Motorcyclists using Philadelphia streets can contend with many hazards around the city. Traffic levels can be heavy just about any hour of the day, and that probably means there’s a bigger chance that riders will encounter a distracted driver who might end their ride with a single dangerous mistake.
These careless drivers can miss spotting a rider in just about any conditions and at any angle. Day or night, full headlights, and even when the motorcycle is directly in front of the motorist. One of the most common accidents motorcyclists face is a driver behind them not paying attention, not braking, and ramming them from behind. It’s a scary situation that can leave a rider hurt and confused.
Help for Motorcyclists in Rear-End Accidents in Philadelphia
The read-end accident can send riders from their motorcycles, into an impact with the road, and leave them in a spot where they can be hit again. It’s an extremely dangerous price to pay for a driver who just couldn’t bother to monitor the road ahead.
If you suffer a serious injury due to a negligent driver, contact The Pearce Law Firm of Philadelphia. Our attorneys have supported and protected injured motorcyclists for years. The driver to blame should be shouldering the costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation while you are left free to heal. We want to fight for you, recover compensation for all of your damages, and see the day that you get back on your bike again.
Rear-End Motor Accident Dangers
The Pennsylvania DOT finds that rear-end collisions are a major factor in yearly accident numbers. In 2019, 22% of all accidents in the state were documented as rear-end crashes. That equated to over 27,000 crashes total. The number contributed to the 2,860 motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania in 2019, as well as a tragic 174 motorcyclist deaths.
Just like many mistakes made by distracted drivers when it comes to motorcycles, the cause is a bit of a mystery. A rear-end collision means the motorcyclist was directly in front of the driver. No mirrors or blind-spot checks are generally needed to see the motorcyclist.
Of course, distracted drivers can miss things directly out their front windshields as they check their phones and focus on passengers, but experts also think another contributing factor may add to the frequency of collisions.
At night or during the day, drivers’ brains are generally wired to look for the two taillights or two headlights of a car or SUV. Apparently, seeing the one headlight or taillight of a motorcycle can confuse the brain and cause it to misjudge distance. Driver fatigue and inattention certainly don’t help combat the problem. For whatever reason, the driver doesn’t stop in time and causes a dangerous impact for the rider.
Proving Negligence in Motorcycle Accidents
You would think a collision from behind would be an open and shut case. Blame should be easily attributed to the car, truck, or SUV driver, but with insurance companies, it’s not always that simple. Insurance agents are known to blame motorcyclists in most any situation.
Even if investigators assigned the fault of the accident to the driver, insurance agents might try to pin a portion of the blame on the rider, hoping to reduce the amount of compensation they’ll have to provide. Then, of course, drivers can always lie to avoid responsibility too.
To protect and strengthen your case you should try to hang on to important documentation and evidence in the event a civil lawsuit is necessary to get help with your bills. An attorney on your side can help you collect this information, but it’s important to collect everything listed here and more:
- The police investigation report.
- Paramedic records.
- Witness statements.
- Traffic court dispositions.
- Photographs of the location and vehicles involved in the crash.
- Any traffic camera or security camera footage that might show the crash.
This proof can ensure that a driver can’t escape blame, but it can also make a difference in the amount of compensation that’ll be offered in a settlement or won in a civil court case. An attorney with experience defending motorcycle accident victims can make sure you receive enough compensation to pay for your entire recovery now, your lost time at work, and any treatment that may be needed in the future.
A Philadelphia Motorcycle Accident Attorney
After any motorcycle accident involving a serious injury, contact a highly rated Philadelphia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer such as Edith Pearce. Unlike the huge firms with dozens of attorneys and many different attorneys handling different aspects of your case, Edith Pearce is personally involved in every case that we handle. She genuinely cares about her clients and you will not be treated like just another case or file.