Downingtown, PA Motorcycle Accident 

Motorcycle accidents continue to pose a serious threat to riders throughout the Downingtown area, turning their carefree rides into some of the worst days of their lives. Motorcyclists face additional challenges after an accident; while victims of car accidents may not automatically be presumed liable, motorcyclists often do not have that same luxury.

That’s why it’s so important for motorcyclists to reach out for personalized assistance after a motorcycle accident in Downingtown. Learn more about how Kingbird Legal can help by calling us at 484-289-4880.

The Growing Danger of Motorcycle Accidents in Pennsylvania

The state of Pennsylvania makes it easy to keep up on accident rates and trends throughout the state with its annual Pennsylvania Crash Facts and Statistics publication. Unfortunately, the statistics coming out of our state are not encouraging. Motorcycle crashes and fatalities hit a recent low in 2018 when there were 2714 crashes and 159 fatalities. Those numbers crept up steadily through 2021 when there were over 3,500 collisions and 223 fatalities. Although crashes and deaths did decrease slightly in 2022, both numbers are still very far from where they should be. When it comes to motorcycle crashes, drivers fare the worst; while motorcycle passengers made up just under 5% of deaths, motorcycle operators accounted for over 95%.

Why Motorcyclists Are Especially Vulnerable

There are many reasons that motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to negative outcomes during crashes. To start, their vehicles offer virtually no protection. Passengers and operators of standard passenger vehicles are essentially in a metal cage that has been designed to absorb as much crash force as possible. When a motorcyclist crashes, they generally take the full force of the crash—there’s no built-in exterior frame to take it for them.

Additionally, motorcyclists are generally less visible than other motorists. Since they are less common, drivers don’t have as much experience checking for motorcyclists in their blind spots or when making turns. If a driver isn’t actively looking for riders, there’s a good chance they will miss them completely—and that can lead to devastating outcomes.

On top of all of this, motorcyclists who are involved in collisions face significant challenges when it comes to getting fair compensation. Across the board, there is still enormous societal bias against motorcyclists. When accidents occur, people tend to assume that motorcyclists are at fault—even when it’s clear that a driver didn’t check their blind spot, turned in front of an oncoming rider, or otherwise failed to take necessary precautions. These challenges spill over into the legal process, resulting in motorcyclists who cannot convince insurance adjusters and attorneys that the other party caused their collision.

Taking the right steps after an accident—reporting it to the police, seeking medical attention, and talking to an attorney—can help you start your claim.

Injuries Commonly Reported After Downingtown, PA Motorcycle Accidents

Injuries vary, depending on the type of crash, the speed of both vehicles, and the safety gear used by the motorcyclist. However, some commonly reported injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries: TBIs are tragically common in motorcycle crashes, particularly among riders who are not wearing helmets at the time of the collision. They vary in severity, from minor TBIs that heal within a matter of days to severe TBIs that permanently inhibit a patient’s ability to communicate, move independently, regulate their emotions, or control their bowel and bladder.

• Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries are often seen in motorcycle accidents where riders are thrown from their vehicles. Outcomes depend on which part of the spine is injured and whether the spine suffers a complete or incomplete injury.

• Broken bones: This is one of the most common injuries you’ll see after a motorcycle accident. Broken arms and legs are very common, although riders may also suffer broken facial bones, broken ribs, and other fractures.

• Road rash: Road rash isn’t just extremely painful; it can also be incredibly dangerous. If an infection develops, it can become septic and lead to death without medical intervention.
• Internal organ damage: Damage to the internal organs can lead to death very quickly. Internal bleeding and ruptured organs must be treated immediately for victims to have any chance at survival.

Preventing Collisions

With motorcycle accident numbers on the rise in Pennsylvania, it’s everyone’s job to make the roads safer for riders. Motorcyclists can reduce their risk of adverse outcomes by wearing appropriate protective gear, practicing defensive riding techniques, and always being cautious of other drivers’ behavior. Those in passenger vehicles should always be on the lookout for the riders so they can take necessary steps to give them plenty of space and avoid causing crashes. In particular, drivers should be careful when turning left in front of a motorcyclist or when switching lanes in front of a motorcyclist. On top of these individual efforts, ongoing public safety programs that remind others of what it means to drive safely near motorcyclists may lead to better outcomes for riders.

How Kingbird Legal Can Help

If you or someone you love has been injured in a Downingtown motorcycle crash, the team at Kingbird Legal can help you fight for full and fair compensation. We have tackled numerous motorcycle accident claims throughout our years in practice, so we are well aware of the challenges you face as a rider. Our firm has negotiated claims with every major insurance company, fighting to overcome the biases that you face as a motorcyclist. 

During our initial evaluation, we will learn more about your accident, your injuries, and the losses you have suffered as a result of the other party’s negligence. This lays the foundation for a strong case. After gathering evidence, we’ll demand full and fair compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company. If your accident wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t be left covering your medical expenses, lost wages, mental trauma, totaled bike, and other expenses on your own—so let us help.