Riding motorcycles is a fun way to get around Butler County, though it should not have to mean that you are asking for danger. It can be liberating and safe if all the drivers on the road drive responsibly. Having responsible drivers on the road may not be a guarantee every time, but what is guaranteed is that having a Butler County motorcycle accident attorney by your side can increase your chances of securing the compensation you need should you be injured in a crash. Careless drivers should not steer you away from enjoying traveling on the road. At SMT Legal, we promise to help you through the legal process associated with recovering financial compensation in the event of a motorcycle collision.
Time Limit to File A Motorcycle Accident Claim
A statute of limitations sets a specific time limit within which a lawsuit must be filed. In Pennsylvania, the time limit for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit is two years from the date of the incident. After those two years, you may lose the chance to ever file a lawsuit against the responsible parties to recover financial damages for your losses.
In some cases, you may be granted an extension that allows you to file a claim. You can only be granted an extension under certain circumstances. If an injured party finds out about unknown injuries weeks or months later after the accident, a legal concept called the discovery doctrine may be applicable to your situation. Some injuries can take a while to show symptoms. An experienced Butler County motorcycle accident attorney can ague to toll the statute of limitations in a case where the victim discovers they have been injured after the date of the accident. In addition, an extension to the statute of limitations may be granted if there is fraudulent concealment. If the defendant altered any or withheld information regarding the case, these actions can indicate negligence on their part.
Filing a motorcycle claim in Pennsylvania is time-sensitive. Even though you have two years to file a claim, the sooner you contact a lawyer, the easier it will be to gather fresh, valuable evidence and information. The longer you take to file a claim, the more you risk your memory fading and losing physical evidence. An insurance company may also use this to its advantage to delay paying your claim.
Motorcycle Accidents Can Leave Devastating Effects
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, 94% of the motorcycle crash fatalities were motorcycle riders and 6% were vehicle passengers. The data shows that motorcyclists are more at risk of being harmed than vehicle passengers. It is not stressed enough that vehicle passengers need to pay more attention to any motorcycles to avoid any crashes.
Helmets and protective gear can offer some protection, although it is still not enough to fully protect a motorcycle rider. In the latest reporting year, the motorcycle helmet use in crashes showed:
- 93 fatalities
- 1,728 injured
Without helmet use, data showed the following:
- 115 fatalities
- 1,345 injured
As you can see, helmets do not provide as much protection as one would expect.
Let The SMT Legal Team Help You
You do not want to be alone while navigating the legal process after a motorcycle accident. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Butler County, reach out to a local motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. We can help you obtain compensation to cover any damages and injuries that occurred. Contact us by clicking here or calling us at 412-361-9271 for a free consultation.
