At SMT Legal, our team of skilled Pittsburgh Motorcycle Accident Attorneys understands the devastating impact a motorcycle accident can have on your life. With extensive experience in handling motorcycle accident cases, our skilled personal injury lawyers are well-versed in the intricacies of Pennsylvania accident law. Our mission is to provide legal assistance, but also the support and guidance you need during this challenging time. We are committed to fighting for motorcycle riders rights and securing the maximum compensation you need and deserve.

HOW OUR PITTSBURGH MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS CAN HELP YOU

Motorcycle collisions often result in catastrophic injuries, some of the most severe being traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and serious head injuries. These types of vehicle accidents incidents go beyond the average car accident, with the potential for serious injuries and, in the worst cases, fatalities.

Our skilled Pittsburgh Motorcycle Accident Lawyers have handled countless types of complex personal injury cases, including wrongful death cases. We understand the immense physical, emotional, and financial toll they take, which is why we approach each case with the utmost compassion and determination. Whether you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, we aim to ensure you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries to aid in your recovery process and help you move forward.

Apart from providing you with a free consultation and free case evaluation, SMT’s experienced motorcycle accident lawyers will thoroughly investigate your injury claim, develop and build a strong motorcycle accident case, handle all negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf, and prepare your case for the trial process

UNDERSTANDING PENNSYLVANIA MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CLAIMS

Motorcycle AccidentInitially, our personal injury attorneys will collect sufficient evidence establishing the other motorist’s fault. According to FindLaw, the driver of the other vehicle violates the motorcyclist’s right of way and is to blame for the crash in two-thirds of all motorcycle accidents involving a passenger car. Your Pittsburgh motorcycle accident lawyer will investigate your particular accident. Our legal team will gather evidence, including police reports and medical records, to find compelling evidence of the passenger car driver’s fault.

The other motorist might not be the only party to blame for the motorcycle crash, as poor road conditions cause a large percentage of motorcycle accidents. When road conditions factor in causing a motor vehicle collision, your lawyer will investigate whether the government entity or any other public entity such as the city, municipality, or county can be held accountable for the crash.

Inspecting the motorcycle, safety gear, and other vehicles: According to the National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey (NMVCCS), more than 45,000 motor vehicle crashes are caused by a vehicle malfunction, many of which occur as a result of poor vehicle maintenance. Your attorney will hire specialists to inspect bikes, safety gear, and other vehicles involved in the crash to determine whether or not other parties – such as auto manufacturers or auto mechanics – can be held liable.

Time Limit to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit

It is critical for individuals to understand that they have a limited amount of time to file motorcycle accident claims In Pittsburgh. The Pennsylvania personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date an injury occurs. If a motorcyclist fails to file a claim within this two-year timeframe, they will lose the ability to recover the compensation they need.

However, we do want motorcycle accident victims in Pittsburgh to understand that insurance carriers do not have the same deadline. Most insurance carriers require that motorcycle accidents be reported within a day or two after they occur. Failing to abide by insurance carrier deadlines could result in a claim delay or denial.

What Happens if a Motorcyclist is Partially at Fault?

motorcycle on ground

Injured motorcyclists in Pittsburgh may still be able to recover compensation even if they are partially at fault for their injuries. Pennsylvania operates under what is called a “modified comparative negligence” system. This means that injury victims in the Commonwealth can recover compensation so long as they are less than 51% responsible for their injury. Any person 51% or more responsible for an accident will be unable to recover compensation for their losses.

However, as part of the modified comparative negligence system, the total amount of compensation a motorcycle accident victim receives will be reduced based on their percentage of fault. For example, if a motorcyclist attempted to change lanes and was rear-ended by an alcohol-impaired driver right after changing lanes and sustained $100,000 worth of damages, the impaired driver may be seen as being totally at fault. However, what happens if the motorcyclist failed to use a turn signal or hand signals to indicate that they were changing lanes?

In this particular situation, it is plausible that a personal injury jury will find that the motorcyclist was 30% at fault because they failed to properly signal the lane change. In this instance, the motorcyclist would receive $70,000 in compensation instead of the full $100,000 to account for their percentage of fault.

Determining Fault in a Motorcycle Accident

It is unfortunate that so many motorcycle accidents could have been avoided if the drivers of the automobile who caused the accident had been less negligent. The most common cause of motorcycle accidents is negligence by another driver. Oftentimes drivers of cars, pick-up trucks, SUVs and large trucks do not give motorcyclists enough space causing rear end crashes.

Other vehicles may also cause limited visibility crashes by failing to check their mirrors closely before changing lanes. If motorists do not see the motorcyclist in their mirror, they may overlook them altogether, not bothering to check blind spots. Or, other drivers may be distracted or texting or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The difficulty lies in proving the other driver was negligent and caused the motorcycle crash.

The difficulty lies in proving the other driver was negligent and caused the motorcycle crash. Having an aggressive and compassionate motorcycle accident lawyer who specializes in guiding accident victims and their families through the legal process of personal injury is crucial to getting the best outcome for your case.

Types of Damages You May Be Entitled To

Our personal injury law firm was established based on the partnership of two experienced attorneys – one who spent decades representing injured people and the other with an extensive background in representing insurance companies. Our attorneys understand how both sides work and use this knowledge to maximize the outcomes for our clients.

Our law firm does not believe in backing down to insurance companies when they are offering our clients an unreasonable settlement. Instead, we advise our clients that we are ready, willing and able to prepare their case for trial. Of course, sometimes our clients are not interested in going to court, and in those instances we work hard to resolve the matter without involving further litigation.

As a motorcycle accident victim or the loved one of a victim, you may be entitled to recover damages such as:

  • Future Medical Expenses
  • Past Medical Bills
  • Property Damage
  • Lost Wages
  • Future Lost Wages
  • Emotional Distress
  • Permanent Physical Disability
  • Physical Pain and Suffering

CONTACT THE PITTSBURGH MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS AT SMT TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION

There are many benefits of hiring a team of motorcycle accident lawyers in Pittsburgh. If you are still uncertain about whether or not you need legal representation from an attorney, schedule a free consultation with our lawyers at SMT Legal.  Do not let the aftermath of a motorcycle accident deprive you of your legal rights. Our team of dedicated Pittsburgh Motorcycle Accident Attorneys is committed to helping you receive the full financial compensation you deserve for your suffering. We invite you to take advantage of our offer for a free case review. Our skilled lawyers will provide you with legal advice tailored to your unique circumstances, ensuring you are well-equipped to navigate your course to justice. Don’t wait, reach out to us today.

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