Motorcyclists face a higher risk of injury than motor vehicle drivers when they get into a motorcycle accident. Motorcyclists have fewer safety protections, such as doors, side panels, and seat belts, and often sustain more serious injuries in a collision. Additionally, motorcycles have low visibility, and a rushed driver may not see a motorcyclist in time to avoid a collision.
If you were riding a motorcycle and suffered injuries due to another person’s negligence, a Johnstown motorcycle accident lawyer may be able to assist in pursuing the compensation you deserve. With help from a dedicated personal injury attorney from Marcus & Mack, you may be able to recover financial damages for all your injuries and losses. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.
When selecting a law firm to handle your Johnstown motorcycle accident claim, you want to choose the right firm for you.
Here are some reasons why you might consider us for your Johnstown motorcycle accident claim:
Additionally, our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. We won’t charge you upfront fees or bill you for our services, and we’ll only accept attorney fees if we recover compensation for you.
To discover the difference Marcus & Mack can make in your Johnstown motorcycle accident claim, call us at (814) 942-9443 or contact us online to request a free case evaluation.
Motorcycle accidents in Johnstown occur for many different reasons.
Typically, a motorist’s carelessness or recklessness causes motorcycle collisions and may involve:
Along with driver error or negligence, other factors can cause motorcycle accidents in Johnstown as well, including:
Motorists need to follow traffic laws and respect the rights of motorcyclists on the road. Drivers also need to remain vigilant and keep a watch for motorcyclists near them when changing lanes, making turns, or going through intersections.
If a negligent motorist or some other factor beyond your control caused your motorcycle accident, speak with an experienced attorney right away to learn of your options to pursue compensation.
While wearing a helmet may reduce your chances of sustaining an injury in a motorcycle accident, Pennsylvania state law establishes only limited helmet requirements—75 Pa. C.S. § 3525(d) exempts a motorcyclist from wearing a helmet if they are older than 21 years of age and have been licensed to operate a motorcycle for at least two calendar years or if they have completed a motorcycle rider safety course.
Not wearing protective headgear is a protected choice in Pennsylvania. If an injury occurred in a motorcycle accident, a qualified Johnstown motorcycle accident attorney could still help a victim hold the negligent driver accountable even if they were not wearing a helmet.
All drivers owe a duty of care to not drive in a manner that could hurt another motorist.
If a driver caused a motorcycle accident by driving recklessly or negligently, anyone injured as a result could hold the driver accountable by proving:
Proving negligence in a motorcycle accident can be challenging. It’s vital to work with an attorney who understands how to establish liability to increase your chances of a successful outcome.
An attorney can prove negligence by:
An attorney can serve as an invaluable resource to help you show the other party is liable for your injuries and losses and assist in navigating the complex claims process
Due to the open design of a motorcycle, motorcyclists can sustain severe injuries in a motorcycle wreck.
In fact, a motorcyclist may suffer catastrophic injuries, while the car’s occupants walk away unscathed. In addition to physical and emotional pain, a motorcycle accident victim could suffer significant financial burdens from medical procedures and lost wages.
After successfully navigating a motorcycle accident claim or lawsuit with the help of an attorney, an injured biker could receive various forms of damages, such as:
Additional non-economic compensation may be available for:
Non-economic compensation is difficult to quantify and can vary widely based on the severity of the injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. A skilled motorcycle crash lawyer in Johnstown could study a victim’s case and determine how much he or she could potentially recover in non-economic damages.
In some cases, a judge may award additional punitive damages as a means of punishing the defendant for their actions. These damages may be available when the liable party acted in an egregious or reckless manner.
An attorney from Marcus & Mack can assess your claim, calculate your damages, and negotiate with the insurance company to receive a fair settlement. If the insurer fails to negotiate a fair settlement, your attorney can file a lawsuit for you and represent you at trial to help you get the money you need.
So long as you’re not more than 50 percent responsible for causing the motorcycle accident, you may still recover compensation. Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule (42 Pa. C.S. 7102). If you’re partially responsible for the accident, the court may reduce your damages by the percentage of fault you bear.
An accomplished personal injury lawyer could establish the other party’s fault for the accident and advocate for you if the defendant’s insurance company or legal counsel tries to unduly blame you for the crash.
Pennsylvania has a two-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. This deadline applies to motorcycle accident injury cases as well as wrongful death lawsuits if the motorcycle accident killed a close family member.
Failing to act quickly and have an attorney file a lawsuit on your behalf means you risk losing your right to pursue compensation.
Also, if poor road conditions caused your motorcycle crash or a government vehicle collided with you, you may have a much shorter deadline to file a claim with the appropriate government agency.
You must contact an attorney as soon as you can to learn of any deadlines that apply to your case and begin the process.
If you sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident, you could be facing serious physical and emotional pain, as well as new financial burdens. If your injuries are due to another person’s negligence, you have the right to hold them accountable for their actions.
Contact us at Marcus & Mack at (814) 942-9443 for your first consultation with our Johnstown motorcycle accident lawyers today.
By: Travis E.