As of 2013, there were 860,377 licensed motorcyclists in the state of Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. But as the number of motorcyclists on the road grows, so does the number of motorcycle accidents. The Department of Transportation reported that in 2013, there were 3,507 motorcycles involved in crashes and 181 motorcycle occupant deaths. Here is a list of some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents.
Left-Hand Turns
One of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents is a vehicle making a left-hand turn through an intersection, hitting a motorcyclist who is passing straight through the intersection. Usually, this is the fault of the motorist unless the motorcyclist was doing something negligent at the time of the crash.
Lane Splitting
Another common cause of a motorcycle accident is lane splitting. Lane splitting occurs when a motorcyclist drives between two lanes of traffic, rather than staying in his or her lane. Section 3523 of Pennsylvania Vehicle Code explicitly prohibits lane splitting, stating that a motorcycle, “shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.”
Driving at an Unsafe Speed
Driving at an unsafe speed can be deadly for anyone, but for motorcyclists, speeding can be especially detrimental. A high-speed crash can lead to serious injuries for a motorcyclist, including a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury. Going around a turn at an unsafe speed is even more dangerous than driving on a straightaway.
Driver Negligence
Driver negligence can lead to multiple accident types and includes a broad category of actions. Car driver negligence may include failing to change lanes properly, speeding, driving aggressively, tailgating, driving while distracted, failing to stop at a traffic light and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Take Action to Recover Compensation for a Motorcycle Accident
Even though the state of Pennsylvania provides motorists with the option of choosing between full tort and limited tort insurance coverage, a motorcyclist who is injured in an accident is automatically considered to have full tort coverage. Full tort coverage means that a motorcyclist can file a claim against the at-fault driver outside of the insurance system that may result in damages for suffering, pain and other noneconomic damage types.
To help you understand your full tort rights and how to file a claim, the attorneys at Cordisco & Saile LLC, are ready to assist you. For legal help you can count on, call us today at 215-642-2335.
