to be a corporate-friendly ruling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 200%;">Kenney has provided other cities
with a roadmap for passing a soda tax. Step one is to seek dark money funding from anti-soda </span><span style="line-height: 32px;">billionaires</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">. Other cities have already begun planning soda tax legislation. Bloomberg has already pushed for a soda tax in Seattle and Multonam County, Oregon.</span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="line-height: 200%;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/blog%203%20.docx#_ftn2" title="">[2]</a> </span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/blog%203%20.docx#_ftn2" title=""><!--[endif]--></a></span><span style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By: Sean Pryzbylkowski</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/blog%203%20.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<a href="http://www.phillymag.com/citified/2016/06/27/jim-kenney-soda-tax-dark-money/">http://www.phillymag.com/citified/2016/06/27/jim-kenney-soda-tax-dark-money/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/blog%203%20.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-beverages-sodatax-bloomberg-idUSKCN0Z3275">http://www.reuters.com/article/us-beverages-sodatax-bloomberg-idUSKCN0Z3275</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11253672026819545923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-46142492482299007442016-06-16T12:21:00.000-07:002016-06-16T12:28:17.069-07:00Philly's Groundbreaking Sugary Beverage Tax Passes, What's Next and What It Means for Bicyclists<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Up until today, Berkeley, California has been the only U.S. city to enact a soda tax into law. Philadelphia is now the second major city with a sugary drink tax. Today, Kenney’s tax became law after Pennsylvania legislators approved his revised bill. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27OaXlsKY4FDCLRUqGVMffc70th-K6RZDnvJE7nJh-cZtMg3Yw5VLedN2YoTj4AwwEJgAWQNJnPe99ZrrpnB4p3fx_fkqKBKUqL3AFHQ51JKgDtUHZbnwnArtsREFFtF2QJ3UZzDVOvyr/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27OaXlsKY4FDCLRUqGVMffc70th-K6RZDnvJE7nJh-cZtMg3Yw5VLedN2YoTj4AwwEJgAWQNJnPe99ZrrpnB4p3fx_fkqKBKUqL3AFHQ51JKgDtUHZbnwnArtsREFFtF2QJ3UZzDVOvyr/s400/1.png" title="Soda tax demonstration outside City Hall on June 16, 2016." width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mayor Kenney’s original bill sought to tax sugary drinks at three cents per ounce. City Council reduced that to one and a half cents per ounce, with the inclusion of diet soda. By adding diet soda, projected revenue increased to $91 million annually, just $4 million less then the original bill.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The battle between cities and soft drink companies has happened before, most notably, in New York City. On September 13, 2012, New York City’s Board of Health approved Mayor Bloomberg’s ban on the sale of soda over 16 ounces. Between 2010-2015 the American Beverage Association spent <a href="https://cspinet.org/new/pdf/big-soda-vs-public-health-report.pdf">$15.2 million lobbying</a> against Bloomberg’s legislation, ultimately challenging his soda ban in court. After a final appeal in 2014, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/27/nyregion/city-loses-final-appeal-on-limiting-sales-of-large-sodas.html">New York’s highest court deemed the ban unconstitutional</a> on the basis that the City’s Board of Health exceeded its regulatory authority. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Assuming the Beverage Lobby will challenge Kenney’s tax in court, they face a more difficult task here in Philadelphia. New York’s legislation faced additional judicial scrutiny since it imposed a ban, as opposed to a tax. Furthermore, New York’s Board of Health was found to have exceeded its regulatory power. Only New York’s City Council, and not its Board of Health, had the power to enact such as legislation, according to New York's high court.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Philadelphia’s new tax, which was passed through its legislative body, should be able to withstand a legal challenge. Under the Pennsylvania Constitution, a tax must apply uniformly across products, though absolute uniformity is not required. <i><a href="http://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/supreme-court/1985/507-pa-317-1.html">Leonard v. Thornburgh</a></i>, 507 Pa. 317, 321 (1985). Where application of a tax depends on the product – here, a sugary beverage – then there must be a “just and reasonable basis for the difference in treatment.” <i>Id.</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><table 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/AVvXsEglE5CoxWq8U50j98iETIfKwV-w4Nr7HOeWwkYZ0M0R6GJckVzDuxSW7CRbEBQZYYmnsvrdL9jBap8HtiHEM2y6xyAsPi9oJNBGlpUH54us75kH5O3KqeGa2pujB6O4Gp_983LN3xHcFlZD/s1600/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglE5CoxWq8U50j98iETIfKwV-w4Nr7HOeWwkYZ0M0R6GJckVzDuxSW7CRbEBQZYYmnsvrdL9jBap8HtiHEM2y6xyAsPi9oJNBGlpUH54us75kH5O3KqeGa2pujB6O4Gp_983LN3xHcFlZD/s400/2.png" title="Beverage lobby outside City Hall on June 16, 2016." width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Beverage lobby outside City Hall on June 16, 2016.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With Kenney’s tax, there appears to be sufficient uniformity. It applies to a large universe of drinks – all sugary beverages – and does not single out any particular brand, product, individual or business. To the extent that Kenney’s tax targets only “sugary” drinks, the City has “wide discretion in matters of taxation” – meaning, the City has the power to decide how to generate revenue and, in some circumstances, can impose taxes to influence consumption. <i>Id.</i> at 320. Imposition of a sugary drink tax should be well within the City’s taxation power. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And that’s good news for bikers. Vision Zero should get the funding it desperately needs. Meaning, better bicycle infrastructure and safer streets in Philly's future. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By: Sean Pryzbylkowski</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11253672026819545923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-1399340733141760062016-06-08T15:08:00.000-07:002016-06-08T15:08:10.524-07:00Beverage Lobby Dumps Millions into Philly's Soda Tax Fight, Likely Dooming Vision Zero<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbPHN0As6bGcWKEOt5fwBDw7X0ojtXDlGQ0iV3C9TmpddIenZ_15CAY5SonccWy7HtiOn_sqobocHehAhjfllO1iyNil7jqS_7fn1RHZ8-jyeE7c3FH2573esFk_goQhxOqlX_QKr6MA2/s1600/lobby1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbPHN0As6bGcWKEOt5fwBDw7X0ojtXDlGQ0iV3C9TmpddIenZ_15CAY5SonccWy7HtiOn_sqobocHehAhjfllO1iyNil7jqS_7fn1RHZ8-jyeE7c3FH2573esFk_goQhxOqlX_QKr6MA2/s320/lobby1.png" width="235" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Protesters in Philadelphia stand outside of City Hall with hopes
to stop Mayor Kenney’s proposed sugary drink tax. Projects to be funded by the proposed tax,
such as universal pre-k, may remain pipe dreams. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For Philly bicyclists, the proposed tax is needed to fund
Mayor Kenney’s <a href="http://phillybikelawyer.blogspot.com/2015/11/vision-zero-philadelphia-new-policy.html">Vision Zero</a> promises.
Vision Zero will enable the city to improve upon bicycle infrastructure, with the goal of eliminating bicycle accidents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kenney’s proposed sugary drink tax, however, has
incited <a href="http://phillybikelawyer.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-beverage-lobby-is-posed-to-kill.html">ire from the beverage lobby</a>. After
Kenney announced the tax, the American Beverage Association, which is funded by
companies like Coca Cola and Pepsi, spoke out in opposition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to the <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/sugary-drinks-tax-has-friends-foes-in-philadelphia-1463684801">Wall Street Journal</a>, the
American Beverage Association has already spent roughly $3 million dollars fighting
against Kenney’s proposed tax.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Protests are expected to continue outside City
Hall through Wednesday afternoon, when the bill may be decided. Similar lobbying efforts effectively
prevented a sugary beverage tax proposed by the Nutter administration. If history repeats itself, funding for
projects like Vision Zero will never come to fruition. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rdH8rT2qv6oXslSRWXLzVcTthqOpgbnpFm7oMgyF0Pi_tuQhInyuBvyeFKkkj2WZ5fNDBqgZO5dI_G2SoyiKCpoIO4Ew4Ldh5uzMnqBLwo5rNnhPp2g-7NBYOTBoVfBGqK_-z44kRuAv/s1600/lobby2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUTvdePT6UGv_y1D7PdIm6VTjLh3cXomaJbOnRToj-OXVvDguYwba4LU7RfeZclcLQ6LYw0-nO6Lhh23sJ5xtFnX_iyxp2uy8xHnD7rRD4w1Njx51EXF7YwOsZnvNhSkKzzZnxrdzysSk/s1600/lobby2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUTvdePT6UGv_y1D7PdIm6VTjLh3cXomaJbOnRToj-OXVvDguYwba4LU7RfeZclcLQ6LYw0-nO6Lhh23sJ5xtFnX_iyxp2uy8xHnD7rRD4w1Njx51EXF7YwOsZnvNhSkKzzZnxrdzysSk/s320/lobby2.png" width="231" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that’s a problem. The City needs to invest in new bicycle infrastructure and safety. In 2014 alone, Penndot reported <a href="http://www.phillymag.com/news/2015/05/11/bike-crashes-philadelphia/">551 bicyclecrashes</a> in Philadelphia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mayor Kenney has <a href="http://bicyclecoalition.org/jim-kenneys-responses-to-the-bicycle-coalitions-2015-candidate-questionnaire/#sthash.fVTW7sUd.dpbs">budgeted $250,000</a> towards
bicycle safety projects, which is dependent on the sugary drink tax passing. Meanwhile, corporations are dumping millions
into stopping the proposed tax.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A compromise could be reached tomorrow. Many City Council members are unhappy with
the tax amount. Darrell Clarke,
President of City Council, opposes a 3 cents tax, but would possibly support a
smaller tax. Some members of City Council are open to a tax
that would charge a cent and a half. Such
a compromise would slash potential revenue in half, more than likely killing
many of Kenney’s smaller pet projects, including Vision Zero.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> By: Sean
Pryzbylkowski</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11253672026819545923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-67698136324519852782016-03-16T13:33:00.002-07:002016-03-16T13:34:21.576-07:00The Beverage Lobby is Poised to Kill Vision Zero in Philadelphia<div class="MsoNormal">
Vision Zero is a movement that started in Sweden in the
1990's. The initiative, which seeks to
eliminate traffic-related deaths, has been adopted by several American cities, including
New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. These cities have vowed to overhaul infrastructure,
surveillance systems, public policy, and introduce new legislation in order to protect
pedestrians and bicyclists.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnokkfdkSBekJdXA5DMtI71tfRIuDVXDWlkgHjNSEkjNZIFCaA2aHnSlLPFDXm-8PH04B6CSzfqYxz-kYJfEumnXZfQ3Dvy-omXqcPq1_yIYCA6QUHDzbfovgSlWISbkXOz2vqQyb-gyMW/s1600/kenney+vision+zero.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnokkfdkSBekJdXA5DMtI71tfRIuDVXDWlkgHjNSEkjNZIFCaA2aHnSlLPFDXm-8PH04B6CSzfqYxz-kYJfEumnXZfQ3Dvy-omXqcPq1_yIYCA6QUHDzbfovgSlWISbkXOz2vqQyb-gyMW/s400/kenney+vision+zero.png" width="400" /></a>Philadelphia’s first Vision Zero legislation was signed into
law on December 23, 2015 by Mayor Nutter. The bill,
championed by council members Cindy Bass and Mark Squilla, added an additional
$5 fee onto vehicle registration with proceeds funding street safety improvements.
The bill won praise from Philadelphia’s
bicycle community, including the Bicycle Coalition. The idea of implementing a legitimate Vision
Zero plan in Philadelphia was so popular, that Mayor Kenney turned it into a
talking point during his campaign. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now in office, many of Kenney’s pet projects, like universal
prekindergarten and Vision Zero, appear to be contingent on the survival of his
proposed soda tax. <b>That’s bad news for
bicyclists.</b> Despite many trying, only
one city in the entire country has managed to pass a soda tax- Berkeley,
California. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Kenney also seems to forget that Philadelphia has twice tried
to pass soda taxes in order to balance its budget. In 2011, Nutter proposed a soda tax to raise
$60 million annually for schools, causing beverage lobbyists to overtake City
Hall, eventually killing the idea. Just last year, City Councilman Bobby Henon
considered a tax on sugary beverages to fix the school district's financial woes. Thanks to the beverage lobby, that idea never made it into the proposed education funding package. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wRRncdmfS7IZzJaTracDXJO96AVUxnLSY4-klQkoanQpaDQ3u2JLITFYcA2kRMSetLarh_iKNNjfCh2Jj5WH4DTbHCr2lCH_Iuth-yyVOowyH3H_wFPEduHoaMj6RJQLuPT4nJ0rYKk9/s1600/VISION-ZERO-FOR-PHILADELPHIA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wRRncdmfS7IZzJaTracDXJO96AVUxnLSY4-klQkoanQpaDQ3u2JLITFYcA2kRMSetLarh_iKNNjfCh2Jj5WH4DTbHCr2lCH_Iuth-yyVOowyH3H_wFPEduHoaMj6RJQLuPT4nJ0rYKk9/s200/VISION-ZERO-FOR-PHILADELPHIA.jpg" width="200" /></a>Why should we expect anything different this time
around? Kenney is already under fire for
his presentation of the soda tax, which he repeatedly pegged at 3 cents per
ounce. The Mayor omitted that fountain
drinks would be taxed at 4.5 cents per ounce, and the soda tax sits atop the existing 8 percent sales tax. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Even if Kenney can win public support for his tax, the City
will need to fight-off forthcoming lawsuits from the beverage industry. Such lawsuits successfully overturned
beverage restrictions implemented by New York City’s Board of Health in
2012. </div>
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I hope Kenney has a backup
plan for funding Vision Zero.<o:p></o:p></div>
Philly Bike Lawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075934686713753631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-40531632206310205362016-01-29T07:56:00.001-08:002016-01-29T07:56:11.889-08:00If You Plan On Biking Next Week, Expect Potholes<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Temperatures are supposed to reach the 60’s next week. After our recent snow storm, many will welcome
the mild weather as an opportunity to go biking. With warming temperatures, however, potholes abound.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rapid freezing and thawing is one of the primary causes of
potholes. To make matters worse, this
process is accelerated by rain and snow melt-off. Water also masks a pothole’s depth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1-n9PvnarxF2-Ew0Jb753OBnbUs_G7DW_SRP85MmY8OGZz_tnVJTThcyl1RDuaYQddy07Hd90wuIlyEzNfJzr5eo7zjJOUV9v77s1DHsavY48o6OWpMrKH86zbi4vKEnEJWFZj_RBKGZ/s1600/safe_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1-n9PvnarxF2-Ew0Jb753OBnbUs_G7DW_SRP85MmY8OGZz_tnVJTThcyl1RDuaYQddy07Hd90wuIlyEzNfJzr5eo7zjJOUV9v77s1DHsavY48o6OWpMrKH86zbi4vKEnEJWFZj_RBKGZ/s1600/safe_image.jpg" /></a><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While the weather is alluring, this is a dangerous time for
cycling.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The City is struggling with
managing snow piles, which means less resources will be allocated to filling
potholes.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you do notice a pothole,
you should report it using </span><a href="http://www.phila.gov/311/Pages/default.aspx" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Philly311</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are involved in a bicycle crash caused by a pothole,
there are some things you should know. The
City can be sued for injuries caused by potholes under 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 8542,
8255. However, the injured party has to provide written notice of the accident
to the City within a certain number of days of the occurrence in order to
preserve his/her right to file a lawsuit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Often times, the most difficult part of these cases is
proving that the City had constructive or actual notice of the defect, as
required by the statute. Generally,
constructive notice is proven by demonstrating that the defect existed for such
a period of time that it could have been discovered and corrected through the
exercise of reasonable care. Whereas, actual notice is proven by demonstrating
that the City was aware of the defect prior to the accident. This is why it is
important to report potholes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you were injured in a pothole crash, contact <a href="http://www.phillybikelawyer.com/contact.php"><b><span style="color: #bf9000;">Philly BikeLawyer</span></b></a> for a free consultation at (267) 423-4464.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Philly Bike Lawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075934686713753631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-15677715480741387672015-12-19T12:06:00.002-08:002015-12-19T12:19:29.858-08:00Bicycle-Related Citations Dramatically Dropped in 2015<div>
We made a public records request to the Philadelphia Police Department to get some statistics on bicycle-related citations since 2010. Here's what the PPD provided...</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b>Source: Philadelphia Police Department - TVR Download from Philadelphia
Traffic Court<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">*Note: Numbers subject to change, based on information
received from PTC<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Riding on sidewalks in business districts continues to be the most cited statute. Keep in mind, both Phila. Code § 12-808 and 75 Pa. C.S. § 3508 prohibit cyclists from riding on sidewalks in business districts. However, 3508 also requires cyclists to yield to pedestrians on sidewalks and on pathways. It's unclear which sub-section of 3508 the PPD is citing.<br />
<br />
75 Pa. C.S. § 3501 is usually cited when a bicyclist violates a traffic law, such as failing to stop at an intersection. Just 19 of these tickets have been written since 2010.<br />
<br />
From a public policy perspective, it makes sense that police are more inclined to cite a cyclist for riding on a sidewalk than for violating a traffic law. Citations are meant to deter bad behavior. The PPD should more interested in deterring cyclists from riding on sidewalks. Indeed, cyclists pose more of a threat to pedestrians than cars.<br />
<br />
Overall, enforcement dramatically declined in 2015 despite growing ridership- why is debatable. Factors may include: decreased enforcement efforts, increased compliance by cyclists and a growing bicycle infrastructure. <br />
<br />
If you've received a traffic citation while operating a bicycle, give <b><span style="color: #bf9000;">Philly Bike Lawyer</span></b> a call at 267-423-4464.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11253672026819545923noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-27589893319475955352015-11-24T09:57:00.001-08:002015-11-24T09:57:17.740-08:00Vision Zero Philadelphia: The New Policy That Could Eliminate Bicycle Crash Deaths<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Od0AfeWZIb3pFU19w8Md6q1UyX_clJCZ1rSI7WOe5D6Bbt5TeTr2g0PnnXtdA5tpd8r-UScQ7DEhNq7oTvAi9FL7UsRxvHA3EuPe0yB_9PBMTkUEY3lGaBhKWPsqQ_zcnIE8go6VXN-7/s1600/logo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Od0AfeWZIb3pFU19w8Md6q1UyX_clJCZ1rSI7WOe5D6Bbt5TeTr2g0PnnXtdA5tpd8r-UScQ7DEhNq7oTvAi9FL7UsRxvHA3EuPe0yB_9PBMTkUEY3lGaBhKWPsqQ_zcnIE8go6VXN-7/s400/logo1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">According to the
most recent data published by the US Census Bureau, Philadelphia is the most
bike-friendly city with a population of more than one million people in the
United States.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[i]</span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> Roughly
1.9% of the City’s workers commute by bike. In a world pushing for more
sustainable practices, the growing rate of bicycle commuters is great news.
However, the question remains as to how safe it is for cyclists to share the
road with drivers. In 2014, three cyclists were killed out of a total of 551
crashes that involved pedestrians in Philadelphia.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[ii]</span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
As a comparison, New York City experienced 20 cyclist fatalities, with roughly
four times more cyclists than Philadelphia.</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title="">[i]</a>, </span></span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title="">[iii]</a></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> But New York City has something Philadelphia doesn’t: a Vision Zero policy.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tT29_Uyp9ZrB2F4KLnhZQaSAPN8qkisRZFRA9XQ2TqHcD1y18gU_aJ2ps3HhIgIoUZngnvIzV3CIXU84FQGaeeDB9d7BnJJI11JJx1JeHQOuGh1338xn07niZ-o2D2gqgHwM0TOGvS1O/s1600/BikeCommuting-infographic-slideshow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tT29_Uyp9ZrB2F4KLnhZQaSAPN8qkisRZFRA9XQ2TqHcD1y18gU_aJ2ps3HhIgIoUZngnvIzV3CIXU84FQGaeeDB9d7BnJJI11JJx1JeHQOuGh1338xn07niZ-o2D2gqgHwM0TOGvS1O/s640/BikeCommuting-infographic-slideshow.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bicycle commuting has risen in popularity all over the
country, but no large city has as many bike commuters as Philadelphia has. Courtesy of the League of American Bicyclists</span></h4>
<div class="MsoCaption">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Vision Zero is an
effort to reduce and ultimately eliminate all traffic-related deaths. The
movement started in Sweden in 1993 and earned Swedish parliamentary approval in
1997.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[iv]</span></span></a><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The country’s Vision Zero initiative focuses on both human error and mechanical
systems to improve safety. Education and public services help reduce human
error. Improving systems has been more vital to the Vision Zero initiative.
Vehicle technology, infrastructure improvements, and increased surveillance
systems can all help save lives. A city can do little to improve vehicle
technology, but it can push for measures on every other front.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the past few
years, American cities have begun to implement Vision Zero plans or have stated
initiatives to eliminate traffic-related deaths. Many cities have set strict
deadlines: Chicago hopes to eliminate deaths in 10 years<a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_edn5" name="_ednref5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[v]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a>;
Los Angeles’ goal is 2025, giving the city eleven years to eliminate deaths.<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_edn6" name="_ednref6" title="">[vi]</a></span></span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> New York City announced a Vision Zero policy in 2014, outlining 63 separate initiatives
and adding 40 more earlier this year.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_edn7" name="_ednref7" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[vii]</span></span></a><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The initiatives include reducing the city speed limit to 25 MPH, adding more
crossing guards at schools, installing speed cameras, adding speed humps, and
enhancing street lighting. New York City has also made engineering changes at
50 intersections in the past decade. The city claims that fatalities at these
intersections have decreased twice as fast. New York City also added slow zones
on main arteries, which make up 15% of the city’s roads, but 60% of pedestrian
deaths.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_edn8" name="_ednref8" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[viii]</span></span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Philadelphia has a
Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan, which was instituted in 2012.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_edn9" name="_ednref9" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[ix]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
This plan seeks to cut fatalities and injuries in half by 2020 and raise rates
of biking to 6.5%. Unfortunately, the plan has yet to meet its tangible goals.
One such goal was to reach the League of American Bicyclists’ platinum level by
2013. The city still holds a silver ranking, up from bronze in 2009. The award,
updated every four years, is evaluated based on a city’s engineering of bicycle
safe areas, bicycle education, encouragement of bike culture, enforcement of
laws, and evaluation and planning for bicycle safety.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_edn10" name="_ednref10" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[x]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> In
awarding a ranking, the League looks at a community’s programs, facilities,
bicycle use, fatalities, and other government services related to biking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Philadelphia’s
mayor-elect Jim Kenney stated his support for a Vision Zero policy, meaning
such a policy could be adopted once Kenney is inaugurated.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_edn11" name="_ednref11" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xi]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> The
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, aided by Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital, is hosting a Vision Zero Philadelphia Conference on December 3, 2015
at the Hospital’s Alumni Hall.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_edn12" name="_ednref12" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xii]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The conference will host a number of expert speakers and panelists, including
Department of Transportation, SEPTA, and police employees, as well as other government
employees and private sector experts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is unclear
exactly what new objectives Kenney may initiate, but there are many options.
The League of American Bicyclists highlights many such goals. To reach a
platinum status, which the city currently seeks, a community should have “very
good” bicycle friendly laws and “excellent” public education. From an
engineering perspective, 78% of arterial streets should have bike lanes. A
community also needs 1 bike staff for 20,000 citizens, suggesting Philadelphia
should have almost 80 bike staff. The major outcomes are .5 fatalities and 90
crashes per 10,000 commuters, and 12% ridership for commuters. These fatality
and crash goals are important stepping stones for a potential Vision Zero
policy, and are realistic for the City’s next League review in 2017.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Philadelphia
currently has 600,000 commuters and averages 30-40 pedestrian fatalities per
year, around .6 fatalities per 10,000 commuters, just over the League’s cutoff.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_edn13" name="_ednref13" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xiii]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
However, when one narrows the dataset to just cyclists, the number is slightly
better. While no cyclists died in 2013, the city typically averages two or
three deaths per year.</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" title="">[ii]</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> As of the 2012 plan, 239 of the over 2500
miles of streets in Pennsylvania had bike lanes. By increasing the availability
of these safe lanes, the city should hopefully allow for safer commutes. In
general, increased bike lanes mean more bicyclists, with lanes reducing overall
crashes by roughly half.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_edn14" name="_ednref14" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xiv]</span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Philadelphia has a
long way to go to meet the criteria set forth in its Pedestrian and Bicycle
Plan and even further to become a city with no traffic-related fatalities.
However, the increasing popularity of biking and the increased awareness of
safety mean increasing efforts to lower the dangers of biking in the city. Accordingly,
the city just planned its first protected bike lanes this year. Protected lanes
contain a buffer between bicycles and vehicle traffic, such as shrubbery,
parking spaces, or median strips. The lanes in Philadelphia, which rest between
the curb and a row of parked cars, will become the standard, according to the
Department of Streets commissioner.<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_edn15" name="_ednref15" title=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xv]</span><!--[endif]--></a></span> The
launch of one of the nation’s most accessible bike share programs this year,
one of the only that does not require a credit card for a membership, may help
ridership in the city.<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_edn16" title="">[xvi]</a></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWliCj_RoHHrKf1Tmp8fZmCCQc8ULXcFlGIj4IZR7DnXGE5-guj_E9oat3_dTv9pvI3OhEdVsPbgCwSBxxSISzVfaWmHwOA8cvyjNrNhwIgThbopPnB_KwDa_cDNPYKXzpNZcSL03fwNMv/s1600/5133829565_48fa89ced4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWliCj_RoHHrKf1Tmp8fZmCCQc8ULXcFlGIj4IZR7DnXGE5-guj_E9oat3_dTv9pvI3OhEdVsPbgCwSBxxSISzVfaWmHwOA8cvyjNrNhwIgThbopPnB_KwDa_cDNPYKXzpNZcSL03fwNMv/s640/5133829565_48fa89ced4_b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A Protected bike lane in Vancouver, Canada.
Photo courtesy of Paul Krueger</span></h4>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If Philadelphia
follows on its current path, the city could be the first with over one million
citizens to reach a gold or platinum status from the League of American
Bicyclists. Such a status would be a landmark for any Vision Zero initiative.
While truly eliminating fatalities may not be immediately achievable, a
consistently improving status from the League of American Bicyclists is an
effective marker of a City’s progress. With each step towards zero
traffic-related fatalities, cyclists can feel more confident and comfortable
riding on their city’s streets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- By Jeff Williams</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br clear="all" /></span>
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<br />
<div>
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]-->
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[i]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> http://bikeleague.org/content/where-we-ride-2014-analysis-bike-commuting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[ii]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> http://www.phillymag.com/news/2015/05/11/bike-crashes-philadelphia/<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[iii]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> http://gothamist.com/2015/01/16/cyclist_deaths_bike_lanes.php<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_ednref4" name="_edn4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[iv]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> http://www.visionzeroinitiative.com/en/Concept/The-vision-zero/<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn5">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_ednref5" name="_edn5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[v]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/cdot/Admin/ChicagoForwardCDOTActionAgenda.pdf<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn6">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_ednref6" name="_edn6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[vi]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> http://www.dailynews.com/government-and-politics/20140929/making-los-angeles-streets-great-ending-pedestrian-deaths-are-mayor-eric-garcetti-and-ladots-goals<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn7">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_ednref7" name="_edn7" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[vii]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> http://www.nyc.gov/html/visionzero/pages/initiatives/initiatives.shtml<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn8">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_ednref8" name="_edn8" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[viii]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
http://www.nyc.gov/html/visionzero/pages/initiatives/street-design.shtml<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn9">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_ednref9" name="_edn9" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[ix]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> http://www.phila.gov/CITYPLANNING/PLANS/Pages/PedestrianandBicyclePlan.aspx<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn10">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_ednref10" name="_edn10" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[x]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> http://bikeleague.org/bfa/awards<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn11">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_ednref11" name="_edn11" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xi]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> http://kenneyforphiladelphia.com/priorities/<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn12">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_ednref12" name="_edn12" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xii]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> http://bicyclecoalition.org/our-campaigns/visionzero/#sthash.b2ecYtSe.dpbs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn13">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_ednref13" name="_edn13" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xiii]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
http://bicyclecoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SaferStreets.Final_.12.5.141.pdf<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn14">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_ednref14" name="_edn14" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xiv]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> http://usa.streetsblog.org/2012/10/22/study-protected-bike-lanes-reduce-injury-risk-up-to-90-percent/<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn15">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_ednref15" name="_edn15" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xv]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> http://www.phillymag.com/news/2015/05/26/new-bike-lanes-philadelphia/<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn16">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Jeremy/Desktop/Vision%20Zero%20Blog.docx#_ednref16" name="_edn16" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference">[xvi]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> http://time.com/3854835/best-bike-work-cities/</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11253672026819545923noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-46273481886298399392015-10-27T09:45:00.001-07:002015-10-27T09:48:08.994-07:00UberX's Insurance Gap Can Create Nightmare Scenarios for Bikers<div class="MsoNormal">
UberX is marketed as a low-cost alternative to taxis and UberBlack. You get the same on-demand service at a
cheaper price. Seemingly, the only
trade-off is that you don’t get the limo vibes associated with UberBlack. Instead, you’ll be taxied around in your
neighbor’s Prius. There are, however,
some serious legal consequences caused by UberX.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While the UberX driver is on the clock, he/she is driving in a
commercial capacity, creating nightmares for bicyclists who don't have their own auto insurance. According to Uber guidelines, UberX drivers
are only required to carry <i>personal </i>auto insurance. That means their coverage comes from their
household policies. Most personal auto
insurance policies, however, include a “business use” exclusion. Meaning, the auto insurer will deny coverage
if the vehicle was being used as a taxi at the time of the accident.
Some auto insurers are slowly introducing supplemental coverage to
address this very problem. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This “gap” can create headaches for car accident
victims. Indeed, there is often a dispute as to who will cover the accident- Uber or the personal auto insurance. Further complicating matters is the fact that
Uber claims that its UberX <i>and </i>UberBlack drivers are independent contractors, and not employees.
These conflicts can potentially delay compensation and payment of
medical bills for the cyclist. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’re struck by an UberX or UberBlack car, you’ll want
to speak to a bicycle accident attorney experienced in handling insurance coverage disputes. Call <b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="http://phillybikelawyer.com/contact.php">Philly Bike Lawyer</a></span></b> for a free
consultation: (267) 423-4464.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11253672026819545923noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-84154350081608254702015-09-11T13:44:00.001-07:002015-09-11T13:55:23.259-07:00Using Traffic Violations To Win Your Bicycle Accident Case<div>
In bicycle accident cases, the plaintiff has to prove that the defendant acted negligently (without due care under the circumstances). This burden of proof is very fact-intensive and often boils down to the credibility of the parties or witnesses. One way to lessen this burden is for the plaintiff to argue that the defendant was negligent <i>per se</i> because he/she violated a pertinent traffic rule. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you are not familiar with the <b>doctrine of negligence <i>per se</i></b>, consider the following instruction a judge may give to the jury:</div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>The law provides: [quote relevant statutory provision].</i></span></b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>[Name of plaintiff] claims that [name of defendant] violated this law. </i><i>If you find that [name of defendant] violated this law, you must find that [name of defendant] was negligent.</i></span></b> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>If you find that [name of defendant] did not violate this law, then you must still decide whether [name of defendant] was negligent because [he] [she] failed to act as a reasonably careful person would under the circumstances established by the evidence in this case.</i></span></b></blockquote>
</div>
<div>
This is Pennsylvania Standard Civil Jury Instruction 13.100 (© 2013 The Pennsylvania Bar Institute). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Let's repeat the instruction in the context of a bicyclist getting "doored"...</div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>The law provides: No person shall open any door on a motor vehicle unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on a side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers. 75 Pa.C.S. 3705.</b></span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><i>Jane Doe claims that John Doe violated this law. </i><i>If you find that John Doe violated this law, you must find that John Doe was negligent.</i></b></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><i>If you find that </i><i>John Doe</i><i> did not violate this law, then you must still decide whether </i><i>John Doe</i><i> was negligent because he failed to act as a reasonably careful person would under the circumstances established by the evidence in this case.</i></b></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div>
<i></i><br />
<i></i></div>
<div>
If the jury agrees that John Doe violated Pennsylvania's "Opening and Closing Vehicle Doors" Statute, 75 Pa.C.S. 3705, then John Doe is negligent <i>per se</i>. That means the plaintiff has met her burden of proof, with respect to negligence, by merely demonstrating that a traffic violation occurred. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The experienced bicycle accident lawyers at <span style="color: #7f6000;"><b><a href="http://www.phillybikelawyer.com/">PHILLY BIKE LAWYER</a></b></span> know how to employ this powerful doctrine. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Below are traffic statutes that are often implicated in bicycle accident cases, along with diagrams demonstrating how the violation occurs...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: #bf9000;">1. GETTING "DOORED"</span></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWBpCWc8kqjJq8qV4z1su5V4vLwGfk5BIasu9RMUG6q-X5yOiigQv5-M2F59ohxNLUS-u8Jdqf9hR5wtdyBmIMyGMmjyMX7usIuKbL1OGEf1CHAzocDvRsY4cbsyA-5I1iDkLHRMxLeMj/s1600/Getting+Doored+Diagram.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWBpCWc8kqjJq8qV4z1su5V4vLwGfk5BIasu9RMUG6q-X5yOiigQv5-M2F59ohxNLUS-u8Jdqf9hR5wtdyBmIMyGMmjyMX7usIuKbL1OGEf1CHAzocDvRsY4cbsyA-5I1iDkLHRMxLeMj/s1600/Getting+Doored+Diagram.png" /></a></div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: #e69138;">75 Pa.C.S. § 3705. </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: #e69138;">Opening and closing vehicle doors.</span></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>No person shall open any door on a motor vehicle unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on a side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: #bf9000;">2. </span></b><b style="color: #bf9000;">THE "RIGHT HOOK"</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQOuBZzDqCvCHLO8ENoJWyeJYzJQ3zrGwqHJ4Ff9WxdsGSxUyCkSb5JYjEqPkJDzW7DHrOBtS9ghldeLfpvGQvDb6THxroW6eGv-KR8ZwIXKj3TQt2v7mFRJWX3Q166d7YzbWG__oG-3W/s1600/right+hook++diagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQOuBZzDqCvCHLO8ENoJWyeJYzJQ3zrGwqHJ4Ff9WxdsGSxUyCkSb5JYjEqPkJDzW7DHrOBtS9ghldeLfpvGQvDb6THxroW6eGv-KR8ZwIXKj3TQt2v7mFRJWX3Q166d7YzbWG__oG-3W/s1600/right+hook++diagram.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e69138;">75 Pa.C.S. § 3331(e). </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Required position and method of turning.</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjGHwOAXU05cpAtrdIe47xRnlZPlU3c0V0V3DKp3uLb56S-sdKPU8rryudF_I2S7ootDEUStjqkbZPMiRJxPDzG_wBLtYASDBbcdOppL03FpQOrql2toOk8UUYldJEmY2p2Uu4fx3x2VJ/s1600/right+hook+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjGHwOAXU05cpAtrdIe47xRnlZPlU3c0V0V3DKp3uLb56S-sdKPU8rryudF_I2S7ootDEUStjqkbZPMiRJxPDzG_wBLtYASDBbcdOppL03FpQOrql2toOk8UUYldJEmY2p2Uu4fx3x2VJ/s200/right+hook+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesbondsv/9780852455/">Photo Credit</a>: Steven Vance</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #bf9000;">3. </span></b><b style="color: #bf9000;">THE </b><b><span style="color: #bf9000;">"FOUR FOOT RULE"</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQuOC3BXEGQ4rerRLl5_hBy_PUIy0-L3MiCYDQEowXuX7oRZWKUZPpI9bzsdyWS6Gmc6LCSnd4A3GyKFswO4JM6HanTjPX31wCG-1zbvPmswCxSGZavkCcbFe9gaVoOfZrMMKYPaczWhT/s1600/Four+Foot+Rule+Diagram.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQuOC3BXEGQ4rerRLl5_hBy_PUIy0-L3MiCYDQEowXuX7oRZWKUZPpI9bzsdyWS6Gmc6LCSnd4A3GyKFswO4JM6HanTjPX31wCG-1zbvPmswCxSGZavkCcbFe9gaVoOfZrMMKYPaczWhT/s1600/Four+Foot+Rule+Diagram.png" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e69138;">75 Pa.C.S. § 3303(a)(3). </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Overtaking vehicle on the left.</b></span></div>
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<b>The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking a pedalcycle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of the pedalcycle within not less than four feet at a careful and prudent reduced speed.</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #bf9000;">4. </span></b><b style="color: #bf9000;">THE </b><b><span style="color: #bf9000;">"LEFT CROSS"</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLXDME44H1_E5dqtqcHTdiuCGxqIrcMJJ11-6rL5Q552JkHgEoXRIQK_aB3xEC6hAiXDGAamb_LoEYXUBzWpWzeAi3PQfQhuTJgjwfP49dE3TtIe02fFmGEeKzrwWE8zqhWKKlIgO5G-N/s1600/Left+Cross+Diagram.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLXDME44H1_E5dqtqcHTdiuCGxqIrcMJJ11-6rL5Q552JkHgEoXRIQK_aB3xEC6hAiXDGAamb_LoEYXUBzWpWzeAi3PQfQhuTJgjwfP49dE3TtIe02fFmGEeKzrwWE8zqhWKKlIgO5G-N/s1600/Left+Cross+Diagram.png" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e69138;">75 Pa.C.S. § 3322. </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Vehicle turning left.</b></span></div>
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<b>The driver of a vehicle intending to turn left within an intersection or into an alley, private road or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is so close as to constitute a hazard.</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #bf9000;">5. </span></b><b style="color: #bf9000;">BLOCKING THE BIKE LANE WHILE MERGING</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMdAR717DA_G_r3FiU5JdU85RrMVppRjuDCPXJFtZwb1r4kpEGNTDe0CWnOpENbPusoQgkvUKwFSMvHHroVgZKTGorpOAxIFrdWRb-4HAWuDTaVkUJs6a14Yawc63f-UAWjExlhc3Ob5I/s1600/Blocking+the+Bike+Lane.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMdAR717DA_G_r3FiU5JdU85RrMVppRjuDCPXJFtZwb1r4kpEGNTDe0CWnOpENbPusoQgkvUKwFSMvHHroVgZKTGorpOAxIFrdWRb-4HAWuDTaVkUJs6a14Yawc63f-UAWjExlhc3Ob5I/s1600/Blocking+the+Bike+Lane.png" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e69138;">75 Pa.C.S. § 3324. </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Vehicle entering or crossing roadway.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<b>The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a roadway from any place other than another roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway to be entered or crossed.</b></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlo9AeRdFS_48rS06w6MbUkDQBSGGdF_wH98aWd8UGe8AOS_sAhg5Dg4mhV87tJFZ6dZN8Cj1sdDFeootvCiDHK04iExKsNiyx_fS63_6494Sqm4bl1gp11Jh5m1qRsFbTz2keicOofNv/s1600/blocking+bike+lane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlo9AeRdFS_48rS06w6MbUkDQBSGGdF_wH98aWd8UGe8AOS_sAhg5Dg4mhV87tJFZ6dZN8Cj1sdDFeootvCiDHK04iExKsNiyx_fS63_6494Sqm4bl1gp11Jh5m1qRsFbTz2keicOofNv/s200/blocking+bike+lane.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesbondsv/5495356528/%22%3ESteven%20Vance">Photo Credit</a>: Steven Vance</td></tr>
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Every case is different! The best thing to do is to speak with an attorney about your bicycle accident case. For more information, contact <b><span style="color: #7f6000;"><a href="http://phillybikelawyer.com/contact.php">PHILLY BIKE LAWYER</a></span></b> at 267-423-4464. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11253672026819545923noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-11504964994314818472015-08-19T06:01:00.002-07:002015-08-19T06:01:28.480-07:00How the Papal Visit Will Affect BikersThe City is setting up a no-car-zone during the Papal visit and public transportation will not be entering downtown. Visitors and residents may be looking towards their bicycles for transportation into and around the City.<br />
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The <a href="http://bicyclecoalition.org/what-we-know-about-the-papal-visit-and-bikes/#sthash.CWs7nLw2.dpbs">Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition</a> is keeping bikers informed on what they need to know for when the Pope is in town.<br />
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<a href="http://www.phillymag.com/be-well-philly/2015/08/12/papal-visit-bike-map/">Check out this PhillyMag article for more.</a><br />
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<table 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/AVvXsEgXd7NDqTNa8GN5FzsvyaspcYznIYkLheXGdgzj50zUDWTYwgoq7DKcD5Fb95Q3Hf4Cg5pvLkzYiWiJ5Q8Y8zQ9-wSGU6Jtv5n0A1gsWZhEHrRbcg41lRyG3KTW5tfzQ7b65sfDcgRs6gLp/s1600/be+well.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXd7NDqTNa8GN5FzsvyaspcYznIYkLheXGdgzj50zUDWTYwgoq7DKcD5Fb95Q3Hf4Cg5pvLkzYiWiJ5Q8Y8zQ9-wSGU6Jtv5n0A1gsWZhEHrRbcg41lRyG3KTW5tfzQ7b65sfDcgRs6gLp/s640/be+well.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.phillymag.com/be-well-philly/2015/08/12/papal-visit-bike-map/</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11253672026819545923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-46894344398785898812015-08-13T06:50:00.004-07:002015-08-13T06:50:51.123-07:00Three Bicycle Bills Pending in the PA Legislature<h3>
<span style="color: orange; font-family: inherit;"><b>House Bill </b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>1360</b></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwy3LSyuZkYLnmd4XW4oR4vjcxeuHlrHKbgZvxTEun_8IAnqiC0BJ_i-wfcAUewhmQ8f_jJxH4Nmzr9cQjCIjRr6HaQljOOQbmhS4mBCUh1SgJ0y5euCwj9i7hrb7jBP7naRnslDEyCUiE/s1600/deluca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwy3LSyuZkYLnmd4XW4oR4vjcxeuHlrHKbgZvxTEun_8IAnqiC0BJ_i-wfcAUewhmQ8f_jJxH4Nmzr9cQjCIjRr6HaQljOOQbmhS4mBCUh1SgJ0y5euCwj9i7hrb7jBP7naRnslDEyCUiE/s200/deluca.jpg" width="142" /></span></a><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Legislation Adjusting the Helmet
Requirements for Bicycles </span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">This legislation would amend Title 75 (the Vehicle Code) to require children to wear helmets when operating a bicycle until they are 16. Currently, only children younger than 12 must wear a helmet while operating a bicycle.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Introduced By</b>: Representative Anthony DeLuca (right)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b>Posted On</b>: April 1, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b>Status</b>: Pending Review by
the Transportation Committee as of 6/24/15</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2015&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=1360&pn=1907"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Link to Proposed House Bill 1360</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: inherit;"><b>Senate Bill 85</b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b> </b></span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IyGC0-02knMWVDSQpAgPsUkxL9kfWlkXQ06HNui4mtxm1IcEoOdHYs12A5WcpsCvgxBaAusQjTna84Hj7kM3axIzw98rOCq2rQTVX88Id-CBky8jeDSZBnbaXZpxcbx-XASD7nPU-9IU/s1600/Greenleaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IyGC0-02knMWVDSQpAgPsUkxL9kfWlkXQ06HNui4mtxm1IcEoOdHYs12A5WcpsCvgxBaAusQjTna84Hj7kM3axIzw98rOCq2rQTVX88Id-CBky8jeDSZBnbaXZpxcbx-XASD7nPU-9IU/s200/Greenleaf.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="148" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-size: 12pt;">Legislation Adding </b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bike and Jogging Trails</span></span></h3>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">This legislation would amend the Conservation and Natural
Resources Act (1995 Act 18) to require the Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources to designate or construct and maintain a bicycle and jogging
path at least one mile in length in each of the State parks of 1,000 acres or
more. Currently only 120 of the 41 parks have
trails designated for biking, and even less have jogging trails.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b>Introduced By</b>: Senator Stewart Greenleaf (right)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b>Posted On</b>: December 8, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b>Status</b>: <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pending Review by the Environmental Resources
and Energy Committee as of 1/14/15</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2015&sessInd=0&billBody=S&billTyp=B&billNbr=0085&pn=0061">Link to Proposed Senate Bill 85</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: inherit;"><b>House Bill </b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>150<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mrjqwFf8-vhXcsK3aJnkMNQLX-6JFyfIv50SNd_8pz3i7h8tV8qRvCgi-lW15nJP-xli2hv8JLAwvOi21jFOkOK571MOEwz9qB4Rx4Ot9HhNG0qkKqq225Bj5lX3tRTDbtvtDb_Lb8mg/s1600/Maloney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mrjqwFf8-vhXcsK3aJnkMNQLX-6JFyfIv50SNd_8pz3i7h8tV8qRvCgi-lW15nJP-xli2hv8JLAwvOi21jFOkOK571MOEwz9qB4Rx4Ot9HhNG0qkKqq225Bj5lX3tRTDbtvtDb_Lb8mg/s200/Maloney.jpg" width="142" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-size: 12pt;">Legislation Creating "</b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bicycle Share-The-Road" Registration Plates </span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">This legislation would amend Title 75 (the
Vehicle Code) for the purpose of establishing a "Bicycle Share-The-Road" registration plate to be issued by the Department of Transportation with all
collected fees to be used solely by the Department. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b>Introduced By</b>: <o:p></o:p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Representative David M. Maloney Sr. (right)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b>Posted On</b>: <o:p></o:p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">December 2, 2014</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b>Status</b>:<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pending Review by the Appropriations Committee as
of 5/4/15</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2015&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=0150&pn=0130">Link to Proposed House Bill 150</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11253672026819545923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-38243487429459884672015-07-09T08:10:00.003-07:002015-07-09T08:14:12.618-07:00Open Records Requests are a Powerful Tool in Road Defect Cases<div class="MsoNormal">
With infrastructure lagging behind our City’s growing
bicycle population, many accidents are caused by poor road
conditions and defects. In such cases, the Commonwealth's “Right to Know Law” is a
powerful tool for victims.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Under Pennsylvania's “Right to Know Law” (or “Open Records Law”), Act 3
of 2008, 65 P.S. §§ 67.101,<i> et seq.</i>, members of
the public have the right to inspect/copy, with certain limitations, City records
upon request. This includes records from the Streets Department and Permits
Office.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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As stated in a previous <a href="http://phillybikelawyer.blogspot.com/2014/03/watch-out-for-that-pothole.html">post</a>, the City can be sued for
injuries caused by potholes or other defects in the street. 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§
8542, 8255. Often times, the most difficult part of these cases is proving that
the City had constructive or actual notice of the defect, as required by
statute. <i>See</i>, <i>e.g.</i>, <i>Mason v. City of
Allentown</i>, 2013 Pa. Dist. & Cnty. Dec. LEXIS 443 (Pa. C.P. 2013).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJRuQpnXo6L7hu5Z5FBfoQOIqPc5MlINVfzLaVtj3dSkmR0YKsWJWM21Yc7Pqfh5Dl-Y0cgaPeQxFXQsbQEDWAWON4yt2LsBs5TAA0ULW-yse43D20YzIWXiyIV-fQ3DlzHj8dTCLisMV/s1600/orange-639096_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJRuQpnXo6L7hu5Z5FBfoQOIqPc5MlINVfzLaVtj3dSkmR0YKsWJWM21Yc7Pqfh5Dl-Y0cgaPeQxFXQsbQEDWAWON4yt2LsBs5TAA0ULW-yse43D20YzIWXiyIV-fQ3DlzHj8dTCLisMV/s200/orange-639096_640.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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Generally, constructive notice is proven by demonstrating
that the defect existed for such a period of time that it could have been
discovered and corrected through the exercise of reasonable care. Whereas,
actual notice is proven by demonstrating that the City was aware of the defect
prior to the accident. This is why open records are valuable. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Through a city-wide initiative, more people are calling in and
reporting potholes and other defects. These complaints should be filed and
recorded by the Streets Department. By making a records request, a victim can
find out if the City had knowledge of the defect through a prior complaint.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It may also be worthwhile to request records from the
Permits Office. These records may show that a business or other entity
performed construction in the area prior to the date of accident. In other
words, someone else may be liable for victim’s injuries. <o:p></o:p></div>
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While record requests are helpful, these are nevertheless
difficult cases to prove. In addition, the injured party has to provide written
notice of the accident to the City within a certain number of days of the
occurrence in order to preserve his/her right to file a lawsuit. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If your injuries were caused by a pothole or defect in the
street, you should contact an attorney at <b><span style="color: #bf9000;">PHILLY BIKE LAWYER</span></b> - all
consultations are free, just call (267) 423-4464.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For more information on Philadelphia’s Open Records Policy,
click <a href="http://www.phila.gov/privacy/pdfs/FinalCityOpenRecords.pdf">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For a copy of a standard Right to Know Request Form, click <a href="https://www.dced.state.pa.us/public/oor/Form-UniformRequest.pdf">here</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVI1Nx_Y3A23T8TzQ6aQ_KZy71w15oqS_uIoPqe-9xuLIK-Hnc28Z2xsBqrifbAEJ9AYaMlVA-ndpBb-cSGRkt7TLg-EyVjsLL1LoVd8tYd6qn74iXHjWv5dd-CV79o8dWhGAwfFYvY4r/s1600/form.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVI1Nx_Y3A23T8TzQ6aQ_KZy71w15oqS_uIoPqe-9xuLIK-Hnc28Z2xsBqrifbAEJ9AYaMlVA-ndpBb-cSGRkt7TLg-EyVjsLL1LoVd8tYd6qn74iXHjWv5dd-CV79o8dWhGAwfFYvY4r/s1600/form.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standard Form, for PDF visit <a href="https://www.dced.state.pa.us/public/oor/Form-UniformRequest.pdf">https://www.dced.state.pa.us/public/oor/Form-UniformRequest.pdf</a>.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11253672026819545923noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-7888813042762567452015-06-12T10:21:00.001-07:002015-06-12T10:32:49.106-07:00Less than Four Months before Critically Injuring Bicyclist, Roberts Eluded Prosecution According to court records (below), Rashan Roberts was facing prison time less than four months before critically injuring bicyclist, Rachel Hall.<br />
<br />
Roberts was arrested on October 31, 2014 and subsequently charged with aggravated assault, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, simple assault and reckless endangerment.<br />
<br />
Roberts' case was set for trial on January 9, 2015, but the District Attorney's Office withdrew their prosecution that same day. The docket was marked "Commonwealth is not ready, witness failed to appear."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAo6JGAD8wmVevHjiaaU9O6UUG86pv9yEUVhIl2kEvZcWjIOU-DNR5Lg_LND-XrV6_Ie83QS7TuDkkDxiMJWVZkW6tqR8aZ9dwQXC99XgHxfUHJxKG5nufw17ymYtos5z7nEdPMxz3G3D/s1600/roberts+hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAo6JGAD8wmVevHjiaaU9O6UUG86pv9yEUVhIl2kEvZcWjIOU-DNR5Lg_LND-XrV6_Ie83QS7TuDkkDxiMJWVZkW6tqR8aZ9dwQXC99XgHxfUHJxKG5nufw17ymYtos5z7nEdPMxz3G3D/s320/roberts+hall.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
On April 29, 2015, a few months later, Roberts struck Hall near her Temple campus. According to <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20150529_Temple_U_hit-run_victim_moved_to_rehab.html">Philly.com</a>, Hall has been transferred to rehab, but is still dependent on a breathing and feeding tube.<br />
<br />
The District Attorney's Office has since charged Roberts with leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury under <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">75 Pa.C.S. § 3742. The statute carries a minimum prison sentence of 90 days for serious bodily injury and three years if the victim dies. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Multiple news outlets have <a href="http://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/local/south-jersey/2015/05/22/rachel-hall-temple-crash/27800647/" target="_blank">reported </a>that Roberts' attorney hopes to negotiate a guilty plea.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLfo7KnwGDmk-1WepO76r_sS8TmHhFjB2xYuCxlU70gzg5ICV9q30ri9eJJd0DSAe2XqS6dAQNsr0Z901OHba1MTijtT2fu1PmskeVhn16yBXaU413rxcuy50iKZrNHDv03LGJHpK8U4I/s1600/charges.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLfo7KnwGDmk-1WepO76r_sS8TmHhFjB2xYuCxlU70gzg5ICV9q30ri9eJJd0DSAe2XqS6dAQNsr0Z901OHba1MTijtT2fu1PmskeVhn16yBXaU413rxcuy50iKZrNHDv03LGJHpK8U4I/s1600/charges.png" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11253672026819545923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-42757031563724177532015-05-10T11:40:00.000-07:002015-05-10T11:48:03.506-07:00Hit-and-Run Drivers Create Nightmare Scenarios for BicyclistsHit-and-run accidents are on the rise in metropolitan areas.<br />
<br />
According to Philly.com, police handled 14,028 hit-and-run accidents last year and 5,214 so far this year. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration show an upward trend in fatal hit-and-run crashes too, from 1,274 in 2009 to 1,393 in 2010 to 1,449 in 2011.<br />
<br />
According to Peter Kissinger, CEO of AAA Traffic Safety Foundation, “[a]bout 60 percent of the people killed in hit and run crashes are pedestrians, ” adding that “1 in 5 pedestrian fatalities involve hit and run drivers.” Since most traffic accident reports identify bicyclists as pedestrians, it's fair to assume that bicyclists too are disproportionately affected by hit-and-run drivers.<br />
<br />
Why are drivers more likely to flee after hitting a bicyclist? There aren't any studies on this topic, but I've heard many excuses as a lawyer.<br />
<br />
"I didn't know I hit someone." This answer generally comes from the driver who cuts off a biker or makes a right turn into the biker's path. In each situation, the driver fails to check his blind-spots. These drivers will often admit "I heard a bang" or "I felt a bump," but "I didn't think to stop." Nevertheless, every driver must act reasonably in accessing their surroundings and identifying other vehicles. If the driver had no idea a biker was near him, then that driver was likely not exercising adequate caution.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VcKDEGVkgZa75J6ts-MTcV5_7lok6zQasjkWYy8yKkQ5poWpGPOS0hsX7BAFv6Fa-jyYfX6_H4CU-iPrHdc2mF4gYAbTAgVCMw6ecBBHlr4F0reHtpVDj0m2TlRQkC3RPV7rzA9qFd17/s1600/roberts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VcKDEGVkgZa75J6ts-MTcV5_7lok6zQasjkWYy8yKkQ5poWpGPOS0hsX7BAFv6Fa-jyYfX6_H4CU-iPrHdc2mF4gYAbTAgVCMw6ecBBHlr4F0reHtpVDj0m2TlRQkC3RPV7rzA9qFd17/s200/roberts.jpg" width="136" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHILADELPHIA POLICE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some hit-and-run drivers flee because they have something to hide. These are the intoxicated drivers, the unlicensed drivers, and the uninsured drivers. They know that, no matter who was at-fault for the accident, they are facing criminal charges.<br />
<br />
I was involved in one case where the driver fled thinking that if she could sleep off her intoxication, she would be able to avoid DUI charges if she was caught. Luckily, the police quickly found her vehicle and we had evidence placing her at a nearby bar hours before the accident. In the end, the bar paid a majority of the settlement for serving an intoxicated patron.<br />
<br />
In a recent example, Robert Roberts (right) was driving alone with a learner's permit when he struck and seriously injured a Temple Student riding her bicycle. After turning himself, he told police that he fled because he was unlicensed.<br />
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Not only are bicyclists more susceptible to hit-and-runs, the issues caused by such accidents are compounded for bikers.<br />
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<table 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/AVvXsEgq-lTfB6sZXiD9YE8oAr42jBZnoWFFd51K_Mx9y1OQUPdJnef6My3V6wsP8iqRtU6N8JpvyusA_t_aesd-aizxpwYlggfLjGL2ZcCPSs-GKsaLuSNZ6hWfZh_0lJzKPa4tPeJ_jWzzIBUB/s1600/helmet-of-justice-625x1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-lTfB6sZXiD9YE8oAr42jBZnoWFFd51K_Mx9y1OQUPdJnef6My3V6wsP8iqRtU6N8JpvyusA_t_aesd-aizxpwYlggfLjGL2ZcCPSs-GKsaLuSNZ6hWfZh_0lJzKPa4tPeJ_jWzzIBUB/s320/helmet-of-justice-625x1000.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CHAOTIC MOON - A "Black Box" for Bicyclists</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When a biker is hit by a car, they inevitably end up on the pavement. It's a lot harder to get any identifying information from this point-of-view. Without such information, bikers rely solely on witnesses or local surveillance cameras. As I lawyer, I can tell you that witnesses disappear and third-party surveillance video is very hard to obtain without a search warrant or subpoena. In light of this disadvantage, some bikers are placing cameras on their helmets or bicycles.<br />
<br />
Then there's the biggest issue for bicyclists- lack of insurance. With the ACA, or "Obamacare," most bicyclists should have health insurance to cover medical expenses. But what about your pain and suffering or inability to work (most people don't carry disability insurance)?<br />
<br />
Uninsured motorist coverage, or "UM," is the type of insurance meant to protect against hit-and-run drivers. This kind of insurance allows the bicyclist (so long as your accident involved a motor vehicle) to collect from his or her own policy when the defendant is unavailable to sue. For bicyclists, however, the issue is that UM benefits are sold along with auto insurance. Most city-cyclers don't own a motor vehicle nor live with a relative who does (under Pennsylvania's resident-relative rule, a cyclist may qualify for benefits under a relative's auto policy if they lived in the same household at the time of the accident).<br />
<br />
Here's the nightmare scenario... You were hit by a car and the driver fled off. You don't own a car because you live in the City, so you don't have auto insurance. You may or may not have health insurance, but either way that's not covering your lost wages or suffering.<br />
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There's one final stopgap in the form of public insurance. The Pennsylvania Assigned Claims Plan provides up to $15,000 under such circumstances, including $5,000 in medical benefits and up to $10,000 in damages. While this is better than nothing, $10,000 is likely insufficient compensation for a serious injury or inability to work. Likewise, you must satisfy a set of criteria to qualify for Plan benefits.<br />
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The best way to avoid this nightmare scenario is by hiring a lawyer right after the accident. A competent lawyer will search out all available insurance, work with the police to find the driver, and identify third-parties who might be liable, such as a bar or the owner of the vehicle.<br />
<br />
Contact <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Philly</span></b> <b>Bike</b> <b><span style="color: #7f6000;">Lawyer</span></b> for more information.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11253672026819545923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-58426162861620481532015-04-14T06:55:00.001-07:002015-04-14T06:55:27.512-07:00Insurance Companies Make Millions in Interest by Delaying ClaimsThis shouldn't come as a surprise- insurance companies are purposefully delaying payment of your claims. The reason for their delay is obvious, but it's something I find myself often explaining to clients. While my clients are disappointed by my explanation, they're certainly understanding.<br />
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<table 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/AVvXsEgE0EScXrWOMOjXmc1_wQleQQLh4De08XXXkuLJuR19NB476R-U6by1KPOcJ0nZgioqm6Pf0oxMxkC6O_VbriMkpH8faaiDq4fdhu9Zd2nNoTjvTBPeToJVlZ5hx-irENSx0zQ_xz8mGis4/s1600/Allstate1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0EScXrWOMOjXmc1_wQleQQLh4De08XXXkuLJuR19NB476R-U6by1KPOcJ0nZgioqm6Pf0oxMxkC6O_VbriMkpH8faaiDq4fdhu9Zd2nNoTjvTBPeToJVlZ5hx-irENSx0zQ_xz8mGis4/s1600/Allstate1.png" height="308" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This website shows how much each large insurance company<br /> earns by delaying claims: <a href="http://whyinsurancewontpay.com/">http://whyinsurancewontpay.com/</a><br /><br /></td></tr>
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Everyday an insurance company waits to pay your claim, they earn interest on the sum of money they will eventually have to payout. If they delay across a million claims, the amount of interest they earn is HUGE. For example, Allstate - one of the worst offenders - earns 13 million dollars everyday it can go without paying claims. In just ten days, Allstate will earn over 135 million dollars by delaying.<br />
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Insurance companies are like banks. You deposit your money into them in return for a payout in the event you suffer a loss, but your money doesn't just sit in a vault until that rainy day comes. The insurance company takes the money and invests it, often into bonds. Those bonds and investments earn the company interest and profits. It makes sense then that they will want to earn as much profit on your deposit before paying it out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD93oFDG2pvgcmDZBl6uZktVZpL3ayQAX8GaqES0PPwRlSwxCeEp1g03wSk4OkKMOuJKoyUNVrPrRWiGgX3gCt97jWwnhOsv-A9Hbwdhf2RuYsnTQ1aDC0RMpvRiizNiQeJ0bTgGmRB10R/s1600/DDD.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD93oFDG2pvgcmDZBl6uZktVZpL3ayQAX8GaqES0PPwRlSwxCeEp1g03wSk4OkKMOuJKoyUNVrPrRWiGgX3gCt97jWwnhOsv-A9Hbwdhf2RuYsnTQ1aDC0RMpvRiizNiQeJ0bTgGmRB10R/s1600/DDD.png" height="204" width="320" /></a></div>
My former professor, Jay Feinman, is an expert in this field. His book, <i>Delay Deny Defend</i>, breaks down the inner workings of an insurance company and explains how policyholders are affected by potential abuses. You can learn more about Professor Feinman and his book at <a href="http://www.delaydenydefend.com/">http://www.delaydenydefend.com/</a>.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11253672026819545923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-26842214358338535132015-04-06T13:39:00.002-07:002015-04-06T13:47:05.455-07:00Many Bicycle Accidents are Caused by Defective Products or Faulty Repairs<div class="MsoNormal">
When you ask a bicyclist what his or her biggest fear is,
they’ll usually answer “getting hit by a car.” Almost none will answer “my bike”
or “my helmet.” The fact is, many bicycle accidents are solo crashes caused by
defective products or faulty repairs. A minor accident may turn life-threatening
because of a poorly designed helmet.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With many bikers opting for highly specialized bicycles and gear, such solo crashes are on the rise.</div>
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When a defective bicycle or cycling product causes a personal
injury, generally all individuals and entities in the chain of distribution can
be held <i>strictly liable</i>, including the manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler or
retailer. </div>
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Strict liability applies to manufacturing defects (injuries caused by
assembly-line issues), design defects (injuries caused by improperly designed
products) and failure to warn (injuries caused by a lack of warning or improper
instructions). <o:p></o:p></div>
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Persons who substantially change the product, such as repair
shop, can also be held liable under general theories of negligence. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH30qyrai2lf8NeZ-VTJdQH62hVCVfLQjhlbQMbWImnTkW5KDwvZ6D4hcJN20zrjtMoQBr1nJYtceS1sH7mj6-WMh9Dhtp-BIngZ34Tr_-n5EWa_7NtN6TS4h38p7b8edF4UPhy662bXwc/s1600/break-chain-freedom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH30qyrai2lf8NeZ-VTJdQH62hVCVfLQjhlbQMbWImnTkW5KDwvZ6D4hcJN20zrjtMoQBr1nJYtceS1sH7mj6-WMh9Dhtp-BIngZ34Tr_-n5EWa_7NtN6TS4h38p7b8edF4UPhy662bXwc/s1600/break-chain-freedom.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One weak link can ruin a life.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The most common defective bicycle products are: tires,
spokes, chains, brakes and helmets. Often times these parts are incorrectly assembled
or made unsafe by negligent mechanics. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If your accident was caused by a defective product or faulty repairs, you’ll
want to follow the steps listed here: <a href="http://www.phillybikelawyer.com/tips-for-bike-accident.php">http://www.phillybikelawyer.com/tips-for-bike-accident.php</a>.
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You also need to <b>PRESERVE THE EVIDENCE</b>. Do not discard any
parts or gear involved in the accident. Do not have any parts or gear repaired.
Do not tamper with any parts or gear. </div>
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The defendant has a right to inspect all
of the evidence as it existed at the time of the accident. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If your injuries or losses were caused by a defective bicycle product or faulty repair work, call <b><span style="color: #b45f06;">PHILLY </span>BIKE <span style="color: #bf9000;">LAWYER</span></b><span style="color: #bf9000;"> </span>at <b>(267) 423-4464</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11253672026819545923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-28862795168442290452015-03-18T13:08:00.001-07:002015-03-18T13:08:24.255-07:00This Inventive Company Offers "Bicycle Insurance" Velosurance, a new company based out of Florida, is selling "bicycle insurance." This new insurance purports to provide many of the same benefits as auto insurance, such as property damage, coverage for medical bills (PIP) and coverage for accidents caused by uninsured drivers (UM). Seems like an excellent option for bikers who aren't covered under an auto insurance policy.<br />
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You can get more information here: https://velosurance.com/<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12BYmxZfEPCUmIKbl32CZRk1yGwnDi96XFoNPwABjpAajQm814NhPFyCC_jvlSklhIX2SXtP4HqDOE_3jeeaCkREdfc1D56xWy3jTqitIEWIVy86jh7Fr_SGxLnZzZ80xOQuOFYp3_yaV/s1600/velosurance.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12BYmxZfEPCUmIKbl32CZRk1yGwnDi96XFoNPwABjpAajQm814NhPFyCC_jvlSklhIX2SXtP4HqDOE_3jeeaCkREdfc1D56xWy3jTqitIEWIVy86jh7Fr_SGxLnZzZ80xOQuOFYp3_yaV/s1600/velosurance.png" height="512" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screenshot from their website.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11253672026819545923noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-85312924617172126742015-02-25T14:09:00.005-08:002015-02-25T14:09:31.091-08:00New Temporary Bike Rules for PATCOHey PATCO riders! Check out these temporary bike rules..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVCVeYiCulT-T5NhcVKD3yF6sBGkpwQsbA0hJTbqOkhbwHdHOuDYXLL9oq9ANrxifWLVZlGIHs9T2eVm7JMoqQd0JJq3c6faPoyfTyncTGaekF9BDmSyc9yVkLr-tR-StahPsTpCEFlEc/s1600/IMG_1894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVCVeYiCulT-T5NhcVKD3yF6sBGkpwQsbA0hJTbqOkhbwHdHOuDYXLL9oq9ANrxifWLVZlGIHs9T2eVm7JMoqQd0JJq3c6faPoyfTyncTGaekF9BDmSyc9yVkLr-tR-StahPsTpCEFlEc/s1600/IMG_1894.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11253672026819545923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-14260540018930931002015-02-14T08:31:00.001-08:002015-02-14T08:35:29.689-08:00Sources of Insurance/Coverage for Bicycle Accident VictimsI see it far too often. A bicyclist is hit by a car and rushed to the hospital. After x-rays, and maybe even surgery, the hospital issues a bill for thousands of dollars. The bicyclist, not having his or her own insurance, files a claim against the driver's car insurance. Then the bad news comes- the driver's insurance lapsed and there's no coverage. Now what?<br />
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There's something inherently wrong with the notion that an accident victim will incur medical bills, and perhaps be forced into bankruptcy, because of someone else's negligence. These sorts of scenarios are commonplace with bicycle accidents because there's seemingly only one source of coverage- the driver's car insurance. That's why the best bicycle accident attorneys are skilled at finding insurance.<br />
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<b>If you are the victim of a bicycle accident, and there's no insurance, then give <span style="color: #7f6000;">Philly Bike Lawyer</span> a call.</b><br />
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Here's a non-exclusive list of where you might find coverage:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Your own car insurance.</b> If you own a car, and it's insured, you are eligible to collect from your policy if you were struck by a motor vehicle while riding your bike. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, then you'll have coverage in the event your injured by an uninsured driver. You should also check if your parents or loved ones have you as a "name insured" on their auto policies.<br /></li>
<li><b>A relative's car insurance. </b>If you were living with a relative at the time of the accident, and that relative has car insurance, then you are eligible to collect from the relative's car insurance under Pennsylvania's "resident-relative rule."<br /></li>
<li><b>The driver's car insurance. </b>This should be obvious. If you do not have your own car insurance, but were struck by a motor vehicle, you should be able to collect from the driver's car insurance. You may also qualify for medical benefits even if you caused the accident under Pennsylvania's No-Fault law.<br /></li>
<li><b>A municipality. </b>If your injuries were caused by a pothole or a defective road design, you may have a claim against the municipality.<br /></li>
<li><b>A bar, restaurant or liquor store. </b>Injured by a drunk driver? Then you may have a claim against the bar, restaurant or liquor store that excessively served the driver under Pennsylvania's Dram Shop Act.<br /></li>
<li><b>Your health insurance. </b>Your health insurance should pick up any bills not paid by car insurance.<br /></li>
<li>The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Assigned Claims Plan </b>(the Plan), 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 1751-1757, provides uninsured motorist benefits to residents of the Commonwealth who meet the eligibility requirements of Section 1752. The Plan will pay eligible bicyclists up to $15,000 if they were hit by an uninsured vehicle.<br /></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Injured by another bicyclist? You may be eligible to file a claim against the other bicyclist's <b>homeowner's insurance</b> policy.<br /></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <b>leasing or rental company</b> who owns the uninsured car. This is a tricky area of law, but every car is required to have the minimum coverage in Pennsylvania. Arguably, if a leasing or rental company provides a car to an uninsured driver, that may qualify as "negligent entrustment." As a result, the leasing or rental company may be on the hook for the driver's negligence. <br /></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The owner of the car.</b> People lend cars to friends and family. Sometimes the driver is uninsured, but is driving a car owned by someone who does have insurance. The owner's auto policy is obligated to provide coverage.</span></span></li>
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Every accident and case is different, and insurance coverage is complex. You should contact an attorney at <b><span style="color: #7f6000;">Philly Bike Lawyer </span></b>if you have any legal questions.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11253672026819545923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6289167641991837463.post-80108959473357408532015-01-27T13:53:00.001-08:002015-01-27T13:53:27.115-08:00Bicycle Accident Results in NJ's Largest Settlement of 2014According to the New Jersey Law Journal, the largest personal injury settlement in 2014 was $20.5 million. The payout was the result of a bicycle accident that left a boy unable to use both of his legs and an arm. The boy, who was five at the time, was struck by his great-uncle's truck as it was backing out of a driveway.<br />
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You can find the original article <a href="http://www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/2014/02/boy_who_lost_2_legs_and_arm_in_bike_accident_gets_205m_in_lawsuit_settlement.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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If you or a loved one was injured in a bicycle accident, contact an attorney at <b><a href="http://phillybikelawyer.com/contact.php" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Philly Bike Lawyer</span></a></b>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11253672026819545923noreply@blogger.com1