You love to ride. There is no feeling quite like being on the open road, cruising along and leaving your cares far behind you. The people who only talk about how dangerous motorcycle riding is just don’t get it. It really is a pretty safe mode of travel as long as everyone pays attention and follows the rules.

But what happens when you have to ride in traffic? What happens when you have to be hyper-alert so that other motorists know you are there and don’t end up running you off the road or cutting you off? You can’t anticipate every possible traffic situation that you might face on a motorcycle. And so, unfortunately, accidents are going to happen.

When another driver causes your accident, you have the right to pursue compensation with the help of a dedicated personal injury attorney. A Media motorcycle accident lawyer at Dan Doyle Law Group understands your passion for riding and can sympathize with your frustration at being injured in an accident caused by another motorist.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reported the following statistics for the most recent annual period.

  • Motorcycle crashes make up less than 2.5% of all motor vehicle accidents.
  • Motorcycles are involved in almost 18% of fatality accidents.
  • Motorcycles are most often hit by passenger cars.
  • 50% of motorcyclists were killed and almost 60% of those injured were wearing helmets.

Who is at Fault in a Motorcycle Accident?

When you were riding a motorcycle involved in an accident with another vehicle, you should be prepared to have the other motorist suggest that you had some fault for causing the accident. Speed, lane positioning and following distance can all be issues that may need to be resolved in order to determine who is at fault for the accident.

Even if the other motorist is primarily at fault for causing the accident, you may be found to have some responsibility as well. Under Pennsylvania law, someone injured in an accident can seek compensation from whoever is responsible as long as the injured person is no more than 50% at fault for causing the accident. However, the amount that you can collect will be reduced by the percentage of fault that you have.

An experienced motorcycle accident attorney knows the determination of fault has a direct impact on how much you can recover and will work hard to minimize your responsibility for causing the accident.

How to Get Compensated for Your Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

Once the determination of fault is made, the amount of compensation that you are entitled to will be negotiated. You may recover the expenses you must incur due to the accident and any money you have lost as economic damages. You may also recover from the pain you have suffered from your injuries and for how the accident has otherwise affected your life as non-economic damages.

Economic damages

  • Property damage
  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages/income

Non-economic damages

  • Pain & suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of ability to enjoy life
  • Permanent disfigurement

There are occasions where the responsible party has acted so carelessly and with such indifference that an additional amount is awarded to you to punish the person. Punitive damages are infrequently awarded in Pennsylvania but may be justified when the behavior of the person injuring you was especially bad.

At Dan Doyle Law Group we know that being in a motorcycle accident caused by another motorist can result in serious injuries with lasting consequences. Our Media motorcycle accident lawyers will evaluate the circumstances of your accident, gather the evidence necessary to prove the other motorist was at fault, then convince an insurance company or jury of the extent of your injuries and the amount you should be compensated. Contact us for a free consultation with a motorcycle accident attorney.