Why You Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer After a Crash in PA

Motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania can change your life in a moment. These crashes often result in serious injuries, long recovery times, and heavy medical bills. While motorcycles offer freedom on the road, they also come with unique risks. After a crash, it’s not enough to rely on insurance alone. To protect your rights and your future, it’s important to understand why working with a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer in Pennsylvania matters.

This guide explains the key reasons to hire a lawyer after a motorcycle crash, what steps to take next, and how legal help can support your recovery.



The Unique Dangers of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists face greater risks than drivers of cars or trucks. Without the protection of a steel frame, airbags, or seatbelts, motorcyclists are exposed to direct impact in a crash. Even low-speed collisions can result in serious or fatal injuries.

Common causes of motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania include:

  • Drivers failing to yield or see motorcyclists

  • Sudden lane changes

  • Rear-end collisions

  • Speeding and reckless driving

  • Road hazards such as potholes or debris

  • Drunk or distracted drivers

These accidents often leave riders with broken bones, spinal cord injuries, head trauma, and long-term disabilities. After such a crash, getting the right medical care and financial compensation becomes essential.

What to Do Immediately After a Motorcycle Crash

Your actions after a motorcycle crash play a big role in your ability to file a strong claim. Even if you feel fine at first, follow these steps:

  1. Call 911: Always report the accident and request medical help. The police will file a report, which serves as a key piece of evidence.

  2. Get Medical Attention: Some injuries don’t show up right away. A doctor can evaluate your condition and begin treatment quickly.

  3. Take Photos and Videos: Document your injuries, your motorcycle, the other vehicle, and the crash scene.

  4. Exchange Information: Get the name, contact info, and insurance details from the other driver.

  5. Speak Carefully: Avoid admitting fault or discussing the details too much at the scene.

  6. Talk to a Lawyer: A motorcycle accident attorney in Pennsylvania can guide you through what to say to insurers and how to protect your case.

Taking these steps early helps prevent insurance companies from using your words or actions against you later.

How Insurance Companies Handle Motorcycle Accidents

Insurance companies don’t always treat motorcycle riders fairly. Some adjusters may assume the rider caused the accident just because they were on a motorcycle. Others may try to offer a low settlement or delay paying your claim.

Here’s what insurance companies often do after a crash:

  • Downplay the severity of your injuries

  • Question the need for ongoing medical care

  • Try to blame you for part or all of the accident

  • Offer quick settlements that don’t cover your full losses

A motorcycle accident lawyer in Pennsylvania understands how insurance companies operate. They push back against unfair tactics and fight for a full, fair settlement.

Understanding Pennsylvania Motorcycle Laws

Pennsylvania’s laws affect how motorcycle accident cases are handled. One key rule is the choice no-fault system. In Pennsylvania, drivers can choose between limited tort and full tort insurance coverage.

  • Limited tort: Restricts your ability to recover damages for pain and suffering unless your injuries are considered “serious.”

  • Full tort: Allows full recovery of all damages, even if injuries are minor.

Motorcyclists are typically not covered by the no-fault system and are not bound by the tort choice. This means you may have more freedom to seek compensation, but insurance companies may not explain that clearly.

Pennsylvania also follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means if you are found partly at fault for the crash, your compensation could be reduced. If you are more than 50% at fault, you may not recover anything.

An experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Pennsylvania will work to prove the other party’s responsibility and reduce any claims of fault against you.

Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled To

Motorcycle crashes can leave you with a wide range of losses. These losses, or damages, can be both economic (with a dollar value) and non-economic (more personal).

A lawyer will calculate the full value of your claim, which may include:

  • Medical expenses: Hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, medication, and future care needs

  • Lost wages: Time missed from work and reduced ability to earn in the future

  • Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional trauma, and the loss of enjoyment of life

  • Property damage: The cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle

  • Permanent disability: Injuries that prevent you from living the life you had before the crash

Insurance companies often focus on the bills they can see. But a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer in Pennsylvania looks at the whole picture to ensure you get what you truly need.

Proving Fault in a Motorcycle Accident

To win your case, your lawyer must prove that another person or party caused the crash. This involves collecting evidence and building a strong legal argument.

Your attorney may:

  • Review the police report

  • Interview witnesses

  • Analyze photos and videos from the scene

  • Consult accident reconstruction experts

  • Obtain the other driver’s phone or driving records

These steps help paint a full picture of what happened and show how the other driver acted carelessly or recklessly.

Common Defenses Insurance Companies Use

Insurance companies may try to avoid paying you fairly by using common defenses. These include:

  • Claiming you were speeding

  • Suggesting you weren’t wearing a helmet

  • Saying your injuries were pre-existing

  • Questioning the need for ongoing medical care

Even if these claims seem unfair, they can hurt your case if not addressed properly. A motorcycle accident attorney in Pennsylvania knows how to counter these tactics with strong evidence and expert support.

Why Legal Help Makes a Difference

Motorcycle injury claims are complex. Trying to handle everything alone can lead to costly mistakes. A lawyer brings experience, legal knowledge, and a team of professionals to your side.

With a lawyer, you can:

  • Focus on healing while someone else handles paperwork and deadlines

  • Avoid giving harmful statements to insurance companies

  • Get help negotiating a higher settlement

  • Take your case to court if needed

Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they win your case. This setup allows you to get legal help without added stress about costs.

When to Contact a Lawyer

Time matters after a crash. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit is two years from the date of the crash. If you wait too long, you may lose your right to seek compensation.

It’s best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible if:

  • You suffered injuries in the crash

  • The other driver was clearly at fault

  • Your insurance claim was denied or delayed

  • The insurance settlement offer feels too low

  • You feel unsure about what to do next

Even if your injuries seem minor at first, legal guidance can still make a big difference in the outcome.

Choosing the Right Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Pennsylvania

Not every lawyer has experience with motorcycle cases. Look for a legal team that understands the unique issues bikers face.

Here’s what to look for:

  • A strong track record of motorcycle injury cases

  • Positive client reviews

  • Free consultations

  • Clear communication and compassion

  • Willingness to go to trial if needed

Working with a trusted motorcycle accident lawyer in Pennsylvania gives you peace of mind that your case is in good hands.

Conclusion

Motorcycle accidents leave more than just physical wounds. They can change your life in ways that go far beyond the crash itself. With medical bills, missed work, and pain that lingers, it's important to protect your future. Having an experienced legal team helps make that possible.

A skilled motorcycle accident attorney in Pennsylvania knows how to build a strong case, fight for fair compensation, and support your recovery every step of the way. With the right help, you don’t have to face insurance companies or legal challenges alone.

The dedicated team at Edelstein Martin & Nelson stands ready to support you through every stage of the process with care, experience, and strength.

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