On behalf of Peter Hileman of Drake, Hileman & Davis, P.C. posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Thursday, September 17, 2015. A lot of people assume that motorcyclists are not at fault when they are driving straight and drivers turn left, cutting them off and causing accidents. While it’s true that this is one of the leading causes of motorcycle wrecks in Pennsylvania, and that motorcyclists are often not at fault, it’s important to know that they sometimes can be blamed. This is why establishing fault, officially, is so important. The thing to keep in mind is that the biker also has some obligation to try to avoid the crash if possible. In many cases, it all happens so fast that the biker can’t get out of the way, but this is not always the case. If a car turned left 50 feet in front of a bike, for instance, and the biker made no attempt to slow down or stop, he or she could also be blamed. It’s been said that most bikers can stop in about 40 feet in an emergency, and they should definitely try to do so. Additionally, bikers can be blamed if they are speeding. Someone driving 60 mph in a 45 mph zone may not have hit a left-turning car if he or she was going at the proper speed. In fact, some drivers say that they thought it was safe to turn because they assumed the bike was going slower than it actually was. All […]
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Category: Motorcycle Accidents
On behalf of Peter Hileman of Drake, Hileman & Davis, P.C. posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Thursday, April 16, 2015. Most people have a good understanding that riding a motorcycle is inherently more dangerous than traveling in other motor vehicles. Per each mile traveled, federal safety experts say that 2011 statistics show that motorcycle fatalities were 30 times higher than the number of those killed in cars. One of the most obvious reasons for that is motorcycles simply don’t offer the same amount of protection as enclosed vehicles. Another important factor is the motorcycles relatively small size. When compared to other vehicles, it’s easier to see why the motorcycles smaller profile makes it easier for other motorists to overlook. A sad testament to the reduced overall safety of motorcycles compared to cars is that in 2013, at least 4,381 motorcyclists perished in collisions. The following are some interesting statistics about the dangerousness of motorcycle riding: — Head injuries are one of the more common occurrences in fatal motorcycle injuries. The use of a helmet has been statistically proven to be an effective life-saving device for motorcyclists. Despite the fact that only 19 states and the District of Columbia require motorcyclists to wear helmets, they are roughly 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle fatalities. In fact, wearing a helmet prevented about 67 percent of motorcycle accident victims studied from suffering brain injuries. — Women motorcyclists who are passengers are exceptionally prone to fatal accidents. Statistics taken from 2013 indicate that 61 percent […]
INCREASED LIABILITY IN PENNSYLVANIA IMPAIRED MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
On behalf of Peter Hileman of Drake, Hileman & Davis, P.C. posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Thursday, December 11, 2014. As stated in a previous web post, Pennsylvania allows motorists to choose their preferred method of insurance based on the so-called “tort option”. Under this scheme, motorists with full tort car insurance can recover compensation for their bodily injuries even if they are not seriously injured. Whereas, motorists with the limited tort style of car insurance are essentially limited to recovering money associated with their medical costs and treatment only if they have been seriously injured in an accident. Pennsylvania motorists and motorcyclists should know that there is one huge exception to that rule. The Commonwealth now allows victims injured by drunk or drugged drivers to sue those responsible for their bodily injuries regardless of which type of insurance they were carrying at the time of the accident. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, in 2013 there were 860,377 individuals licensed to operate motorcycles on Pennsylvania roads. In that same year, there were 405,209 motorcycles registered throughout the Commonwealth. The chances are likely that with so many motorcycles and licensed drivers on the roads, at least a few of those will fall victim to motorists impaired by drugs or alcohol. Our law firm has over 30 years of experience in providing for our client’s legal needs since 1985. We currently maintain law offices in Doylestown, Allentown, Easton and Stroudsburg although we represent clients in personal injury cases throughout Pennsylvania and […]
On behalf of Peter Hileman of Drake, Hileman & Davis, P.C. posted inMotorcycle Accidents on Wednesday, October 22, 2014. Most Pennsylvania residents are aware that motorcyclists are not currently required to wear helmets throughout the Commonwealth. Certainly, the lack of helmet regulations have led to an increase in traumatic brain injuries during motorcycle collisions. However, the relatively smaller size of motorcycles compared to cars, SUVs and trucks ensures that many motorcyclists will nevertheless receive extensive injuries, regardless of helmet usage. A review of 2013 motorcycle crash statistics compiled by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation supports that theory. According to the report, there were 3,427 total crashes involving motorcycles throughout the state in 2013. Here is a breakdown of the other motorcycle crash stats: — At least 175 of those motorcycle-related accidents resulted in the death of a motorcyclist. — Another 3,034 of those motorcycle accidents resulted in injuries. — The majority of motorcycle accidents involved two-vehicle collisions with cars, light-trucks and SUVs. At least 498 were attributed to cars, and 358 with trucks or SUVs. — There were 94 deaths attributed to motorcyclists not wearing helmets, and 82 deaths attributed to helmeted riders. — Out of all of the motorcyclists involved in accidents, 57.8 percent of them were wearing helmets at the time. Pennsylvania motorcyclists need to know that they have a right to share the road with other vehicles. Motorists are required to keep a lookout for the presence of motorcycles before they merge into another lane or when […]
On behalf of Peter Hileman of Drake, Hileman & Davis, P.C. posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Friday, September 12, 2014. On September 5, a group of Meadville, Pennsylvania, military veterans and bikers participated in a motorcycle rally organized to pay tribute to a fallen comrade. Roughly 25 veterans on motorcycles and other supporters participated in the event. Their primary goal was to escort the family of a deceased veteran who died in a California hit-and-run accident as they recovered his remains. It remains unknown whether police in California have discovered the identity of the hit-and-run driver. The body of the victim, a 22-year-old active-duty Marine sergeant and former resident of the Meadville-Saegertown area, was sent to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after the young man was killed in California on Aug. 28 while riding his Suzuki GSXR motorcycle. Family members, friends and other supporters of the event gathered at a Meadville funeral home before setting off for Pittsburgh. A former Iraq veteran helped organize the event. A limousine was provided for the victim’s family, along with a hearse for the retrieval of the young man’s body, and other assorted vehicles to help transport friends and mourners to and from the Pittsburgh International Airport. The convoy was expected to pick up more members of other veteran’s groups wishing to participate in the ride in support of their fallen comrade. The convoy received a police escort as it left Meadville. That escort was later replaced by another out of Vernon Township as the convoy made its […]
On behalf of Peter Hileman of Drake, Hileman & Davis, P.C. posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Friday, July 11, 2014. A recent June 28 motorcycle rally held in Drums, Pennsylvania, helped raise money for veterans. The event is called the UNICO Motorcycle Charity Run and operates in partnership with the Keystone Wounded Warriors. UNICO is an acronym representing Unity, Neighborliness, Charity and Opportunity. The non-profit helps veterans wounded after Sept. 11, 2001 who are facing hardship of some kind. The rally, which was held last Saturday, marked the fourth year of the annual event A spokesperson for UNICO’s Hazelton, Pennsylvania, chapter says that in the past UNICO was geared on only assisting seriously ill people. He says that the organization saw that there were also some veterans who also needed help. Originally, UNICO got its start as an Italian-American service organization found in 1922. The rally normally receives about 100 biker participants and brings in roughly $4,000 in charitable proceeds each year. They are expecting similar numbers for this year’s event. A board member for the Keystone Wounded Warriors says that their organization has experienced tremendous growth in the last several years. He says that when they first began, they were able to assist about six people over the course of six months. Now he estimates that the non-profit hauls in about $250,000 per year and can reach a much wider base. Keystone Wounded Warriors prides itself on forwarding about 80 percent of all donations towards non-cash assistance to veterans, such […]
By Drake Hileman of Drake, Hileman & Davis, P.C. posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Friday, May 30, 2014. Pennsylvania State Police at Chambersburg say that a truck caused a motorcycle accident, which resulted in two people suffering serious injuries. Police say the accident occurred on May 25 in Guilford Township, Pennsylvania, on U.S. 11. Although police have not yet identified anyone involved in the crash, it is believed that a motorcycle being driven by a man with one passenger was traveling north on Molly Pitcher Highway when a small truck pulled out in front of the motorcycle’s path from where it had previously been sitting at a stop sign at Alleman Road. According to police, the driver of the motorcycle then swerved to avoid colliding with the truck, but the result of that action caused the motorcycle to crash to the ground along Molly Pitcher Highway. Both motorcycle riders suffered moderate injuries, despite wearing helmets. It is unknown whether the driver of the truck was injured in the crash. The motorcycle driver was admitted to Chambersburg Hospital. The passenger is currently listed as having suffered non-life threatening injuries although that person was airlifted to York Hospital. Police have not mentioned alcohol or drugs as having played a role in the accident, although the accident investigation is still ongoing. Motorcyclists involved with car crashes often experience severe injuries. Road rash is one such common injury people receive after being thrown from their bike and sliding along the pavement. There are often broken […]
By Drake Hileman of Drake, Hileman & Davis, P.C. posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Friday, April 11, 2014. Spring has finally arrived to Pennsylvania roads, and that means a lot of motorcycle and scooter enthusiasts will soon start taking to the streets. If you’re like most riders, you can’t wait to get on your two-wheeled escape pod and break out of your normal routine. Motorcycle riding is a good way to see the sights around the Keystone state, and you’ve probably been planning a visit to one or more scenic destinations even before the last snow began to melt. But first, there are a few things you should know before you strap on your leather and get out there. Most riders are aware that Pennsylvania voters repealed the 2003 law, which required all riders to wear helmets, yet few know what the statistical data reveals about what has been happening to motorcycle riders in the decade since. Some of the stats throughout the Keystone state from 2012 are pretty grim. There were 3,985 people involved inmotorcycle accidents in that year; 210 of them perished as a result of those accidents. Just under half of those who died, 49 percent, were not wearing helmets. It’s important to bear in mind that these numbers are only state statistics. The national numbers show that 93,000 people were injured in motorcycle accidents in 2012. Motorcycle riders are also 35 times likelier to be killed on a motorcycle rather than in other vehicles. Last year, the […]
