Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Bethlehem
- 30+ Years of Experience Helping Victims Across Pennsylvania
- We Will Never Stop Fighting For You
This page has been written and edited by a team of experienced legal writers . This page was approved by Managing Partner, Michael Saile who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
This page has been written and edited by a team of experienced legal writers . This page was approved by Managing Partner, Michael Saile who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
- Last Modified:
- September 28, 2024
Speak with an experienced Bethlehem motorcycle accident lawyer if you or a loved one has recently suffered injuries in a motorcycle crash. You may have the right to recover compensation for your medical treatment, loss of income, and distress.
- Why should I hire a Bethlehem motorcycle accident lawyer?
- Can I recover compensation if I share fault for a motorcycle accident?
- What is my motorcycle accident case worth?
- What damages can I recover in a motorcycle accident lawsuit?
- Does Pennsylvania have a time limit for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I hire a Bethlehem motorcycle accident lawyer?
Hiring a lawyer gives you the best opportunity to not only win your case but maximize your financial recovery.
Insurance companies want to work directly with you, not a Bethlehem personal injury lawyer with a demonstrated ability to win challenging claims like yours.
When you choose Cordisco & Saile LLC, you will benefit from decades of experience and have the opportunity to focus on what matters most—getting better.
You can take the time you need to rest and recover while our top-rated legal team:
- Oversees a thorough and detailed investigation into your motorcycle crash
- Identifies all causal factors and pinpoints liability
- Consults with motorcycle accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, forensic specialists, vocational rehabilitation specialists, and other experts who can provide critical insight into your case
- Defends you against victim-blaming strategies that could hurt your chances of a full financial recovery
- Handles negotiations with insurance companies and other parties to secure a swift and favorable settlement for your motorcycle accident
- Helps you make difficult decisions, like whether you should accept a settlement or push forward to trial for a potentially better result
We know that medical bills can add up fast and a sudden loss of income can cause significant financial strain. That is why we work on contingency. Hiring our law firm has no upfront costs. We only get paid if we win your case. No exceptions, no excuses.
Give our law office in Bethlehem a call and schedule a free consultation to learn more. We are standing by to help 24/7/365.
Can I recover compensation if I share fault for a motorcycle accident?
Yes, but you can’t be primarily responsible. Pennsylvania has adopted a modified comparative fault rule with a 51 percent bar to recovery.
In simple terms, this means that you can recover damages as long as you share less than 51 percent of the blame for your motorcycle accident. Once your liability exceeds half, your right to financial recovery disappears.
Sharing a small fraction of the blame will still affect your financial recovery. Damages will be reduced proportionately to your share of the blame. So, if you are 15 percent at fault for your motorcycle accident, then your damages will be reduced by 15 percent.
We’re ready to fight for you. Take the first step towards getting the compensation you deserve.
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What is my motorcycle accident case worth?
As with all car accident cases in Bethlehem, the value of a motorcycle injury claim will ultimately depend on several different factors.
- What types of injuries did you suffer in the motorcycle accident?
- Are you expected to make a full physical recovery?
- Will you experience a permanent disability or physical impairment?
- Are you able to continue working, or has your earning capacity changed in any way?
- How has the trauma of being involved in a motorcycle accident affected you emotionally and psychologically?
- Do you share responsibility for your motorcycle crash?
- Did you aggravate any preexisting medical conditions?
You will also have to factor in things like your age and earning capacity. Generally, the more severe your injuries and the more your life is changed, the more your claim for damages will be worth.
Your choice of personal injury attorney can also affect how much money you get after a motorcycle accident. Contact Cordisco & Saile LLC to learn about how our law firm has helped motorcycle crash victims just like you get top results in their personal injury cases.
Recently, we negotiated a $2,900,000 settlement for our client, a 30 year-old male, who was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. His injuries included a traumatic brain injury with resulting cognitive/behavioral and emotional impairment, comminuted fracture of the femoral shaft requiring surgery, right orbital floor fracture and displaced nasal bone fracture.
What damages can I recover in a motorcycle accident lawsuit?
Injured riders can typically recover compensation for their monetary losses and the pain and suffering they experience because of a motorcycle accident. These compensatory awards are known as economic damages and noneconomic damages, respectively.
Common examples include:
- Present and future medical bills
- Lost wages and income
- Lost future job benefits
- Physical therapy
- Nursing assistance
- Property damage
- Chronic physical pain
- Disfigurement and scarring
- PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other forms of emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium
At Cordisco & Saile LLC, our Bethlehem motorcycle accident attorneys will aggressively pursue all damages available to you under Pennsylvania state law.
Does Pennsylvania have a time limit for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit?
Yes, the statute of limitations for most motorcycle accident lawsuits in Pennsylvania is two years. This will give you two years from the date of your motorcycle accident or the death of a family member to file a legal claim for damages.
Once the statute of limitations expires, so does your opportunity to assert your right and demand financial accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions
How common are motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania?
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, thousands of motorcycle crashes are reported across the Keystone State annually.
In 2020, 3,399 motorcycle wrecks occurred statewide—the highest reported total since 2016.
That’s roughly 9 or 10 motorcycle accidents every day in Pennsylvania.
In 2020, motorcycle accidents accounted for:
- 3.3 percent of all car accidents
- 6.6 percent of auto accidents resulting in an injury
- 20.3 percent of fatal motor vehicle accidents
Roughly one out of every five fatal crashes in Pennsylvania involves a motorcyclist.
What causes most motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania?
Typically, when a motorcycle accident does happen in Bethlehem, it’s a result of human error or negligence.
Common contributing factors include:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Distracted driving or riding
- Drunk driving or riding
- Riding at night with insufficient reflective and safety gear
- Driving in a motorcyclist’s blind spots
- Unsafe turns and maneuvers
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Failing to leave sufficient space between a motorcycle and car when passing
- Road defects
- Negligent vehicle maintenance
Other factors, sometimes outside a motorist’s control, that can contribute to a motorcycle wreck include vehicle defects, bad weather, limited visibility, and road construction.
What if I was lane splitting?
Even though lane splitting is illegal in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the maneuver won’t necessarily prohibit you from recovering compensation in a motorcycle accident.
As long as lane splitting and other acts of negligence stack up to less than 51 percent of the blame, you can still recover compensation from a negligent third party. However, keep in mind that your damages will be reduced based on your liability.
What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
All motorcyclists under the age of 21 are required to wear motorcycle helmets in Pennsylvania. Riders 21 and over don’t have to wear helmets if they have at least two years of practical riding experience or have completed necessary safety training.
What if you opt not to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle and you get into a crash? Other parties will likely argue that you were negligent and failed to mitigate your injuries—and they shouldn’t be held accountable.
Despite this, you won’t automatically be prohibited from recovering compensation if you weren’t wearing a helmet when your motorcycle crashed.
Again, the state’s modified comparative fault rule will apply. If you are 50 percent or less at fault, you can still get damages for your injuries. You will just have to fight to ensure that the fault attributed to you is minimized.
What are common injuries in a motorcycle accident case?
Motorcyclists involved in accidents can suffer serious injuries, including:
- Road rash and burns
- Neck injury
- Back injury
- Spinal cord injury
Paralysis - Traumatic brain injury
- Concussion
- Nerve damage
- Dental injury
- Vision loss
- Hearing loss
- Broken bones and fractures
- Crushing injury
- Other catastrophic injuries
Far too many motorcycle accidents in Bethlehem are fatal too. Surviving family members may be entitled to compensation in a wrongful death action following a deadly crash. Contact our law firm in Bethlehem to find out how our team can help maximize your recovery.
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