A driver changes lanes without checking their blind spot on I-81, and in an instant, your motorcycle is struck, and you’re thrown onto the pavement. Unlike drivers in passenger vehicles, you don’t have airbags, seatbelts, or a steel frame protecting you. Now you’re dealing with serious injuries, piles of medical bills, and uncertainty about how you’re going to recover, both physically and financially.
If you’re searching for Scranton motorcycle accident lawyers, you’re likely trying to understand your rights and what options are available. At The Slocum Firm, our team helps injured riders understand how Pennsylvania law applies to motorcycle crashes and what compensation may be available.
The action you take early can make a meaningful difference in your recovery. Call (570) 209-7376 to speak directly with one of our attorneys 24/7 and learn what relief may be available to you.
Why You Should Choose The Slocum Firm for Your Motorcycle Accident Case
Choosing the right personal injury law firm after a motorcycle accident is critical. You need a team that understands the unique challenges riders face and knows how to build strong cases under Pennsylvania law.
At The Slocum Firm, P.C., we focus on delivering results while providing personal attention to every client we represent. Some of the benefits of working with our team include:
- Over 95% recovery rate for injured clients
- Millions of dollars recovered for our clients across Pennsylvania
- Most cases are resolved in less than one year
- More than 50 years of combined legal experience
- Direct access to our attorneys by phone or text
- We are available 24/7, not just during business hours
- You pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you
When you work with our firm, your case is handled with care and attention from start to finish. You won’t be passed between paralegals or departments or left wondering what’s happening. Our attorneys stay involved and accessible throughout your case.
The Basics of a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Pennsylvania
A motorcycle accident claim arises when a rider is injured due to another party’s negligence. These cases often involve more serious injuries than typical car accidents because riders are more exposed and vulnerable during a crash.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Scranton
Motorcycle accidents happen for many reasons, but certain patterns are especially common in Scranton and throughout Pennsylvania, including:
- Drivers failing to see motorcycles in traffic
- Unsafe lane changes on roads like Route 6 or I-81
- Left-turn collisions at intersections such as Mulberry Street
- Distracted driving, including texting
- Speeding or aggressive driving
- Road hazards like potholes or debris
Motorcycles are smaller and less visible than other vehicles, which means other drivers have a responsibility to stay alert and check their surroundings carefully to avoid collisions.
How Pennsylvania Law Treats Motorcycle Accidents
Pennsylvania law recognizes that motorcycle accidents are different from standard car crashes. For example, riders are generally covered under full tort insurance, meaning they can pursue compensation for pain and suffering without meeting a “serious injury” threshold.
However, motorcycle insurance does not include the same automatic medical benefits as car insurance. This can make the financial side of recovery more complicated and increase the importance of pursuing a solid legal claim with a dedicated legal advocate by your side.
Do You Have a Motorcycle Accident Case?
You may have a motorcycle accident case if another person’s actions contributed to the crash and your injuries. Some riders hesitate to take action because they assume the accident was unavoidable or that they may be blamed.
You may have a valid claim if:
- A driver failed to yield or changed lanes into you
- The driver was distracted, speeding, or impaired
- You suffered injuries requiring medical treatment
- You missed work or experienced financial losses
- Another party was at least partially at fault for the collision
Even if you believe you may have contributed to the accident, Pennsylvania law may still allow you to recover compensation for your losses. Speaking with our attorneys can help clarify your situation and identify your options.
Who May Be Held Liable in a Motorcycle Accident Case?
Motorcycle accident cases often involve more than one potentially responsible party. Identifying all sources of liability is important because it can affect the amount of compensation available from multiple insurance policies.
Potentially liable parties may include:
- The driver who caused the accident
- An employer, if the driver was working at the time
- The owner of the vehicle involved
- A municipality. If it was responsible for unsafe road conditions
- A contractor responsible for road construction or maintenance
For example, if a crash was caused by a poorly maintained roadway or construction hazard, a government entity or contractor may share responsibility. Our team examines every detail to determine who may be held accountable.
What Compensation Is Available in a Scranton Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?
Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries that affect nearly every aspect of your life. Compensation is intended to address both financial losses and the personal impact of the accident.
Economic Damages
Economic damages include the measurable financial costs associated with your injury. This may include medical bills, hospital stays, rehabilitation, lost wages, and future medical care.
Because motorcycle injuries can require long-term treatment, future costs are often a significant part of a claim.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages reflect how the accident has affected your daily life. This includes physical pain, emotional distress, and the inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed.
Since riders are typically covered by full tort insurance in Pennsylvania, you may pursue these damages without additional legal restrictions.
What If You’re Partly at Fault for the Motorcycle Accident?
Motorcycle riders are often unfairly blamed after accidents. Insurance companies may try to suggest that the rider was speeding or taking unnecessary risks at the time of the accident.
Even if you share some responsibility, Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which allows you to recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50% at fault. If you are partially responsible, your compensation is reduced based on your percentage of fault.
For example, if you are found 25% at fault because you were speeding at the time of the crash, your total recovery would be reduced by 25%. This means you may still have a valid claim even if fault is shared.
How Insurance Companies Treat Motorcycle Accident Claims
Motorcycle accident claims are often handled differently than standard car accident cases, and often in ways that are biased against the injured rider. Insurance companies frequently approach these claims with built-in assumptions about motorcyclists, which can affect how fault is assessed and how compensation is offered.
One common issue is bias. Riders are sometimes unfairly portrayed as reckless or risk-taking, even when the accident was caused by a driver who failed to yield or check their blind spot. This can lead insurance adjusters to assign a higher percentage of fault to the motorcyclist without fully considering the evidence.
Insurance companies may also attempt to minimize the seriousness of your injuries or question whether all of your treatment is related to the accident. Because motorcycle injuries are often severe, the financial stakes are higher, which can lead to more aggressive efforts to reduce payouts.
Another challenge involves early settlement offers. After a crash, you may be contacted quickly with an offer that seems helpful at first, but does not reflect the full impact of your injuries. Once accepted, these settlements typically cannot be reopened, even if your condition worsens or additional treatment is needed.
Understanding how these claims are handled can help you approach the process more confidently. Having our team review your case early allows us to identify these tactics, protect your interests, and pursue the full compensation you may be entitled to under Pennsylvania law.
What Is the Deadline to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
In most cases, the Pennsylvania statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
While that may seem like a long time, waiting to start the process can make your case more difficult. Evidence can be lost, and witnesses may be harder to locate. When you contact our team soon after the crash, you allow us to conduct a more thorough investigation, preserve evidence, and build a strong foundation for your claim.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Scranton?
After a serious accident, the last thing you need is additional financial pressure. At The Slocum Firm, we handle motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to worry about paying for a legal team out of your pocket.
This means:
- You pay nothing up front
- There are no hourly legal fees
- We only get paid if we recover compensation for you
This structure allows you to focus on your recovery while we handle the legal process.
What Can You Do During Recovery to Support Your Case?
As you recover from a motorcycle accident, there are steps you can take that may help protect your claim and strengthen your case.
Following your doctor’s treatment plan is one of the most important things you can do. Attending appointments and completing recommended therapy helps support your recovery and provides documentation of your injuries.
It is also helpful to keep records of your medical care, expenses, and how your injuries affect your daily life. This includes tracking missed work and any limitations you experience.
Proceed carefully if you are contacted by insurance companies. Giving recorded statements may harm your claim, and accepting quick settlement offers may not reflect the full value of your case. Speaking with our attorneys before making any decisions can help you avoid common pitfalls.
How The Slocum Firm Helps You After a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accident cases can involve complex legal and insurance issues. Our team simplifies the process and guides you through each step. A motorcycle accident attorney at The Slocum Firm can help by:
- Investigating the accident and gathering evidence
- Reviewing police reports and medical records
- Identifying all responsible parties
- Handling communication with insurance companies
- Calculating the full value of your claim
- Negotiating for a fair settlement
- Preparing your case for trial, if necessary
Throughout your case, you’ll have direct access to our attorneys. We keep you informed, answer your questions, and focus on helping you seek justice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accident Cases in Scranton
Why are motorcycle accidents often more serious than car accidents?
Motorcycle riders have far less protection than drivers in passenger vehicles. Without airbags or structural protection, riders are more exposed to direct impact, which often leads to more severe injuries.
Will my medical bills be covered after a motorcycle accident?
Motorcycle insurance in Pennsylvania does not automatically include medical benefits like car insurance does. In many cases, riders’ medical bills are initially covered by health insurance, with reimbursement addressed later through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party.
What if the driver says they didn’t see me?
Drivers have a responsibility to remain alert and watch for all vehicles on the road, including motorcycles. Failing to see a rider does not excuse negligent behavior.
Can I still recover compensation if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Yes, in many cases, you can still recover compensation. Helmet use may be considered when evaluating certain injuries, but it does not automatically prevent recovery.
How long does a motorcycle accident case usually take?
The timeline depends on the severity of injuries and whether liability is disputed. Many cases resolve within months, while others may take longer if litigation is required.
Contact the Trusted Scranton Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at The Slocum Firm Today
A motorcycle accident can leave you dealing with serious injuries, financial stress, and uncertainty about what comes next. You should not have to handle insurance companies and legal questions on your own while trying to recover.
Call us at The Slocum Firm to speak directly with our Scranton motorcycle accident attorneys. We are available 24/7, and you won’t pay any legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Since 2009, our firm has helped injured clients across Pennsylvania recover millions of dollars, maintaining a 95% recovery rate and resolving most cases in less than a year. When you call, you will speak directly with one of our attorneys who can explain your rights and help you take the next step.
If you were injured in Scranton or anywhere in Pennsylvania, call (570) 209-7376 today for a free consultation and get the answers you need to protect your future.
