Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Personal Injury Attorneys / Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

The Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Get Results

When a motorcyclist is hit by a car, truck, or another large vehicle, the results can be catastrophic. With little protection from the impact, the motorcycle rider may suffer life-threatening injuries that take months or years to heal. The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be a harrowing time, physically and financially. As the injured victim, you have the right to seek compensation.  To get full compensation for your injuries, you will need an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer on your side.

Your choice of law firm matters. The motorcycle accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys have more than 60 years of experience representing injured victims. Our award-winning personal injury attorneys have recovered large settlements and verdicts for injured motorcyclists throughout Pennsylvania. We have consistently been recognized as the Best Lawyers in America and are board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Most importantly, we get results.

Fill out our contact form or call for a FREE consultation today.

How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help Your Claim?

Drivers may not see a motorcyclist on the road until it is too late. When carelessness results in a serious accident, the driver at fault must be held accountable.

Injured motorcycle accident victims may find roadblocks to getting the compensation they need to recover from the motorcycle crash. Insurance companies profit by paying as little as they can to motorcycle accident victims.  It is common practice for the insurance company to attempt to blame the rider for the accident or delay paying out the motorcycle accident claim.

The first step toward getting the compensation you need to cover your medical bills and other damages is to call the experienced motorcycle accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys.  We will answer your questions at no charge, and help you determine what to do next. If you choose to hire us to represent you, we’ll handle everything from that day forward, so you can focus on healing from your injuries while we fight for the money you are owed.

At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, our motorcycle accident lawyer will help you file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for:

• Current and future medical bills
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Lost wages or lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Mental and emotional anguish
• Altered quality of life

In the worst cases, we help victims’ families pursue wrongful death claims against at-fault drivers in order to get justice for their loved ones and provide future security for their families.

At your free consultation, our motorcycle lawyers will review your claim, then provide you with the legal options that could help your claim. We will fight on your behalf against the insurance companies to make sure you get the maximum compensation for your motorcycle accident claim. And, if necessary, we will represent you in the courtroom.

Here is how our personal injury lawyers can help with your claim:

Investigate the Motorcycle Accident

After any type of accident, a thorough investigation is needed to find the root cause of the crash and who can be held at fault for the accident. Using expert witnesses, accident reconstructionists, and private investigators, we will discover who was responsible so your motorcycle accident claim is well supported.

Calculating Damages

The full effects of your motorcycle crash may not be immediately apparent. It is important to understand the full extent of the losses you have suffered and how your accident will continue to affect your life in the future.

We will carefully review your medical records with the help of a licensed physician after the motorcycle accident to evaluate how extensive the injuries are and how much compensation you will need to recover from the crash.

Other forms of damages include lost wages; we will evaluate how your injuries will impact your earning power in the future. We will also consider the many ways your injuries will affect your quality of life: your ability to enjoy activities, care for your family, get around your home, and more. All of these things will influence the overall value of your damages.

Negotiate With the Insurance Company

Once we determine how much your motorcycle accident case may be worth, we will begin the negotiation process with the insurance company. Sometimes, the negotiations can be settled within a few weeks or months; other times, it may take longer, especially if the case is complicated and you have suffered catastrophic injuries.

Motorcycle insurance requirements vary by state. In Pennsylvania, for example, motorcycle riders are required to carry motorcycle insurance. The minimum coverage is $15,000 bodily injury per person, $30,000 per accident, $5000 in personal injury protection, and $5000 in property damage. Needless to say, the $5,000 PIP coverage for injuries is unlikely to cover the cost of your medical treatment if you get into a motorcycle crash.

Represent Your Claim in Court

Sometimes, a settlement agreement cannot be reached outside the courtroom. If this happens, then our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys are prepared to take your case to trial. Negotiations will continue until the trial has begun.

While many personal injury lawyers prefer to settle out of court, Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys is always ready to take your case to trial if that’s what it takes to get justice for you.

We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for victims of highway and motorcycle accidents. If you have suffered an injury or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.

Motorcycle Accident Testimonials

Our lawyers take pride in providing the best service to each and every one of our clients. Below are some testimonials from real people who trusted Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys with their motorcycle accident cases:

How Do Motorcycle Accidents Differ From Car Accidents?

Severity of Injuries in a Motorcycle Crash

Unsurprisingly, motorcyclists often suffer more serious injuries and fatalities than car drivers in the event of a crash.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5,579 motorcyclists in the United States were involved in a fatal traffic accident in 2020. Thanks to the size and weight of other vehicles on the road, especially tractor trailers, motorcyclists face a greater risk of serious injury and death. In fact, they are 29 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash and four times more likely to be injured than a car driver or passenger.

One of the reasons why motorcyclists suffer greater injuries than vehicle occupants is the amount of protection they have. For example, a car passenger is protected by a seatbelt and airbags and is enclosed in metal. For motorcyclists, the only protection they have is a helmet.

Motorcyclists also deal with limited visibility compared to car drivers. Motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles and therefore can be more easily hit by drivers who don’t see them on the road, especially in poor weather or at night.

The increased risk to motorcyclists is one reason helmet use is so important. According to the NHTSA, 71 percent of motorcyclists used Department of Transportation-compliant helmets in 2019. In Pennsylvania, any person who rides or operates a motorcycle must wear protective headgear unless they are over 21 and have two years of riding experience or completed a motorcycle safety course. Failure to wear a helmet can lead to serious injuries such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and even death.

Insurance Coverage in a Motorcycle Crash

The other major difference between car accidents and motorcycle accidents has to do with insurance coverage. Specifically, motorcycle riders are not bound by a tort option the way car drivers are. In a car accident in Pennsylvania, the victim’s ability to sue is heavily influenced by the tort option on their insurance policy. Those with full tort can sue for pain and suffering, while those with limited tort cannot (unless they breach the threshold due to severe injuries).

However, in Pennsylvania, motorcycle riders are exempt from this rule, and enjoy the benefits of full tort coverage.

Motorcycle Accident Cases are Unique

Most injury law firms handle car accidents, but motorcycle accidents can present unique challenges. This is why it is important to have a law firm on your side with experience representing injured motorcyclists.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for My Motorcycle Accident?

A motorcycle accident can be more complicated than first imagined. Although the at-fault party is usually either the driver or the motorcyclist, there are times when a third party is responsible for the accident. For example, if there is a defective part on the motorcycle that caused the crash, and the manufacturer knew about the part, they may be held responsible for the accident. Another party responsible may be the local or state government for dangerous road conditions that lead to the accident.

However, to prove a case for negligence, your motorcycle accident lawyer will need show the following:

• Duty – The at-fault party had an obligation to prevent harm to the injured motorcyclist. This is called duty of care – the party has a legal responsibility to keep other individuals safe when performing a task that may cause harm. In motor vehicle cases, all drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles with reasonable care.
• Breach – The at-fault party breached the duty of care and caused harm. For example, a driver ran a red light and hit a motorcyclist head on. It was later learned that the driver had been texting at the time of the motorcycle accident. Because the driver failed to follow the rules of the road, they caused the injury victim harm.
• Causation – The breach of duty resulted in injuries.
• Damages – In this context, damages refer to any expenses you have following the motorcycle accident. This included medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and lost wages. Damages also include non-economic losses such as pain and suffering and loss of companionship of a loved one.

Can a Motorcyclist Be Held At Fault?

The short answer to this question is yes, a motorcyclist could be found at fault for the motorcycle crash. For example, if a motorcyclist was illegally weaving around traffic the motorcyclist may be found partially at fault for the accident.

Pennsylvania negligence laws follow the modified comparative negligence doctrine. What this means is if the injured party is found partially at fault for the accident, they can still receive compensation at a reduced amount. The injured party must be found less than 51 percent at fault in order to collect damages. It will be up to the court to assign fault.

Using the example above, if the motorcyclist is found 20 percent at fault for the accident, then they will only receive 80 percent of the compensation awarded to them.

What Are the Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

There are several causes of motorcycle accidents, but the most common causes of motorcycle accidents are a result of human error. Negligence on behalf of the other drivers on the road can result in a catastrophic injury for the motorcyclist.

Some common causes include:

Distracted Driving

The number one cause of all motorcycle accidents is the failure of other motorists on the road to notice the motorcyclists on the road. Because of their small size, it can be difficult for an inattentive driver to notice the motorcycle until it’s too late. Taking your eyes off the road for even a couple of seconds can result in a collision.

Distracted driving includes any activity that pulls the driver’s attention away from the task of driving. While phones and technology are the number one source of distraction, other distractions might include a built-in navigation or infotainment system, other passengers in the car, eating or drinking behind the wheel, and even hands-free phone calls or tech.

Aggressive Driving

According to the NHTSA, aggressive driving – which includes speeding, tailgating, or cutting off another driver – is defined as when a driver commits a series of traffic offenses that harm another individual. You may not think that going slightly above the speed limit is not a big deal until you take a look at the statistics. The NHTSA had found that speeding alone claimed 11,258 lives in 2020.

Left-Hand Turns

Making a left-hand turn is more dangerous than you may realize. According to Popular Mechanics, approximately 61 percent of all traffic accidents are the result of someone making a left-hand turn. In the majority of these accidents, the vehicle that is making the left-hand turn is the one who will be found at fault for the accident. If a car or truck makes a left-hand turn in front of an oncoming motorcyclist, the resulting crash can be devastating.

Motorcycle Lane Splitting

What is lane splitting? Sitting in a traffic jam, you may have seen a motorcyclist driving between the two lanes of cars to try and escape the congestion. This is what’s known as lane splitting. Lane splitting is illegal in Pennsylvania, and most other states except California. While two motorcycles may legally share a lane and travel side by side, a motorcycle and automobile may not.

Lane splitting can be dangerous for both riders and drivers and can lead to motorcycle accidents. This is important to know because if a motorcyclist was found to be lane splitting at the time of a crash, it can affect the rider’s ability to sue the other driver for damages.

Hazardous Road Conditions

Even the slightest pothole can result in a motorcycle accident. From slippery roadways to uneven pavement, poor road conditions can cause the motorcycle to become unbalanced, causing the vehicle to tip over and leading to serious injuries.

Motorcycle Accident FAQs

Q: What Are the Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents?

With less protection and more likelihood to get into a crash, motorcyclists could experience an array of serious injuries that could take months if not years to recover from. Some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries include:

• Road Rash: When the body hits the pavement, any debris on the surface can rub against the skin, creating a painful abrasion. If not treated properly, road rash can become infected and cause scarring.
• Broken Bones: Hitting the ground can also result in numerous fractures and broken bones. Fractures could take months to heal and require long-term physical therapy to regain mobility and range of motion.
• Spinal Cord Injury: Damage to the spinal cord could result in nerve damage, quadriplegia, and paraplegia. This is a life-changing injury that may result in a disability that could last the rest of your life.
• Traumatic Brain Injury: Motor vehicle accidents account for 14 percent of all brain injuries. A brain injury can result in emotional changes, blurry vision, headaches, memory loss, speech problems, and much more. Serious brain injuries can result in permanent disability and require round-the-clock care.
• Death: In some cases, a motorcycle crash can result in the wrongful death of the motorcycle accident victim. In fact, motorcycle riders face a much higher risk for road fatalities than other drivers do.  If this occurs, the family may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party.

Q: When Should I File a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

In Pennsylvania, you have to file a personal injury claim within two years of the date of injury. This is what’s called the statute of limitations. If you attempt to file a claim after two years, chances are the claim will fail.

Two years may sound like a long time, but in the legal world, it’s not much time at all. There are a number of steps which must be taken before your lawsuit can be officially filed in court, and these can take time.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, it’s best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Evidence can quickly disappear and witness memories fade over time. Many facts of the case will be lost and it will be difficult to prove who is responsible for your accident. It is in your best interest to contact a lawyer as soon as possible, even if you think it is too early to know whether you have a case or not. A  motorcycle accident attorney will listen to your story, give you advice, and help you take any necessary steps before it is time to file a lawsuit.

The bottom line is that it’s never too soon to contact an injury lawyer about a motorcycle accident lawsuit.

Q: Do I Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

A: By their very nature, motorcycle accidents frequently result in serious injury. Such injuries often come with costly medical bills, loss of income or inability to work, and physical as well as psychological pain and suffering. While the insurance company may make a settlement offer, their offer is unlikely to cover all of your losses. People with legal representation typically receive far greater compensation than those who do not. Typically, the insurance company settlement offer will only include expenses that an injury victim has currently, and may not account for future expenses or pain and suffering. The experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys will help you get all of the compensation you are owed.

Q: How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

A: At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we charge on a contingent fee basis. This means that our motorcycle accident lawyer does not collect a fee (a portion of the settlement) unless we win your case. If we are unable to produce results for you, you will not owe us anything for our services. Furthermore, you will not pay anything upfront or out of your own pocket. The initial consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer is absolutely free, so you risk nothing by coming to speak with Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys about your case. This way, the cost will not stand in the way of your access to the best possible legal representation.

Q: What Should I Do In the Days Following a Motorcycle Accident?

A: In the days after your motorcycle accident, the most important thing is to seek medical attention for your injuries. You need to learn the full extent of your injuries, what your treatment plan is, and how long it will take to recover. It’s a smart idea to keep a record of your medical treatment for your motorcycle accident lawyer to review.

You will also want to gather your important documents together for the personal injury lawyer to review. This includes the police report, your insurance policy, photos and video of the accident scene, repair bills, contact information of any witnesses, and medical bills. You will also want to keep a record of any time you missed from work, including any vacation or PTO you had to take because of the accident.

After the motorcycle accident, you will receive a call from the other party’s insurance company, wanting more information about the accident. The adjuster may try to record your conversation or get a statement from you. Remember, you are not under any obligation to speak with the other insurance company about the accident or your injuries. You should also refuse to have your conversation recorded without your accident lawyer present. The defendant’s insurance company could use any recorded statements as evidence to discredit your claim.

If you do speak with the insurance adjuster before speaking with our experienced motorcycle accident attorney, keep your comments brief and stick with the facts of the case. Do not offer an opinion about what happened or admit fault.

And most importantly, do not accept a settlement offer from an insurance company until you have consulted with a motorcycle accident attorney at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys. If you accept an offer of settlement, you will most likely waive your right to seek additional compensation later, even if your injury becomes worse.

Q: Do Motorcycle Riders Need Motorcycle Insurance? 

Motorcycle insurance laws vary by state. You may need to purchase a standalone motorcycle insurance policy, or you may be able to add a motorcycle endorsement to your existing auto insurance policy. In Pennsylvania, all riders are required to carry a separate motorcycle insurance policy.

Q: How Much is a Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?

Every case is different, and compensation will depend upon a number of factors, so you should be skeptical of any lawyer who promises a specific settlement amount too early in the process. An experienced motorcycle lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys will know how to thoroughly investigate your claim and make a demand based on the maximum amount you are owed. From that point forward, your motorcycle accident lawyer will keep you apprised of the negotiation process and will not accept an offer of settlement without your consent.

That being said, the amount of money you receive for your case will depend upon the extent of your injuries, the cost of your hospital stays, surgeries, and any future or ongoing medical treatment. It will depend also on how much time you are forced to miss from work, and/or how the accident affects your ability to work in the future. Your compensation will also reflect the amount of pain and suffering you endured and will continue to endure as a result of the crash. The amount of compensation you receive will also be affected by the available insurance coverage.

Q: Do I Have a Case?

To determine if you have a motorcycle accident case, your first step is to contact a personal injury lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys. We will listen to your story, examine the information, then explain what legal options are available to you. The consultation is free of charge. Even if you are unsure whether you have a case, there is no harm in meeting with a lawyer to find out. In fact, a consultation with a motorcycle accident attorney can arm you with the information you need to protect your rights, and make educated decisions about your injury claim.

We have offices throughout Pennsylvania to easily help you with your motorcycle accident case. When selecting a motorcycle accident lawyer, remember there is a difference so you need to choose carefully. Contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.