Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Although many enjoy the freedom that comes with riding a motorcycle, the results following a motorcycle accident can be severe. With little to no protection, a rider could easily suffer life-altering injuries that could cost thousands in medical bills, affect their jobs, and even take their lives. If this accident was caused by the negligence of another driver, it’s crucial to have the right legal team by your side to help you with the motorcycle accident claims process.

For over five decades, the motorcycle accident lawyers at Caputo & Mariotti have been helping clients throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania following a motorcycle accident. We understand the difficulties involved in trying to get justice following an accident. That’s why we work on a contingency fee -- meaning that we don’t get pay unless you get the compensation you deserve. Let our experienced auto accident lawyer help you in your time of need.

 

How Severe are Motorcycle Accidents?

Unlike a driver of a car or truck, a motorcycle rider lacks the protection of an enclosed vehicle, making it more likely that an accident could result in an injury or fatality. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, of the over 8.6 million registered motorcyclists in the U.S. in 2018, 82,000 were injured in a motorcycle accident.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a total of 5,014 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2019, accounting for 14 percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths in the United States that year. This number of fatalities is more than double the number of deaths in 1997. The IIHS further found that 39 percent of deaths in 2019 occurred in single-vehicle crashes, while 61 percent occurred in multi-vehicle accidents.

Why do motorcycle wrecks more dangerous than car accidents? Some reasons include:

• Less protection
• Less braking power
• Less control over the vehicle
• Not wearing the proper safety attire, such as a helmet

 

What are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Much like truck accidents, the common causes of motorcycle crashes include drunk driving, distracted driving, and aggressive driving. However, there are some specific causes for accidents:

• Cars making left-hand turns account for approximately 42 percent of all accidents. This can occur when a rider either goes through the intersection, passes the car, or tries to overtake the car.
• Lane splitting, which occurs when a motorcycle tries to drive between two lanes of either stopped or slow-moving cars, such as what occurs during a traffic jam.
• Failure to yield when appropriate
• Failure to leave enough room between vehicles
• Not paying attention to other drivers on the road
• The driver misjudging the motorcyclist’s speed or distance, or panics and tries to stop in the path of the rider.

 

When Should You Contact a Lawyer After a Motorcycle Wreck?

After an accident, chances are all you’re concerned about is healing and moving on with your life. Unfortunately, that not always is possible. With excessive medical bills and loss of income, you could be facing mounting financial debt. Dealing with the insurance company following an accident can be complicated and difficult. That is why it’s important to talk with a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after your crash to discuss your legal options.

Once you hire Caputo & Mariotti, our personal injury attorneys will get straight to work, gathering evidence and speaking with the insurance company to get you the compensation you deserve. Working with accident reconstructionists, retired law enforcement personnel, private investigators, and medical experts, we will get to the bottom of what was the cause of your accident and who is responsible.

Once we have all the information, we can move forward getting you the right settlement offer for your injuries. If we can’t reach an agreement, then we will represent your interests in court.

As you can see, building a case can take time. And with only two years to file a personal injury claim in Pennsylvania, it’s vital that you get in touch with our motorcycle accident attorneys as soon as possible following the crash.

 

What Compensation Could You Receive Following a Motorcycle Accident in NEPA?

This is a question many of our clients have. And the answer is, it depends on your claim and the seriousness of your injuries. There are several types of compensation you could receive following a vehicle accident:

Special compensatory damages are meant to compensate you for the losses caused by your injury. This includes medical expenses, lost income, and property damage.

General compensatory damages, also known as non-economic damages, are to compensate for any non-monetary consequences you faced following your injury. This includes:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium

Although rare, you could also receive punitive damages. This type of compensation is meant to punish the defendant for their actions as a way to prevent this behavior from occurring again.

 

Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer is Here to Help

If you or a loved one are involved in a motorcycle accident in Pennsylvania and suffer serious injuries, you’re going to need an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to help you with your claim.

Contact Caputo & Mariotti today for a free consultation. We will get you the justice that you deserve.