Pittsburgh Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Strong advocacy for motorcycle operators, passengers, and families.
There’s nothing like riding a motorcycle, and this part of the state has some really terrific rides. (You can still use the color-coded Belt system if you look hard enough for the signs.) Many riders own motorcycles because it’s an inexpensive form of transportation. Some riders enjoy the friendship of riding in groups with over riders. Whatever the reason for riding is, the first priority is safety. There are numerous challenges riding a motorcycle – the weather, the roads, and other drivers. When accidents do happen, the consequences (catastrophic injuries or death) are much more likely to occur than car or truck accidents.
At Carmody and Ging, Injury & Accident Lawyers, our Pittsburgh motorcycle accident lawyers have the experience and resources to hold the drivers of larger vehicles accountable when they fail to respect your right to be on the road. We work with investigators, the police, and accident reconstruction experts to show how the motorcycle accident happened, why it was preventable, and who should be held accountable. Our lawyers work with your doctors to show just how serious and life-changing your injuries are. Our personal injury lawyers also file wrongful death claims when a loved one dies in a Pittsburgh motorcycle accident.
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What would you like to know?
- How dangerous are motorcycle accidents in Pittsburgh?
- What types of injury claims do your Pittsburgh motorcycle accident lawyers handle?
- What types of motorcycle accident cases do you handle?
- What are the causes of motorcycle accidents in Pittsburgh?
- Who is liable for a Pittsburgh motorcycle accident?
- What are the applicable Pennsylvania motorcycle laws?
- What damages can I claim after a motorcycle accident in Pittsburgh?
- How much time do I have to file my motorcycle claim?
- Do you have a motorcycle accident lawyer near me?
How dangerous are motorcycle accidents in Pittsburgh?
Motorcycle accidents generally cause more serious injuries and more deaths than car and truck accidents. The reasons are fairly clear. A motorcycle simply doesn’t offer the same physical protection as a car or truck. Motorcycles do not have a hood, roof, trunk, or doors. When a motorcycle accident happens in and around Pittsburgh, the riders either fall straight to the hard asphalt or into a vehicle or stationary object.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, in 2019, there were:
- Nearly 3,000 reported motorcycle accidents that caused 175 fatalities. More than 94 percent of those who died were drivers and less than 6 percent were passengers.
- Among those who died, 50 percent were wearing helmets and 46 percent were not wearing helmets.
- Among those who were injured, 55 percent were wearing helmets and 34 percent were not wearing helmets.
The Insurance Information Institute states that the odds of dying in a motorcycle accident are 29 times more likely than dying in a car accident.
What types of injury claims do your Pittsburgh motorcycle accident lawyers handle?
At Carmody and Ging, we understand how devastating most motorcycle accident injuries are. For many victims, their lives (even with the best medical care) are never the same. Many victims can never work again. Many live with constant pain. In the most tragic cases, drivers and riders do die, crushing the families who love them.
We fight for personal injury victims who have:
- Fractures and bone injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Dental injuries
- Neck, shoulder, and back pain
- Damage to lungs, kidneys, and other internal organs
- Nerve, ligament, tissue, and muscle damage
- Other serious injuries
We also represent motorcycle accident victims who suffer road rash. Road rash occurs when a rider falls off the motorcycle and slides along the road. If his/her skin is exposed, road rash can cause severe scarring and disfigurement. If not treated promptly, infections could occur which could be fatal. Many road rash victims need skin grafts and plastic surgery.
If your spouse, parent, or child died in a Pittsburgh motorcycle accident, we file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the surviving family members.
Our Pittsburgh motorcycle accident lawyers speak directly with your physicians and medical team to verify what injuries you have, what immediate and long-term medical care you’ll need, and the full effect those injuries may have. We’ll talk to your employer to learn more about what you did before your accident left you unable to work, and with you and your family about what life is like now.
What types of motorcycle accident cases do you handle?
At Carmody and Ging, our lawyers understand why motorcycle accidents and why they should NOT have happened. Many Pittsburgh motorcycle accidents happen because a car or truck driver failed to respect the rights of the motorcycle operator – or even to see the motorcycle operator.
We handle all types of motorcycle accidents, including:
- Head-on accidents where the front of the motorcycle and another vehicle strike each other
- T-Bone accidents where the front of one another vehicle strikes the side of the motorcycle (or vice-versa)
- Single-vehicle crashes
- Multiple-vehicle accidents
- Accidents caused by poor or uneven road surfaces
- Accidents caused by objects on the road such as roadkill or potholes
- Accidents that happen when it’s raining, snowing, extremely sunny, or foggy
- Accidents due to improper riding techniques
- Turning accidents
Our lawyers work with investigators, the police, and other experts when necessary to show that the defendants should be held accountable for your injuries or the death of a loved one.
What are the causes of motorcycle accidents in Pittsburgh?
Motorcycle accidents are preventable. Most Pittsburgh motorcycle happens because another driver wasn’t using proper safety cautions. Anyone who is injured while riding on a motorcycle has the right to hold careless drivers accountable for the injuries and deaths they cause. At Carmody and Ging, we work to show an accident happened because a driver of a car, truck, or another motorcycle:
- Failed to yield the right of way to the driver of the motorcycle
- Failed to monitor their blind spots so they could see a nearby motorcycle
- Was intoxicated
- Was distracted by a cellphone or another type of distraction
- Was fatigued
- Was speeding or violating some Pennsylvania traffic rule
- Split lanes with a car or truck
Who is liable for a Pittsburgh motorcycle accident?
The liable defendants may include:
- A car driver, truck driver, motorcycle driver, or other vehicle drivers
- The owners of the vehicles that caused your injuries
- A manufacturer of a defective motorcycle part such as brakes, clutches, brakes, or electrical components
- An entity that sold alcohol to someone who was visibly drunk and then caused your accident due to his/her intoxication
- The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, another agency, or a state entity that failed to design or maintain the roadway safely
At Carmody and Ging, our Pittsburgh motorcycle accident lawyers file hold everyone who changed your life or caused the death of a loved one responsible.
What are the applicable Pennsylvania motorcycle laws?
Pennsylvania mandates that riders wear proper headgear (helmets) unless they are at least 21 – and have two or more years of motorcycle operator experience or have completed an approved motorcycle education safety course. Generally, motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear eye-protective devices.
Other state motorcycle requirements include a proper muffler and noise restrictions. While there are no age restrictions; passengers should be able to easily reach the passenger handholds and footrests, have all the necessary safety equipment, and have the proper instructions. Operators must use daytime headlights. Lane splitting is not legal.
What damages can I claim after a motorcycle accident in Pittsburgh?
As we discussed, motorcycle accidents often cause serious injuries and deaths. Our motorcycle accident lawyers demand compensation for all your damages (current and future) including all your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income and benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of bodily function
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
We seek punitive damages when the accident was inexcusable such as when a drunk driver causes a motorcycle accident.
If a loved one tragically dies in a motorcycle accident, we file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the family members including a spouse, the parents, and the children.
How much time do I have to file my motorcycle claim?
Don’t delay. The best advice we can give is to contact us immediately so we can investigate the accident, answer your questions, and start the claims process. With some shorter exceptions, motorcycle accident victims in Pennsylvania generally have two years to file their claims.
Do you have a motorcycle accident lawyer near me?
Carmody and Ging is located at 801 Vinial Street in Pittsburgh, on the 3rd floor of the Deutschtown Center building. Our North Shore office is conveniently located across the street from Penn Brewery, and there’s lots of parking onsite. If your car is still in the shop, you can take the bus to the Troy Hill Road stop. If you cannot come to our office, we’ll discuss a video conference or coming to see you in the hospital or rehab facility.
We understand how scared you are. We’ll answer all your questions. We work with a network of investigators, motorcycle parts experts, and physicians. We’ll guide you step-by-step through the insurance claims process.
Talk to a seasoned Pittsburgh motorcycle accident lawyer now
Don’t suffer in silence. Don’t delay. You have the right to hold the driver who caused your injuries or the death of a loved one accountable. Carmody and Ging is ready to help. We’re a local firm with strong ties to the Western Pennsylvania community. We’re ready to help you move forward. To schedule a free consultation with a respected Pittsburgh motorcycle accident attorney, please call 412.472.7232 or fill out our contact form. We fight for accident victims throughout Allegheny County.