Phoenixville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Due to the high speeds and relative lack of stability, motorcycle accidents in Phoenixville can cause serious injuries, especially to the motorcycle riders themselves. The mounting medical bills, unpleasant interactions with insurance companies, and emotional strain following a collision can rattle anybody, especially if you need to undergo multiple surgeries or deal with mental trauma. But motorcycle victims have rights, too. Let a Phoenixville motorcycle accident lawyer at Bikers Have Rights tell you what you need to know.
Bikers Have Rights handles many different practice areas, including but not limited to:
- Motorcycle vs. Car Accidents
- Motorcycle vs. Truck Accidents
- Motorcycle vs. Motorcycle Accidents
- Motorcycle DUI Accidents
- Motorcycle Injuries
- Wrongful Death
Why Do Motorcycle Accidents Occur So Frequently in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania’s picturesque roads and scenic landscapes attract many riders to its beautiful routes, such as the historic Grand Army of the Republic Highway and the Michaux State Forest Loop. Unfortunately, these high numbers correlate with an equally high number of accidents. In 2023, Pennsylvania had 794,163 licensed motorcyclists sharing roads with cars, big rigs, commercial vehicles, and other bikers, and the total number of motorcycle crashes increased 1.6% from 2022.
Driver negligence accounts for most motorcycle accidents on Pennsylvania roads, with crashes frequently occurring because other drivers fail to respect motorcyclists’ rights. Many cars take improper left turns at intersections and collide with motorcyclists who have the right of way, change lanes without checking for bikers in their blind spots, and speed excessively without the requisite control to avoid motorcyclists. Additionally, tailgating, driving while fatigued, and operating a vehicle while impaired have all contributed to these dangerous situations. In fact, motorcyclists face a fatality rate 27 times higher than car occupants.
What Injuries Commonly Result From Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcyclists lack the protection that traditional cars give, such as tempered glass windshields, emergency safety airbags, and car frames. Therefore, any accident will likely be more severe on average, with many bikers requiring hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and numerous expensive medical interventions after a collision. These injuries commonly include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, severe skin abrasions and road rash, internal organ trauma, and neck and back injuries.
How Does Pennsylvania Law Affect Motorcycle Accident Claims?
Pennsylvania law creates a unique insurance framework for motorcyclists. With standard passenger vehicle accidents, no matter who caused the collision, all parties in the incident must first cover their costs with their own insurance companies. However, motorcycles operate outside of this no-fault insurance system. When a motorcyclist sustains an accident-related injury, the law grants them the right to pursue compensation directly from the at-fault parties via a personal injury lawsuit.
The motorcycle exception provides both advantages and challenges. While the law gives riders broader leeway to pursue compensation from negligent drivers, they will also face intensified scrutiny from insurance companies. In order to lower their own financial burdens, insurance companies frequently attempt to shift blame onto motorcyclists, leveraging widespread but inaccurate stereotypes about rider behavior.
Helmet Laws and Their Impact on Motorcycle Injury Claims
Pennsylvania amended its motorcycle helmet laws in 2003, creating a conditional requirement system: Riders under 21 years of age and those with less than two years of riding experience or without completion of an approved motorcycle safety course must wear helmets.
For riders who can legally ride without helmets, however, insurance companies frequently attempt to reduce compensation by arguing that the lack of a helmet contributed a great deal to the biker’s injuries. Especially in cases involving head injuries, the insurers may argue for reduced damages because of the rider’s choice not to wear protective headgear.
Why Should You Work With a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
If you need to file a personal injury lawsuit to pursue compensation for your injuries, you should very seriously consider hiring an experienced motorcycle injury lawyer. Injury victims without legal representation typically receive substantially less compensation than those who choose to work with lawyers. A dedicated lawyer will handle all the necessary investigations, help you identify the responsible parties, collect evidence, and pursue the compensation that you deserve. Additionally, they can protect your interests against tactics from the at-fault driver’s lawyer and insurance representatives, evaluate insurance settlement offers, and advise whether they adequately address your needs.
If you file a third-party lawsuit and succeed, you can use the resulting payout to cover many of your accident-related costs, including:
- Medical expenses covering hospital care, surgical procedures, rehabilitation services, and ongoing treatments
- Income replacement for wages lost during recovery
- Damages for pain and suffering
- Compensation for emotional distress
- Funds for motorcycle repair or replacement
- Compensation for diminished quality of life
The Recovery Process After a Serious Motorcycle Accident
The journey toward recovery after sustaining injuries in a motorcycle accident often spans far beyond initial emergency treatment. Many victims need to undergo extended rehabilitation periods, gradual physical therapy regimens, and even multiple surgical interventions that last months or even years. Throughout this healing process, you may encounter a range of complications, from unexpected medical setbacks to mounting financial pressures because of accumulating medical bills to extended work absences. You may also face demanding psychological and emotional consequences as motorcycle accident survivors often experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress, anxiety about returning to riding, or depression stemming from temporary or permanent physical limitations.
After a motorcycle incident, you need effective legal representation to help you address your unique recovery needs and help you work toward compensation that accounts for your visible and invisible healing requirements. The motorcycle accident lawyers at Bikers Have Rights bring over 30 years of experience representing riders from all backgrounds, and we can help you pursue comprehensive compensation for the injuries and damages resulting from your accident.
Find Dedicated Legal Representation With a Phoenixville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Bikers Have Rights
Many lawyers lack familiarity with critical aspects of motorcycle accidents, with gaps in their background that affect their ability to represent you effectively. That is why a Phoenixville motorcycle accident lawyer at Bikers Have Rights can help. As bikers ourselves, we bring a practical understanding of motorcycle accident dynamics, enhancing our ability to advocate for you and tackle all the challenges you face. Call 877-333-0300 or 877-333-0300, or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, we proudly serve motorcycle accident victims in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
