READING MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER
Content Legally Reviewed & Approved
This page has been written and edited by a team of experienced legal writers. This page was approved by Managing Partner, Michael Saile who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
Motorcyclists continue to be among the most vulnerable drivers on the road. The sheer difference in weight and size of these vehicles in comparison to the average car or truck puts their riders at serious risk of harm in an accident.
At Cordisco & Saile, LLC, our hardworking Reading car accident attorneys have helped thousands of clients secure compensation for injuries caused by negligent drivers. If you or your loved one has been hurt while riding a bike, do not wait to reach out for help. Contact our Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyers today to learn more.
Table of Contents
- Our Seasoned Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Serve Clients Throughout Reading, PA
- Choose a Legal Team that Understands Motorcycle Accident Claims in Reading
- What Compensation Can You Recover in a Motorcycle Accident?
- How Insurance Companies Try to Minimize Motorcycle Accident Settlements
- How to Identify the At-Fault Party in a Reading Motorcycle Collision
- Understanding Pennsylvania Laws and Their Effect on Motorcycle Accident Claims
- Motorcycle Accident Scenarios Seen in Reading, PA
- Contact Cordisco & Saile for a Free Consultation
Our Seasoned Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Serve Clients Throughout Reading, PA
Cordisco & Saile has earned a strong reputation for providing personalized legal representation to clients in Reading and throughout Pennsylvania. With years of experience serving the local community, our firm’s legal team understands Pennsylvania laws and the issues injured individuals face after an accident.
Our attorneys focus on building strong relationships with clients through open communication, compassion, and regular updates about their cases. The individuals we represent always know what is happening with their claims and can rely on our legal team to answer questions throughout the process.
We have gained recognition and accomplishments because of our dedication to achieving results for those our team represents. As a local firm that has represented Reading residents for years, we bring the legal knowledge and personal attention clients need when seeking compensation after an injury.
At Cordisco & Saile, we have core values that we live by. The first one is that we're passionate. We enjoy what we do and it shows. Our second core value is that we communicate effectively. We're constantly improving our skills and advocating for our clients, whether we're in the courtroom or we're in a presentation that we're constantly improving our communication skills. The third core value we have is that we're a team. We do everything together. We stand up for each other and we work together to achieve our goals. The fourth core value is that we are not complacent. We're constantly striving to get better. Better at communication, better at our lawyering skills. Our fifth core value is that we are accountable. We take ownership in everything we do. We admit if we make a mistake and we move forward with confidence that we are doing everything that we can to best represent our client..
Choose a Legal Team That Understands Motorcycle Accident Claims in Reading
Our firm’s local roots and familiarity with motorcycle cases give injured riders a legal team that understands the unique issues these claims can involve. Having served Reading and the surrounding Pennsylvania communities for years, we know the state’s laws and the nuances of the local court system. We also recognize the challenges motorcyclists often face after a crash, including unfair assumptions about riders and disputes over fault.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Motorcycle Accident?
Motorcycle accident victims may be entitled to compensation for the financial and personal losses when their injuries are caused by someone else’s negligence. Damages can include medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages, reduced earning ability, pain and suffering, and other losses related to the impact of the accident.
Our law office has recovered significant settlements for motorcycle accident clients, including a $2.9 million settlement for a rider who suffered a traumatic brain injury after a collision with a commercial vehicle and a $450,000 settlement for a motorcycle rider injured in a delivery truck crash.
The outcome of every case depends on its specific facts and settlement offers for motorcycle accidents can vary, but having attorneys who understand the injuries, evidence, and financial consequences involved can make a difference in protecting a claim.
I was in a serious accident in 2021. My injuries were new, however, they mimicked some of the injuries I received in a 2017 accident. After treating with two doctors both who stated my injuries were permanent, I was recommended to Cordisco & Saile. My attorney Steven DeBonis was wonderful. He listened and guided me through the process. He worked endlessly to ensure I received a proper settlement. I am so grateful for his effort and kindness. I would highly recommend him to anyone who needed someone to fight for them. The staff was friendly, informative and helpful. They are the best legal team around. Thank you for all you have done.
I can’t say enough great things about Mike and his team! They are awesome! We called them right after my accident and they were there for me every step of the way through my case. Everyone I meet or speak with in their office is always so professional and ready to answer any questions we have. They always have my best interest up front! I highly recommend Mike and his staff!!!!
I very much appreciate all the support and compassion that I got from Mike and Maria. I had my accident over 3 years ago and was going through very hard times physically and mentally and every time I heard Maria’s voice over the phone, I felt immediately better. Thank you for being my support!
How To Identify the At-Fault Party in a Reading Motorcycle Collision
There are many different causes for motorcycle accidents. Some of the most common include:
- Rear-end collisions: When a driver hits a motorcycle from behind, they can be at fault because drivers must leave enough space to stop safely.
- Left-turn accidents: If a turning driver fails to yield or misjudges a motorcycle’s speed, they can be held responsible for the crash.
- Head-on collisions: A driver who crosses into the motorcycle’s lane and causes a head-on collision can be held liable for not staying in their own lane.
- T-bone/intersection accidents: When a driver runs a light, ignores a stop sign, or fails to yield they could be responsible for the collision.
- Lane-splitting accidents: Determining liability in a lane-splitting accident can be more complicated and depends on the actions of both drivers.
Even in seemingly straightforward cases, insurance companies will often try to blame you for the accident. While this can be disheartening, fault is determined by the evidence, not by their narrative. The facts of the crash matter, and an attorney can help determine who should be held responsible.
How Insurance Companies Try To Minimize Motorcycle Accident Settlements
Insurance companies use several common tactics to minimize your claim. These can include:
- Early recorded statements: Anything you say to an insurance company about your accident can later be used against you to dispute fault. We strongly advise our clients against providing statements to insurance companies. Additionally, we can communicate with insurance companies on behalf of our clients to protect their right to recover compensation.
- Initial lowball settlement offers: Often, companies offer an early settlement in the hopes that you will be enticed by the idea of quick cash. However, if you accept a settlement offer before you know the extent of your injuries and how they affect your life, you cannot go back and ask for more.
The sooner you speak with an attorney, the sooner you have someone looking out for your best interests. We want to protect your rights and make sure you receive a fair settlement for your accident injuries.
Understanding Pennsylvania Laws and Their Effect on Motorcycle Accident Claims
Pennsylvania motorcycle accident claims are affected by several state laws that can determine whether a rider can recover compensation and how much they may receive.
Comparative Negligence
Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 7102, Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence law allows injured riders to recover if their share of responsibility is 50% or less. For example, if you are found 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, your compensation may be reduced to $70,000.
Statute of Limitations
Pennsylvania law generally gives motorcycle accident victims two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524. If a claim is not filed within that timeframe, the injured rider may lose the ability to seek compensation through the courts.
Helmet Laws
Pennsylvania does not require every rider to wear a helmet, but only if they meet certain requirements. For example, riders who have at least two years of riding experience or have completed an approved motorcycle safety course are exempt from the helmet requirement. However, insurance companies still might try to argue that a rider’s injuries were made worse by not wearing protective equipment. We fight against these arguments to protect our clients from stereotypes and unfair assumptions.
Common Motorcycle Accidents in Reading, PA
Our legal team has helped with numerous types of motorcycle accident cases in the Reading area, including the following:
- Left-turn accidents: Drivers making left turns often fail to see an approaching motorcycle or misjudge its speed, leading to collisions.
- Lane-splitting accidents: Crashes that occur while a motorcyclist is traveling between lanes can raise questions about both drivers’ actions and whether traffic laws were followed.
- Dooring accidents: A parked driver or passenger who opens a vehicle door into the path of a motorcycle can cause a serious crash.
- Rear-end and intersection accidents: Motorcycles can be struck by drivers who follow too closely, run red lights, fail to yield, or do not notice a rider in traffic.
- Road hazard accidents: Potholes, debris, poor road conditions, and other hazards can create dangerous situations for motorcyclists.
With motorcycle crashes, you don't have the luxury of having a vehicle around you like in a car accident. So unfortunately, it's you on the road, and many times that leads to more severe injuries that need immediate care from various providers. We want to put you in the hands of the best providers not only to diagnose but make sure that you're on the road back to recovery.
Contact Cordisco & Saile for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a motorcycle crash in Reading or anywhere in Pennsylvania, Cordisco & Saile offers free case evaluations to help you understand your legal options. Contact our law office today for a free consultation by calling 215-642-2335 to discuss your motorcycle accident claim.
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