What should I do—and not do—after a motorcycle accident?

The steps you take after a motorcycle accident can impact your claim, for the better or for the worse. Following an accident, your first actions should include getting to safety, calling 911, taking photos of the accident scene, seeking immediate medical care, and consulting an attorney. Through these steps, you can protect your health, begin the road to physical recovery, document the accident and your injuries to support your claim, and preserve your legal rights. Some common mistakes you should avoid include failing to notify the police of the accident, neglecting to document the scene of the crash, waiting to seek medical care, and making statements to insurance adjusters that could be taken out of context to deny your claim or decrease your compensation.

Should I get a lawyer for a motorcycle accident?

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, your future depends on getting the compensation you deserve. Otherwise, you may never be able to afford the care needed to reach the best possible recovery or offset the significant financial hardships you’re facing. Having an experienced motorcycle accident attorney who is dedicated to fighting for you is the one factor right now that’s fully in your control. When you retain legal counsel to assist you with a motorcycle accident injury claim, you have an experienced professional handling all aspects of your case, from investigating the accident and documenting your damages to filing claims paperwork and legal documents. We’ll put you on the path to obtaining maximum compensation while ensuring that you’re free to focus on getting better.

How much are most motorcycle accident settlements?

The payout you could receive depends on the specific factors of your situation, including the extent of the damages you have suffered, fault for the accident, and the amount of coverage available to you. Our attorneys always seek to make our clients as whole as possible by recovering compensation that addresses all of their legally recognizable damages, both economic and non-economic. Through our efforts, we have recovered significant compensation amounts for our clients, including high-value payouts in the hundreds of thousands of dollars range, millions of dollars range, and multimillion-dollar range.

Is it better to settle out of court or take a motorcycle accident case to trial?

Every personal injury case is unique, and there’s no one right way to proceed. Instead, your attorney’s approach to resolving your claim should be custom-tailored to the specific facts of your situation. There are definite advantages to settling a case out of court when it’s possible to recover the compensation you deserve in this way. A settlement may be negotiated faster and with less cost than going through the process of litigation. Even if you have to initiate litigation to secure the compensation you deserve, negotiating a settlement during this process can save time and money compared to having to go through a trial. A trial can also be difficult, physically and emotionally, for accident victims, and a pretrial resolution can help you avoid this ordeal. For all of these reasons, our motorcycle accident attorneys in Philly will typically pursue this path, at least initially. However, in some situations, negotiations aren’t sufficient to produce a settlement offer that fairly compensates a victim. At van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim, we have the experience to recognize when an out-of-court settlement is in your best interests and when you’re likely to fare better in court. We’re trial attorneys who are fully prepared to fight aggressively for you in court when a trial offers you the best opportunity for recovering maximum compensation.

Philadelphia Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Philadelphia, PA Offering Legal Services for Riders in Philadelphia County, Montgomery County, Chester County, Delaware County, and Throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania

When motorcycle crashes lead to devastating injuries, victims and their families have a difficult road ahead of them. To move forward after an accident, you need the financial resources to afford the full array of care and help you need and deserve. If you’re facing the physical, emotional, and financial hardships caused by a crash, the Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyers at van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim are here to be your advocates.

With our motorcycle accident attorneys in Philly on your side, you won’t have to face the challenges of the claims process alone. While you focus fully on recovery, we’ll handle all aspects of your claim for compensation for you—at no upfront cost. Contact us today to get started with a free consultation.

The Serious Impact of Motorcycle Accidents in Philadelphia

Any car accident can have serious consequences, but the risks are particularly high for motorcyclists.

Due to the combination of motorcycles’ smaller size and weight compared to full-size cars and their riders’ direct exposure to the force of an impact without anything to shield them from harm, injuries among motorcyclists involved in a crash are both more common and more severe. As the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported, per vehicle miles traveled, motorcyclists are four times more likely to suffer injuries and 22 times more likely to die in a crash compared to occupants of passenger vehicles.

Among the types of serious injuries motorcycle accident victims sustain are:

Road rash, which, in severe instances, can result in infection, nerve damage, permanent skin irritation, and scarring and disfigurement
Fractured or broken bones, which may necessitate surgery and physical therapy and could also lead to nerve damage, scarring, and long-term health impacts
Spinal cord injuries that can lead to chronic pain or partial or complete paralysis
Traumatic brain injuries that can impact mobility, cognitive function, sensory perception, memory, personality, and more, potentially for a lifetime

Victims of motorcycle accidents may sustain catastrophic injuries that require lifelong care in some capacity and, often, result in at least some degree of long-term disability.

In many tragic situations, motorcycle accidents lead to fatal injuries. For their families, a wrongful death claim offers the ability to hold the at-fault party accountable, even though nothing can ever replace all they’ve lost as a result of their loved one’s avoidable death.

Victims and families need someone on their side who recognizes how serious a motorcycle accident is and fights for compensation for every loss caused by the crash. The Philly motorcycle accident lawyers at van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim have a long history of advocating for the injured, helping families throughout the region rebuild their lives.

Recovering Maximum Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Philly

To recover compensation for an injury in Pennsylvania, you need to establish that the other party is liable for your injuries because their conduct breached some duty of care owed to you and resulted in your damages.

In motorcycle accidents, the defendant is usually another motorist who struck the motorcyclist or otherwise caused them to be involved in an accident. Certain circumstances may provide grounds for claims against other parties, such as a negligent property owner, a government entity responsible for road maintenance, or the manufacturer of defective vehicle components. Identifying all possible defendants and gathering the evidence needed to hold them accountable is one of the biggest challenges in securing compensation for an accident. Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Philadelphia, PA, rise to this challenge by conducting meticulous investigations of the crash and any negligence that contributed to it.

The compensation you receive for your motorcycle accident should address all of your economic and non-economic losses to make you as whole as possible. Our Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyers pursue compensation for losses that include:

Medical and rehabilitation costs
Any future projected costs of medical treatment, care, equipment, or rehabilitation
Lost wages during your recovery
Loss of future earning potential resulting from long-term disability
Out-of-pocket costs of renovating your home or vehicle to accommodate your injuries or hiring outside help for tasks you can no longer perform yourself
Pain and suffering
Loss of quality of life
Scarring and disfigurement

Your legal strategy and the outcome of your claim should reflect the specifics of your losses and their unique impact on your life. Only a personalized approach to your claim can put you on the path to recovering all the compensation you’re entitled to.

How van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim Can Help

In cases involving motorcycle accidents and the serious injuries they cause, having skilled legal assistance makes a difference. Throughout the region, injured motorcyclists and their families count on our motorcycle accident attorneys in Philadelphia, PA, to handle the most critical tasks needed for success in a legal matter, including:

Launching an in-depth investigation into the accident
Identifying all possible defendants, avenues of recovery, and theories of liability
Analyzing your situation to identify all legally recognizable losses
Gathering documentation of all damages, including projected future losses, to substantiate your claim for compensation
Building and implementing a personalized strategy for securing you maximum compensation
Collaborating with expert witnesses in areas like accident reconstruction, highway design, and vehicle defects when appropriate
Representing you in all insurance company interactions, settlement negotiations, and legal proceedings, including trial
Managing all aspects of the case, including deadline, claims paperwork, legal documents, and more
Pursuing the full amount of compensation you deserve through a settlement out of court or a trial award

Splitting your attention between your physical recovery and your claim for compensation could prevent you from making meaningful progress in either direction. Your recovery requires your full focus, and your claim demands the extensive legal knowledge and strategic approach only an experienced professional can provide.

Why Choose van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim?

When you need Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyers you can count on to get you maximum compensation, you need van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim. With extensive experience and a history of success, we provide comprehensive legal assistance throughout the claims process.

An Experienced Team With a Decades-Long Reputation

Addressing the unique challenges involved in motorcycle accident claims requires a great deal of experience in legal practice. Our team of seasoned motorcycle accident attorneys in Philly has spent decades representing the injured in successful claims. We have a reputation you can count on and the experience to overcome obstacles that could threaten your claim.

A Record of Results for Victims Injured in Philadelphia

At van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim, we focus on getting our clients results. We’ve recovered more than $100 million for the injured. Our successes include a $35.1 million judgment for a catastrophically injured motorcyclist who was left with cognitive deficits and quadriplegia after a driver negligently caused a crash by turning into his path. In another case, our Philly motorcycle accident lawyers recovered $1.35 million in compensation for a widow whose spouse lost their life in a motorcycle accident.

Comprehensive Representation for Motorcycle Accident Cases

With our decades of experience, our Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyers understand the full array of challenges victims of these crashes face. We can navigate the nuances of Pennsylvania traffic law and the state’s complex insurance system. We recognize the consequences of injuries that range from road rash to devastating damage to the brain or spinal cord. We’re here to serve you through every stage of the claims process, always advocating for the legal outcome you deserve.

Contact the Philadelphia Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim Today for a Free Case Evaluation

After a motorcycle accident, you have a choice to make. Will you retain experienced attorneys who are dedicated to securing maximum compensation for clients, prioritizing your future so you can make the fullest physical and financial recovery possible? Or will you do your own claim a disservice by failing to bring on the professional guidance and skilled representation you need, risking a lifetime of physical and financial consequences?

Every injured motorcyclist deserves a chance to rebuild their life. That’s why we take on personal injury claims on a contingency basis. We’re ready to fight for the compensation you deserve at no upfront cost, so there’s nothing standing in the way of receiving the experienced legal assistance you need.

For help from motorcycle accident attorneys in Philadelphia, PA, contact van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim online or call 215-486-0123 today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accident Claims in Philadelphia, PA

While we cannot undo the harm caused by a motorcycle accident, we can steer you toward the compensation you need to regain stability. To see how our experience and reputation can work in your favor, watch our Motorcycle Accident Video FAQs.

The steps you take after a motorcycle accident can impact your claim, for the better or for the worse.
Following an accident, your first actions should include getting to safety, calling 911, taking photos of the accident scene, seeking immediate medical care, and consulting an attorney. Through these steps, you can protect your health, begin the road to physical recovery, document the accident and your injuries to support your claim, and preserve your legal rights.
Some common mistakes you should avoid include failing to notify the police of the accident, neglecting to document the scene of the crash, waiting to seek medical care, and making statements to insurance adjusters that could be taken out of context to deny your claim or decrease your compensation.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, your future depends on getting the compensation you deserve. Otherwise, you may never be able to afford the care needed to reach the best possible recovery or offset the significant financial hardships you’re facing. Having an experienced motorcycle accident attorney who is dedicated to fighting for you is the one factor right now that’s fully in your control.
When you retain legal counsel to assist you with a motorcycle accident injury claim, you have an experienced professional handling all aspects of your case, from investigating the accident and documenting your damages to filing claims paperwork and legal documents. We’ll put you on the path to obtaining maximum compensation while ensuring that you’re free to focus on getting better.
The payout you could receive depends on the specific factors of your situation, including the extent of the damages you have suffered, fault for the accident, and the amount of coverage available to you. Our attorneys always seek to make our clients as whole as possible by recovering compensation that addresses all of their legally recognizable damages, both economic and non-economic. Through our efforts, we have recovered significant compensation amounts for our clients, including high-value payouts in the hundreds of thousands of dollars range, millions of dollars range, and multimillion-dollar range.
Every personal injury case is unique, and there’s no one right way to proceed. Instead, your attorney’s approach to resolving your claim should be custom-tailored to the specific facts of your situation.
There are definite advantages to settling a case out of court when it’s possible to recover the compensation you deserve in this way. A settlement may be negotiated faster and with less cost than going through the process of litigation. Even if you have to initiate litigation to secure the compensation you deserve, negotiating a settlement during this process can save time and money compared to having to go through a trial. A trial can also be difficult, physically and emotionally, for accident victims, and a pretrial resolution can help you avoid this ordeal. For all of these reasons, our motorcycle accident attorneys in Philly will typically pursue this path, at least initially.
However, in some situations, negotiations aren’t sufficient to produce a settlement offer that fairly compensates a victim. At van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim, we have the experience to recognize when an out-of-court settlement is in your best interests and when you’re likely to fare better in court. We’re trial attorneys who are fully prepared to fight aggressively for you in court when a trial offers you the best opportunity for recovering maximum compensation.

Notable Case Results

Always Pursing the Best Possible Outcome

Assault Injury

$1 Million

Tractor-Trailer Accident

$10 Million

Bicycle Accident

$4.8 Million

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In the Media

Throughout the years, our firm and our individual attorneys have been recognized in both local and national media for our extensive legal knowledge, experience, and record of success. Our attorneys frequently appear in the media to provide insights and information on various legal matters, including high-profile cases.

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Choosing the Right Firm Can Make All the Difference

Unrivaled Record of SuccessWe have won tens of millions of dollars for injured victims, and have achieved countless "not guilty" verdicts for clients faced with criminal charges.
No Challenge too BigOur firm has handled some of the biggest cases in country, including representing the President of the United States.
Personalized RepresentationWe understand that every case is unique. Therefore, we tailor our approach based on the facts of the case and the needs of our client.
Uncompromising PassionOur competitive nature is one of our strongest qualities. You can be confident that no other firm will outwork our team.
Holistic ApproachNot only do we want to excel legally for the client, but we also want to make sure we are strengthening their mind, body and spirt.
Supporting the CommunityOur team engages in many community events and regularly donates time and resources to many charitable organizations in Philadelphia.

Talk to Our Experienced Team

Home to Philadelphia’s most accomplished attorneys, van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim pairs diverse practice experience with a passion-driven, comprehensive law practice—all for the client’s benefit.