According to the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles, there were more than 800,000 licensed motorcyclists across the state as of 2020. This means that there is a strong chance that you or someone you love is an avid motorcycle rider.
Sadly, motorcyclists are at an increased risk of suffering severe injuries when involved in vehicle collisions. In fact, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation says that there were 3,227 motorcycle accident injuries with 217 fatalities in 2020 alone. This accounts for just over 20% of the total number of fatal motor vehicle accident injuries across the state.
If you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be unsure of how to get justice for your suffering. Here are three ways that you can take action and recover maximum compensation for what you have been through.
1. Figure Out Who Is At Fault
The first thing you need to do if you are going to get just us after a motorcycle accident is figure out who was at fault. There are many different parties who may share fault for motorcycle accident injuries and fatalities.
For example, in late October an Irwin motorcyclist lost her life after a utility van crossed the center line along McKeesport Road in Elizabeth Township. In cases like these, it would be easy to assume that the driver of the utility van was at fault for causing the accident, as they were likely driving recklessly. But there may be other parties who may also share fault for your accident, such as:
- Government agencies
- Vehicle parts designers
- Vehicle parts distributors and manufacturers
- Safety inspectors
- Dealerships
- Other third parties
2. File a Claim With the Insurance Company
Once your attorney figures out who is responsible for causing your motorcycle accident, you will need to file a claim with the insurance company.
Since Pennsylvania is a no-fault state for car insurance purposes, you will need to file a claim with your own insurance provider, no matter who is at fault for causing the accident. But the insurance company may not fully compensate you for your suffering. If you hope to get the most out of your case, you may need to pursue a civil motorcycle accident claim.
3. Take Action in Civil Court
Since the insurance company may not compensate you for every single loss, you need to be prepared to bring your motorcycle accident case to court. Here, you have the right to be repaid for every single way your life has been affected by your motorcycle accident injuries. Some of the losses that you could recover include:
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Healthcare expenses
- Loss of household services
- Lost wages
- Lots of future potential earnings
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Lots of companionship and love
- Reputational damage
Contact a Pittsburgh Motorcycle Accident Attorney for Help
If you or someone you love has suffered devastating injuries in a motorcycle accident and you are unsure of where to turn for help, reach out to an experienced Pittsburgh motorcycle accident lawyer at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman.
Our firm offers free, no-obligation consultations to motorcycle accident victims in Pittsburgh and surrounding cities. Claim yours when you complete our online contact form or call our office at 412-391-7610.