With easy access to I-78, I-476, U.S. 22, and PA 309, Allentown is a perfect starting point for any motorcycle ride. Unfortunately, even skilled motorcyclists can be seriously injured by other, less careful drivers.
If you or one of your family members was injured in a motorcycle accident in Allentown or the nearby area, you should know that financial compensation could be available to you and your loved ones, including compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, and other losses resulting from the crash.
For a free case assessment, speak with our motorcycle accident injury lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm today at (215) 709-6940.
Types of Motorcycle Injury Claims We Handle in Allentown, PA
Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents tend to result in serious or fatal injuries to the rider. This is due to several factors, including the lack of seatbelts or windshields on a motorcycle and the difficulty of larger vehicles in seeing and avoiding motorcyclists. Motorcycles are also more sensitive to debris and defects in the road, which can cause them to crash more easily than heavier vehicles.
The Allentown motorcycle injury lawyers of the Reiff Law Firm have experience handling all types of negligence claims, including crashes involving head-on collisions, side-impact collisions, intersection accidents, highway accidents, accidents with commercial vehicles, accidents caused by motorcycle defects, and drunk driving accidents. We can pursue financial compensation for a variety of injuries, including amputations, fractures, burns, cuts, bruises, and more.
Pennsylvania Motorcycle Crash Statistics
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) releases an annual report containing statistics about motorcycle accidents, injuries, and fatalities across the state. The most recent “Pennsylvania Crash Facts and Statistics” report by PennDOT reported 3,194 motorcycle crashes in Pennsylvania in 2017. Of these crashes, 180 were fatal, resulting in 185 deaths, while 2,791 crashes caused more than 3,050 injuries. The majority of the accidents were between motorcycles and passenger cars, vans, SUVs, or passenger trucks. A few involved collisions between motorcycles and semi-trailer trucks or other motorcycles. Lehigh County, where Allentown is located, was among the top 10 Pennsylvania counties with the highest number of auto accidents overall.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Motorcycle Accident in Allentown, PA
When it comes to a motorcycle accident lawsuit, the level of complexity depends on who is responsible and how responsible they are. Our team of motorcycle accident lawyers has the necessary expertise to identify the parties responsible for your injury case. It is possible that multiple parties were at fault for the accident due to their negligence. The cause of the injury might not be solely attributed to another driver but could also be due to a government entity in Allentown or the motorcycle manufacturer’s negligence. These are the parties that are most commonly sued in a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Allentown.
Other Drivers
Motorcycle accidents in Allentown commonly result in injuries to riders, which are often caused by the negligence of other drivers. These drivers might fail to notice motorcycles on the road due to a lack of attention or oversight. However, this is not a valid defense in any legal action resulting from the accident.
If a motorcycle accident involves multiple drivers, each driver can be held responsible for the damages they caused. For example, if one driver was speeding and collided with a vehicle that made an illegal lane change, resulting in damage to your motorcycle, both drivers would be liable for compensating you for the damages caused by their actions.
Employers and Commercial Drivers
If a motorcycle accident occurs while an employee is carrying out work-related duties and it is found to be caused by their negligence, both the driver and their employer might be held liable. In situations where a driver is delivering goods for a company and suffers an injury due to their negligence, the employer can be held accountable for any on-the-job accidents. This legal principle is known as respondeat superior, which enables legal action to be taken against both the driver and their employer.
Manufacturers and Designers
In the event that a defective motorcycle part caused your accident, you have the option to file a claim against the manufacturer or designer, regardless of whether the bike is imported. This means that the maker could be held accountable for neglecting to ensure the safety of the motorcycle design or failing to disclose any potential hazards associated with the use of the product.
State and Local Governments
Motorcyclists can suffer injuries due to poor road conditions and hazards that are the responsibility of local or state government agencies. It is possible for a rider to be thrown off their bike after hitting a pothole that was difficult to spot. If the city knew about the pothole but took no action to address it, you might be able to file a lawsuit for negligence. However, suing a government entity comes with extra legal regulations that can make these cases more complicated to navigate.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Allentown, PA
If you have been in a motorcycle accident, the first action you should take is to get to safety and seek medical help by calling 9-1-1. You may be suffering from serious injuries that are temporarily masked by the rush of adrenaline from the crash. Following this, your next priority should be alerting the authorities to the accident. Police officers will create an accident report describing the conditions surrounding the crash.
If possible, to do so safely, you should attempt to record video footage and/or take photographs of the accident scene, which could provide invaluable evidence later in the claims process. Of course, you should never endanger your personal safety or that of other bystanders in order to obtain footage. If possible, it can also be helpful to get the contact information of people who witnessed the crash to occur, whose statements could potentially support your claim.
Do not worry about dealing with insurance paperwork or negotiations with claims adjusters while you are coping with a serious injury. It is not necessary – or recommended – for you to handle complex insurance-related issues on your own if you have suffered catastrophic injuries. It is in your best interests to let an experienced attorney deal with these matters for you so that you do not fall prey to lowball settlement offers or other insurance tactics.
Damages That You Can Claim in an Allentown, PA Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
If you have been in a motorcycle accident in Allentown, it is possible that you are facing emotional and financial struggles as a result of your injuries. Fortunately, there are motorcycle accident lawyers available who can assist you in filing a lawsuit seeking compensation as long as the accident was caused by another driver. Depending on the severity of the accident and the lasting impact of your injuries, you might be entitled to various forms of compensation. Injured bikers might receive compensation for both tangible and intangible losses, including pain and suffering.
Medical Expenses
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s carelessness, they are responsible for paying for all medical expenses related to the incident, including future treatments. These expenses cover visits to healthcare professionals, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and any other necessary medical services. Additionally, you can request reimbursement for costs such as prescription medication, hospitalization, ambulance transportation, and surgical procedures. It is important to consider ongoing medical expenses that might result from permanent disability when filing a claim for damages.
Lost Income
In the event that a motorcycle accident causes injuries that hinder your ability to resume work or continue with your previous occupation, you are entitled to request compensation for lost income and potential earnings. If your injuries are significant enough to prevent you from working altogether, you might petition for permanent disability, which is determined by the duration of your inability to work resulting from the accident.
Non-Economic Damages
If an individual is in a motorcycle accident, they might be able to seek non-economic damages for pain and suffering. These damages are intended to cover physical pain and emotional distress. The lawsuit might also involve loss of consortium and loss of enjoyment, which refer to the inability to participate in activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed with a spouse or partner.
Property Damage
In the event that your motorcycle or personal belongings are harmed as a result of another individual’s carelessness, you are entitled to seek reimbursement for any expenses incurred. This reimbursement should cover any damages sustained by your motorcycle, as well as any other items affected during the accident, including clothing or gear. You can provide evidence of the damages with receipts, repair bills, and estimates.
Time Limit to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Allentown, PA
In case you are involved in a motorcycle accident in Allentown and sustain injuries, it is crucial to be aware of the timeline for filing a lawsuit. According to Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations, specifically 18 Pa.C.S. § 5524(1), you have two years from the accident’s date to file a lawsuit. However, motorcycle accident cases can be more intricate and require more investigation than typical car accident cases, making this timeline pass by quickly.
To ensure that evidence can be gathered and witnesses can be located to testify on your behalf, it is essential to act promptly by reaching out to our firm. We can commence working on your case immediately so you do not miss out on the compensation you are entitled to. If your case is not filed within this timeframe, it cannot proceed.
Our Allentown, PA Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawyers Can Help
Contact The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940 for your free case review with our motorcycle accident injury attorneys.
