How Can a Norristown Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Motorcycle riders have little protection against the force of a collision, so a crash that a car occupant might walk away from can leave a motorcyclist with life-changing injuries. These serious injuries often require extensive medical treatment, which means motorcycle accident claims can be costly. Insurance companies know this, so they commonly do everything they can to reduce payouts, even if that means unfairly blaming claimants based on outdated stereotypes of reckless riders.
If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle crash, a Norristown motorcycle accident lawyer at The Levin Firm can help you counter insurer tactics and demand the recovery you deserve. We prepare every Montgomery County motorcycle accident case as if it will go to trial because we know that insurers respond differently when they know we’re willing to fight for a fair result in court. You can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal work.
Contact us today to get started with a free consultation with one of our Norristown motorcycle accident attorneys.
Why Choose The Levin Firm for My Motorcycle Accident Case?
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Norristown, PA, you need a legal team that understands the unique challenges these cases present, from biased insurance adjusters to complex liability disputes. The team at The Levin Firm has secured significant results for injured clients across Pennsylvania, including a $2,500,000 settlement for a motorcycle accident victim.
In that case, our client suffered life-threatening injuries after a tractor-trailer driver ran a stop sign and struck her head-on. The crash required emergency transport by helicopter and left her with permanent complications, including the removal of several feet of her intestines. Our attorneys negotiated for the full insurance tender available. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case, but this result reflects the dedication our attorneys bring to every claim we handle.
Attorney Gabriel Levin has earned recognition as a Super Lawyer every year from 2010 through 2024, and The Levin Firm holds an Avvo 10.0 “Superb” rating thanks to the respect our firm has earned among peers and clients alike.
Our clients consistently praise the personal attention they receive from our team. Here’s what one person had to say about working with us:
“I was hit by an uninsured motorist and was recommended to The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers by a close friend. I am So glad we went with The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers. Megan, our paralegal was AMAZING! She consistently updated me on my case. She also answered my numerous questions I had about this process. My attorney, Gabe, fought to ensure we got the compensation I deserved. I highly recommend The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers.”
What Financial Compensation Can I Recover After a Motorcycle Accident?
Our Pennsylvania lawyers can help you pursue maximum compensation for the full range of losses you suffered in the crash. Depending on the circumstances, this could include financial recovery for the following:
- Medical treatment
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity and future lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage costs
- Wrongful death costs in fatal motorcycle accident cases
It’s worth noting that, under the modified comparative negligence rules in Pennsylvania, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. This remains true as long as your share of the fault is below 51 percent. In that case, the court would reduce your total payout based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 20 percent at fault for a case worth $100,000, your motorcycle accident compensation in Pennsylvania would be reduced by 20 percent, leaving you with $80,000.
At The Levin Firm, we are committed to helping you pursue full and fair compensation for all of your accident-related injuries and losses and to fight against insurance companies that only wish to minimize payouts.
Does Pennsylvania’s Limited Tort Law Affect My Motorcycle Claim?
Pennsylvania uses a different auto insurance system than most other states. Under this system, most drivers must choose between “full tort” and “limited tort” coverage when they purchase auto insurance policies, and that choice can affect a driver’s claim options after a crash. Notably, those with limited tort cannot sue for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages unless they were seriously injured or an exception exists. However, under state law, this system generally does not apply to motorcyclists.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Even the most careful riders can be injured due to the negligence of others. Many motorcycle accidents happen because drivers:
- Fail to check blind spots
- Do not yield the right of way
- Are distracted or inattentive
- Misjudge a motorcycle’s speed or distance
These careless actions can have devastating consequences for motorcyclists.
Potential Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents
With no access to seat belts and air bags, motorcyclists are much more likely to suffer serious injuries in accidents than are other motorists. Even minor accidents can have serious results when a motorcycle is involved, some of which could include:
- Spinal cord damage
- Compound bone fractures
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Severe lacerations and road rash
- Burns
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Treating an injury sustained in a motorcycle accident is often prohibitively expensive as it usually requires some or all of the following procedures or forms of treatment:
- Multiple reconstructive surgeries
- Amputations
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medications
- Multiple hospital stays
- The purchase of special medical equipment
- Appointments with specialists
- At-home nursing care
Unfortunately, the costs of being involved in a motorcycle crash do not end here as many injured parties must take weeks or months off from work to fully heal. In some tragic cases, a victim may lose his or her life, leaving family members to not only come to terms with their loss, but also to find a way to cover funeral expenses. In other situations, an injured party may never be able to return to work, which can make it almost impossible to stay on top of mounting medical bills and other expenses. Fortunately, accident victims who can demonstrate that another party’s negligence was the cause of their crash can collect compensation for their losses, which could include:
- Past and future medical costs;
- Lost wages;
- Loss of future income;
- Property damage;
- Pain and suffering; and
- Emotional distress.
Furthermore, even if a motorcyclist contributed to the accident, he or she can still recover damages. This is because Pennsylvania follows the legal theory of modified comparative negligence, which allows injured parties who were partially at fault for their accidents to collect damages as long as they were less than 51 percent responsible. However, the amount that they are able to recover will be reduced by their percentage of fault.
Motorcycle helmet laws vary by state. In Pennsylvania, not all riders are required to wear a helmet—but certain individuals must comply with specific legal requirements.
Who Is Required to Wear a Helmet?
Under Pennsylvania law, the following riders must wear a helmet:
- Motorcyclists under 21 years old
Riders over 21 may be exempt only if they can provide proof of:
- At least two years of motorcycle riding experience, or
- Completion of an approved motorcycle safety course
If these conditions are not met, helmet use is still required.
Why Wearing a Helmet Is So Important
Even when not legally required, wearing a helmet is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of serious injury in a crash.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Helmets reduce the risk of death by 37%
- Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69%
Additional research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that helmets can also significantly reduce:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Facial injuries
Can Not Wearing a Helmet Affect Your Case?
Yes, choosing not to wear a helmet can impact your personal injury claim.
In some cases:
- Insurance companies may argue your injuries were more severe due to lack of a helmet
- Judges or juries may consider this when determining compensation
- Your total recovery may be reduced under comparative negligence rules
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Montgomery County?
Pennsylvania law gives injured riders two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Certain circumstances can shorten, extend, or otherwise affect the standard filing deadline, including situations involving minors or government entities. If you miss any applicable deadline, you could lose the right to pursue compensation through the courts, so prompt legal action is key to protecting your claim. It’s always best to contact an experienced lawyer promptly to confirm the deadline that applies to your specific situation and so that they can gather evidence from the accident scene before it is lost or destroyed.
Montgomery County motorcycle accident claims valued at $50,000 or less typically must go through compulsory arbitration before they reach the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. This means that if your claim is under the $50,000 threshold, it will initially be decided by a panel of arbitrators rather than a judge or jury. That being said, either party can appeal an arbitration award and request a new trial in the Court of Common Pleas.
Contact Our Norristown Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Case Review
A motorcycle accident can happen in an instant and change your life for months or even years to come. If you have suffered harm in a Norristown motorcycle crash that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you need and deserve help from a legal team that will treat your case with the urgency it demands.
The attorneys at The Levin Firm bring decades of combined experience to every motorcycle accident claim we handle. We also work on a contingency fee basis, so you owe us no attorney fees unless we win your case. Contact our Norristown motorcycle accident attorneys today for a free, no-pressure, fully confidential case review to learn how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.