Monroeville, PA Motorcycle Accidents

Whether you ride your motorcycle to unwind after a hard day of work, take occasional road trips with friends, or use it as your main form of transportation, you are entitled to fair use of the road. Lots of drivers don’t seem to see it that way—motorcyclists are often the victim of intentionally reckless driving, road rage, and malice from other drivers. Despite this, motorcyclists often end up taking the blame when accidents inevitably occur.

What’s the solution? If you suffer injuries during a motorcycle accident, you need the assistance of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. We fit the bill. Call 866-565-4949 to schedule a free consultation with one of the Monroeville motorcycle accident lawyers at Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman.

Why Motorcycle Accidents Are So Dangerous

When you look at the statistics, motorcycle accidents are clearly more dangerous than crashes that only involve passenger vehicles. Why is this? First, motorcyclists have minimal protection from the elements and other drivers. While car drivers are shielded by a multi-ton vehicle on every side, motorcyclists are often only protected by a helmet and leather riding gear. Even at low speeds, a motorcyclist is at risk of severe injuries.

On top of that, people just aren’t as careful around motorcyclists as they should be. Drivers often forget how little protection motorcyclists have, so they follow them as closely as they would another driver. When passing or checking their blind spot, they look for cars but fail to check for motorcycles and other non-traditional vehicles.

When you combine these factors, it’s obvious that riding can be dangerous.

Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Statistics and Laws

Pennsylvania’s motorcycle accident statistics are alarming. After a steep decrease from 2017 to 2018, both accidents and fatalities started climbing again in 2019. In fact, 2021 was the worst year for motorcycle accidents in at least five years. Between 2020 and 2021, total crashes increased by 5% from 3,398 to 3,580, and fatalities increased by 3.7% from 215 to 223.

Pennsylvania law does have some form of protection for riders. Any rider below the age of 21 is required to wear a helmet. Additionally, drivers 21 and older who do not have either two years of experience or proof of completion of an approved safety course must also wear a helmet.

How Motorcycle Collisions Occur

Motorcycle accidents can occur in a variety of ways. As is the case with passenger vehicle accidents, most motorcycle crashes are the result of human error. Here are some of the most common mistakes drivers make:

• They fail to estimate turns correctly. People are notoriously bad at knowing how much time they have to complete a turn, and they’re even worse at it when a motorcycle is involved. Drivers often think they have plenty of time to complete a right or left turn, only to strike a motorcyclist when they do so.
• They do not check blind spots. A cursory glance is not enough. Drivers must fully check their blind spot before even beginning a turn.
• They do not check for motorcycles at all. It’s much easier to see another car than it is to see a motorcycle. Because of this, even if a driver does check their blind spot, they may completely miss the fact that a motorcyclist is there.
• They follow too closely or stop too quickly in front of motorcycles. Motorcycles need more space than cars. Since they do not have any safety buffer like people in passenger vehicles do, it is up to them and drivers to leave that space available. Most drivers do not do this. They get way too close and are unable to avoid a crash when either party has to make a sudden stop.
• They drive aggressively around motorcycles. Some people are just aggressive when driving around motorcyclists. They may be annoyed that motorcycles can get in and out of traffic more easily or assume that motorcyclists are a dangerous presence on the road. When they take unnecessary risks, bikers often pay the price.

You May Be Entitled to Compensation

If you can prove that someone else caused your accident, you could be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries and property damage. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you could receive compensation for:

• Medical bills and related expenses, including over-the-counter supplies and adaptive aids
• Lost wages
• Lost future income if your ability to work is permanently damaged
• Property damage, including your motorcycle and other types of personal property
• Pain and suffering
• Disability and/or disfigurement

A lot depends on how well you are able to prove the other party’s liability, how the accident caused your injuries, and the severity of your injuries.

How Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman Can Help You

The team at Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman knows how complex motorcycle accident cases can be. Not only do you have the obstacles of a regular personal injury case, but you also have to deal with societal bias against motorcyclists. This bias often creeps into how bikers are treated after an accident, and we work hard to prevent those biases from affecting your settlement options.

Insurance companies are very good at paying out as little as possible to injured motorcycle riders. They have a wide range of tricks available to them, such as blaming the accident on the motorcyclist, claiming that the accident was a result of insufficient protective gear, pointing out preexisting injuries, and suggesting that the biker is exaggerating their injuries. This makes it very hard for a motorcyclist to get fair and full compensation, even when it is obvious that someone else is at fault.

We know how insurance companies work and how far they will go to avoid a fair payout. Our focus is proving your case and putting the other side in a position where they must negotiate fairly.

Don’t Wait Any Longer. Call Us Today!

You don’t have to deal with the insurance companies on your own. The team at Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman is here to help you fight for what you deserve. You can contact us online or call us at 866-565-4949 to set up your free case evaluation.