After a motorcycle accident, you may be feeling overwhelmed and confused about what to do next. Your best option is to call a Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorney immediately. The longer you wait to contact legal counsel, the more difficult it is to find evidence to support your case. 

There are more than 300,000 registered motorcycles in Pennsylvania and more than 800,000 approved motorcycle licenses. In 2020 there were over 100,000 accidents that resulted in 61,000 injuries and 1,129 deaths. Motorcycle accidents accounted for 3,227 injuries and 217 deaths. 

Many riders who survive a motorcycle crash are seriously injured and face a difficult struggle emotionally and physically. The medical and other costs continue to mount, and the sooner an injured rider can retain legal counsel, the better protected they are to handle their difficult situation. The longer an injured survivor waits, the less compensation is on the table,

Additionally, if you do not seek medical care right away, the insurance company can try to make a case to reduce the amount of your claim by suggesting that your injuries could not have been that bad if you did not see a doctor. Insurance companies use anything they can against you to reduce the amount of money they payout on a claim. Insurance companies exist to make money, not pay it out if they can avoid it. 

Contacting a motorcycle accident attorney as quickly as possible reduces the chance of missing major claim deadlines, increasing financial settlement.

Since a motorcycle crash involves serious injuries or death, the statute of limitation within which to file a personal injury claim usually begins on the date of the accident. If a death is involved, wrongful death litigation is usually pursued. In Pennsylvania, the time limit to file is two years. If the cause of the crash was a defective motorcycle or safety gear, the product liability statute of limitations is applicable. It is also two years. 

Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Immediately Is Crucial

Hiring an attorney right away can increase your chances of obtaining a fair settlement. It puts insurance companies on notice that the plaintiff has legal representation, which means the attorney negotiates for fair and appropriate compensation or takes the case to trial. Insurance companies do not like being taken to court, as the amounts awarded are typically higher than what they would be willing to offer as a negotiated settlement. 

Waiting too long to file a claim means case adjusters question how valid your case is or the longer it is before you file a claim, it could be denied.

How Motorcycle Accidents Happen

Many of the cases we have seen involved a crash on a dangerous road. If you were involved in an accident as a result of a poorly maintained road, there may be public entity liability for your injuries. 

Motorcycle collisions can be the result of:

• Negligence in a public work zone
• Negligence in a construction zone
• Unrepaired potholes
• Traffic signals and other control devices not working properly or out of order
• Substandard street lighting
• Improper or insufficient roadway signs
• Road debris from construction or maintenance
• Sharp curves

In these cases, we must promptly file a claim to meet public entity deadlines, which are different from deadlines involving another driver. If your case involves a public entity liability, do not wait to hire a motorcycle accident attorney.

Injuries From a Motorcycle Accident Affect Filing Deadlines

If you are seriously injured, it is often difficult to file claims on time because the medical condition of the biker is in question. Motorcycle accident attorneys can help with deadline extensions wherever possible. 

Some of the more serious injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident include:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Crush injuries and chest contusions
• Paralysis
• Amputations
• Fractures

Insurance companies look for ways to deny or diminish motorcycle injury claims. Adjusters make every effort to deny insurance coverage. Hiring a skilled Melaragno, Placidi & Parini motorcycle accident attorney ensures your rights are protected, and you receive the compensation needed to move forward with your life and take care of your bills and other medical expenses. 

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney for Help

We are intimately familiar with motorcycle accidents and injuries and realize all collisions are not the same. Our approach to each case is also different. Your Erie personal injury lawyer from Melaragno, Placidi & Parini has your back. We stand ready to help you navigate the legal process and obtain the equitable compensation you deserve.