Lancaster Motorcycle & Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Motorcycle & Bicycle Accidents in Lancaster
When a motorcycle or bicycle accident occurs, it can feel like your whole world has been turned upside down. Injured motorcyclists and bicyclists often suffer from excruciating and life-changing injuries after an accident. These injuries can result in a lifetime of pain and suffering, as well as permanent disability and disfigurement. Sadly, injured accident victims in Lancaster may find themselves fighting an uphill battle for compensation after a crash. Insurance companies are often reluctant to pay injured accident victims and they may even try to pin some of the blame for the crash back on you! When this occurs you need an experienced and skilled Lancaster motorcycle accident attorney on your side from the start.
At Ciccarelli Law Offices, our team of personal injury attorneys has the experience, passion, and resources you need to achieve the best possible results. Contact us today at (717) 291-9400 or (877) 529-2422. Our Lancaster Office is located at 313 West Liberty Place, Lancaster PA 17603.
Motorcycling and Biking Through Lancaster County
Lancaster County is nicknamed the Garden Spot of America because of its beautiful rolling farmlands and countrysides. It is also home to a large Amish community, making it a popular tourist destination every year. Due to its beautiful open roads and mild climate, it is also a popular destination for motorcyclists and bicyclists. In fact, there are several incredible day-rides cyclists and motorcyclists can take through the Amish countryside.
One of the most popular rides is a 75-mile loop through the Amish community. Motorcyclists can start in Myerstown Pennsylvania and travel along route 501 down to Scheafferstown. From there they can pass mountains, small country towns, and farmlands as they travel down to Gap, Pennsylvania and back to route 772 before heading back to Myerstown along the 501.
Both avid cyclists and recreational bikers can enjoy miles of pristine country roads, off-road paths, and city lanes as well. In fact, winding through some of the little-traveled Lancaster roads can be a fun family adventure and the perfect place for a leisurely weekend ride. Bicyclists in Lancaster can even participate in premier cycling events held in Lancaster every year. The Bicycling Trifecta, for example, are three great cycling rides in the area, which include the popular “Lancaster Bicycle Club’s Covered Bridge Classic.”
Motorcycling Accidents in Lancaster are Catastrophic
There are more than 519,000 residents living in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and many of these residents are avid motorcyclists. In fact, Pennsylvania is among the top five states with the most registered motorcycles, with more than 800,000 licensed motorcyclists living in the state.
Unfortunately, more motorcyclists on the road mean more motorcycling accidents all across Lancaster County.
Due to its natural location between Philadelphia and the western part of Pennsylvania, Lancaster County has seen an increase in roads, freeways, and transportation options in recent years. The Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike, US 30, US 222, PA 10 and the Lincoln Highway are just some of the major roads that see devastating motorcycle accidents every year.
In fact, you may be surprised how many accidents truly occur while motorcycling through Lancaster County and Pennsylvania.
- In 2016, 3,321 motorcyclists were injured in motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania
- 172 motorcyclists were killed in 2016
- Motorcyclists accounted for 7.7% of all alcohol-related crashes
- Helmets were worn in less than 50% of all crashes in the state
- From 2004-2016 there were 132 motorcycle fatalities in Lancaster County alone
- Head injury deaths in motorcycle accidents increased by 66% after Pennsylvania repealed their helmet requirement.
In order to avoid serious and catastrophic motorcycling accidents in Lancaster County, motorcyclists need to follow all of the rules and laws in the state, including:
- Riders and passengers are not required to wear a helmet provided they have 2 years of riding experience and a class M license
- All motorcyclists are encouraged to wear a DOT-approved helmet to reduce the risk of sustaining a serious and fatal head injury
- No more than 2 motorcyclists can ride side-by-side in the same lane
- Helmet speakers are only allowed for communication purposes
- Motorcycles are not allowed to operate in-between lanes of traffic
- Motorcycles are not allowed to pass in the same lane as another driver
- Annual inspections are required during license registration
Bicycling Accidents in Lancaster can be Deadly
Bicyclists are not protected from the dangers of the road or the forces of an accident. As such, when they’re involved in an accident with a motor vehicle, the bicyclist often suffers serious and life-threatening injuries. In Pennsylvania, bicycle accidents account for 1.1% of all traffic crashes and 1.6% of all traffic deaths, and they’re most likely to occur in the warm summer months when the weather entices more Lancaster cyclists to hit the road.
Bicycling accident victims in Lancaster may suffer serious injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Road rash
- Amputation
- Internal organ damage
- Disfigurement
- Back injuries
The majority of bicycle accidents occur in urban areas where the infrastructure may not be able to accommodate the growing mixture of cyclists and motor vehicles on the road. In fact, 68% of all bicycle accident occurred in urban areas and 35% of bicycle deaths occurred at intersections. Sadly, according to PennDOT, 25% of all bicyclists who are injured or killed in accidents are children.
Other shocking Pennsylvania bicycle accident statistics include:
- In 2016, the total number of bicycle accidents increased to 1,304 crashes that year alone
- Cyclists between the ages of 45 and 54 suffered the most bicycle-related fatalities
- Cyclists in Pennsylvania between the ages of 20 and 34 suffered the most bicycle-related injuries
- The majority of bicycle accidents in Pennsylvania occur during the daylight hours
- In 2017, 81% of the bicycle fatalities occurred on state roads
Injured Motorcyclists and Bicyclists Need Experienced Injury Law Firm on Their Side
From the moment you are injured, you need an experienced Lancaster injury law firm on your side. Insurance companies and adjusters often have biases against motorcyclists and cyclists. These biases can cause them to place some of the liability for the crash back on the victim – even when there is little evidence to support this. They may claim that you darted out in traffic or that you failed to stay in your designated bike lane. They may claim that you were driving recklessly or that you were not obeying the rules of the road at the time of the crash. Unfortunately, the more blame they can pin on you, the less they have to pay in compensation, and they use this knowledge to their advantage.
Pennsylvania General Assembly Statute §7102 states that an injured motorcyclist or bicyclist can recover damages if they are less than 51% responsible for the accident. If you are found to be more than 50% responsible for the crash, you are unable to seek compensation for damages. The amount you are liable for the accident, however, will reduce your claim.
For example: if you are found to be 20% liable for the accident, then you would only be entitled to collect 80% of the total settlement award. If you were awarded $10,000 for the accident and your injuries, you would only be able to collect $8,000.
As you can imagine, insurance companies will be looking for any way to reduce the amount of money they owe you. As such, you need an experienced Lancaster injury law firm on your side from the very start. At Ciccarelli Law Offices, our Lancaster injury attorneys have extensive experience fighting for injured motorcyclists and bicyclists after a serious crash. We investigate all aspects of the crash and employ accident reconstruction experts and witnesses whenever possible to build a solid case that is designed to obtain maximum compensation.
Our Lancaster Injury Lawyers Are There When You Need Us
At Ciccarelli Law Offices, our Lancaster County motorcycle and bicycle accident attorneys are here to help you after a devastating bike crash. We know that injured bikers need money now to help pay for the catastrophic injuries they may have suffered. That’s why we work diligently and efficiently for our injured clients from the start. Our injury attorneys are proud to represent all injured Lancaster County residents, including those living in Lancaster, Ephrata, Elizabethtown, Columbia, Lititz, Millersville, Willow Street, Mount Joy, Leola, New Holland, Manheim, East Petersburg, Akron, Denver, Maytown, and Reamstown.
Contact Our Lancaster Motorcycle and Bicycle Accident Attorneys Today
No matter where you’re injured in Lancaster County, our motorcycle and bicycle accident attorneys are ready to assist you. We believe that all injured accident victims deserve justice after a crash, that’s why we offer all our services on a contingency basis. That means you owe us nothing unless we win your case. It’s that easy. We also offer a FREE initial consultation and review of your case, and we take the time to listen to you and your concerns before offering any legal advice. Contact us today at (717) 291-9400 or (877) 529-2422. Our Lancaster Office is located at 313 West Liberty Place, Lancaster PA 17603. We are ready to help you during this difficult time. We also have Philadelphia motorcycle accident attorneys, as well as bicycle accident lawyers who are able to help, if you are injured in Philly.