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Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accidents Attorneys
Motorcycle accidents are on the rise. In 2006, there were 3,889 motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania, and motorcycle fatalities have increased dramatically from 152 in 2004 to 185 in 2006.
Motorcycle accidents can happen virtually anywhere, but one of the main contributing factors is a lack of attention from other drivers sharing the road. Drivers of cars and trucks simply fail to notice motorcyclists or give them the same courtesy and road rights as other motorists. More specifically, these instances often include:
- Following motorcycle too closely.
- Failing to properly check for motorcyclists while making a lane change.
- Failing to keep a proper look-out for motorcyclists.
- Making a left-hand turn in front of a motorcyclist.
Drunk driving and poor road conditions can also be culprits. Regardless of the cause, 80% of all motorcycle collisions result in injury or death – and leg injuries and head injuries are among the most common types of trauma suffered by the cyclist. Without protection against the thousands of pounds of metal of the typical car or truck, motorcyclists typically sustain the most severe injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Limb amputation
- Internal bleeding
Certainly, one of the most important steps a motorcyclist can take is to wear a helmet. Legislation allows drivers over the age of 21 to ride without a helmet if they have completed a motorcycle rider safety course or have been licensed to operate a motorcycle for at least two years. However, the odds are not in your favor if you drive or ride on a motorcycle without head protection and are involved in a motorcycle crash. Other steps you can take to reduce your chances for serious injury include:
- Never drive unless you have a license and have completed an approved safety course.
- Practice your driving skills regularly.
- Avoid speeding - in 2006, 37% of all motorcyclists who died were speeding.
- Never drink and drive – or ride.
- Stay visible to others and avoid the blind spots of other vehicles.
- When approaching the top of a hill, move away from the center line in case an oncoming vehicle is in your lane.
- Always ride with your headlights on.
- Look out for road hazards.
- Make sure your passengers understand how to ride safely.
If you are hurt in a motorcycle accident in Pennsylvania, you can collect money for medical expenses and also file a claim for pain and suffering. As a motorcycle operator, you should understand your coverage options when purchasing insurance – for instance, you can add underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage or stack your motorcycle and automobile coverage on the same policy. If you drive a car, this option enables you to combine the underinsured / uninsured coverage amounts for both vehicles in the event of an accident.
Even if you follow the rules and have the best insurance coverage money can buy, you may still need legal assistance to obtain the compensation needed to cover extensive medical bills and long-term health needs. You need a PA motorcycle accident attorney well-versed in Pennsylvania motorcycle law to help protect your interests and those of your family.
The Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyers at Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C. have more than 40 years of experience in handling personal injury and wrongful death cases. Our goal is to provide exceptional legal services to our clients. We strive to achieve the highest standard of excellence for the protection of individual rights through teamwork and the use of our considerable resources and experience.
We have offices conveniently located in Scranton, Stroudsburg, Carbondale, Plains, Hazleton, Harrisburg and Hamlin, PA If you have been injured as a result of a motorcycle accident, please contact us online by e-mail or telephone at (800) 318-LAW1 for a free review of your case.
Our PA motorcycle accident lawyers have received numerous professional awards and recognition, but we are most proud of our strong commitment to the victims we represent. For more information about our motorcycle collision lawyers and firm, please visit http://www.munley.com.
