Motorcycle Accidents

One of our practice areas is motorcycle accidents.

Motorcycle accidents occurring in Chester County, Pennsylvania and elsewhere in the Delaware Valley usually result in serious injuries. The reasons are obvious. When you are riding on a motorcycle you do not have a protective cocoon surrounding you such as front and side impact air bags and steel case construction or rollover bars. The motorcycle operator is basically a sitting duck. Even the most careful motorcycle driver can be hit in broad daylight with his or her light on. Motorcycles are hard to see and motor vehicle operators in Chester County seem to always be in a rush, oftentimes paying little attention to two-wheel vehicles. To add further to the danger, many of Chester County roads are narrow, windy and hilly.

Philadelphia County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Berks County and Lancaster County jurors often have preconceived ideas that if you are riding a motorcycle involved in a motorcycle accident, you are automatically considered to be a reckless driver. This is a heavy burden to overcome for a trial lawyer. If you are motorcycle operator, then you know all too well that the stereotype is unfair. However, it does exist. Motorcycle accident lawyers in Pennsylvania such as Steve Karp and Peter Hart deal with these types of cases every day.

We handle cases in West Chester, King of Prussia, Honey Brook, Coatesville, Thorndale, Downingtown, Lionville, Exton, Frazer, Malvern, Paoli, Phoenixville, Devon, Berwyn, West Goshen, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Avondale, West Grove, Oxford, Parkesburg and the surrounding areas.

Types of Chester County Motorcycle Accidents

Common examples of injuries that Peter and Steve have seen in Chester County motorcycle accidents include burns, scars, broken legs, back injuries and neck injuries. We have even seen motorcycle accident cases with more extreme injuries such as paralysis, loss of a limb, loss of vision, brain damage and death.

Motorcycle accident attorneys Peter Hart and Steve Karp have handled many motorcycle accident cases over the years. They have dealt with bikes ranging from Triumphs, Harley-Davidson, Suzukis and Hondas. They even filed a case recently against Harley-Davidson where the motorcycle experienced a sudden acceleration problem which caused their client to run off the road causing serious personal injury. You might be thinking the motorcycle operator just juiced it but they were able to show that there actually was a defect in the ignition system.

Motorcycle Insurance Claims

You must also be aware that motorcycle insurance coverage is complicated when filing a motorcycle accident claim. Many people do not have enough motorcycle insurance to cover the serious injuries they sustain. It is either because the driver of the other vehicle did not maintain enough liability insurance coverage or, in many cases, the motorcycle owner was not fully covered with either uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on his or her own policy. It is important that if you also own automobiles that your policy or policies provide you with stacked coverage covering not just your motorcycle but also your other motor vehicles.

Changes to Motorcycle Law

Finally, the recent changes to the motorcycle helmet law have been controversial and misunderstood. Pennsylvania’s recent changes to the motorcycle helmet law did not completely revoke the requirement that all motorcyclists wear helmets.

Motorcyclists must still wear approved helmets and eye-protective devices unless they are 21 and have been licensed to operate a motorcycle for more than two full years.
A 21-year-old who has not been licensed for over two full years can ride without a helmet and eye protection if he or she completes a rider safety course approved by the Commonwealth or by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
Passengers still must wear helmets until they are 21 and, if over 21, they can ride without a helmet and eye protection only if the motorcycle operator qualities to do so.

Please contact us for more information.