Dormont
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

On This Page

1. The Toll of Motorcycle Accidents on Victims
2. Compensation You May Be Entitled to After a Motorcycle Crash
3. Pennsylvania's Motorcycle Laws Have an Impact on Your Case
4. What if You’re Partly Responsible for the Motorcycle Accident?
5. The Berger and Green Advantage in Dormont
6. Act Promptly to Secure Your Rights After a Motorcycle Accident

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

June 06, 2024

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Experiencing a motorcycle accident in Dormont can thrust you into a whirlwind of physical pain, financial strain, complex insurance claims, and dealings with insurers. 

It’s a relief to know that you’re not alone. A Dormont personal injury lawyer from Berger and Green can help you secure fair compensation, allowing you to dedicate your energy to your recovery.

The Toll of Motorcycle Accidents on Victims

Motorcycle accidents are notorious for their severity, often resulting in critical injuries or fatalities. Much like any other community, Dormont witnesses its share of these tragic events each year. Victims commonly suffer from:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Fractures
• Road rash

Such injuries are just the tip of the iceberg. The aftermath usually involves a heavy emotional and financial burden, underscoring the necessity for adequate compensation to cover both immediate and future needs.

Compensation You May Be Entitled to After a Motorcycle Crash

Following a motorcycle accident, the journey to recovery can be both challenging and costly. However, you have the right to seek compensation for various damages incurred due to the accident. It’s essential to understand the breadth of compensable items, which go beyond immediate medical expenses to cover economic and non-economic losses. Here’s a breakdown of the types of compensation you might be entitled to:

• Medical Expenses: Covers hospital stays, surgeries, medications, ongoing physical therapy, and other medical treatments.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for the income lost during your recovery period.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If the accident affects your ability to work in the future.
• Property Damage: Covers the repair or replacement of your motorcycle and any other personal property damaged in the accident.
• Pain and Suffering: For physical discomfort and emotional distress caused by the accident.
• Loss of Enjoyment: Compensation for the inability to enjoy hobbies and other activities you engaged in before the accident.
• Disfigurement and Permanent Disability: If the accident leads to long-term physical changes or disabilities.

Understanding the scope of these compensable items is crucial for ensuring you pursue the full compensation you deserve to aid in your recovery and adjust to life post-accident.

Pennsylvania’s Motorcycle Laws Have an Impact on Your Case

Navigating your case in Dormont means understanding specific motorcycle laws that could significantly influence your claim. These include helmet mandates, insurance requirements, and especially rules around fault and comparative negligence:

• Helmet Laws: In Pennsylvania, helmets are mandatory for riders under 21 and those with under two years of riding experience, unless they’ve completed a safety course. 
• Insurance Mandates: State law requires motorcyclists to maintain a minimum level of insurance, encompassing medical benefits.
• Fault and Comparative Negligence: The state’s comparative negligence rule could affect your compensation, allowing you to recover compensation if you are found to be less than 51% at fault.

What if You’re Partly Responsible for the Motorcycle Accident?

Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence rule plays a pivotal role in determining compensation following a motorcycle accident:

• Adjustment by Fault: In Pennsylvania, you’re still eligible for compensation if you’re found to be less than 51% responsible for the motorcycle accident. However, the critical aspect is the adjustment based on your fault percentage. For example, if you’re deemed 30% at fault and the total damages amount to $100,000, your compensation would be reduced by 30%, awarding you $70,000. This proportional reduction ensures that your compensation is fair, reflecting your part in the accident while acknowledging the other party’s larger share of blame.
• The 51% Threshold: Crossing the threshold of 51% fault in an accident is a pivotal point under Pennsylvania law. At this juncture, you shift from being eligible to receive compensation to being disqualified from obtaining any financial recovery from other parties involved in the accident. This rule is designed to promote responsible behavior among all road users, emphasizing the importance of adhering to traffic laws and exercising caution.
• Multiple Parties: When an accident involves more than two parties, determining fault becomes more complex, requiring a detailed analysis of each party’s actions leading up to the incident. Each participant’s percentage of fault is considered in the final compensation calculation. This could mean navigating a more intricate legal process, as contributions to the accident are weighed and compensation is allocated accordingly. For instance, if three parties are involved, with one found 50% at fault, another 30%, and the third 20%, the compensation each party can recover will be adjusted based on these percentages. This multi-party consideration ensures a comprehensive and equitable fault determination and compensation distribution approach.

These aspects necessitate a thorough evidence analysis, making legal expertise invaluable.

The Berger and Green Advantage in Dormont

Choosing Berger and Green for your motorcycle accident case offers several benefits:

• Custom Legal Strategies: Solutions tailored to the specifics of your case.
• Expertise in State Laws: In-depth knowledge of relevant laws and regulations.
• Insurance Navigation: Assistance in dealing with insurance companies and negotiating a fair settlement.
• Negligence Proof: Expertise in evidence gathering and presentation.
• Maximized Compensation: Commitment to securing comprehensive compensation.
• No-Win, No-Fee: A contingency fee model for financial ease.
• Proven Success: A track record of favorable outcomes for clients.

With Berger and Green, you gain a partner adept at navigating the legal and insurance landscapes, ensuring your focus remains on recovery. Our motorcycle accident lawyer in Dormont are ready to help you and achieve fair compensation in your case.

Act Promptly to Secure Your Rights After a Motorcycle Accident

The statute of limitations in Pennsylvania sets a two-year deadline for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit. Meeting this deadline is critical for preserving your right to seek compensation. Failing to initiate legal action within this timeframe can result in the permanent loss of your right to claim damages, no matter how severe your injuries or the other party’s negligence. 

Timely action ensures evidence remains fresh and witnesses’ memories are accurate, thereby strengthening your case. It underscores the importance of consulting with a legal professional soon after an accident to ensure these time-sensitive legal matters meet the state’s deadline.

Berger and Green Is Ready to Take on Your Motorcycle Accident Case

If you’re dealing with the aftermath of a motorcycle accident lawyer in Dormont at Berger and Green are prepared to help.

Contact us for a complimentary initial consultation. Our team is dedicated to guiding you through your legal journey, protecting your rights, and achieving the justice you deserve.