Motorcycle Accidents in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania motorcyclists face outsized risk from left-turning cars and inattentive drivers — and the insurance rules that apply to riders are not the same as for car drivers.
What you should know
Because motorcycles are not 'motor vehicles' subject to the same first-party benefit requirements under the MVFRL, the limited-tort/full-tort framework generally does not restrict a motorcyclist's right to sue for pain and suffering the way it does for car occupants. Pennsylvania's helmet law requires helmets for riders under 21 and for those with less than two years of licensed riding who have not completed an approved safety course.
What typically causes them
- Left-turning vehicles crossing a rider's path
- Drivers failing to see motorcycles
- Unsafe lane changes
- Road hazards, gravel, and potholes
- Speeding
- Impaired driving
Injuries we see
- Road rash and severe abrasions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Amputations
Steps to take after a motorcycle accidents
- 1
Get medical care immediately
- 2
Call police and get a report
- 3
Document the scene, road conditions, and gear
- 4
Get witness contact information
- 5
Preserve your helmet and damaged gear
- 6
Speak with an attorney before dealing with insurers
Lane splitting is illegal in Pennsylvania. Comparative negligence (42 Pa.C.S. § 7102) applies, and insurers often try to shift blame to riders — making independent investigation important.
Riders may recover medical costs, lost income, future care, property damage, and pain and suffering. Because tort limits generally do not bind motorcyclists, non-economic recovery is often more accessible than for car occupants.
In Pennsylvania, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (42 Pa.C.S. § 5524). Missing this deadline usually bars your claim entirely, so it is critical to act well before it runs.
Keep reading before you talk to an adjuster
Don't let a Pennsylvania motorcycle accidents ruin your future.
The clock is ticking on Pennsylvania's 2-year statute of limitations. Get a free, no-obligation case review now.