Determining fault after motorcyclist suffers fatal injury from multi-vehicle crash near Pittsburgh.

Pennsylvania – March 31, 2021

Pittsburgh public safety officials said it is unclear who was at fault for a multi-vehicle crash involving a motorcyclist who suffered fatal injury, despite wearing a helmet.  The accident occurred in Allegheny County on East Carson and 11^th Street when a vehicle collided with a motorcycle resulting in harmful injury to the cyclist who was transported to the hospital and later succumbed to his injuries.  After an accident causes fatal injury, attorneys in Pennsylvania can fight for a victim’s family and their right to compensation for injuries and property damage loss under the State laws.

Pennsylvania motor vehicle accidents.

In Pennsylvania, an accident report  must be filed with the Pennsylvania Department of Public Safety within five days from the mishap if collisions result in death, injury, or significant property damage.  Pennsylvania uses the  “modified comparative negligence” rule allowing an individual to recover damages in a personal injury lawsuit, but the amount of compensation will be reduced by an amount that is equal to their percentage of fault, and victims can only seek damages from if they are less than 51 percent at fault.  A car accident attorney can explain the laws based on individual cases.

Wrongful death.

When motorcycle accidents result in death, family members, or legal representatives must file a wrongful death legal action to secure compensation.  Compensation for wrongful death, or catastrophic injury caused in a motorcycle accident may cover medical bills and expenses; funeral and burial expenses; pain and suffering; loss of income compensation based on life expectancy; and in some cases, punitive damages.  A motorcycle accident attorney can explain why a victim’s pain and suffering and medical bills incurred from the time of the accident until the time of death will be valued when damages are assessed.

Case building.

Experienced injury attorneys can work with medical professionals, and other experts to determine damage valuations when wrongful death occurs.  Surviving family members should contact an experienced attorney shortly after an accident to give legal counsel ample opportunity to research the case, have specialists go out and investigate the accident scene for clues regarding negligence and fault determinations, and interact with the insurance company regarding claims where immediate expenses related to funeral and burial costs will be needed.

Damages.

Damage compensation awards address economic loss, including lost wages, medical bills, medical care, and treatment, plus household expenses; and non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, loss of consortium, or companionship.  An experienced accident attorney will know when punitive damages may be entertained and awarded to punish the individual who caused harm, or injury and wrongful death to the victim.

Seek legal counsel.

Legal professionals at Scanlon & Wojton Law Firm, will build a case by collecting and reviewing police reports, medical records, insurance policies, toxicology reports, and other relevant documents that support damage recovery after a fatal motorcycle accident.

Scanlon & Wojton, Attorneys at Law

The Mitchell Building
304 Ross Street, Suite 510
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219

Phone:  (412) 918-1241

Fax: (412) 235-7275

Sources:

https://www.dot.state.pa.us/Public/DVSPubsForms/BMV/BMV%20Forms/AA-600.pdf

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/75/00.037.042.000..HTM

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/42/00.071.002.000..HTM

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/42/00.085.053.000..HTM