Motorcycle accidents in Honesdale, PA, can cause serious injuries, high costs, and deep emotional pain. If someone else’s carelessness hurts you, you might be owed money for medical costs, lost pay, and other things. At Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC, our experienced Honesdale motorcycle accident attorneys help accident victims across the state. We help you navigate the legal system and pursue the damages you need to rebuild your life.
Our firm has won many settlements and verdicts for personal injury clients. We know that every motorcycle accident case in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, needs personal care and attention. Our goal is to handle every legal aspect of your claim so you can focus on healing. Contact our Honesdale motorcycle accident lawyers at (570) 714-4878 to schedule a free consultation.
How Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Honesdale
Our experienced team at Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC understands these challenges and is ready to fight for you.
Our Honesdale personal injury lawyers will do the following:
- Investigate the crash. This includes reviewing police reports, talking to witnesses, and consulting accident reconstruction experts.
- Collect and preserve important evidence. This includes photos of the scene, traffic camera videos, and medical records of your injuries.
- Take care of all talks with insurance companies. This keeps your rights safe. You won’t have to worry about misleading insurance tactics or lowball settlement offers.
- Work with experts. This helps us understand your current and future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and other damages.
- Represent you at trial. If settlement talks fail to get a fair result, we’re ready to take your case to court. We will present a strong argument to a judge or jury.
Our Honesdale personal injury attorneys know how daunting a serious accident can be, and our mission is to lighten your burden by handling every aspect of your legal case.
What Is My Honesdale Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
The severity of your injuries plays a significant role. Severe injuries often require long-term medical care. They can also cause permanent disabilities. Because of this, they usually result in larger compensation amounts.
Other factors that impact the value of your case include the following.
- Your total medical costs
- Financial impact of missed work and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- How the injury impacts your quality of life
A skilled attorney will look at all these factors. They will also think about future costs and long-term care needs. This helps them come up with a fair value for your motorcycle accident case. At Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC, we review every detail to ensure that we overlook no damages, and we fight for every dollar you deserve.
Types of Compensation Available for Motorcycle Accident Victims in Honesdale
Motorcycle accident victims in Pennsylvania can get different types of compensation. These are often called “damages.” Understanding these categories can shed light on what you can claim, as well as the scope of what a settlement or verdict might entail.
Economic damages are the most straightforward, covering measurable losses, and may include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical costs if your injuries require ongoing or long-term treatment
- Lost wages
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage
Non-economic damages encompass less tangible, but no less significant, harms, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement or permanent scarring
- Loss of consortium
Our lawyers look at both economic and non-economic damages. This helps us get the best financial recovery for you. In rare cases, if the at-fault party acted very badly, courts can impose punitive damages. This is meant to punish them and prevent similar actions in the future.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Motorcycle Accident?
Pennsylvania uses a modified comparative negligence rule. This rule affects how much compensation you can get after a motorcycle accident. Under this rule, you can still recover damages as long as you are less than 51% at fault for your injuries. However, your recovery reflects your percentage of fault.
For example, you’re involved in an accident where you are 25% responsible, while the other driver is 75% responsible. If your total damages amount to $100,000, you would collect $75,000 after a 25% reduction. Conversely, if you are 51% or more responsible, you lose the right to recover any compensation.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Honesdale
Motorcyclists are at a higher risk of serious or catastrophic injuries due to their relative lack of protective barriers on the road.
Even a low-speed collision can lead to severe harm, including the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Helmets can help, but strong impacts may still cause concussions, skull fractures, or serious head trauma. This can lead to lasting problems with thinking or movement.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can lead to partial or full paralysis, affecting mobility and independence.
- Multiple fractures: Bones in the arms, legs, ribs, and hips are especially vulnerable during a motorcycle crash.
- Road rash: Sliding on asphalt leads to open wounds that are prone to infection and scarring.
- Internal organ damage: Blunt force trauma can harm organs like the liver or lungs. This may lead to internal bleeding, which isn’t always obvious at first.
- Amputations: In extreme cases, the force of impact or later medical complications can lead to the loss of a limb.
Each injury can lead to costly treatments, such as surgeries and ongoing physical therapy. We carefully document every injury. This helps us get the compensation needed for both short-term and long-term medical costs.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Honesdale, Pennsylvania
Motorcycle accidents can happen for many reasons. Knowing what caused your crash is important for figuring out who is responsible. Negligent or reckless behavior by other drivers lies at the heart of these incidents, but there may be extra contributing factors. A thorough investigation usually uncovers several causes.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents may include the following:
- Distracted driving: Motorists who text, eat, or adjust their GPS while behind the wheel fail to see motorcycles on the road.
- Speeding or reckless driving: Higher speeds reduce reaction times, leading to more severe crashes.
- Not yielding: Intersections often see crashes when drivers don’t give way to oncoming motorcycles.
- Improper lane changes: Drivers often miss motorcycles in their blind spots. This can lead to dangerous situations.
- Driving under the influence: Alcohol and drugs impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time.
- Poor weather conditions: Rain, snow, or ice can make roads slick, increasing the likelihood of losing control.
- Defective parts or vehicle issues: Mechanical failures can lead to sudden and unsafe loss of control.
Investigating each potential factor is critical to building a strong claim. Our legal team collects evidence, talks to experts, and identifies everyone involved in the crash.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Accident in Pennsylvania?
Under Pennsylvania law, most accident victims have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this statute of limitations, you lose your chance to seek compensation. But there are some exceptions. For example, cases with minor children or specific government defendants can change the filing period.
Taking swift action is essential. Evidence can deteriorate or disappear, and witnesses’ memories can fade over time. Consulting an attorney helps you get important testimony. They can also organize medical and accident reports for you. This way, you can prepare a strong case.
Steps to Take After a Honesdale Motorcycle Accident
What you do immediately following a motorcycle crash can have a huge impact on your ability to recover compensation later.
In the chaos of an accident scene, it is vital to focus on your health while also safeguarding your potential legal claim.
- Seek immediate medical attention: Even if your injuries seem minor at first, they can worsen. Prompt treatment also provides important documentation.
- Call the police: An official accident report can be invaluable in establishing liability.
- Gather evidence: Take photos of the accident scene, your motorcycle’s damage, and any visible injuries.
- Exchange information: Get names, contact details, and insurance info from the other driver(s) and witnesses.
- Avoid making statements to insurers: Insurance adjusters may use your words against you.
Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer immediately. Early legal help protects your rights and keeps important evidence safe. Following these steps builds a solid base for your personal injury claim. This can boost your chances of getting a fair settlement or verdict.
Contact Our Honesdale Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has experienced a motorcycle accident in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, it’s crucial to seek skilled legal counsel right away. The lawyers at Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC have over 100 years of experience. We are committed to fighting for the rights of accident victims like you.
Contact our firm for a free initial consultation. We’ll discuss your case’s details, assess potential damages, and create a plan to move forward. Don’t let insurance companies dictate the outcome of your claim. Let us handle the legal burdens so you can concentrate on healing and rebuilding your life.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Honesdale motorcycle accident lawyer.