Although it is a common mode of transportation, motorcycle riding comes with serious dangers. Due to their lack of protective devices such as a framed enclosure, seatbelts and airbags, even a minor motorcycle accident can lead to severe, even fatal, injuries for a biker. When another motorist’s negligence contributes to a devastating wreck, a biker might be able to seek damages.
If you were injured in a motorcycle crash, a seasoned personal injury attorney might be able to help. A Blair County motorcycle accident lawyer could review your case, gather important evidence, and protect your rights in and out of court.
There are many laws that apply to motorcyclists. A knowledgeable motorcyclist injury lawyer in Blair County could explain all of the legal guidelines in more detail during an initial consultation.
Pennsylvania law requires bikers to have a motorcycle license. The process of obtaining this license involves a vision test, a written test, and a skills test. It is not mandatory, but applicants can choose to take an authorized motorcycle safety course. They will not need to take the state skills test if they pass the safety course.
Motorcyclists must carry liability insurance to ride legally in Pennsylvania. This insurance offers coverage to others who might be injured in a wreck that is the motorcyclist’s fault.
Motorcycle insurance is always “full tort,” which offers bikers an unrestricted right to seek compensation from another motorist who is at fault in an accident with the help of a local attorney.
Pennsylvania law makes helmets mandatory for all bikers and passengers under 21 years of age, as well as any biker who has held a motorcycle license for less than two years and who has not completed an approved motorcycle safety course. Other motorcyclists and their passengers aged 21 or older need not wear helmets, however, eye protection equipment is mandatory for all riders.
Pennsylvania negligence law states that each party is liable for his or her actions in causing an accident. If an injured person is more than 50 percent responsible for the accident, he or she cannot collect damages from the responsible party. If the claimant is not primarily responsible for an accident, he or she can still seek damages.
When negotiating with insurance companies after a motorcycle collision, the defendant’s insurer is likely to try to assign a portion of the blame on the biker to reduce the amount the company must pay. A dedicated Blair County attorney could push back against the insurance company and keep the focus on the case on the conduct of the other driver in the motorcycle wreck.
A claimant typically has two years from the time of the incident to file a lawsuit. If a governmental agency such as the Department of Transportation is the defendant in the case, then the time to file a notice of claim is only six months. Therefore, it is vital to contact skilled legal counsel right away to ensure those legal deadlines are not missed.
Contact a Blair County motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident to get competent, compassionate counsel by your side. Call the office of Marcus & Mack today to get started on your claim.
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