It can be difficult to deal with the aftermath of a motorcycle accident in which you or a loved one is injured. You are attempting to recover, but medical expenses are mounting, you may need to miss work, and you do not know how long this will last.

Any traffic accident can leave you distressed and in pain, especially if it was the result of someone else's negligence. In these situations, you may require legal representation to ensure that your rights are protected. Having legal expertise on your side, such as a motorcycle accident attorney, will give you peace of mind.

At the law office of Brandon J. Broderick, we value honest and open communication with our clients. We accept cases on a contingency basis, so it is in our best interests to win in court and negotiate the best possible settlement for each client. There are no upfront costs to pay. This is one of the numerous reasons why we are consistently ranked among the best motorcycle accident attorneys in Pennsylvania.

If you do not file a claim, the insurance company may offer you a very low settlement that barely meets your needs. In some instances, you may even be required to pay out of pocket, which is the last thing you want. Please contact our Pennsylvania offices immediately so that we may assist you in overcoming this obstacle.

Our promise to you is that we will devote one hundred percent of our resources to your case and fight for your rights and compensation. We have helped others in your situation overcome difficult circumstances that were not their fault. Give us a call today at (877) 640-5611

We will provide an accessible overview of motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania as you continue reading.

BRANDON J. BRODERICK, A PENNSYLVANIA MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER, CAN HELP YOU OVERCOME YOUR SETBACK

Recover Compensation for Your Current and Future Medical Costs and Injuries

A severe motorcycle accident can result in incapacitating injuries. The protection provided to the driver of a motorcycle is considerably less than that of a typical automobile, thereby increasing the risk of serious injuries and fatalities for motorcycle riders. When this occurs, it is essential to consider your rights and future needs. Typically, insurance companies will attempt to contact injured parties and quickly reach a settlement for the least amount of money possible. You need adequate time to evaluate the extent of your injuries, as well as their potential impact on your future earnings and quality of life, in addition to their effect on your current expenses.

Expert Negotiators and Trial Lawyers

In the absence of a legal claim, insurers will provide insufficient compensation to victims. Adding insult to injury, the insurer may deny payment for some of the damages.

With Brandon J. Broderick as your PA motorcycle accident lawyer, we will handle all communications with the insurance company and aggressively fight for the compensation you are entitled to. In the event that a settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, we will proceed to trial and win.

By Your Side

While you recover from your injury, Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, will manage and handle every aspect of your case. When you retain our services, our seasoned legal team will aggressively pursue the compensation to which you are entitled. We will make every effort to defend your rights and stand by your side throughout this difficult time.

Free consultations are available by contacting Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law. As we have for many of our previous clients, we will turn the situation in your favor. Our successful track record speaks for itself.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM INVOLVED IN A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT?

A motorcycle accident is terrifying. When riding a motorcycle, your body is significantly more vulnerable to injury than when driving a conventional vehicle. There are a number of steps to take immediately after and in the weeks that follow a motorcycle accident. 

Call 911

Calling for assistance immediately following an accident may appear to be the most obvious course of action, but it is crucial to emphasize this. 

Someone at the scene of the accident must immediately call for an ambulance, whether they are the motorcyclist or a witness who has just arrived. Even when no one appears to be injured, medical attention is always necessary. After a collision, concussions and other injuries may occur, even if they are not immediately apparent.

Get to a Safe Location

After any type of collision, whether involving a car or a motorcycle, the next step is to relocate to a safe area.

If you have recently been involved in a motorcycle accident, it is probable that you and other drivers are still on the road. Especially when traveling on a highway, being on the road can put you at risk for another collision.

Collect Evidence of the Accident

If possible, photograph the accident scene and gather as much information as possible regarding the incident.

Despite suggestions that you should photograph the accident scene prior to removing your bike, it is safer to move to a safe location first, especially on busy roads. However, if you have sufficient time to photograph the incident, you will have reliable evidence should you ever need it.

Exchange Information With Everyone Involved

All parties involved in a motorcycle collision should exchange their contact information. In general, you should provide the following information to others:

  • Names
  • License plates
  • Phone numbers
  • Home addresses
  • Vehicle information

To be prepared for a lawsuit, it is important to have everyone's contact information at the scene. Ensure that the police respond to the accident scene and file a report. Any accident in Pennsylvania that results in injury or death must be reported to the police.

While the accident is still fresh in everyone's memory, you have the best opportunity to collect evidence and witness statements.

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer and Your Insurance Company

Some individuals find the aftermath of a motorcycle accident to be the most difficult. Now is the time to report the accident to your insurance provider. When providing details about the accident, it is important to avoid admitting fault. 

If you have shared information with them, the other person's insurance company may reach out to you. A skilled motorcycle accident lawyer can manage and negotiate your case. Whether it's your own insurance company or the other party's, dealing with insurance companies can be challenging. It's crucial to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible following an accident.

If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident, you should not wait to seek legal counsel. Call us right away to schedule a free consultation. Thanks to our track record of success and commitment to our clients, we deliver results for them.

UNDERSTANDING COMPENSATION FOR MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, your insurer may offer you a settlement. However, you may be curious about the typical settlement amount in a motorcycle accident case.

Two types of compensation for injuries are covered by motorcycle accident settlements: economic damages and non-economic losses. The extent of your injuries, whether they are permanent or not, and the anticipated outcome for you or a loved one must be considered.

ECONOMIC DAMAGES IN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT SETTLEMENTS

The economic damages you are awarded will be based on the financial losses you incurred as a result of the accident. This compensation takes into account both actual and anticipated wage losses incurred throughout the course of treatment and rehabilitation. Also included in economic damages is compensation for the total cost of your medical expenses, both past and present. 

Here are some examples of medical costs:

  • Bills incurred for medical care or emergency room visits
  • Doctors' visits
  • Physical or occupational therapists
  • Expenses such as travel to a doctor's appointment that are associated with the medical care

The greater the severity of the injury, the higher your medical expenses and other losses may be, making negotiations more difficult. This is yet another reason to hire a PA motorcycle accident attorney who can lead all negotiations with the opposing party. If you pursue a high-value claim with legal counsel, insurance adjusters will generally take you seriously, giving you an advantage in negotiating a reasonable settlement or obtaining a favorable verdict in court.

How Do You Estimate Ongoing or Future Medical Expenses?

Your claim may include compensation for future medical expenses if your treatment is expected to be ongoing or prolonged, especially for victims who have sustained a severe injury. It is of the utmost importance that you comprehend the extent of your injuries and the possibility of future expenses. Your settlement offer should account for both current and future medical expenses.

How does one calculate these future costs? It can be difficult to estimate future economic damages; therefore, a lawyer will call upon medical experts to testify and provide their opinion regarding the victim's injury and condition. These professionals can assess the severity of an injury and its prognosis for the future. Regarding lost income and anticipated lost income, an economist or other relevant professional may be required.

If you hire a motorcycle accident law firm, they will bring in experts and strengthen your case. This is essential if the victim sustains a severe injury with long-lasting effects.

Future expenses may include medication, nursing care, lost wages, and compensation for services that the injured party can no longer perform independently.

You should not accept a settlement offer too quickly because you must have a thorough understanding of the amount of damages necessary to compensate for your losses. This is especially the case when the offer appears to be quite low. All losses related to your injuries must be determined before a settlement can be considered.

If you are still receiving medical care, you may require surgery or additional treatments in the future. If you accept the initial settlement offer and require additional care in the future, you may be responsible for the additional expenses.

NON-ECONOMIC DAMAGES IN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT SETTLEMENTS

In claims for injuries caused by motorcycle accidents, noneconomic damages are common. These losses, however, are more difficult to quantify. When non-economic damages are discussed, this refers to the physical and mental suffering a motorcycle accident victim has endured as a result of their injuries, regardless of whether they have suffered a monetary loss.  Non-economic damages may include pain and suffering caused by depression, PTSD, mental anguish, or other conditions.

The severity of your physical injuries, as well as whether they are permanent, will be considered by insurance companies. Every settlement and case is unique. For instance, if you have suffered a traumatic brain injury as opposed to a sprained ankle, you will be entitled to greater compensation for pain and suffering. You are entitled to more compensation because you have endured greater pain and suffering as a result of your injury's severity and duration.

Insurance companies typically multiply medical expenses by a number between one and five to determine "pain and suffering" damages. The multiplier may increase if the injury is more serious or permanent. In such situations, it is essential to have an experienced motorcycle accident attorney assist you in navigating all of the variables. Their knowledge will make it easier for you to justify the settlement you're pursuing.

FATAL MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

If a family member or loved one is killed in a fatal motorcycle accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. A wrongful death claim may be filed when another party's negligence results in the death of a victim who would have otherwise been entitled to compensation for injuries. Since the victim likely had the option to file a valid personal injury lawsuit, the victim's family has the right to seek monetary compensation for the decedent's death in a wrongful death suit.

The executor or personal representative of the victim's estate must initiate a wrongful death action on behalf of the victim's surviving family members. A beneficiary may file a lawsuit on behalf of all beneficiaries if the personal representative or executor fails to do so within six months of the victim's death. Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(2), the statute of limitations for wrongful death litigation in Pennsylvania is two years. This means that you must file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years of the motorcycle accident death of your loved one.

Although no amount of money can ever fully compensate for the loss of a spouse or other loved one, the untimely death of a spouse can impose a substantial financial burden. Damages that may be awarded in a Pennsylvania wrongful death lawsuit if your spouse or other loved one dies in a motorcycle accident include:

  • Hospital and medical expenses
  • Funeral costs
  • Lost income and loss of the deceased person’s expected lifetime income 
  • Lost health and insurance benefits
  • The deceased person’s pain and suffering
  • Your loss of love and companionship
  • Your loss of consortium

WHEN A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT HAPPENS, WHO IS AT FAULT?

Accidents involving motorcycles are governed by the same legal principles as automobile collisions in terms of who is at fault and whether negligence played a role. All motorists are responsible for driving safely. However, when the driver of another vehicle violates a motorcyclist's right-of-way, they are typically liable or at fault for an accident. Did you know that in two-thirds of motorcycle-vehicle collisions, this is the case? Additionally, 70 percent of motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle occur at intersections.

In certain situations, a driver operating a commercial vehicle may collide with a motorcycle. If the negligent driver was performing work-related duties at the time of the collision, the owner of the company for which the driver works may be partially liable. In other instances, the manufacturer of the motorcycle could be held at least partially liable for the accident. If a manufacturing defect hindered the motorcycle's performance and contributed to the accident, the manufacturer could be held liable for any injuries.

Depending on the situation, you may be partially at fault for your own injuries. If a civil court determines that you contributed to the accident, it may reduce your final damages award by the percentage of fault assigned to you. This law is set forth under 42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes §7102. If you are more than fifty percent at fault, the court may even prevent you from recovering any money.

As with the majority of injury cases, every motorcycle accident in Pennsylvania is unique, and determining liability can be challenging. Contacting an experienced PA motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible is your best chance of determining who was at fault in the accident.

IS THERE A STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS IN PA FOR MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CLAIMS?

The statute of limitations is a deadline for filing lawsuits, mandating that claims be made within a specific timeframe. Motorcycle accident victims in Pennsylvania have two years from the date of their injuries to file a claim for personal injury. Exceptions are possible, but you must adhere to this deadline or risk losing your right to file a legal claim and seek compensation.

If you lost a family member or loved one in a motorcycle accident, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is two years from the date of death.

Due to these deadlines, it is crucial that you consult with a motorcycle accident attorney about your case. The sooner a lawyer begins advocating on behalf of a motorcycle rider who has been injured, the more likely it is that he or she will be able to collect crucial evidence and build the strongest possible case against any parties who may be at fault.

STATISTICS REGARDING PA MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

Motorcycles account for a large proportion of serious injuries and fatalities in Pennsylvania, despite making up a small proportion of registered vehicles. According to a study conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (DOT), the following data and information have been compiled.

  • There were 3,398 accidents in 2020, a 14.14% increase from 2019.
  • 2,960 crashes resulting in injuries
  • 215 Fatal Accidents - makes up 20.3% of all fatal vehicle accidents in the state.
  • Bikers are 35 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than cars.
  • Without a helmet, motorcyclists are 40% more likely to die of head injuries.

CONTACT BRANDON J. BRODERICK DAY OR NIGHT TO DISCUSS YOUR PA MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT

Motorcycle accidents may have a negative impact on your physical, mental, and financial well-being, causing you and your family unwarranted stress and anxiety. Wouldn't it be reassuring to have a reliable friend and advisor who will defend you and look out for your best interests?

At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we place a high value on empathy, compassion, and excellent client service. As a result, we are among the best motorcycle accident attorneys in Pennsylvania. You can rely on us to use the best strategy to ensure your quality of life. Our legal team has decades of experience helping individuals just like you who were injured in motorcycle accidents. We've assisted them in overcoming an injury brought on by someone else's negligence. Call us right away to schedule a free consultation.

We have offices in numerous Pennsylvania locations, including Allentown, Bethlehem, Erie, Lancaster, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Wherever you are in Pennsylvania, our motorcycle accident attorneys will travel to you. Call (877) 640-5611

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