HKQ Attorneys
What You Need to Know About Motorcycle Accidents in Pennsylvania
Motorcycle accidents often result in more severe injuries than typical car crashes. Unlike drivers in passenger vehicles, motorcyclists have little physical protection for their bodies and are exposed to direct impact with vehicles, pavement, or stationary objects.
Injuries in motorcycle crashes frequently include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, road rash, broken bones, and internal organ injuries. Even when wearing a helmet, motorcyclists are at a heightened risk of life-altering harm.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania include vehicle drivers failing to yield, unsafe lane changes, distracted driving, and left-turn collisions at intersections. In many accidents, the driver of the larger vehicle claims they did not see the motorcycle before impact, which can be related to blind spots or failure to look carefully.
Motorcyclists are still required to follow all traffic laws. However, drivers of passenger vehicles also have a duty to watch for motorcycles and share the road safely.
Pennsylvania follows what’s called a “modified comparative negligence standard.” This means an injured motorcyclist may still recover damages if they are found to be fifty percent or less responsible for the accident.
Evidence such as helmet damage, skid marks, crash reconstruction data, video footage, and witness statements often play critical roles in determining who or what is at fault and supporting an injury claim.
Motorcycle accident cases in Pennsylvania are highly detail-oriented and often require a thorough review of the scene, the vehicles involved, and the actions of all drivers leading up to the collision.