After a motorcycle crash, you’re likely to face rising medical bills while being unable to work. The physical pain is overwhelming, and the financial stress keeps building. Insurance companies may be pressuring you to accept a quick settlement that doesn’t cover your long-term needs. At Wapner Newman, we understand the challenges you’re experiencing. As your Harrisburg motorcycle accident lawyer, we handle the legal complexities while you focus on healing.
In these difficult times, having experienced legal representation can make the difference between struggling with expenses and securing the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Our motorcycle accident attorneys work tirelessly to protect your rights and ensure you receive fair treatment throughout the legal process.
Contact Wapner Newman today at (215) 569-0900 for a free consultation about your motorcycle accident case.
Why Choose Us?
At Wapner Newman, we’ve spent decades representing motorcycle accident victims throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. When you choose our firm, you get more than just legal representation — you get a team dedicated to your recovery and success.
Personalized Legal Representation
Each case is assigned to a principal partner with extensive experience in motorcycle accident cases. This partner, along with their dedicated legal team, will handle your case personally from start to finish.
Our proven approach combines:
- Thorough investigation of every accident detail, including securing video footage and analyzing physical evidence
- Direct communication with insurance companies, handling all negotiations so you don’t have to
- Careful documentation of all damages, both current and future
- Strategic negotiation for maximum compensation
- Regular case updates
- Home or hospital visits if you’re unable to come to our office.
It’s also important that you stay aware of what’s happening, so we ensure that you’ll always be able to speak directly with the motorcycle accident attorney managing your case.
Collaborative Legal Strategy
While you’ll have a dedicated attorney, you’ll also benefit from our entire firm’s collective knowledge and resources. Our attorneys regularly collaborate, sharing insights and strategies to strengthen every case we handle.
What Are Your Rights After a Motorcycle Crash?
Pennsylvania law gives you limited time to file a motorcycle accident claim under § 5524 of the state code. The statute of limitations is two years from the date of your accident for cases involving “damages for injuries to the person … caused by the wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or negligence of another.” This strict deadline means your right to seek compensation expires exactly two years after your crash date.
However, waiting that long can seriously damage your case’s chances of success. Crucial documentation becomes harder to obtain as time passes, and witnesses’ recollection gets more unreliable if you wait too long. Working with a motorcycle crash attorney early helps protect your rights and preserve crucial evidence that might otherwise be lost.
Additionally, insurance companies often attempt to minimize their payouts by questioning the severity of injuries or shifting blame to the motorcycle rider. Having strong legal representation from the start helps prevent these tactics from succeeding. Our team knows how to counter insurance company strategies and build compelling cases for our clients.
Missing the two-year filing deadline typically means losing your right to pursue compensation. Don’t wait to get legal help.
How We Help Harrisburg Motorcycle Accident Victims
Building Your Case for Maximum Compensation
When you choose Wapner Newman, our legal team immediately begins working to strengthen your case. We:
- Investigate the accident scene and gather evidence before it disappears
- Work with accident reconstruction experts when needed to prove fault
- Obtain police reports and witness statements to support your claim
- Review your medical records and consult with healthcare providers about your prognosis
- Calculate current and future damages, including long-term care needs
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf
- Prepare your case for trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached
- Handle all legal paperwork and deadlines
- Communicate with medical providers about your treatment
- Protect you from aggressive insurance tactics.
The sooner you reach out after your motorcycle accident, the better positioned we are to build a strong case on your behalf.
We handle all aspects of your case so you can concentrate on your recovery without the stress of legal proceedings or insurance company pressure.
Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases We Handle in Harrisburg
Our experienced attorneys represent clients in all types of motorcycle accidents, including:
- Distracted driving accidents caused by texting or other distractions
- Left-turn collisions at intersections
- Rear-end accidents from following too closely
- Road-hazard accidents caused by poor maintenance or debris
- Drunk-driving crashes
- Highway crashes involving high speeds
- Lane-change accidents
- Multi-vehicle collisions
- Accidents caused by defective motorcycle parts.
Each type of accident requires different investigative approaches and legal strategies. Our team has the knowledge and resources to handle even the most complex motorcycle accident cases.
Injuries You Can Get From a Motorcycle Accident
Why Legal Support Is Important
Motorcycle accidents often result in more severe injuries than car crashes because riders lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle. When collisions occur, motorcyclists can face:
- Direct impact injuries from hitting the ground or other vehicles
- Multiple injuries from being thrown from the motorcycle
- Severe road rash requiring extensive treatment
- Complex fractures and soft tissue damage.
What makes these cases particularly challenging is that the full extent of injuries may not be immediately apparent. Some injuries can worsen over time or lead to long-term complications. This is why having experienced legal representation from Wapner Newman is crucial — we understand how to account for both immediate and future medical needs when pursuing compensation.
Compensation Available for Motorcycle Accident Victims
You may be entitled to recover compensation for:
Medical Expenses
After a motorcycle accident, medical expenses often include extensive treatments across multiple providers and facilities:
- Emergency room treatment
- Hospital stays
- Surgeries and follow-up procedures
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Prescription medications
- Medical equipment and devices
- Future medical care needs.
These medical costs can continue mounting long after the initial accident, which is why our team works to calculate both current and future expenses.
Lost Income
The financial impact of a motorcycle accident extends far beyond just medical bills. Many victims face significant lost income through:
- Missed work wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Lost employment benefits
- Future income losses
- Job retraining if needed.
We understand how these financial losses can affect your entire family and work to recover compensation for all forms of lost income.
Other Damages
Motorcycle accidents can impact every aspect of your life, leading to various other compensable damages:
- Property damage to your motorcycle
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Changes to quality of life
- Impact on personal relationships.
Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys ensure that your claim accounts for both the tangible and intangible ways the accident has affected your life.
FAQs
Many accident victims have questions about their legal rights and options. Here are some common questions our clients ask.
What should I do immediately after a motorcycle accident?
First, seek medical attention, even if you think your injuries are minor. Then document everything about the accident, including photos, witness information, and medical records. Avoid discussing the accident with insurance companies before speaking with a Harrisburg motorcycle accident lawyer, as anything you say could be used to minimize your claim.
How much does it cost to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer?
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. This allows you to get quality legal representation without any upfront costs or financial risk.
How long will my motorcycle accident case take?
Each case is unique and depends on factors like injury severity, insurance coverage, and liability clarity. Simple cases might resolve in months, while complex cases could take longer. We work efficiently while ensuring we pursue full compensation for your injuries.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Pennsylvania follows comparative negligence rules. You may still be eligible to recover damages even if you are found to be partially at fault, as long as you’re not more than 50% responsible for the accident. However, any compensation you are awarded will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Should I accept the insurance company’s first offer?
Initial settlement offers are typically much lower than what your case is worth. Before accepting any offer, consult with a motorcycle accident attorney who can evaluate whether it fairly compensates you for all your damages.
Our experienced legal team can answer any additional questions during your free consultation. We’re here to help you understand your rights and options.
Contact Our Harrisburg Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
In 2023, Pennsylvania recorded 3,422 motorcycle crashes resulting in 238 fatalities and more than 3,186 injuries. These statistics highlight why having experienced legal representation is so critical — motorcycle crashes often lead to more severe injuries and more complex claims than typical vehicle accidents.
At Wapner Newman, we understand the devastating impact these accidents can have on victims and their families. Don’t let insurance companies minimize your suffering or deny you fair compensation. Let us help protect your rights and pursue the full compensation you need for both current and future expenses.
Call Wapner Newman today at (215) 569-0900 to speak with our dedicated motorcycle accident attorneys.