Valley Forge Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Motorcycle accidents result in devastating injuries, 80 percent of them fatal. In the aftermath of an accident, motorcyclists often face extensive medical treatments, lengthy recovery periods, and exorbitant medical and other expenses. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you need an aggressive legal team to help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
At Bikers Have Rights, our Valley Forge motorcycle accident lawyers have over 30 years of experience and are widely respected by leading motorcycle accident authorities throughout Pennsylvania. We have an exceptional history of holding negligent drivers accountable and recovering millions of dollars in compensation for severely injured clients.
What Are Common Types of Motorcycle Crashes?
Motorcyclists are more vulnerable to their surroundings, other drivers, and lack of many safety features of cars, which increases the opportunity and likelihood of accidents, such as:
- Left-turn crashes, the most common and deadliest crash, when a vehicle turning left does not see an oncoming motorcycle.
- Head-on collisions, which account for nearly 75 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents due to the unevenly distributed force when struck by a passenger vehicle.
- Rear-end collisions, which typically cause motorcycle riders to be thrown from the bike, often into the path of other vehicles.
- Collisions with fixed objects, such as guardrails, construction zone equipment, fences, or signs, often fatally.
- Sideswipe accidents when vehicles make lane changes into a motorcycle they fail to notice.
- Cornering accidents caused by speed, inexperience, or misjudging a curve or corner.
- Open-door crashes in urban settings when a vehicle door opens into the path of an oncoming motorcycle.
What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
- Impaired Driving: Alcohol and drugs slow reaction times, impair visibility, and increase loss of control risks.
- Inexperience: Motorcyclists who lack experience frequently cause accidents due to lack of driving time and understanding of how to operate safely.
- Reckless Driving: Snaking in and out of lanes, maneuvering around stopped or slowed cars, and driving in non-travel lanes makes motorcycles less visible to other drivers and prone to collisions.
- Road Conditions: Uneven surfaces, gravel, railroad tracks, and slick road surfaces reduce stability and increase accident risks.
- Speeding: Half of all motorcycle accidents are caused by speeding.
- Unsafe Lane Changes: Weaving in and out of traffic and frequent lane changes can cut off other drivers and cause the motorcycle to be struck or knocked off the bike.
What Are Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
Motorcycle accidents generally result in severe injuries and are frequently fatal. In fact, motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to be killed in an accident than occupants of passenger vehicles.
Some of the most common injuries include:
- Amputated or crushed limbs
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Head and facial injuries
- Eye injuries
- Neck and spinal cord injuries
- Organ damage
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis
- Road rash
- Traumatic brain injuries
What Are Pennsylvania’s Motorcycle Laws?
Pennsylvania motorcycle laws are designed to keep motorcycle drivers, passengers, and other motorists safe while sharing the roads, which include:
- Licensing: Drivers must obtain a “Class M” motorcycle license by passing a driving skills test or completing an approved Motorcycle Safety Program (MSP) course.
- Helmets: All riders and passengers under age 21 are required to wear a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approved helmet. Riders over 21 are not required to wear helmets if they have at least two years of riding experience or have completed a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation-approved motorcycle safety course.
- Eye Protection: Eye protection is required for all motorcycles not equipped with a windscreen.
- Insurance: Pennsylvania requires motorcyclists to carry minimum liability insurance coverage of $15,000 bodily injury per person, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 property damage coverage per accident.
- Passengers: Passengers with a permanent passenger seat and footrests are permitted on motorcycles. Passengers are not restricted by age and must follow age-related helmet laws.
- Lane Splitting and Sharing: Pennsylvania law prohibits riding between lanes of traffic but allows two motorcycles to travel side by side in the same lane,
- Lights: Motorcycles must have working headlights, taillights, and turn signals, and headlights must be on at all times while riding.
- Noise: Pennsylvania has strict noise limits on motorcycle exhaust systems, and motorcycles are required to have mufflers. Noise-increasing modifications that exceed legal limits are prohibited.
Though not required, Pennsylvania also encourages motorcyclists to complete preferred safety training through the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program.
What Compensation Can I Seek After a Motorcycle Accident?
After a motorcycle accident, you can recover compensation for both economic and non-economic losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
In contrast with other motor vehicles, motorcyclists in Pennsylvania are exempt from the state’s “choice no-fault” insurance system, which allows drivers to choose between fault and no-fault insurance coverage that can limit or bar you from recovering damages.
Recognizing that motorcycle accident injuries are often severe, all motorcyclists in Pennsylvania are automatically covered under “full tort” coverage, which allows you to seek damages from the at-fault party without having to meet the state’s strict injury threshold.
What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Valley Forge?
Gathering evidence after a motorcycle accident can greatly benefit your claim. If you are physically able, you should take the following steps:
- Report the accident and injuries to police.
- Photograph the scene, including the damage, injuries, and anything else related to the accident.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver.
- Ask witnesses for contact information and statements.
- Seek medical attention to rule out life-threatening injuries and obtain a doctor’s report of your injuries.
- Maintain all records related to the accident.
- Consult an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer with a successful track record of negotiating with insurance companies and recovering compensation.
How Can a Valley Forge Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Hiring a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer to pursue a claim on your behalf allows you to focus on your recovery without the burden of fighting insurance companies. At Bikers Have Rights, our Valley Forge motorcycle accident lawyers have extensive experience both as motorcycle owners and enthusiasts, as well as litigating accident claims.
A lawyer can do the following:
- Investigate the accident scene, collect evidence, and review the police report.
- Interview witnesses.
- Establish liability.
- Consult with your medical providers.
- Enlist experts, if necessary, such as accident reconstruction specialists.
- Calculate your damages.
- Negotiate with insurance companies for maximum compensation.
- Represent you in court if the case goes to trial.
The Valley Forge Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Bikers Have Rights Hold Negligent Drivers Accountable
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact our knowledgeable and skilled Valley Forge motorcycle accident lawyers at Bikers Have Rights at 215-525-1616 or 877-333-0300 or visit us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
