If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Luzerne County, our Hazleton motorcycle accident lawyers should be your first call. With more than 250 years of combined legal experience in investigating accidents, working with experts, building cases, negotiating with insurance companies, and fighting for justice in court, we are your best allies after a crash.
Our track record speaks for itself. Among the multi-million-dollar client victories we’ve secured is a $4.3 million jury award for a motorcycle victim. With expertise and results like this, it’s easy to see why the American Association for Justice, Super Lawyers, Best Law Firms, Irish Legal 100, Best Lawyers, and other respected legal organizations continue to honor our attorneys. Clients also regularly show their appreciation for the work we’ve done for them by giving us five-star Google Reviews.
Don’t hesitate to contact our personal injury lawyers today for a free initial case evaluation. We’re available 24/7, and there are no legal fees unless we win your case.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 How Can a Hazleton Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help You?
When you work with a personal injury lawyer at Munley Law, you can rest assured that an experienced professional is handling all the complex legal components of your case so that you can turn your attention to rest and recovery.
Some of the ways our Hazleton motorcycle accident attorney can help you include:
- Gathering Evidence: One of the first things we will do for you is work tirelessly to gather all relevant and necessary evidence. This evidence will prove that the other party was at fault for the accident and that the settlement amount you requested is deserved. Our investigators will gather evidence that you may not be able to obtain on your own, such as CCTV footage and expert testimony.
- Negotiating a Settlement: We will thoroughly review your case and account for every source of compensation you are owed. Next, we’ll use this to evaluate the worth of your case and will present the number to the defendant and their legal team. In an ideal situation, this first settlement offer would be accepted. However, it’s not uncommon for the defendant to counter with an offer of their own. We will negotiate with their team, always prioritizing your best interest until you can reach an agreement.
- Representing You In Court: Most personal injury cases, including motorcycle accidents, settle out of court. However, going to trial is always possible; if that does happen, you want to be sure you have a trusted lawyer on your side. Some personal injury lawyers only have experience negotiating settlements and would have to pass you along to someone else if a trial were necessary.
While you’re not legally required to have a lawyer represent you after a motorcycle accident in Luzerne County, PA, if you’ve been injured, the last thing you want to do is deal with numerous legal and other hurdles. Give yourself the best chance of obtaining justice and fair compensation by letting our Hazleton motorcycle accident lawyer handle your case.
What are the Main Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Hazleton?
Motorcycle accidents, like car accidents, can occur due to any number of factors. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- T-bone collisions: T-bone collisions happen when the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another. This can be particularly devastating when a truck or passenger vehicle collides with the side of a motorcycle; a motorcycle driver is far less shielded from the impact than the driver of a car would be, and can experience significant injury.
- Head-on collisions: As the name implies, head-on collisions occur when the front ends of two vehicles collide with each other.
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving is anything that takes a driver’s hands off the wheel, their mind off the road, or their eyes off the road. A distracted driver is far more likely to cause an accident; even if they become aware of an impending collision before it happens, if they’ve been distracted, they may not be able to brake in time to prevent it.
- Car doors opening: It’s not uncommon for motorcycle accidents to occur when a driver of a parked car opens their door without looking, causing the motorcyclist to collide with the door itself.
- Reckless driving: Reckless driving can cause all manner of accidents, including motorcycle accidents. Reckless driving includes things like speeding, tailgating, unsafe lane changing, swerving, and more.
- Alcohol use: Drinking and driving are both dangerous and illegal, and operating a car or motorcycle when drunk can have disastrous consequences. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that around 32 people in the US die in drunk-driving crashes and that 11,904 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2024.
- Dangerous road conditions: Dangerous road conditions, such as rain, fog, wind, or snow, can limit visibility for all drivers and greatly increase the chance of an accident. Potholes and cracked roads can also cause an accident.
- Sudden stops: If a car driver negligently slams on their brakes, coming to a sudden halt, it could cause the motorcyclist behind them to crash into the rear of the vehicle.
- And more
What are the Most Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents in Hazleton?
In the past several decades, motorcycles have become an increasingly popular mode of transport; in fact, data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows the number of on-road motorcycles registered in the US increased from 4.3 million to 8.6 million between 2002 and 2021. Unfortunately, motorcycle riders are at a particularly high risk of accidents and injuries. In fact, the National Safety Council found that motorcyclists account for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), there were 3,298 motorcycle accidents across the Keystone State in 2024, of which 218 were fatal.
Because a motorcyclist lacks some of the physical protection a passenger vehicle driver has, they can be at serious risk of injury in an accident. A wide variety of injuries can occur from a motorcycle accident, but some common injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Loss of limb
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burn injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- And more
It’s important to remember that helmets are proven to decrease injuries and reduce deaths in motorcycle accidents. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that helmets saved nearly 2,000 lives in 2017; 749 more could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.
PennDOT reports that, in 2024, 53.9% of motorcyclists who were involved in accidents but weren’t injured were wearing helmets, compared to the 34.3% of motorcyclists who weren’t wearing helmets and weren’t injured when they were involved in crashes. While there’s no way to absolutely prevent an accident, wearing a helmet greatly increases your odds of survival should one occur.
What Compensation is Available Following a Motorcycle Accident in Hazleton, PA?
It’s difficult to give any estimate of how much you’re eligible to receive in damages after a motorcycle accident in the Hazleton area, as this depends greatly on the details of your accident and your case. In more general terms, you may be able to receive compensation for both economic and non-economic losses.
Economic losses are those that have a clear and distinct monetary value, such as those associated with injuries and wrongful deaths. Some examples of these losses are medical bills and expenses, lost wages, and future lost wages.
However, when a severe injury occurs, the cost goes beyond economic losses. You’re likely to be impacted mentally and emotionally, and you may not be able to immediately return to the life you lived before. This is where non-economic losses come into play. These losses account for the more abstract losses an accident victim experiences, such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. Your attorney will review your case in great detail in order to ensure you’re fairly compensated for every aspect of your suffering and loss
That said, there are two very important factors to remember, namely Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations and comparative negligence rule. The statute of limitations under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524 (2) allows you two years from the date of the accident to file a claim, and missing this deadline could prevent you from recovering any compensation at all. Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 7102, the comparative negligence rule allows you to pursue compensation if you are less than 50% at fault for the accident, and any compensation you receive will be reduced by your share of fault. For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 but are 20% responsible for the accident, you will only receive $80,000. If you’re more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages.
Why Work With Our Hazleton Accident Attorneys at Munley Law?
We understand that if you or a loved one has experienced a motorcycle accident in Hazleton, you have many options for who you trust to handle the legal aspect of your case. It’s not a decision that should be taken lightly, and that’s why with Munley Law, you are always entitled to a free initial case evaluation before making any commitment. You can call at any time to speak to one of our dedicated and experienced Hazelton personal injury lawyers, and learn how we can help fight for you and secure you the justice you deserve.
At Munley Law, we work around the clock to ensure each and every one of our motorcycle accident clients gets the attention and care they deserve. We have an incredible track record of securing highly satisfactory, multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts for our clients. Over the years, we’ve recovered more than $1 billion in damages for injured Pennsylvanians.
Beyond this, we have the knowledge, expertise, and expert contacts to conduct thorough investigations and build strong cases. All our lawyers are members of the American Association for Justice and the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Four of our attorneys, including Marion Munley, Daniel Munley, J. Christopher Munley, and John Mulcahey, are board-certified in Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. All our partners were named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers and Irish Legal 100 lists, while the National Trial Lawyers named them among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania. Additionally, Best Lawyers named Marion Munley as Lawyer of the Year for Personal Injury Litigation.
We pride ourselves not just on our successes but on the relationships that we form with our clients. Our firm was founded as a family business in 1959, and although we offer national-level service, we are still guided by our founder’s ethos. When you work with us, you won’t be just another number or one in a stack of cases; you’ll be treated like family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hazleton Motorcycle Accident Cases
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Motorcycle Accident in Hazleton, PA?
While you are not legally required to hire a lawyer, having an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can significantly improve your chances of recovering fair compensation. A Hazleton motorcycle accident lawyer can handle the collection of evidence, negotiations with insurance companies, and legal filings on your behalf. This allows you to focus on your recovery while your case is managed professionally.
How Much is My Hazleton Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
How much your Hazleton motorcycle accident case is worth depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, and the impact on your quality of life. Every case is unique, so there is no fixed settlement amount. An attorney can evaluate your specific situation and provide a clearer estimate based on the details of your claim.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident in Luzerne County?
Immediately after a motorcycle accident, your priority should be to seek medical attention, even if your injuries don’t appear to be serious. You should also report the accident to the police, gather evidence (if possible), collect witness contact details, and avoid speaking with insurance companies before consulting a Hazleton motorcycle accident attorney at Munley Law. Taking these steps helps protect your health and your legal rights.
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. This is known as the statute of limitations, and missing this deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to ensure your case is filed on time.
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I was Partially at Fault for the Accident?
Yes, you can still recover compensation if you were partially at fault for the accident, provided your share of fault is less than 50%. Pennsylvania follows a comparative negligence rule, which means your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. An attorney can help determine liability and work to minimize your share of responsibility.
Contact Munley Law to Schedule a Free Consultation
Don’t jeopardize your chances of obtaining justice for your motorcycle accident by hesitating to reach out to us. Contact Munley Law today to learn more about how we can protect your rights and secure your compensation. We are ready and waiting to take your call.
James Christopher Munley
James Christopher Munley is a highly successful and driven motorcycle accident lawyer. Chris has spent years fighting for injured victims of all kinds, including motorcycle accidents. His accomplishments have earned him numerous awards, including multiple instances of recognition by both Best Lawyers and Lawdragon, and the title of “Pennsylvania Super Lawyer” from Super Lawyers. In terms of case results, Chris has assisted in the recovery of millions of dollars for motorcycle accident victims, including involvement in a $4.3 Million Jury award for a motorcycle accident victim.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on May 27, 2026.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
197 N Cedar St.
Hazleton, PA 18201
(570) 536-9498
