Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Pittston & Wilkes-Barre, PA

Northeastern Pennsylvania has some of the best riding roads in the state, from the river roads along the Susquehanna to the back roads toward the Poconos and the Endless Mountains. Riders also share I-81, Route 309 and Route 315 with heavy truck and commuter traffic. When a driver doesn't see a motorcycle, the rider almost always gets the worst of it. Joyce, Carmody & Moran is a Pittston law firm that helps riders and passengers hurt in motorcycle crashes throughout Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.

Common motorcycle crashes

• A car turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle at an intersection

• Lane changes and sideswipes by drivers who didn't check their blind spot. See sideswipe and lane change accidents.

• Rear-end crashes at lights and in stop-and-go traffic

• Car doors opened into a rider's path

• Crashes caused by potholes, loose gravel or poorly marked construction zones

• Distracted and impaired drivers

How motorcycle claims are different

Bias against riders is real. Insurance adjusters, and sometimes jurors, may assume a rider was speeding or reckless. Building a clear picture of what actually happened, through photos, witnesses, crash reports and vehicle damage, matters more in motorcycle cases.

Helmet questions come up. Pennsylvania requires helmets for riders under 21. Riders 21 and older may ride without one if they've been licensed for at least two years or have completed an approved motorcycle safety course. Even when riding without a helmet was legal, the other side may try to argue it made injuries worse. How much that matters depends on the injuries and the facts.

Insurance works differently. Motorcycle policies don't always include the same benefits as car policies, and your car insurance may or may not apply. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is often especially important. See uninsured and underinsured drivers and stacked vs. unstacked coverage.

Shared fault. Under Pennsylvania's comparative negligence rule, a rider can still recover if they were not more than 50% responsible, with the recovery reduced by their share. See partly my fault.

Injuries we see in motorcycle cases

• Broken bones. See fractures and broken bones.

• Head injuries and concussions

• Spinal cord injuries. See spinal cord injuries.

• Road rash, scarring and disfigurement. See scarring and disfigurement.

• Knee, shoulder and back injuries

What a claim can include

• Medical bills and future medical care

• Lost wages and reduced earning ability

• Pain and suffering

• Damage to your bike and riding gear

Most Pennsylvania injury claims must be filed within two years. Our motorcycle accident guide covers more.

What to do after a crash

1. Get medical care, even if you rode away from the scene.

2. Keep your helmet and gear as they are. Don't repair or throw them out.

3. Photograph the bike, the other vehicle, the road surface and your injuries.

4. Get the crash report and witness contact information.

5. Talk to a lawyer before giving a recorded statement to any insurer.

What it costs to talk to us

Motorcycle accident cases are typically handled on a contingent-fee basis: the attorney's fee comes from a recovery, and if there is no recovery there is no attorney's fee. Clients may still be responsible for certain case costs depending on the outcome and the written fee agreement, which we explain before you sign. See how much a personal injury lawyer costs.

Where we help

We help riders in Pittston, Wilkes-Barre, Kingston, the Back Mountain, Old Forge, Moosic, Scranton, Hazleton and throughout Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. See all areas we serve.

Talk it through with someone local. If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash, call our Pittston office at 570-602-3560 or request a free consultation. We'll review what happened and explain your options, with no cost for the first conversation and no obligation.