Philadelphia, PA (July 18, 2024) – A 30-year-old woman on a bike was fatally struck in Rittenhouse Square on Wednesday night, police said.

The crash that left the bicyclist dead happened at the intersection of Spruce Street and 18th Street at 7:00 p.m., according to police. A 68-year-old man driving a blue 2018 vehicle was traveling west on Spruce Street when he allegedly hit the bicyclist, who was also heading westbound in the bike lane, police said. The woman sustained severe head trauma, police said. She was taken to Jefferson Hospital and pronounced dead at 7:20 p.m. Authorities said charges haven’t been filed at this time. No further details on the victim or the events leading up to the collision were released. Philadelphia PD officers requested that any witnesses come forward as they continued their investigation.

We extend our deepest condolences to the deceased woman’s loved ones.

Deadly Pedestrian Accidents in Pennsylvania

Over the last several years, there has been an upsurge in pedestrian accidents in Pennsylvania. In fact, during this period, there has been an approximately 20% increase in pedestrian deaths. Of course, parking lots, crosswalks, intersections, and congested downtown areas are where pedestrian accidents occur most often.

Furthermore, areas near schools and residential neighborhoods tend to have a higher rate of pedestrian accidents due to the increased number of pedestrians—especially children—in these areas.

Following the rules of the road, being aware of their surroundings, and driving carefully and alertly are all essential for drivers. After all, it is generally preventable to avoid catastrophic injuries or fatalities from pedestrian accidents, which are incredibly upsetting for the victims since they often cause long-term suffering and financial hardships.

Insurance companies often use various tactics to deny or reduce claims related to pedestrian accidents, thus exacerbating the situation. They have the option to downplay the severity of the wounds or dispute the insured driver’s culpability. Nonetheless, the Slocum Firm’s pedestrian accident lawyers are skilled in handling insurance disputes. Our commitment is safeguarding our clients’ rights.

We at the Slocum Firm understand what it takes to stand up for you and your loved ones. We will represent your best interests and work to ensure that you get fair compensation at every stage of the claims procedure. Call (570) 209-7376 to talk with our Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyers about scheduling a free consultation and learning more about how our team will protect your legal rights after an accident.