Pittsburgh Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Committed Personal Injury Representation in Western Pennsylvania
At Friday & Cox, LLC, we understand that motorcycle accidents can devastate victims and their families. Not only do these accidents often involve severe injuries and property damage, but they also cause emotional trauma. We offer personalized legal services designed to help our clients seek justice and compensation when injured in a motorcycle accident due to another person's negligence or carelessness.
If someone acted recklessly, failed to abide by safety regulations or traffic laws, or intentionally caused you harm, they could be liable for damages. Our team is friendly, knowledgeable, and dedicated to helping you through this challenging process every step of the way. Our motorcycle accident attorneys accept cases in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, and you can trust that we will fight hard for your rights while providing compassionate support throughout your case.
Don't wait. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, please call us at (412) 900-8250 as soon as possible.
Nationally Recognized Firm
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
A motorcycle accident refers to any incident involving a motorcycle that results in harm or damage to the rider, passenger, or the bike itself. These accidents can vary widely in severity, ranging from minor scrapes and bruises to life-threatening injuries or fatalities.
Several common causes of motorcycle accidents involving other motor vehicles include:
- Failure to See Motorcycles: This is a significant issue where drivers fail to notice motorcycles due to their smaller size or blind spots. Often, drivers may turn or change lanes without realizing a motorcycle is nearby.
- Unsafe Lane Changes: Vehicles changing lanes without properly checking blind spots or signaling can lead to collisions with motorcycles already occupying that space.
- Speeding and Reckless Driving: Speeding, tailgating, or aggressive driving behaviors by motorists increase the likelihood of accidents, especially with motorcycles that may be harder to see or anticipate.
- Left-Turn Accidents: A common scenario involves a vehicle making a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle, misjudging the speed of the bike or failing to see it altogether.
- Dooring Accidents: This occurs when a driver or passenger in a parked car opens their door without checking for oncoming motorcycles, leading to collisions.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs pose a significant risk to all road users, including motorcyclists.
- Distracted Driving: Using phones, eating, adjusting the radio, or any other distraction while driving can result in not noticing motorcycles nearby.
- Failure to Yield Right of Way: Motorists failing to yield to motorcycles when required, such as at intersections or during merging, can lead to accidents.
- Road Conditions: Poor road maintenance, slippery surfaces, potholes, or debris can be particularly hazardous for motorcyclists due to their less stable nature compared to cars.
- Inexperienced Drivers: Motorists who lack experience or understanding of how to share the road safely with motorcycles may inadvertently cause accidents due to errors in judgment or lack of awareness.
How to Get Compensation for a Motorcycle Accident
To be eligible for compensation for a motorcycle accident in Pennsylvania, the injured person must prove that the other driver was at fault. This can be established by demonstrating that the other driver acted negligently while operating their vehicle.
If you can prove that a driver's negligence directly caused your accident, they may be liable for personal injury damages caused by the incident, including medical bills and lost wages.
In many cases, personal injuries you or a loved one incurred in a motorcycle accident can be severe, making the medical costs of recuperating from injuries very expensive. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident due to someone else's negligence and are seeking compensation for your injuries, there are some steps you should take.
In order to make a strong case for compensation, an injured person must provide evidence showing that:
- The other driver owed them a duty of care.
- The other driver breached this duty of care through their negligent actions.
- Their breach of duty caused the accident.
- The injured party suffered damages as a result.
It is important to note that Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative 51% bar rule, which means that even if the injured party was partially responsible for the accident, they might still be able to receive compensation if they are found to be less than 51% responsible for the accident; however, their award would be reduced according to their degree of responsibility for the accident. For example, if someone were found 20% at fault for an accident resulting in $10,000 worth of damages, they would only receive $8,000 from their settlement - 80% of total injuries ($10k).
What to Do if You Are Involved in a Motorcycle Accident
It's essential to understand what actions you should take after a motorcycle accident, as they could impact your health and quality of life, not to mention the strength of your legal claim.
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you should take the following steps:
- The first thing you should do following a motorcycle accident is to get to a safe place if you are physically able. This means getting off the road and away from traffic. This is not possible in every case, as you may sustain injuries that prevent you from moving.
- Once you are safe, seek medical help immediately, even if the injury appears minor. Not only will this provide immediate care for any injuries you sustained, but it will also provide documented evidence of any physical harm caused by the incident.
- Call local law enforcement and have a police report filed documenting the accident in as much detail as possible. If you can comfortably leave your safety gear on, do so, as this will help prove that you did what you could to protect yourself from harm.
- If you are able to, collect information from the other driver(s) involved in the collision, including names, phone numbers, and insurance information. Avoid speaking directly to the other party's insurance agent, as anything you say can be used as evidence in your case and could affect how the insurance agency determines fault.
- Lastly, reach out to our team as soon as possible. Beginning the legal process early helps us build a strong case on your behalf, as we can quickly work to gather evidence, connect with eyewitnesses, and recreate the scene of the accident. Because motorcycle accidents can be mentally taxing, it is not uncommon for clients to forget to report information regarding their accidents. If we can consult with you while the accident is still fresh in your memory, we may be able to locate critical points of evidence that may otherwise be forgotten over time. It also ensures that we stay informed as new case details are uncovered, allowing us to provide informed advice, guidance, and support.
Our attorneys in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania can help assess liability by gathering evidence from police reports, eyewitness accounts, video footage, and more.
Common Legal Challenges of a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Motorcycle accidents present several legal challenges, both for the rider and other parties involved. These challenges can stem from various factors:
- Liability Determination: Establishing fault or liability can be complex in motorcycle accidents. Contributory or comparative negligence may come into play, where both parties share a degree of fault. Gathering evidence, witness testimonies, and expert opinions become crucial in determining liability.
- Serious Injuries: Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries due to the lack of protective barriers around riders. This leads to higher medical expenses, potential long-term rehabilitation, and significant impacts on the victim's life. Calculating compensation for these injuries, including pain and suffering, becomes a legal challenge.
- Insurance Issues: Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging. Some policies may not adequately cover motorcycle accidents or may have specific clauses that complicate the claims process. Disputes over coverage or the extent of coverage can arise.
- Bias Against Motorcyclists: There might be a bias or stereotype against motorcyclists in the legal system. Juries or insurance adjusters might unfairly assume that the rider is more at fault due to perceived risks associated with motorcycles.
- Multiple Parties and Claims: In some cases, multiple parties might be involved, such as the motorcyclist, the driver of another vehicle, and possibly even the government if poor road conditions contributed. Coordinating claims and negotiations with multiple parties can be challenging.
- Disputes Over Damages: Disagreements over the extent of damages, including medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and future earning capacity, can arise between the parties involved, leading to legal disputes.
Navigating these legal challenges typically requires the expertise of a skilled attorney specializing in motorcycle accidents. Our Pittsburg motorcycle accident lawyers at Friday & Cox can help gather evidence, assess the situation, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent the injured party in legal proceedings, aiming to secure fair compensation and protect their rights.
Contact Us Today
The Pittsburgh motorcycle accident lawyers at Friday & Cox, LLC are here to provide compassionate, committed, and comprehensive legal representation in your time of need. With over a century of combined experience between our lawyers, you can be sure that we will work hard and seek to maximize any potential compensation following your accident. We also have a team standing by to answer inquiries 27 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To schedule a free consultation with Friday & Cox, LLC, give us a call at (412) 900-8250 or contact us online today.
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Unparalleled Client ServiceYour inquiries are returned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call for a free case evaluation at (412) 900-8250.
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