Pittsburgh Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA

If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle crash in Allegheny County, having a dedicated Pittsburgh motorcycle accident lawyer on your side can make all the difference. At Ainsman Levine, LLC, we help injured motorcyclists navigate Pennsylvania’s motorcycle accident laws while also pursuing the full compensation they deserve.

Licensed motorcycle operators have every right to legally ride on Pennsylvania roads. Unfortunately, many car drivers ignore those rights and refuse to yield the right-of-way, don’t bother to look for oncoming bikers, or simply don’t see them.

A motorcycle of any size or weight is no match for a full-size car or truck traveling at road speeds. Every year, thousands of accidents involving motorcycles occur on roads throughout the state, with bikers and bike passengers almost always suffering serious injuries or death.

Because of the severity of injuries usually suffered in motorcycle accidents, damages sought are large, and medical evidence and medical testimony can be pivotal. We understand the insurance liability laws relating to motorcycles, and we have considerable experience successfully representing motorcycle riders with accident claims.

Common Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases We Handle

There were over 82,500 motorcycle accident injuries in 2023, and though these accidents happen in many different ways, the type of crash often determines how a motorcycle accident claim must be proven. An experienced Pittsburgh motorcycle accident attorney understands how different crash scenarios interact with Pennsylvania motorcycle accident laws, insurance policies, and liability rules. Some of the most common types of motorcycle accident cases we handle include:

• Collisions with inattentive or aggressive drivers
• Accidents caused by unsafe road conditions
• Crashes involving commercial or government vehicles
• Serious injury and wrongful death motorcycle cases

At Ainsman Levine, LLC, we approach every case with detailed analysis and determined advocacy, utilizing the experience of our trusted Pittsburgh motorcycle accident attorneys to pursue maximum compensation and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Pittsburgh

Understanding the most common causes of motorcycle crashes is a key part of establishing liability and strengthening a motorcycle accident claim. Many accidents happen not because of rider error, but because of driver negligence, bad road design, or violations of Pennsylvania’s motorcycle accident laws. These common causes include:

• Left-turn and intersection right-of-way crashes
• Lane-change and sideswipe collisions
• Rear-end crashes
• Head-on collisions
• Hit-and-run motorcycle crashes
• Single-rider crashes caused by road defects or debris
• Multi-vehicle pileups
• Accidents involving commercial vehicles, like delivery vans and box trucks

By applying the right motorcycle accident laws and building evidence-based arguments, the team at Ainsman Levine, LLC, can effectively pursue a strong motorcycle claim on your behalf.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Pittsburgh

The actions you take right after a crash can affect both your physical recovery and the strength of your motorcycle accident claim. Following the proper steps can help protect critical evidence and prevent insurance companies from using mistakes you made early on against you. These steps include:

• Call for emergency help and don’t try to tough it out, even if your injuries seem minor.
• Document the vehicles, road surface, skid marks, debris, traffic signs, injuries, and helmet or gear damage with photos and videos.
• Get the contact information of drivers and witnesses before they leave the scene.
• Don’t speculate about what caused the accident, discuss fault, or apologize at the scene.
• Get a thorough medical evaluation as soon as possible, as some injuries produce delayed symptoms. It’s also important to have an official record of all your injuries and your treatment.
• Don’t give recorded statements to insurance companies until you consult with our team and seek legal advice.

Our Pittsburgh motorcycle accident attorneys can guide you through these steps, so together we can strengthen your motorcycle accident claim. Ainsman Levine, LLC, works closely with our clients during these critical early stages to position their claims for the most favorable outcome.

How Fault Is Proven in a Motorcycle Accident: Handling Bias

Bias in motorcycle accident cases often shows up in subtle but damaging ways. Motorcyclists are often labeled as thrill-seekers or risk-takers, which can lead people to assume that the rider must have been speeding or riding aggressively, even when the evidence says otherwise. These assumptions can affect how police describe the crash, how insurance companies evaluate fault, and how seriously your injuries are taken.

When this happens, a valid motorcycle accident claim can be unfairly minimized. Our experienced Pittsburgh motorcycle accident attorneys understand how these attitudes clash with Pennsylvania’s motorcycle accident laws, and we work to bring the focus back on the facts, the evidence, and what actually happened. A thorough case addresses bias head-on by analyzing:

• Police reports and scene diagrams
• Witness statements
• Surveillance, including traffic and dashcam footage
• Vehicle damage patterns and point-of-impact analysis
• Crash reconstruction
• Roadway condition documentation, like potholes, gravel, construction, or missing signage
• Medical causation proof, including records, imaging, and the opinions of treating physicians

By relying on objective evidence and a thorough understanding of motorcycle accident laws, liability can be clearly established even in disputed cases. At Ainsman Levine, LLC, we’re committed to challenging unfair assumptions and holding negligent parties accountable.

How Insurance Companies Push Back

Dealing with insurance companies is one of the most frustrating and stressful parts of the recovery process. Insurers are in the business of protecting their bottom line, not paying out the full compensation you’re entitled to. Some of the most common tactics they use to minimize your motorcycle accident claim include:

• Downplaying your injuries. Claim adjusters might try to suggest that your pain or medical treatment is exaggerated.
• Blaming the rider. Insurers might try to claim that the rider was reckless, speeding, or distracted.
• Offering quick, lowball settlements. Early settlement offers often fail to account for long-term medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Questioning your memory or statements. Insurers might try to make minor inconsistencies appear like evidence of fault.
• Delaying or denying claims. By delaying the claims process, insurers plan to pressure you into accepting less than you deserve.

At Ainsman Levine, LLC, we fight to prevent insurance companies from undervaluing your case, and we work to secure the compensation you need in order to rebuild your life.

Compensation You Could Be Entitled To

A motorcycle accident can affect more than your immediate expenses, and understanding the kinds of compensation that could be available to you is an important part of pursuing a fair motorcycle accident claim. Our team works to identify all forms of compensation you could be owed, and depending on the facts of your case, you could be entitled to damages for:

• Medical expenses, including future treatment and rehabilitation
• Lost income
• Diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Property damage to your motorcycle and gear
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

Full and fair compensation should reflect the true impact a motorcycle accident has on your life, not just what an insurance company is willing to offer. That’s why our Pittsburgh motorcycle accident attorneys help make sure your motorcycle accident claim is properly valued. Ainsman Levine, LLC, is committed to advocating for injured riders and pursuing the compensation they need to move forward with confidence.

Wrongful Death Claims With Experienced Pittsburgh Motorcycle Accident Claim Lawyers

Unfortunately, too many motorcycle crashes with cars and trucks result in death. If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, we can help you bring a wrongful death claim. Compensation may seem inadequate when measured against your loss, but our attorneys work hard to secure the financial resources you need to cope with your loss.

Wrongful death claims allow spouses, children, and other eligible relatives to seek compensation for losses like funeral expenses, lost financial support, and the emotional loss of companionship. These cases require careful handling, a detailed investigation, and compassionate advocacy for the grieving family.

Our team can help you navigate the legal process, hold negligent parties accountable, and pursue justice while honoring the memory of your loved one.

Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer: Local Representation Makes a Difference

When you decide to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer, choosing a firm with strong local roots can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your case. We’re not an out-of-town firm learning Pittsburgh as we go. We live and work here, and we understand how motorcycle accident cases are handled in Western Pennsylvania.

Our familiarity with local roads, traffic patterns, and accident hotspots allows us to anticipate the arguments that local insurers raise against riders.

We regularly practice in the Allegheny County Courthouse at 436 Grant Street in Pittsburgh, the Beaver County Courthouse at 810 3^rd Street in Beaver, and the Washington County Courthouse. Because we understand the procedures, expectations, and tendencies within these courts, we’re able to prepare motorcycle accident cases with precision and confidence.

This local courtroom experience matters when negotiating with insurance companies and when presenting a case to a judge or jury.

At Ainsman Levine, LLC, we believe local representation leads to stronger cases, solid communication, and results that truly reflect the needs of injured motorcyclists in and around Pittsburgh.

Experienced Pennsylvania Motorcycle Injury Attorneys

If you were injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident with a car or truck in Western or Central Pennsylvania, it is critical that you discuss your situation with a personal injury attorney who has experience handling the unique injuries and complex legal issues involved in motorcycle accident injury and wrongful death claims.

At Ainsman Levine, LLC, our Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys have the experience and knowledge needed to pursue full and fair compensation on your behalf. We understand the roadblocks insurance companies often put up when handling motorcycle accident liability claims, and we work diligently to protect your rights and interests — now and into the future. Contact us for a free consultation.

FAQs

How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Pennsylvania?

The length of time you have to file a motorcycle accident claim in Pennsylvania is dictated by the personal injury statute of limitations. Under this law, you generally have to file your claim within two years of the date of the crash. Failing to do so means giving up your right to pursue compensation, even if you have a strong claim.

What Happens if I’m Partially at Fault for the Accident?

If you’re partially at fault for the accident, you can still seek compensation. Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can be assigned a percentage that reflects your level of responsibility for the accident. Later, your compensation is then reduced by that same percentage amount.

What if the At-Fault Driver Has Minimal Insurance Coverage?

If the at-fault driver has minimal insurance coverage, our team can investigate other possible sources of compensation. These can include underinsured motorist coverage on your own personal policy, hunting down additional liable parties, or filing a claim directly against the at-fault driver. Our team always works to maximize your recovery.

Do Motorcycle Accident Cases Always Go to Trial?

No, motorcycle accident cases don’t always go to trial. Most are resolved through settlements. However, preparing a case as if it’s going to trial is essential because it strengthens our leverage at the negotiation table. That said, in the event that the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, litigation then becomes necessary.

Free Consultation — Motorcycle Accident Cases Handled on a Contingency Fee Basis

At Ainsman Levine, LLC, our attorneys provide experienced and personalized legal services tailored to meet clients’ short- and long-term needs and goals. We are Pittsburgh’s straight-talking personal injury lawyers.

Our offices are just off the Parkway, next to the City-County Building in downtown Pittsburgh. Contact us to discuss your questions and concerns during a free consultation with one of our experienced Pittsburgh motorcycle accident attorneys today. As long as this law firm represents you, there are no attorneys’ fees or costs if you do not recover money damages in a settlement or jury verdict.

We understand that your injuries or other circumstances may make it difficult for you to come to our offices in downtown Pittsburgh. Our lawyers can arrange to make home, office, and hospital visits throughout Western and Central Pennsylvania.