Philadelphia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

For Philadelphia motorcycle riders to experience the freedom of the open road, they just might have to travel outside the city. There are some great scenic rides along the Delaware River, around Valley Forge National Historical Park, or up Route 44.

Along with that freedom come risks. Every motorcycle rider knows how vulnerable they are to certain drivers who don’t know how to share the road.

When a reckless driver crashes into a motorcycle, the rider is most likely to take a hard spill onto the road. When that rider files a personal injury claim, that is when the “biker bias” kicks in. Insurance adjusters inherently view motorcyclists as the at-fault party, thinking that just because they are riding a motorcycle, they’re reckless. The truth is that most motorcyclists are extra cautious and understand what it means to be a responsible rider.

If another driver has caused you to be injured while riding your motorcycle, you’re entitled to seek compensation. Overcoming that biker bias is what the attorneys at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan can help with.

We’re experienced Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyers who understand how important it is to help our clients find a fair resolution to their accident claims. Removing the financial strain caused by a negligent driver can help with the healing process.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you need to understand your rights.

Navigating Philadelphia Motorcycle Laws

As you proceed with your motorcycle accident claim, you can expect the other driver to try to shift the blame. Of course, the insurance adjuster assigned to the claim will work hard to limit the carrier’s exposure. That is why you need to establish that you were not at fault.

That begins with ensuring that you followed all of the applicable Philadelphia motorcycle laws, including the following:

• Lane Splitting: Riding between lanes of traffic or alongside vehicles in the same lane is illegal in Pennsylvania. That means motorcyclists are subject to the same lane rules as other vehicles. These are spelled out in the traffic laws and regulations created by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Eye Protection: Motorcyclists must wear goggles, glasses, or a face shield, even if their bike is equipped with a windshield.
• Licensing: You must possess a motorcycle learner’s permit or a Class M license endorsement to ride legally.
• Equipment & Passengers: Handlebars cannot exceed shoulder height. Passengers are only permitted if the bike is equipped with proper footrests and seats, and they must sit securely behind the operator.
• Helmet Use: Motorcycle riders who are 21 and older are exempt from wearing a helmet if they have been licensed for at least two years. For all other riders and passengers, helmets are mandatory.

One of the most common ways to shift blame in a motorcycle accident often comes down to whether the rider was wearing a helmet. When a motorcycle accident causes a brain injury, it could be because the rider was not wearing a helmet. However, since there is no law against wearing a helmet, that should not be an issue.

A skilled Philly motorcycle crash attorney will be able to successfully argue that the cause of the brain injury was due to the actions of the negligent driver.

How a Philadelphia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Protects Your Right to Recovery

When you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you might be clear about how the accident happened and who is to blame, but that doesn’t mean your version of the accident will be accepted. That is why you need the support of an experienced motorcycle crash attorney.

At Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, we can protect your rights to a recovery in the following ways:

Help With Evidence Preservation: If you are involved in an accident, it is helpful to secure immediate evidence, such as photos of the scene and your injuries. Our attorneys can step in and gather other relevant evidence. That evidence includes the police report, traffic surveillance footage, witness testimony, and the at-fault driver’s driving history.

Guidance About Quick Settlements: Insurance companies often make initial, low-ball offers well below a claim’s true value.

Before they make an offer, we work with our clients to develop a thorough understanding of all the applicable damages. If we agree that the settlement offer does not align with your needs, we’ll encourage you to explore other options, such as continuing negotiations or filing a civil lawsuit.

Meeting the Statute of Limitations: Under Pennsylvania law, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss that deadline, you won’t be able to seek any compensation.

Common Causes of Philadelphia Motorcycle Wrecks and Liability

There were 2,927 motorcycle crashes in Pennsylvania in 2025, according to data collected by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Of that number, 806 were seriously injured, and 186 people died in motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle accidents can occur for various reasons, often involving the negligence of other drivers.

Some common causes include:

• Distracted Driving: Drivers not paying attention to the road can easily miss motorcycles.
• Speeding: High speeds reduce reaction time and increase the severity of collisions.
• Drunk Driving: Impaired drivers pose a significant risk to motorcyclists.
• Lane Splitting: Motorcyclists riding between lanes can be at higher risk, especially if drivers are unaware. Lane splitting is currently illegal in our state per PA Vehicle Code 3523.
• Road Hazards: Potholes, debris, and uneven road surfaces can cause accidents.
• Weather Conditions: Poor weather can make roads slippery and reduce visibility, increasing the risk of accidents.

It’s vital to determine the specific cause of the accident. That will help establish who is at fault.

Securing Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries and Long-Term Care

The most important aspect of your motorcycle crash claim is your demand for fair compensation. If your accident resulted in catastrophic injuries, that would greatly impact your demand for compensation. You need to take into account the following:

• Life Care Plans: You can enlist the services of a professional who can project the exact costs of a lifetime of medical needs. That includes attendant care, prescription medications, and routine therapy.
• Home and Vehicle Modifications: If your home needs modifications, such as wheelchair ramps or widened doorways, those should be compensated for. Those modifications can also apply to vehicles.
• Medical Supplies: There might be a need for a motorized wheelchair or a special bed. Those expenses must be included in your final demand.
• Lost Earning Capacity: Initially, you might be forced out of work during your recovery. If your conditions require you to stay out of work permanently, you can claim that you’re suffering from lost earning capacity.
• Non-Economic Damages: These are the damages that cover your pain and suffering that you’ve endured because of the accident. This addresses things such as mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and physical impairment.

Thanks to our decades of combined experience with these types of cases, we know how to make the right calculations that will hopefully result in a fair settlement that relieves your financial stress.

How Philadelphia Comparative Negligence Affects Your Injury Claim

Philadelphia personal injury claims fall under Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence law, otherwise known as the “51% bar rule.” This means that you can only recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault. If you’re found to be under 51% at fault, your final compensation would be reduced by that amount.

The question then becomes, “Who determines your fault?”

Unfortunately, that task often falls to the insurance adjuster assigned to investigate your claim. Insurance adjusters will always try to shift the blame away from their policyholder.

Even if that pushes 10% of the blame onto you, it will limit their exposure. This is why you need a skilled attorney to advocate for your rights. Bottom line: Just because an insurance adjuster assigns blame does not mean the assignment is accurate.

Why Our Firm Is the Choice for Complex Motorcycle Litigation

Not every motorcycle accident claim can be resolved through a simple “one-click” online claim submission. Often, a claim is denied when liability is disputed. They can also be denied when catastrophic injuries are involved because insurance companies are reluctant to pay for long-term care.

If an insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, you need a law firm with the experience and resources to become your negotiating advocate.

There might be a scenario in which negotiations reach an impasse. That is when we might suggest filing a civil lawsuit. A civil lawsuit allows your legal team to use the discovery process to obtain additional evidence, question witnesses under oath, and present your case before a judge or jury if necessary.

While many cases still settle before trial, filing a complaint can demonstrate that you are serious about pursuing the compensation you deserve and may create additional opportunities to hold negligent parties accountable.

At Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, our investigative skills and courtroom experience make us fully prepared to present your case to a jury.

Our results are proof that we get the job done.

Motorcycle accidents can leave victims facing overwhelming medical expenses, lost income, and long-term physical challenges. When another driver’s negligence caused that accident, you should not be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

We can pursue a settlement that covers all your damages.

Contact Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan today for a consultation. Our experienced Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyers are ready to answer your questions and discuss what should happen next.