Philadelphia Motorcycle Accidents Lawyers

Millions Recovered for Our Clients

Collisions involving motorcycles can be especially dangerous for bikers, and motorcycle accidents are more likely to cause severe injuries and fatalities than collisions involving only passenger vehicles. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists were 26x more likely to die in a traffic crash than passenger car occupants.

Although riding motorcycles carries additional risks over other vehicles, motorcyclists have the same rights as other drivers, including the right to seek financial compensation when they are injured in an accident that was due to the negligence of another driver. At Golomb Legal, we have more than three decades of experience successfully representing bikers who are victims of negligent driving.

Negligence in Motorcycle Accidents

Failure of other motor vehicle drivers to notice motorcycles on the road is the most common cause of motorcycle accidents. In fact, most drivers guilty of causing motorcycle accidents cite not recognizing the presence of a motorcycle as the reason for the collision.

Common triggers for motorcycle accidents include:

A passenger vehicle moving in front of a motorcycle
A passenger vehicle entering an intersection into the path of a motorcycle
A passenger vehicle turning onto a street into the path of a motorcycle
A passenger vehicle driver failing to check for motorcycles before making a lane change
A passenger vehicle driver failing to yield to or violating the right-of-way of a motorcycle

Important Motorcycle Laws in Pennsylvania

When riding your motorcycle in Pennsylvania, you must adhere to the state’s laws and rules of the road. If you do not and you get into a motorcycle accident while violating those rules, then it could significantly damage your ability to collect the full compensation that you need to recover.

Two important Pennsylvania motorcycle laws to always keep in mind are:

Helmet use: Pennsylvania requires that all motorcycle operators and passengers wear a helmet if they are under the age of 21. Minors with two years of proven riding experience can also choose not to wear a helmet when riding. Although, it is always far safer to wear a helmet, even when the law does not require it.
Lane-splitting: The act of riding a motorcycle in between occupied lanes of traffic to pass them is called lane-splitting. It is unlawful in Pennsylvania and can be penalized with a citation in many instances. If you were hit while lane-splitting, then it could increase your liability because the average driver would reasonably not expect you to be riding immediately adjacent to their vehicle.

Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Statute of Limitations

In Pennsylvania, there is a two-year statute of limitations on most motorcycle accident claims. You must file an injury claim within two years of your wreck, or you won’t be able to file one at all.

Please remember that filing an injury claim is not the same as filing an accident claim with your motorcycle insurance provider. You will need to notify them shortly after the crash. For help notifying your insurer the right way, you can count on our firm, too.

Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Any motor vehicle accident has the potential to result in serious injuries, but motorcycle riders are especially vulnerable in collisions, even when wearing a helmet. Due to their low profile, motorcycles don’t offer their riders any protection from the violent forces that occur during accidents. As a result, even accidents that occur at relatively low-speeds can cause serious injuries, resulting in lifelong disabilities or even death.

Injuries suffered by bikers are often severe and may necessitate extensive medical attention or long-term care. Common motorcycle accident injuries include:

Broken or fractured bones
Disfigurement
Road rash
Internal organ damage
Injuries necessitating amputation
Spinal cord injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Death

If you are injured or a family member is killed in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent driver, our motorcycle accident attorneys in Philadelphia at Golomb Legal can help you hold the responsible party accountable and challenge the insurance companies who attempt to deny motorcycle accident victims the money the need to recover from their injuries.

Obstacles Motorcyclists Face when Seeking Damages

While motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on the road as other motor vehicle drivers, they face unique obstacles when seeking to recover damages. Sadly, motorcyclists have an unfair reputation for being daredevils or thrill seekers. As such, law enforcement officials and insurance adjusters often try to pin some, if not all, of the accident on the motorcyclist-even when there is little supporting evidence.

When this occurs, you need an experienced Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyer on your side to help establish liability clearly and protect your rights. Through forensic evidence, eyewitness accounts, and police reports, your attorney will be able to build a solid case that is designed to recover the maximum compensation for your injuries.

Motorcycle Claims Against the City

Potholes are menaces on the road to all motorists, but motorcycle riders are especially susceptible to accidents caused by them. If a rider hits a pothole, even at a relatively low speed, then the result could be that the rider is thrown off their ride in a terrible wreck. Who is to blame when a problem with the road causes a motorcycle accident?

You might have a chance to file a claim against the local or state municipality in charge of maintaining the roads. Filing a claim against the government is never simple, though, and you could have a very limited window to take any action. If your motorcycle accident was caused by a pothole, poor road design, unclear lane markers, or another road defect, then you should team up with our Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorneys today.

Contact Our Lawyers for a Free Consult

If you were harmed or a loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident that was the result of another driver's negligence, please contact our motorcycle accident attorneys in Philadelphia at Golomb Legal. Our law firm has the experience and the resources needed to handle even the most complex motorcycle accident cases. Call today!

Call us at (215) 278-4449 or contact us online to request your free case evaluation!

Motorcycle Accident FAQ

What is the cause of most motorcycle accidents?

Commonplace motorist negligence is one of the most common – if not the single most common – causes of motorcycle accidents. Motorists who do not pay enough attention to the road will be even less likely to pay proper attention to smaller motorcycles around them.

Is it normal to be sore after a motorcycle accident?

You should always see a doctor after a motorcycle accident for soreness of any severity. Muscle pain from a tumble can last for two weeks, but don’t assume that you are fine. There could be underlying injuries that must be diagnosed by a medical professional.

What damages can I seek in a motorcycle accident claim?

You can seek economic and non-economic damages in a typical motorcycle accident claim. Economic damage relates to tangible costs like medical bills, vehicle repair costs, lost wages, etc. Non-economic damage relates to intangible costs like pain, suffering, and trauma.

What happens if I was never able to identify the driver who caused my crash?

If you can’t identify the driver who caused your motorcycle accident, then you should still talk to an attorney. You might be able to file a first-party claim using your uninsured motorist insurance policy.

What is a no-contact motorcycle accident?

Some motorcycle accidents are “no-contact,” which means that the vehicle that caused the crash didn’t hit the other. For example, a negligent driver cuts off a motorcycle rider, forcing them to swerve to avoid a collision, but they tip over and crash while swerving. If this happened to you, then the driver could still be fully liable for your losses even though they did not hit you.