Some Laws You Should Know About Motorcycle Accidents In Philadelphia

If you are a motorcycle owner, you never want to worry about getting into an accident. However, these incidents are not uncommon. At the Dan Doyle Law Group, our knowledgeable and experienced Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyers want to discuss some important laws you need to be aware of in the aftermath of an incident. We are dedicated to helping motorcycle accident victims secure the compensation they need.

Motorcycle laws in Philadelphia

The most important thing to understand is that motorcyclists have to obey the same laws as anybody else on the roadways in Pennsylvania. Motorcycles are treated no differently than regular passenger vehicles.

A motorcyclist in Pennsylvania is required to wear a helmet unless:

• They are over 21 years of age and have at least two years of driving experience, or
• They have completed a motorcycle safety course approved by PennDOT or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Understanding comparative negligence and how it can affect a motorcycle accident case

Pennsylvania is considered a “fault state” when it comes to accidents. This means that the at-fault party is responsible for covering damages to those involved in the accident. However, Pennsylvania also operates under a modified comparative negligence rule. This means that a person can recover compensation even if they are partially at fault, but not more than 50% at fault, for the accident. However, the total amount a victim receives will take into account how much they contributed to the incident.

For example, if a motorcyclist is injured in an accident and is awarded $100,000 in total damages, but they are determined to be 20% at fault for the incident, they would only receive $80,000 in total compensation.

Do these accidents have to be reported?

Pennsylvania has strict laws regarding when a traffic accident has to be reported. The law states that accidents must be reported within five days after the collision under the following circumstances:

• There was an injury, even if the injury is not life-threatening
• There was a death involved in the accident
• There is any vehicle damage that prevents the vehicle from being driven from the scene

In these cases, police must be notified immediately. If the police do not respond to a scene, and the above circumstances apply, each driver must report the incident to Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation.

Let us get to work on your case

If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a motorcycle accident that was caused by another driver’s reckless or negligent actions, contact an attorney immediately. At the Dan Doyle Law Group, we are here to help victims recover the compensation they need, which could include:

• Your medical expenses related to the motorcycle accident
• Lost wages and benefits if you are unable to work
• Pain and suffering damages
• Loss of personal enjoyment damages
• Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence

If you need a Philadelphia motorcycle accident attorney, you can contact us by clicking here or calling 215-987-3730 for a free consultation.