Pittsburgh Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

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. 

Examples of this kind of negligence include:

• Failing to yield the right of way
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Driving while distracted
• Failing to signal before turning 
• Violating traffic laws

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.