Many people find freedom while riding a motorcycle. They may find community in motorcycle clubs, ride with a partner or friend, or simply enjoy being out on the open road on their own. However, motorcycles can also be quite dangerous and result in severe or even fatal injuries.
Thousands of motorcycle accidents occur every year throughout Pennsylvania. Stark & Stark’s Motorcycle Injury Group has compiled information on common causes of motorcycle accidents, where the responsibility for these accidents may lie, and what legal options you and your family may have after being injured in a Philadelphia motorcycle accident.
If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver, contact Stark & Stark today for a free legal consultation. There is no cost to you unless you win your case.
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What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycle crashes happen for a variety of reasons.
In 2019, 34% of motorcycle accident fatalities involved alcohol. You can find more information on alcohol and motorcycle accidents in NHTSA’s 2019 Traffic Safety publication.
Passenger vehicles are also a major cause of motorcycle accidents, mostly due to the size of motorcycles compared to cars. As of 2019, 64% of motorcycle accidents were multiple-vehicle accidents. Other drivers on the road may merge into motorcyclists if they fail to see them when changing lanes.
At times, bikers “lane split” to get where they are going more quickly. Lane splitting involves driving in between two lanes of traffic, and it is usually done when traffic is heavy. Plenty of accidents occur because the driver of another vehicle did not see a motorcycle—when motorcycle riders split lanes, this may be more likely to occur.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents can result in numerous types of severe injuries. The NHTSA estimates that motorcyclists are four times more likely to be injured in an accident than drivers and passengers in cars.
Head and brain injuries, such as concussions, are common in motorcycle accidents. This is why helmets should always be worn on rides. Back and spinal cord injuries are common as well, according to a study done by the Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery at St. James University. They found that 11.2% of motorcyclists involved in an accident suffered spinal injuries. Due to being out in the open on a motorcycle, riders may also suffer friction burns, commonly known as “road rash.”
Motorcycle accidents can result in tragedy as well. Motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to die in an accident than people in passenger vehicles.
These statistics are alarming, which is why choosing the right lawyer is key after a Philadelphia motorcycle accident. Having the right lawyer on your side can make the legal process much less stressful. Stark & Stark has won hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients, and we are here to help when you need us the most.
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Who May Be Responsible for a Philadelphia Motorcycle Accident?
Depending on the cause of the accident, another party may or may not be considered responsible. A lawyer will work with you to investigate the accident and determine what may have happened. Even if it was a single-vehicle crash, an investigation may uncover evidence showing that another party was potentially responsible for your injuries. Examples include if your accident was caused by defective bike parts or improperly maintained roads.
Your motorcycle accident lawyer will work with you to hold the responsible party accountable for the harm you may have suffered. This often involves filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
How to Safely Share the Road to Prevent Philadelphia Motorcycle Accidents
There are a few things everyone can do to keep motorcycle riders safe on the road. One of the most important things you can do to prevent motorcycle accidents is to always check your blind spots and use your turn signal when you are merging. Plenty of motorcycle accidents happen during lane changes, so it is worth being extra cautious.
Always maintain a safe distance between you and a motorcycle. Keep in mind that if you are driving a car, you have a significant size advantage over the driver of the motorcycle.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics: Who is Most at Risk?
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has collected a variety of statistics that tell us who is most at risk of being injured in a motorcycle accident and how crashes have changed over the past several decades.
Motorcycle accident fatalities have doubled nationwide since 1997. While people ages 29 and younger used to make up the majority of motorcyclist fatalities (as much as 80% in the 1970s), as of 2019, people ages 50 and older account for the most motorcycle accident fatalities (37%).
Pennsylvania has also seen a recent increase in fatal motorcycle crashes. In 2020, 217 bikers tragically lost their lives—the most our state has reported in at least the last five years.
What Does Filing a Motorcycle Injury Lawsuit Involve?
If you were injured in a Philadelphia motorcycle accident that was caused by another driver or similar party, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit.
A personal injury lawsuit can help recover compensation for the following losses related to your injuries:
- Medical expenses: This includes costs for past and future treatment
- Loss of earnings: If you had to miss work while you recovered, a lawsuit may help cover any decrease in your wages
- Diminished earning potential: This applies if your injuries require that you accept a job with lower pay or if they prevent you from working altogether
- Pain and suffering: While no amount of money can take away the discomfort you likely experience after being severely injured, it is important that you are compensated for your suffering
One of our Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyers can walk you through each step of the litigation process, including:
- Investigating the cause of your accident
- Gathering evidence that shows why you may be eligible for compensation
- Filing a lawsuit against the driver or similar party who may have caused the accident
- Negotiating with insurance companies to recover a fair settlement on your behalf (most cases are resolved without going to trial)
- Representing you in a trial if an insurance company refuses to compensate you fairly
Why Hire Stark & Stark?
Stark & Stark has a team of motorcycle accident injury lawyers who can help you obtain the necessary financial compensation to recover after a crash. Our lawyers are bikers themselves, making them uniquely qualified to understand the challenges that motorcyclists face after an accident.
Our Philadelphia personal injury law firm offers free legal consultations. If you qualify for compensation, you will not pay any fees unless we win your case.
