Whether touring the Delaware River or cruising Schuylkill Gap through Blue Mountain, motorcycle riding in Philadelphia offers a sense of freedom that’s hard to match. Unfortunately, it also exposes riders to unique risks. In the city, urban traffic and road hazards pose additional challenges, and accidents happen all too frequently. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reported 3,448 motorcycle crashes on our roadways in 2023, 238 of which resulted in fatalities.
If you’ve been in a Pennsylvania motorbike crash that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and lost wages. A Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyer can play a crucial role in helping you secure the maximum compensation you deserve and guide you through the complexities of the legal process with expertise and confidence. If you’re ready to speak with an attorney, contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation now.
Common Causes of Motorbike Crashes
Additional PennDOT data shows that our state has nearly 850,000 licensed motorcyclists. It’s likely that Philadelphia’s busy streets present a number of hazards for motorcyclists, from distracted drivers to road debris. Understanding the following most common causes of motorcycle accidents can help victims understand their legal options and rights.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of all types of accidents, including those involving motorcycles. Motorcycles are smaller and less visible than cars, so a distracted driver is likelier to overlook a motorcyclist. A driver may be texting and driving, eating, adjusting the radio, or otherwise not paying full attention to the road, which can result in a serious accident.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting occurs when a motorcyclist rides between two lanes of traffic. It’s illegal in Pennsylvania and can lead to severe accidents. While riders may be tempted to split lanes to avoid traffic, it’s a risky move for everyone involved, especially in high-traffic urban areas.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Both speeding and reckless driving are common causes of motorcycle accidents in Philadelphia. Drivers who speed or ignore traffic laws reduce their reaction time, making it difficult to avoid a motorcycle that may be approaching or turning. Motorcyclists, too, are at risk if they are speeding, as they have less control of their vehicle at high speeds.
Impaired Driving
Drunk or impaired driving remains a leading cause of motorcycle accidents. When a driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs, their ability to judge distances or maintain lane control is significantly reduced. Impaired motorcyclists are at greater risk of losing control of their bikes and are less able to react to hazards on the road, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Drunk driving accidents often result in severe injuries for motorcyclists, as they are vulnerable and lack the protective barriers found in larger vehicles.
Road Hazards
Potholes, debris, and poorly maintained roads are particularly dangerous for motorcyclists. Given a motorcycle’s smaller tires and lower stability, it’s susceptible to road hazards that a car could more easily navigate. If a motorcycle accident results from poor road conditions, a claim may be brought against the city or agency responsible for maintaining the roads.
Injuries Motorcyclists Often Suffer
Motorbike accidents can result in a range of severe injuries due to the rider’s lack of protection compared with drivers of other vehicles.
Some of the most common injuries stemming from these include:
- Head and Brain Injuries: Even with helmets, motorcyclists are vulnerable to concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which can lead to cognitive issues, memory loss, and long-term disabilities.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spine can result in partial or complete paralysis. These spinal cord injuries typically require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and often surgeries.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: Limbs, particularly arms and legs, are often fractured or broken when riders are thrown from the bike or hit by other vehicles.
- Road Rash: When skin scrapes across the pavement, it causes “road rash,” which, if not appropriately treated, can lead to infection, nerve damage, and scarring.
- Internal Injuries: The force of impact can cause internal bleeding and damage to organs, which may not be immediately apparent but are life-threatening if untreated.
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries: Sudden stops or collisions can lead to neck strains, whiplash, and damage to the cervical spine, which may cause chronic pain and limited mobility.
- Leg and Knee Injuries: Motorcyclists often experience leg injuries, including torn ligaments, broken knees, and crushed legs, as their lower body is usually the first point of impact.
These types of injuries often require extensive medical treatment, and many have a lasting impact on your quality of life and ability to work, making fair compensation critical for your long-term recovery.
Why You Need a Philadelphia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
After a motorcycle accident, victims and their families often must face a long and challenging recovery process. This can involve extensive medical treatments, ongoing physical therapy sessions, and lost income if they can’t return to work.
Personal injury lawyers understand these challenges and will fight for a fair outcome.
Here are some critical ways that an experienced attorney can help you:
Specialized Knowledge of Motorbike Wrecks
Motorcycle accident cases require specialized legal knowledge and experience. Unlike car accidents, these often result in different injuries and severities due to the rider’s lack of protection.
Because these cases involve different dynamics and legal issues, they require a deep understanding of Pennsylvania’s motorcycle laws. Your attorney can investigate your accident knowledgeably, gather pertinent evidence, and build a case that demonstrates that the other party was clearly liable.
Motorcycle accident lawyers also understand the biases that often exist against motorcycle riders.
Insurance companies and even juries may see riders as reckless or prone to taking risks, but your lawyer will know how to counteract these biases using facts and evidence that establish the actual cause of your accident.
Thorough Case Investigation
The first step in building a solid case is conducting a thorough investigation of your accident.
This can include reviewing police reports, gathering eyewitness statements, examining any available video footage, and consulting accident reconstruction experts if necessary. By reconstructing the scene and collecting all relevant evidence, your lawyer can accurately determine the cause of the accident and establish liability.
Determining Liability
Determining liability in a motorcycle accident is a key step in securing compensation. Depending on what contributed to the accident, liability may fall on another driver, a commercial vehicle company, a government entity responsible for road maintenance, or even a manufacturer (if you can prove a dangerous or defective product caused the crash).
Your Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyer will examine all factors and parties involved in your crash to build a comprehensive case. If you’re ready for an attorney to review what happened to you, contact us now.
Calculating Damages
Injuries caused by motorbike collisions are often severe and require extensive medical treatment, resulting in big medical bills that can pile up quickly. Your accident lawyer will calculate your damages, which may include your medical expenses, lost wages, costs of future medical care, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Severe injuries can also affect your quality of life, which will be taken into account when calculating damages.
Negotiation With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies will often try to minimize the payout to motorcycle accident victims. Your lawyer understands the tactics used by insurance adjusters and will fight on your behalf to get you a fair settlement. This includes things like countering lowball offers, providing proof of the extent of your injuries, and showing the long-term impacts those injuries will have on your life.
Your lawyer can also take your case to court if a fair settlement can’t be reached. Presenting a motorcycle accident case in court requires experience and skill. Your attorney will help get you ready for trial, present evidence on your behalf, call expert witnesses, and argue to secure a favorable verdict.
Without a lawyer, you may not receive the total compensation you deserve, especially if the insurance company tries to downplay the severity of your injuries or shift blame for the accident.
Motorcycle accident lawyers are also familiar with Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence laws, which can affect how much compensation you receive if you are found to be partially at fault. Your lawyer will work to minimize any fault attributed to you, thereby maximizing your potential compensation.
Let Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco Help You If a Motorbike Crash Hurt You
Recovering from a motorcycle accident can be a long and arduous journey.
Between the physical pain and financial stress, the emotional toll can be overwhelming. But you don’t have to face this difficult time alone.
At Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco, our lawyers can provide the legal support and guidance you need, advocating for your rights and working tirelessly to secure the maximum compensation that you deserve.
Whether your accident was caused by a distracted driver, poor road conditions, or any other type of negligence, our experienced attorneys can make all the difference in the outcome of your case, allowing you to focus on what truly matters—your recovery and well-being.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyer.
