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Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Representing Clients in Lancaster, PA & York, PA

Motorcycle accidents result in a higher rate of severe and catastrophic injuries than wrecks that involve only passenger vehicles. And motorcyclists are more likely to be killed in a traffic collision even if the motorcyclist is wearing a helmet. While motorcyclists face greater physical risks than other motorists, bikers also have the same general entitlements as other drivers, including the right to pursue legal action if they are hurt in an accident caused by another’s negligence. Yet motorcyclists face an uphill battle when recovering damages as insurance companies unfairly limit compensation to protect their bottom line. The motorcycle accident lawyers at Hagelgans & Veronis understand the unique challenges faced by bikers, and our motorcycle accident law firm is proud to help injured motorcyclists from Lancaster, York and throughout central Pennsylvania seek the financial security they need. If you were hurt or a loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident caused by a careless driver, please call 877-454-8529 for your free consultation.

Common Motorcycle Accidents Injuries

With the low profile of most motorcycles and the general lack of physical protection for riders, it’s no surprise that motorcycle accidents result in a high rate of severe and catastrophic injuries. Injured motorcycle riders often require costly emergency medical treatment, and may need long-term care. The motorcycle accident attorneys at Hagelgans & Veronis have extensive experience in cases involving severe injuries that include: We also have a record of success in cases involving catastrophic injuries that can result in permanent disability, including: Motorcyclists abide by the same rules as other drivers, and they must obey additional regulations regarding the operation of motorcycles. Yet they often face unfair obstacles when trying to recover compensation for damages caused by the negligence of others. Our lawyers understand the challenges confronted by motorcycle accident injury victims and their families, and we have the resources and the courtroom experience to fight for fair compensation on your behalf.

What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents?

According to data cited in the Insurance Information Institute’s (III) motorcycle crash report, motorcyclists are about 26 times more likely to be killed in a crash and five times more likely to be injured than passenger-vehicle occupants. Among the most common causes of motorcycle accidents is the failure of other drivers to notice the presence of motorcycles. This lack of awareness can manifest itself in a number of ways, and common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
  • The failure of a driver to check blind spots
  • A passenger vehicle entering an intersection into the path of a motorcycle
  • A passenger vehicle turning left onto a street and into a motorcycle
  • The failure of a passenger vehicle driver to appropriately yield the right-of-way to a motorcycle
  • A passenger vehicle operator driving while distracted
  • A passenger vehicle tailgating a motorcycle
Check out this blog post for more statistics about motorcycle accidents.

Preventing Motorcycle Accidents

PennDOT offers an extensive list of motorcycle safety tips that are valuable to both bikers and passenger-vehicle drivers. Key advice for preventing motorcycle crashes includes:
  • Maintain a safe vehicle: Make sure headlights and brake lights work, and that vehicles are free of other mechanical defects
  • Be visible and signal: Use your turn signals and give other drivers ample time to respond before changing lanes or turning
  • Maintain a safe distance: Tailgating is a common factor in traffic accidents; keep a safe distance that provides you space and time to react to a potentially dangerous situation
  • Focus on the task at hand: When you’re driving, focus on driving; distracted driving, including cell phone use and texting, is an increasingly common cause of collisions
  • Drive sober: Although drunk driving numbers have steadily decreased over the years, driving under the influence still kills more than 10,000 people nationwide each year; in fact, Pennsylvania ranked fifth nationally in drunk driving-related deaths in 2013
Pennsylvania also ranks near the top nationally in medical expenses and work-loss costs associated with motor vehicle accidents. According to an analysis of state crash costs by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Pennsylvania racks up about $1.5 billion annually in medical treatment and loss of work hours related to traffic accidents.

Pennsylvania Motorcycle Helmet Law

Pennsylvania’s motorcycle helmet law states that any person who operates or rides as a passenger on a motorcycle must wear protective headgear approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) unless:
  • they are over 21 and have at least two years of riding experience
  • or completed a motorcycle safety course approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
Compliant motorcycle helmets are noted with a “DOT” sticker on the helmets themselves. Helmets must be permanently labeled with the manufacturer’s name, the model designation, the size, and the manufacture date.  All motorcycle occupants must wear protective eyewear, and shatter-proof eye protection is recommended.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to PennDOT’s Crash Facts and Statistics report, 189 motorcycle riders were killed in accidents in 2016, the last year for which complete injury and fatality statistics are available. About 3,500 motorcyclists were involved in collisions in 2016, with more than 3,300 suffering injuries. Nationally, 4,976 were killed in motorcycle wrecks in 2015 and another 88,000 sustained injuries, according to the III motorcycle crash report. There are about 8.6 million bikers on the road in the United States, according to the NHTSA, which estimates overall helmet use at about 40 percent. Nineteen states currently have mandatory helmet laws for all motorcycle occupants. In Pennsylvania, 94 of the 189 motorcyclists killed in crashes in 2016 were not wearing helmets. Another 1,245 of those whose injuries required medical treatment were not wearing helmets.

Contact A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you were injured or a family member was killed in a motorcycle crash that may have been caused by a negligent driver, please contact Hagelgans & Veronis online or call us at (717) 295-7009 to arrange your free consultation with one of our skilled attorneys.

With offices in Lancaster, Quarryville, Mount Joy and York, our attorneys are accessible to our neighbors throughout central Pennsylvania.

Speak Directly with Our Attorneys

From the initial free consultation, your case will be handled by an experienced injury attorney, not a paralegal or legal secretary.

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