If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, our team at Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC is here to help. An experienced Lackawanna County motorcycle accident lawyer can help you fight for money to cover medical bills, lost wages, and more. Call us at (570) 714-4878 to schedule a free consultation.
Between us, our personal injury attorneys have 100 years of combined experience advocating on behalf of injury victims. Our skill and legal knowledge have helped us recover over $150 million in settlements and verdicts. We’re here to help you secure the money you need to move forward with your life.
How Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Can Help Me Recover Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident in Lackawanna County, PA
Hire us, and you gain a legal team to:
- Gather crucial evidence to support your personal injury claim
- Provide quality legal advice at every stage
- Locate all responsible parties and insurance coverage sources
- Complete the paperwork and legal filings
- Calculate the value of your case
- Enlist the help of experts to strengthen your case
- Negotiate with the insurance company for a full settlement
Motorcycle accidents can produce a range of outcomes. You may be recovering from painful injuries. You may be adjusting to a permanent disability. You could also be grieving the tragic loss of a loved one.
You’re probably dealing with sky-high medical bills, pain, and financial stress. Insurance companies don’t tend to make life easier.
Our experienced Lackawanna County personal injury lawyers at Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC are here to protect your interests. For our skill, we’ve been recognized by Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyer, and The Million Dollar Advocates’ Forum, among other trusted lawyer rating groups.
It’s never too early to understand your legal rights. Call our Lackawanna County personal injury attorneys for a free case review today.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reported that 3,487 motorcycles were involved in accidents across Pennsylvania during 2023. Unfortunately, 238 motorcyclists were killed in those traffic accidents, and at least 2,969 motorcycle crashes resulted in injuries.
While motorcycle wrecks are less common than accidents involving passenger vehicles, they’re also more dangerous. In 2023, almost 94% of all Pennsylvania motorcycle accidents resulted in at least one injury or death.
How Much Is My Lackawanna County Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
The most important considerations that impact the negotiations over your settlement include:
- Your current and long-term medical costs
- Your prospects for making a full physical recovery
- The amount of income you have lost during recovery
- The length of your recovery period
- How the injury impacts your lifestyle and quality of life
- How a long-term disability will impact your ability to earn a living
- Whether you share some blame for the crash
Unfortunately, motorcyclists are vulnerable to the most serious types of injury in a crash. When an injury is severe, the settlement or verdict may be higher. It also means a tough insurance fight.
In the aftermath of a Lackawanna County motorcycle accident, most victims are overwhelmed by pain, expenses, and trauma. Accepting a settlement quickly can be tempting. It can also mean that you’ll struggle with costs you didn’t expect in the future.
Let our Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys review the facts of your personal injury case. We have the resources to accurately calculate your case value. You’ll be able to rest assured that your compensation covers not only your current expenses, but also your expected future costs and non-financial losses.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Motorcycle Accident Victims in Pennsylvania?
Your compensation award should account for any burden you’ve experienced due to the accident. The two primary types of damages in Pennsylvania are economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages compensate for financial expenses, including:
- Current medical bills
- Estimated future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Nursing care
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning capacity
- In-home assistance
- Property damage and vehicle repairs
- Workers’ compensation claims
Non-economic damages compensate for personal losses, including:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of independence
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Depression
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Loss of consortium and other damages for wrongful death
In rare cases, Pennsylvania courts may award punitive damages. Punitive damages punish a defendant for intentional wrongdoing or shockingly reckless behavior. They’re rare because they don’t compensate a victim for specific losses.
A lawyer can help you determine which types of damages may be available in your case.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Pennsylvania?
Our Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis.
This means:
- There are no upfront costs
- You agree to pay a percentage of your settlement or verdict
- You only pay attorneys’ fees if we recover compensation
The thought of incurring additional expenses can be overwhelming after a crash. We’ll discuss the details in your free case evaluation. The bottom line: you can afford legal representation even if you can’t cover the costs immediately.
How Will Pennsylvania’s Shared Fault Laws Impact My Right to Recover Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
Pennsylvania comparative negligence laws reduce your compensation to account for your percentage of blame. You lose your right to damages if your share of fault is greater than the defendant’s.
For example, assume you’re awarded $100,000 and the insurance company proves you were 20% responsible for the crash. In that case, you’re only entitled to $80,000, or 80% of your compensation award.
What Are Some Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
Like truck accident victims, motorcycle riders are susceptible to all types of injuries in a crash.
We handle all types of personal injury cases and represent people in Lackawanna County who have suffered:
- Traumatic brain injuries, which are possible even if you were wearing a helmet
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Crushing injuries
- Burns and road rash
- Concussions
- Knee and leg injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Head and neck injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Your injury is more than just your medical prognosis. A serious injury can turn your entire life upside down. Our Lackawanna County motorcycle accident attorneys recognize this and are dedicated to recovering compensation that directly accounts for every loss you have experienced.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Lackawanna County?
Motorcycle accidents can happen for any number of reasons.
Some of the leading causes include:
- Exceeding posted speed limits
- Driving too fast for the weather conditions
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Failing to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Lane departures
- Aggressive driving
- Inexperienced drivers
- Dangerous left-hand turns
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drunk driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Dangerous road conditions and bad weather
Motorcycle drivers in Pennsylvania must obtain a special license, which requires passing a knowledge test and a skills test. Still, even when you’re as experienced and careful as possible, you can’t control other drivers.
If you were injured in an accident, our lawyers in Lackawanna County will help you determine who was responsible. Contact us today to set up your free case review.
How Do I Prove I Deserve Financial Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident in Pennsylvania?
Most motorcycle accident claims are based on negligence. To recover compensation, you must prove that someone else’s negligent behavior caused your motorcycle crash.
Negligence is a legal theory comprised of four elements:
- The defendant had a legal duty of care (in motor vehicle accident cases, that generally means a duty to drive carefully and obey traffic laws)
- They breached their duty because they failed to exercise reasonable caution
- That breach, or mistake, caused your accident
- You can point to specific damages or losses that you sustained due to the crash
Various forms of evidence can help you prove these elements, including:
- The police report
- Evidence from the accident scene, including vehicle damage, skid marks, and overall conditions
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Cell phone records
- Drug and alcohol test results
- Video footage from a dash cam or traffic light
- Testimony from experts in accident reconstruction and other relevant fields
It’s never too early to start collecting evidence. Keep any records and receipts after a crash. Take photos of the vehicle damage and the accident scene if you can. If not, call our law firm to begin collecting evidence before it disappears.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Accident in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania generally has a two-year statute of limitations in personal injury cases. That means you typically have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Exceptions may apply, so it is essential to talk to an attorney as soon as possible to determine the deadlines in your specific case.
Contact an Experienced Lackawanna County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
At Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC, we have the tools to help you recover the maximum compensation you deserve. If you were involved in an accident, call an experienced Lackawanna County motorcycle accident attorney to discuss your case. Your lawyer’s skill can make a world of difference to the outcome of your case. Your consultation is free, so reach out today.