Altoona
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

At Berger and Green, we understand the risks motorcyclists face on Altoona’s roads. Whether it’s navigating Route 36 in poor weather or dealing with inattentive drivers at local shopping centers, a crash can derail your life. Motorcycle accidents often lead to serious injuries and financial stress, from mounting medical bills to time missed at work.

If you were injured in a crash caused by someone else’s negligence, our Altoona, PA, motorcycle accident lawyers are here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Even if you’re unsure who was at fault or if your injuries seem minor at first, it’s worth discussing how an Altoona personal injury lawyer may be able to help you. Call Berger and Green today for a free consultation.

What Damages Can You Seek for a Motorcycle Wreck?

The damages you can seek in a motorcycle accident claim will vary depending on the extent of your injuries, the damage incurred to your property, and the insurance coverage you and the other driver carry. If you sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, you may be able to claim compensation for the following types of damages:

• Medical expenses: Your claim should include the cost of all medical treatment, such as ambulance services, surgical procedures, hospital care, physical therapy, medications, ongoing treatment, and life care.
• Lost earnings: If you are unable to work due to the accident, you may claim compensation for the income you lose. This also includes future lost income due to a temporary or permanent disability.
• Vehicle and property damage: You may claim the cost of any repairs or the replacement value of your motorcycle due to damage from the accident. This also applies to any other damaged property, such as equipment or clothing.
• Pain and suffering: You may also claim damages for the physical and mental anguish you experienced due to the accident. This may include awards for scarring, disfigurement, inconvenience, and loss of enjoyment.
• Survival and wrongful death damages: If your loved one suffered a fatal injury, you may be able to seek survival damages from when their injury occurred until death. This includes medical bills, lost wages, and their conscious pain and suffering. Wrongful death damages provide awards to the deceased’s family for losses resulting from their passing, such as funeral and burial expenses and loss of your loved one’s support and services.

Our attorneys know that your family is going through a lot right now. We want to help you hold negligent parties accountable for these and other losses.

Recovery Options for Motorcycle Accident Victims

After a motorcycle accident in Altoona, injured riders have several paths to recover compensation for their losses. Depending on the details of your case, you may be able to pursue:

• An insurance claim against the at-fault driver: This is often the first step, seeking compensation for medical bills, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering.
• A claim under your own uninsured/underinsured motorist policy: If the at-fault driver has little or no insurance, your UM/UIM coverage can help bridge the gap.
• A personal injury lawsuit: If insurance negotiations fail or the at-fault party denies responsibility, filing a lawsuit may help recover full damages.
• Recovery of additional damages: In some cases, you may seek compensation for emotional distress, loss of consortium, or future medical care needs.

Each case is unique, and an attorney can help you explore the best strategies for maximizing your financial recovery.

The Benefits of Using a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

When you hire our Altoona motorcycle accident attorneys, you can benefit from their knowledge of personal injury law. Our lawyers can help you:

• Focus on healing: Having our motorcycle accident lawyers take care of your case means you can focus on your medical recovery while our legal team deals with your economic recovery.
• Build your case: Our team will gather all the necessary evidence to build your case. This evidence may include medical bills, medical records, photos of your accident and injuries, eyewitness testimony, and the police report. We will use this evidence to establish negligence and your damages.
• Handle all communication with insurers: It is very easy to say something that could jeopardize your case. Our team will handle all communication with the insurers and other involved parties to protect your right to compensation.
• Negotiate for a fair settlement: Many injured victims will accept any offer they receive, but this may leave thousands of dollars on the table. Our team will negotiate with the insurer to get you a fair settlement.
• Manage deadlines: We may need to take your case to court if the insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement. You have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit. Our team will keep track of all legal deadlines.
• Level the playing field: If you do not have representation, an insurance company may not take you seriously and may undervalue your claim. Our lawyers will add credibility to your claim and make sure that you are asking for what you deserve.

Why Choose Berger and Green to Represent You?

If you are looking for an Altoona, Pennsylvania, motorcycle accident attorney, our team at Berger and Green can help you file a claim and possibly a lawsuit for damages. We have attorneys with experience in motorcycle accident claims involving distracted drivers, drivers under the influence, and many other types of driver negligence.

In our 40-plus years representing injured clients, we have recovered millions of dollars in financial compensation for motor vehicle accident victims. Our years in practice have given us invaluable legal experience and insight into the challenges facing you and your family, which is why we strive to achieve case success while also offering compassionate representation.

We know there is a lot at stake for our clients, and we do what we can to fight for fair results and represent their best interests.

Possible Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Altoona

Common causes of motorcycle accidents related to driver negligence include:

• A driver who does not respect the rights of motorcyclists to use the road
• A driver who fails to look for motorcycles coming in the opposite direction before turning left
• A driver failing to yield to a motorcyclist
• Speeding, reckless, or inattentive driving
• Failing to check blind spots

Some accidents do not result from driver negligence but rather from the actions of another at-fault party. For example, we can pursue a case against a manufacturer if your collision was caused by defective car or motorcycle parts. A property owner may be liable if your crash stemmed from negligent road maintenance or dangerous conditions. We may be able to make a case against a third-party motorist if more than one reckless driver was involved.

Whatever the cause of your motorcycle accident in Blair County, we will get to the bottom of it and pursue compensation from all those liable.

Motorcycle Insurance Laws in Pennsylvania

Motorcyclists in Pennsylvania face different insurance requirements than drivers of passenger vehicles. Notably, motorcyclists are not required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which means they do not automatically have no-fault medical coverage after an accident. Instead, riders must often pursue compensation directly from the at-fault driver’s insurance or through their own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or medical insurance.

Pennsylvania law requires minimum coverage limits, including:

• $15,000 for bodily injury per person
• $30,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $5,000 for property damage

Because motorcycles lack PIP protection, injuries from a crash can leave a rider responsible for their own medical bills unless they pursue a claim. Carrying optional medical benefits (MedPay) or uninsured/underinsured coverage can be critical for protecting yourself financially after an accident.

Understanding these insurance laws is essential when seeking compensation, and a lawyer can ensure you make full use of any available coverage.

What If the Other Party Blames Me for the Motorcycle Collision?

Many motorcycle accident victims hesitate to pursue compensation because they believe they were partly to blame for the crash. The truth is, you can still recover damages in Pennsylvania even if you were partially at fault—thanks to the state’s comparative negligence rule.

Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence system under Pa. C.S.A. § 7102. This means that as long as you are found to be less than 51% at fault, you can still recover compensation. However, your total award will be reduced in proportion to your share of the fault. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you’re found to be 20% responsible for the accident, you would still be eligible to receive $80,000.

But if your fault is determined to be 51% or more, you would be barred from recovering any damages at all. This makes it essential to have a strong legal team that can defend your rights and minimize your percentage of fault.

What Does Shared Fault Look Like?

Comparative negligence may come into play in motorcycle accidents. Some common examples include:

• You were speeding slightly when a car turned left in front of you without yielding. While speeding may count against you, the other driver’s failure to yield could still make them primarily responsible.
• You weren’t wearing a helmet, and the insurance company argues that this contributed to your head injury. In Pennsylvania, helmet use may be factored into the damages depending on age and other details, but it doesn’t automatically negate your right to compensation.
• You were riding in the blind spot of another vehicle when they changed lanes into you. Even if your position on the road is considered a contributing factor, the driver’s failure to check mirrors or signals could still leave them mostly liable.

These cases are rarely black-and-white. When comparative negligence is a factor, insurance companies are quick to shift as much blame onto the motorcyclist as possible to reduce what they owe—or avoid paying altogether. At Berger and Green, we push back with detailed accident analysis, expert opinions, and thorough documentation to ensure your side of the story is fully represented.

If you’re unsure whether you can file a claim due to partial fault, don’t guess—contact our team for a free consultation. We’ll help you understand your rights under Pennsylvania law and fight for every dollar you’re entitled to.

Injuries in Motorcycle Accident Can Be Costly and Catastrophic

Some of the injuries that can result from a motorcycle accident include:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Burns
• Internal bleeding
• Spinal injuries
• Lacerations, road rash, and open wounds
• Amputations
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Some injuries can be life-threatening, while others can result in ongoing or permanent medical conditions, such as paralysis or chronic pain. This is why it is important to consider any future medical treatment you may need as a result of your motorcycle accident injuries.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident due to another driver’s negligence, you may wish to talk to our lawyers about filing an injury claim or lawsuit.

Do Not Wait Too Long to Pursue a Claim for Compensation

If you have motorcycle accident injuries and damages and believe another driver was at fault, don’t delay. Pa. C.S.A. § 5524 states that you must file most personal injury lawsuits within two years of the accident, and it will take time to build your case and negotiate with the insurance company. 

If time runs out, you may lose your chance to recover damages. Our Altoona, PA, motorcycle accident lawyers can help you get started immediately.

Anti-Motorcyclist Bias in Motorcycle Accident Claims

Motorcyclists often face an unfair uphill battle after an accident because of anti-motorcyclist bias. Insurance adjusters, police officers, and even jurors may wrongly assume that riders are reckless or at fault simply because they were on a motorcycle—even when the evidence proves otherwise. This bias can lead to:

• Unfair claim denials or low settlement offers
• Skewed police reports
• Challenges during jury trials

At Berger and Green, we understand the reality of this prejudice. That’s why we work to present clear, objective evidence such as accident reconstruction reports, eyewitness testimony, and expert analysis to fight these stereotypes.

You deserve to have your case judged on the facts—not on outdated assumptions about motorcyclists. Our lawyers know how to confront bias head-on and ensure that you get the fair treatment and full compensation you are entitled to.

Contact Berger and Green Today Following Your Altoona Motorcycle Crash

Contact Berger and Green today or submit an online form. Our team of motorcycle attorneys is standing by, ready to discuss your case and provide you with a free legal evaluation. 

We take cases on contingency, meaning that you do not owe us anything unless we win your case. Let us help you get back on the road to recovery and work to collect the damages you deserve.