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Motorcycles are used by thousands of Pennsylvania residents, most of whom operate their motorcycles safely and with care. Unfortunately, even when a motorcyclist takes all necessary safety precautions, he or she can still be injured as a result of a crash with another vehicle operated by a negligent driver. Injuries sustained in motorcycle crashes can be especially painful and often have permanent consequences, so if you or a loved one were recently injured in a motorcycle crash, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you seek compensation for your losses.
Common Injuries
Because motorcycles are so much smaller than standard vehicles, many drivers fail to see them until it is too late. For this reason, some of the most common accidents involving motorcycles and other vehicles involve a driver who changed lanes and did not adequately check his or her blind spot. These types of accidents can have devastating consequences for motorcyclists, who with no access to seat belts and air bags, are much more likely to be injured in a crash.
In less serious crashes, a motorcyclist may walk away with a few bumps and bruises, but even a minor fender bender can have much more serious results, including:
- Concussions;
- Spinal cord damage;
- Compound bone fractures;
- Organ damage and internal bleeding;
- Severe lacerations and road rash;
- Facial fractures;
- Traumatic brain injury; and
- Death.
Treating injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash can be extremely expensive because many require that a victim be hospitalized, often for long stretches of time. As a result, victims are often required to pay large sums for medical procedures and other forms of treatment, including:
- Reconstructive surgeries;
- Amputations;
- Physical therapy;
- Prescription medications; and
- Repeat hospital stays.
Unfortunately, the medical expenses associated with motorcycle crashes do not end here. Many injured parties are forced to take weeks, months, or even years off of work, which can make it nearly impossible to pay mounting medical bills. Loved ones may also be required to take time off to assist with daily tasks, such as dressing, bathing, transportation, and meal preparation. In some tragic cases, injured parties are unable to ever return to work. However, victims who can establish that another party’s negligence was the cause of a crash can collect compensation for these costs along with the following:
- Medical expenses;
- Lost wages;
- Loss of future income;
- Property damage;
- Pain and suffering; and
- Emotional distress.
According to Pennsylvania General Assembly Statute §7102, even if a motorcyclist was partially at fault for an accident, he or she may still be able to collect some damages. This is because Pennsylvania is a modified comparative fault state, which means that injured parties can obtain compensation from negligent individuals even if they contributed to the accident, although the amount they receive will be reduced by their percentage of fault in causing the crash.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Today
While no amount of money may be able to truly compensate an injured party for injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash, collecting compensation can go a long way towards helping a family begin the process of recovery. If you live in Pennsylvania and were recently injured or lost a loved one as a result of a motorcycle crash, please contact van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin by calling (215) 610-3440 and a member of our dedicated legal team will help you schedule a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.
Resource:
legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/42/00.071.002.000..HTM
