Philadelphia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Riders get blamed first and believed last. We tell your side with evidence, not assumptions.
Riders deserve to be taken seriously
Ask almost any rider in Philadelphia and you will hear the same story. A driver turned left across their lane on Broad Street, drifted over on I-95 or opened a car door without looking, and afterward said, "I never saw the bike." Motorcycles are smaller and easier to miss, and drivers who are not looking for them cause serious crashes.
Then comes the second problem. Insurance adjusters, and sometimes jurors, assume the rider must have been speeding, weaving or taking chances. That bias can shape a claim from the very first phone call unless someone answers it with facts.
Patterson Injury Lawyers represents injured motorcyclists and their passengers across Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. We gather the proof that shows what actually happened: scene photos, witness accounts, vehicle damage, camera footage and medical records. Attorney Derek M. Patterson spent time at an insurance defense firm, so he knows the arguments insurers reach for in rider cases and how to respond to them. The consultation is free, and there is no fee unless we recover for you.
Common motorcycle accident injuries
With nothing between the rider and the road, injuries are often serious even at city speeds.
- Road rash, including skin injuries that need grafts
- Broken legs, arms, wrists and collarbones
- Traumatic brain injuries, with or without a helmet
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage to the arm and shoulder
- Knee, hip and pelvic injuries
- Internal injuries
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
Answering the bias against riders
Insurers know that many people assume motorcyclists are reckless, and they use it. Expect to hear that you were going too fast, that you came out of nowhere or that you were hard to see. Under Pennsylvania's comparative negligence rule, a recovery can generally be reduced by the injured person's share of fault, so every bit of blame an insurer can shift onto the rider saves it money.
We counter assumptions with evidence. Skid marks, impact points, damage to both vehicles, traffic and security cameras, and the accounts of people who saw the crash can show where each vehicle was and who had the right of way. A driver has a duty to look for motorcycles. Not seeing a rider who was there to be seen is generally not an excuse.
Helmets and your claim
Pennsylvania law allows some adult riders to ride without a helmet if they meet certain requirements. Whether or not you were wearing one, the driver who caused the crash is still responsible for causing it.
An insurer may argue that riding without a helmet made your injuries worse. How far that argument goes depends on the injuries and the facts. A helmet has nothing to do with a broken leg, for example. Do not assume you have no case, and do not let an adjuster tell you so.
Keep your helmet, jacket and other gear exactly as they are, and do not repair the bike until it has been photographed and inspected. They are evidence. If a rider you love did not survive a crash, see our wrongful death page.
Every case is different. This page is general information, not legal advice.
How we help injured riders
- Step 1
Free consultation
Tell us about the crash and your injuries. We will explain your options in plain English, with no cost and no pressure.
- Step 2
We document what really happened
We collect photos, footage, witness statements, the police report and the condition of your bike and gear to show how the crash occurred.
- Step 3
We deal with the insurers
We answer blame-shifting with evidence, negotiate for you, and take the case to court if the insurer will not treat you fairly.
Motorcycle accident questions
Short answers to what people ask us most. For anything else, call us any time.
Generally, no. Drivers have a duty to keep a proper lookout for everyone on the road, including motorcycles. Failing to see a rider who was there to be seen is often evidence of the driver's carelessness rather than an excuse for it.
In many cases, yes. Pennsylvania allows some adult riders to ride without a helmet, and the driver who caused the crash remains responsible for causing it. An insurer may argue the lack of a helmet contributed to certain injuries. How that affects a claim depends on the facts, so talk with us before assuming anything.
It may try. Insurers often suggest that a rider was speeding or riding aggressively. We respond with physical evidence, witness accounts and footage that show what actually happened.
Keep everything as it is. Do not repair the bike or throw away damaged gear until it has been photographed and, if needed, inspected. The damage can help show how the crash happened and how hard the impact was.
Report the crash to the police right away. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy may apply. We can review your coverage and explain your options.
Nothing upfront. Patterson Injury Lawyers offers a free consultation, charges no out-of-pocket costs to get started, and is paid only if we recover for you.
Related practice areas
Injured? Don't wait.
Call (215) 383-9959, 24/7. The consultation is free, and there is no fee unless we recover for you.