Pennsylvania is no stranger to gruesome motorcycle accident cases. In 2018, the state registered a total of 2,714 accidents, where 159 fatal accidents were reported and many more cases in which the victims suffered serious injuries, such as head injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and other common injuries. If the victim survives, there’s the pressure of paying high medical bills. But why should the victim bear the burden of paying the bills when it is the negligence of another that caused the accident in the first place?
Thankfully, if you live in Pittsburgh, you can demand compensation for your sustained injuries and losses from the negligent party. Before you take any legal action, it’s crucial to hire a Pittsburgh motorcycle accident attorney to learn all the legal options available to you. This would allow you to make an informed decision. Schedule a free consultation with Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky law office today to get started on your serious motorcycle accident case.
Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can be highly detrimental, as the motorcycle riders don’t have the privilege of being behind an enclosed space. It could prove to be even more serious if the rider isn’t wearing any motorcycle safety and protective gear. Here are some of the most common causes of motor vehicle collisions that you need to stay wary of –
Inexperience
This cause has more to do with the riders than with other parties involved. If you’re an inexperienced motorcycle rider, you might risk getting involved in a motorcycle crash, as you won’t know how to operate your motorcycle under pressure or respond to certain situations. You need to have months and years of practice to consider yourself an experienced motorcyclist. Anything short of that could get you in trouble on the road. You also should have the required permission to take your bike on the road.
DUI
DUI is another common cause of motorcycle accidents. Whether you are under the influence of alcohol, or any other motor vehicle driver, you could become a victim of a serious motorcycle crash in either of the cases. According to statistics, about 40% of single-vehicle motorcycle fatalities in 2018 had alcohol involved in them. This proves just how catastrophic it is to drive with an illegal concentration of alcohol in the system, both for the drunk driver and those driving around them. If you become a victim of a drunk driver, contact Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky to hire the best personal injury lawyers in town.
Left-hand turns
Motorcycles are harder to detect than other motor vehicles, such as a semi-truck, small trucks, or a car. This is why motorcycle riders are especially vulnerable to left-hand turn collisions. This happens when a vehicle beside a motorcycle rider runs into the motorcycle when they are either traveling straight ahead, passing, or attempting to overtake the other vehicle. It can cause serious injury to the victim. Contact Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky law firm and personal injury attorneys if you suffered motorcycle injuries in Pittsburgh.
Speeding
Speeding is yet another top cause of motorcycle accidents. This collision occurs when either the motorcyclist or the driver around them is driving their vehicle over the legal speed limit. Although, it can also mean that the driver is driving faster for the conditions. For instance, you’re expected to drive slowly in the rain or when the road is wet.
Distracted Driving
Another cause of motorcycle accidents and car accidents is when the motorcyclist or any driver around them drives without paying attention to the road. Texting, eating, or talking over the phone can contribute to distracted driving.
If you or your loved ones suffered losses because of any of the above-mentioned reasons, you could recover compensation from the negligent party by filing a personal injury claim against them. Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky motorcycle crash lawyers can negotiate your case with the insurance company and get you the financial compensation you deserve for your damages. We would strive to win you maximum compensation for your suffering. Schedule a free consultation with us today to get started on your motorcycle accident claim.
Steps To Take After A Motorcycle Accident in Pittsburgh
Motorcycle crashes can be extremely overwhelming and can faze you for a while. But it’s important to get your bearings and take all the right steps to preserve evidence and get yourself to safety. Here are some steps to take if you’ve been in a motorcycle accident in Pittsburgh.
Get to safety
Get yourself away from the path of moving traffic after the accident. Don’t worry about your motorcycle until you’ve ensured your own safety first.
Call emergency services and seek medical treatment
Call 911 to ask for the police and ambulance. Brief the police on the core facts of the accident, and get first-aid for your motorcycle accident injuries. If your injuries are severe, have your injuries tended to by a medical professional. Collect your medical records and invoice for medical expenses to prove your injuries.
Gather evidence
Gather important bits of evidence from the accident scene. Start with capturing the photos and videos of the motorcycle crash. Capture any angles that prove it was the negligent party’s motor vehicle that collided with yours. Take the names and numbers of the witnesses. Their statements could be used to prove the negligence of the other party. Take the personal information of the other involved parties as well. Jot down the car plate number of the guilty driver.
Call a Pittsburgh motorcycle accident lawyer.
Once you’ve been discharged from the hospital, call a Pittsburgh motorcycle accident attorney. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can educate you on the next steps. If you want to recover compensation for the damages, you will have to file a personal injury claim. An attorney can help you with all the paperwork and more. If you don’t have a motorcycle accident lawyer already, schedule a free consultation with Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky. We would brief you on the entire legal process and allow you to make an informed decision.
Common Injuries From A Motorcycle Accident
Motor vehicle accidents and motorcycle accidents can leave the motorcycle accident victims with several kinds of injuries, each more gruesome than the last. Here are some common injuries that victims of motorcycle accidents suffer –
- Head and brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Burns
- Fractures
The medical expenses for any of these injuries can be high. You shouldn’t be the one to bear the expenses if it was someone else whose negligence and inattentiveness led to your suffering. If you suffered any of the above-mentioned serious injuries, call Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky. Our Pittsburgh motorcycle accident lawyer would help you recover financial compensation for your pain while you take time to heal from your injuries. To prevent such injuries, always wear helmets while driving a motorcycle.
Why Do You Need to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
A motorcycle accident attorney can help you with all the legal formalities of your motorcycle accident case. Here is everything a lawyer can do for you –
- Investigate the scene of the accident.
- Gather evidence that proves negligence on the defendant’s part, including photos and video of the scene, medical evidence proving your injuries, and statements of eyewitnesses who can testify in your favor.
- Determine your case’s worth by quantifying all the damages you’ve suffered in the wake of the accident, including medical bills, lost wages, future lost earnings, property damage, and loss of money-earning capabilities.
- Organize the evidence to present in front of the insurance company.
- File a motorcycle accident claim and take care of all the paperwork.
- Negotiate your case with the insurance company.
- Persuade the insurers to give you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
- File for a personal injury lawsuit against the defendant if the insurance company refuses to give you the deserved settlement.
- Fill out all the required paperwork while you take your time to recover from your injuries.
- Fight your case fiercely in the court of law to convince the judge or jury that you deserve the compensation that you’ve proposed.
While you don’t need a lawyer to file a claim or a lawsuit, you’d certainly need one to get fair compensation quickly. Otherwise, these cases can easily take more than 18 months to conclude, especially if you have a weak legal representation. To get your money back quickly, contact Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, one of the best law firms in Pittsburgh.
Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky – Pittsburgh Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky is a law firm representing victims of Pittsburgh motorcycle accidents. Our Pittsburgh motorcycle accident lawyer will assist in investigating the motorcycle accident case, gather required evidence, negotiate with the insurance company, and even fight your case in the court of law to pursue justice and fair compensation for your pain and suffering. We provide our clients with all the resources they need to ensure that they get a fair settlement. We strive to ensure that the guilty party is held liable, then the motorist’s fault is proven in the court. Even if you’re partly at fault for the accident, we will win you a portion of the compensation for the damages you suffered since Pennsylvania is a no-fault state. Apart from motorcycle accidents, we also help clients with other personal injury cases, including wrongful death, truck accidents, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation. Schedule a free consultation with us now to get started on your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania?
The statute of limitations for motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania is two years from the date of the accident, and in some exceptional cases, from the date of discovery. Contact us to consult if your case is still valid.
Can you sue for pain and suffering in Pennsylvania?
You can recover non-economic damages and losses from the negligent party by filing a claim or lawsuit against them. The non-economic damages would include pain and suffering, mental anguish, stress, and any other inconvenience.
Contact us now to schedule a free consultation.
Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C’s main office is located at 245 Fort Pitt Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, only about 8 minutes from Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, just over a mile away from The Andy Warhol Museum, and about 2 minutes away from the Point State Park. Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is only 12 minutes away. Gary Ogg, Mike Murphy, John Perkosky, David Houk, and Ben Gobel, the principal attorneys at Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C, are your trusted source for addressing personal injury, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. With a proven history of expertise and success, Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky ensures your legal representation instills confidence in every aspect of your case. Call our Pittsburgh law firm today at (412) 471-8500 with further questions.