Mount Lebanon, PA Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

As a motorcyclist, you know the risks you face every time you hit the road. You’ve seen how drivers roll their eyes as you pass and how people seem to not even see you when they turn left directly in front of you and force you to stop. Your riding group probably has its share of frightening crash stories. When a crash affects you, what do you do? How do you protect yourself?

After a Mount Lebanon motorcycle crash, it’s time to talk to the team at Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman. Call us at 866-565-4949 to set up a consultation with our motorcycle accident attorneys now.

Motorcyclists Are More Vulnerable in Collisions

When you look at the statistics, it’s clear that motorcyclists are at much greater risk than people in enclosed vehicles in a collision. According to 2022 Pennsylvania Crash Facts and Statistics, motorcycles are involved in 2.9% of all collisions. However, they are involved in nearly 20% of all fatal collisions and 6% of all injury-causing collisions. While motorcycles don’t make up a huge chunk of traffic accidents, they are disproportionately represented in fatal and injury-causing collisions.

A number of factors contribute to these statistics. To start, people in enclosed vehicles have built-in protection. Their vehicles’ crumple zones are designed to absorb the force of the crash and protect them from serious injuries. Motorcyclists have no such protection, and in fact, they often bear the brunt of the crash force. The only protection they get comes from their helmets and riding gear.

Additionally, motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles on the road. They are harder to see and are at risk of serious damage in collisions. Drivers often don’t even see motorcycles in their blind spot. It’s not uncommon for car occupants to walk away from motorcycle accidents without a scratch, even as the motorcyclist is left fighting serious injuries.

Most Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents

A handful of accident types make up the majority of Mount Lebanon motorcycle crashes. Common types of collisions include:

• Intersection accidents: Drivers often struggle to judge the speed and distance of other cars, and those are vehicles they see hundreds of times per day. They’re even worse at estimating the speed and distance of motorcycles. It’s common to see a car turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle because the driver thinks they have plenty of time. They realize that they’re wrong when they hit the motorcyclist head-on.

• Rear-end: Rear-end accidents are common across all types of vehicles. While they tend to be fairly minor when they involve two passenger vehicles, the same can’t be said when a larger vehicle rear-ends a motorcycle. Motorcycles are less balanced than vehicles with four wheels, and the force of a rear-end hit can cause them to topple over. If the accident is at a higher speed, it can even throw the rider from their bike.

• Lane splitting: Lane splitting occurs when two riders share a single lane. It’s often safer for them since they ride in the natural dips caused by car tires. But when other drivers aren’t anticipating lane splitting or don’t see two motorcycles in one lane, they may cause a collision.
• Single-vehicle: A surprising amount of motorcycle accidents are single-vehicle crashes. If a rider loses control of their motorcycle, they may hit guardrails, trees, medians, and other obstacles. Contributing factors include weather and road conditions.

Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Injuries vary widely, depending on the type of collision, the speeds of both vehicles and the protective gear used by the motorcyclist. However, as a general rule, motorcyclists tend to suffer more severe injuries than car occupants.

Traumatic brain injuries are relatively common in motorcycle accidents. They vary a lot in severity, from minor TBIs that pass after a day or two without any intervention to severe TBIs that leave patients comatose for the rest of their lives. Severe TBIs can also rob a victim of their ability to speak, walk independently, regulate their emotions, and earn a living. The potentially severe outcomes of a TBI highlight the importance of wearing a helmet. Although Pennsylvania only requires helmet usage for those who are younger than 21, it is recommended that all riders wear helmets.

Spinal cord injuries can also occur in motorcycle collisions. Each part of the spinal cord allows a different part of the body to communicate with the brain. When part of the spinal cord is damaged, that part of the body—as well as all the parts controlled by the spinal cord below that point—can no longer communicate effectively with the brain. Outcomes depend on whether the injury is a complete or incomplete injury. A complete injury severs the spinal cord entirely, while an incomplete one leaves it partially intact.

Many riders experience broken bones in a crash. Lower body bone breaks are particularly common when a rider gets trapped under their bike or is thrown from it.

Don’t forget road rash. People often assume this is a minor injury, but road rash can cut through multiple layers of skin, kill underlying nerve endings, and leave you at risk of infection.

How Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman Can Help You

Choosing the right attorney is essential when you’re involved in a motorcycle accident. At Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman, we know what you’re up against. We know that insurance companies are all too quick to blame accidents on motorcyclists, even when it’s clear that a negligent driver is to blame. 

You have a lot to overcome on the way to a favorable verdict or settlement, and we’re here to help you get there. From investigating your accident and building your case to advocating for you during negotiations, we are here to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact Us Today to Start Your Claim

The sooner you reach out to the team at Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman, the sooner our Mount Lebanon attorneys can begin investigating your claim. Give us a call at 866-565-4949 or reach out online to schedule a consultation right away.