One key element of a motorcycle accident claim is identifying how the crash happened and who caused it. Otherwise, you can’t connect your injuries to the responsible party’s careless actions, which you must do to recover compensation for your injuries and other losses. Our Pittsburgh motorcycle accident lawyers can investigate the collision and handle the necessary steps to help you win fair compensation.
Most Common Causes of Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accidents
Some common causes of motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania include:
- Distracted drivers: Many motorcycle crashes happen because drivers in cars and trucks fail to see nearby riders, as motorcycles are smaller and harder to see than cars. A driver who’s looking at their phone, adjusting a GPS, or turning to talk with a passenger can drift into a rider’s lane or miss a motorcycle at an intersection.
- Speeding: Excessive speeds reduce the time drivers have to react to sudden hazards. Furthermore, speeding cars need more distance to stop, which can make it difficult for drivers to avoid collisions with motorcycles in front of them.
- Failure to yield: Motorcycles at intersections often face danger from other drivers who fail to yield the right of way. For example, a driver making a left turn across traffic who misjudges a motorcycle’s speed or distance can cause a severe crash.
- Impaired driving: Alcohol or drug use slows drivers’ reaction times and impairs their judgment, which endangers everyone on the road. Motorcycle riders are particularly susceptible to impaired driving accidents because they have less protection than people in cars.
- Hazardous road conditions: Potholes, uneven pavement, loose gravel, and poor signage can create dangerous situations for motorcyclists. While cars may handle these conditions without issue, a motorcycle can lose balance quickly and crash.
Steps in a Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Claim
Pennsylvania law specifically exempts motorcycles from the state’s no-fault insurance requirements. That means you can file a personal injury claim against whoever caused the collisions and seek compensation from them. The key steps in a motorcycle accident claim include:
- Investigation of the accident: While you heal, your lawyer will collect evidence to prove how the crash happened. Police reports, photos of the scene, witness statements, and any video footage that shows the collision can all help support your claim.
- Establishing liability: Your lawyer will use the evidence they’ve collected and robust legal arguments to show how someone else’s actions led to your injuries. This stage may involve reviewing traffic laws, analyzing accident reconstruction reports, and comparing driver statements.
- Calculating damages: To maximize your compensation, your lawyer must determine the financial and personal impact of the accident. A skilled attorney can make sure your settlement demand accounts for all the harm you’ve suffered, including your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, reduced earning potential, and more.
- Filing the claim: After completing their investigation and thoroughly documenting your losses, your lawyer will submit a demand letter to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The letter details the evidence your attorney collected and the compensation you’re seeking for your losses.
- Negotiation: The insurance company may respond with a settlement offer. Your lawyer will negotiate on your behalf to reach a fair resolution. If the insurer does not agree to reasonable terms, the claim can move forward to a lawsuit.
- Litigation: If necessary, the case will proceed to court. A judge or jury will review the evidence, hear testimony, and decide whether to award you compensation and, if so, what amount.
Talk to Our Pittsburgh Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Today
The Pittsburgh motorcycle accident lawyers at SMT Legal have decades of combined experience and a proven record of recovering significant compensation for our clients. Our team will identify who’s responsible for the crash that injured you and handle all the legal work in your personal injury claim. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
