Allentown Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Allentown, Pennsylvania, you deserve compensation and should Lehigh Valley motorcycle accident attorney to evaluate your case. Cordisco & Saile LLC has been helping victims of motorcycle accidents in Allentown for over 30 years. We understand the physical and emotional toll an accident can have on the victim and their families. Contact us today for free case evaluation.
- Last Modified:
- September 15, 2023
Motorcycle accidents can cause devastating injuries that leave motorcyclist scarred for life. Medical debt, lost of wages, and other financial burdens bring added stress to an already unfortunate situation.
In order to get the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering, it is important to have an experienced Allentown motorcycle accident lawyer fighting in your corner. Cordisco and Saile LLC are a award-winning law firm that work directly with insurance companies and 3rd parties on our client’s behalf to make the process as easy as possible.
Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Because motorcycles are so much smaller than most other vehicles on the road, motorcycles can be easily missed by drivers of other vehicles. Many motorcycle accidents occur when the other vehicle’s driver overlooks the motorcycle.
According to 2020 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the most common circumstances surrounding motorcycle accidents include the following;
- 35 percent of motorcycle accidents in 2020 occurred at intersections.
- 42 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents with other vehicles in 2020 involved the other vehicle turning left and hitting a motorcycle in the process.
- Speeding is often a factor in motorcycle accidents.
Driving a motorcycle is more dangerous than operating a car. However, most motorcycle accidents involving fatalities do not involve other extenuating factors beyond the inherent danger of driving a motorcycle.
Motorcycle accident records demonstrate that in most motorcycle accidents, the accident occurred during the day, and the motorcycle driver was below the legal limit for blood alcohol content.
Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accident Cases
Because motorcycles provide significantly less protection to motorcycle drivers and passengers than other vehicles, motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries. Common injuries from a motorcycle accident can include one or more of the following:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Brain injuries
- Skull fractures
- Burn injuries
- Concussions
- Limb amputations
- Wrongful death
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Compensation for Motorcycle Crash Victims
Motorcycle crash victims in Pennsylvania can receive many different types of compensation, depending on the circumstances of the crash. Some types include payment of your medical bills, compensation for lost and future wages, compensation for property damage, and pain and suffering.
Medical Expenses
Medical bills can add up after a motorcycle accident, and you may have ongoing medical issues requiring treatment because of your injuries. Compensation for medical expenses can include one or more of the following, including reasonable future costs:
- Doctor visits and examinations
- Surgery and hospitalization bills
- Tests and screenings
- Therapy, including physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy
- Rehabilitation facility fees
- Medication, including prescription and over-the-counter medications
- Medical equipment
Lost Wages
Compensation for lost wages may include three possibilities, depending on the severity of your injuries and whether they affected your future ability to work. The first is available to anyone who had to miss work in the past due to an accident and usually includes any lost paid time off.
The second possibility is for crash victims who can never return to work because of a disability caused by their injuries. This form of compensation includes any future wages you would have earned until retirement age. In addition, further compensation is available if your inability to return to work means you will not be eligible for your full retirement or pension.
Finally, the third possibility is for victims who can return to work but no longer have the same earning capacity as before the accident. Sometimes this is called diminished earning capacity damages, and it is compensation for the difference between your future earning capacity before the accident and after the accident. To get this form of damages, you will usually need expert testimony about your previous earning capacity and how it was affected by the accident.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering damages include compensation for emotional distress due to the accident and the emotional effects of your injuries. Pain and suffering can be challenging to measure and may require an expert witness.
Wrongful Death
Compensation for wrongful death is available for some individuals who have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident. Wrongful death suits can be filed by one or more of the following:
- Spouse
- Child
- Parent
- The personal representative of the deceased person’s estate
In a wrongful death suit, damages may include the loss of the victim’s future earnings, the loss of the person’s love and companionship, and any out-of-pocket expenses.
Liability for a Motorcycle Accident
The driver who caused the accident is usually the one held liable. However, this gets more complicated if both drivers contributed to the accident.
In Pennsylvania, if your actions partially caused the accident, but the other driver was mostly to blame (meaning 51 percent or more at fault), your damages will be reduced under the principle of comparative negligence.
Comparative negligence usually involves the following process:
- A jury decides how much you were damaged in total.
- A jury determines the percentage fault of each party.
- A jury then reduces the compensation by the percentage you were at fault.
What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident
One of your first questions may be, “What do I do after a motorcycle accident?” You can take several steps to protect yourself:
- Seek medical treatment. Your first priority must be your health. Call 911 if necessary. You may think that you do not need medical treatment, but motorcycle accidents are dangerous and may cause injuries with delayed symptoms. Get checked out by a medical professional immediately, if possible. Follow up on your medical care, and ensure that you seek the care of qualified medical professionals.
- Gather evidence. Follow this step only to the extent that you can do so safely. If you can, take pictures or video of the accident scene. Take down the names and contact information of any witnesses. Get the other driver’s insurance information.
- Limit what you say. Try not to talk to anyone unless it is necessary. Do not admit fault or give your opinion on what caused the accident. Keep your statements brief and factual. This goes for your statements at the scene of the accident, as well as later statements to the police, medical professionals, insurance companies, and anyone else other than your lawyer,
- Report the accident to your insurance company. You are obligated to report the accident to your insurance company within a reasonable time after the accident. Limit your statements to your insurance company to the extent necessary to make a full report. Do not assume that your insurance company will protect your best interests.
- Contact an Allentown motorcycle accident lawyer. Contact an experienced attorney immediately to help you evaluate and investigate your case, discuss and negotiate a settlement with the insurance company, and file a lawsuit about your case if necessary.
Contact an Allentown Motorcycle Injury Lawyer Today
Cordisco & Saile LLC is the best choice for a motorcycle accident attorney in Allentown. One of our Lehigh Valley motorcycle accident lawyers will evaluate your case and give you the best chance at getting compensation for your injuries.
Our firm has a history of helping our clients get fair settlements for their personal injury cases, from truck accidents to car accidents. In one case, we negotiated a $2.9 million settlement for a client who suffered a traumatic brain injury following a motorcycle accident.
Contact the Cordisco & Saile LLC team today to find out what your case may be worth.
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