Compared to drivers and passengers inside enclosed four-wheel vehicles, motorcyclists riding on open two-wheel vehicles have a much greater risk of sustaining a serious injury in a motor vehicle crash. To make matters worse, many drivers do not give motorcyclists enough space on the road.
If someone else’s negligence caused you to get hurt in a motorcycle wreck, it may be in your best interest to speak with a qualified personal injury attorney about your options for civil recovery.
Founding Partner Jon Ostroff and his dedicated team of attorneys have successfully recovered compensation for thousands of auto accident victims. In a past case, we secured $250,000 for an injured motorcyclist who suffered a broken leg, broken ribs, and a lung injury in a rural highway crash. Whether you wish to file a lawsuit or negotiate a settlement, a Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyer from Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers will work tirelessly to protect your rights and best interests from start to finish.
Types of Motorbike Accident Injuries
Motorcycle riders face dangerous exposure on their bikes, as they have little protection between them and the other vehicle or the pavement. When a motorcyclist crashes with a larger motor vehicle, injured riders can suffer severe injuries such as:
These injuries can require hospital stays, surgeries, rehab, and a variety of expenses. After a motorbike accident in Pennsylvania, you may no longer be able to work and earn the money needed to cover the costs of medical treatment. In addition to seeking justice and compensation, filing a lawsuit with a local motorcycle crash attorney can allow you to hold the driver accountable for their carelessness.
Proving Someone Else to Blame for a Motorcycle Wreck
Whether they are driving a car, a truck, a motorcycle, or even a motor scooter, everyone who operates a motor vehicle on public roads in Pennsylvania takes on a “duty” toward the people around them. This duty of care requires them to obey traffic rules, observe other cars and bikes, keep an eye out for obstacles and other people nearby, and generally act reasonably under whatever circumstances they encounter.
If another driver strikes your motorcycle or forces you into a crash by violating a traffic law, failing to pay attention, or doing anything else reckless or careless, they have “breached” their duty of care. In order to establish liability and recover compensation in a Pennsylvania motorbike wreck lawsuit, you and your attorney must prove that the other party’s breach of duty led to your injuries and losses.
Can Injured Motorcyclists Be Partially At Fault?
Depending on the situation, you may be considered partially at fault for your own injuries. If a civil court finds you partly to blame for the accident, it may reduce your final damages award by whatever percentage of fault they assign to you. This law is set forth under 42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes §7102. The court could even prohibit you from recovering any money at all if you are more than 50% at fault.
Pursuing Compensation Within Filing Deadlines
Another important law to keep in mind is the statute of limitations applicable to personal injury claims in Pennsylvania. According to 42 PA Con. Stat. §5524, most prospective civil plaintiffs have two years after initially sustaining an injury in an accident to file suit for their damages.
This means you must file your case two years from the date of the accident or two years from the date you discovered or reasonably should have discovered your injury. Assistance from a trained Pennsylvania lawyer is crucial when trying to file a motorcycle accident case before the legal deadline.
Consider Working with a Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash, your chances of successfully pursuing damages against the person responsible will improve if you are represented by a highly skilled attorney from Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers.
Jon Ostroff knows what it takes for accident victims to recover the money they need to cover the costs of medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Over the past 30 years, Jon has obtained many million-dollar recoveries on behalf of those who have suffered severe injuries in accidents. He and the rest of the Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyers at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers are committed to protecting your rights.
Contact our law firm today for free legal advice about your case. We can schedule a meeting with you at one of our offices, or a lawyer can consult with you at another place that works better for you, such as your home or hospital room.