1. Romanow Law Group
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, drunk driver accidents, distracted driving accidents, lane change accidents, left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection crashes, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents, road hazard accidents
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, liability analysis, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, trial representation, expert witness coordination, medical record review, lost wage calculation, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death litigation, comparative fault analysis under Pennsylvania law
Background: The Romanow Law Group focuses on representing motorcycle accident victims and their families in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and throughout Pennsylvania. The firm reports having recovered millions of dollars in damages for injured accident victims. The attorneys work to identify all liable parties in crashes and hold them accountable for maximum compensation. The firm is knowledgeable in federal and state motorcycle law, including technical specifications like power-to-weight ratios, ABS systems, and manufacturer crash impact requirements.
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Allegheny County)
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.romanowlawgroup.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation offered. Contingency fee basis.
2. Frischman & Rizza, P.C.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, premises liability, product liability
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle crashes, fatal motorcycle accidents, motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, distracted driving accidents, drunk driving accidents, failure to yield accidents, intersection crashes, wrongful death claims, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, trial representation, accident reconstruction, expert witness coordination, medical record analysis, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death litigation
Background: Frischman & Rizza is a Pittsburgh personal injury law firm with extensive experience handling motorcycle accident cases. The firm understands the challenges injured motorcyclists face during recovery. The attorneys work to hold negligent parties responsible and ensure that insurance companies do not undervalue claims. The firm thoroughly investigates each case, examining police reports and gathering evidence to build strong claims.
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Contact: (412) 247-7300 | https://www.frlawpa.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation offered. Contingency fee basis.
3. Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, birth injuries, nursing home abuse, product liability
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driving motorcycle crashes, distracted driving accidents, speeding accidents, failure to yield accidents, lane change collisions, intersection crashes, motorcycle defect accidents, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injury cases, spinal cord injury cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, liability determination, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, trial representation, accident reconstruction, expert witness coordination, medical record analysis, lost wage and earning capacity calculation, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death litigation, comparative negligence analysis
Background: Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman reports over 170 years of combined legal experience. The firm has experience handling a wide range of motorcycle accidents, including collisions caused by distracted driving, speeding, failure to yield, and alcohol/drug use. The attorneys counter arguments from insurance companies regarding helmet use and fight for fair compensation regardless of whether a helmet was worn.
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.ssf-lawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation offered. Contingency fee basis.
4. Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, product liability, premises liability, workers’ compensation
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, fatal motorcycle accidents, motorcycle vs. car accidents, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, distracted driving accidents, drunk driving motorcycle crashes, failure to yield accidents, lane change accidents, left-turn collisions, road hazard accidents, wrongful death claims, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, police report analysis, witness interviews, expert witness coordination, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, trial representation, medical record review, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death litigation, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, comparative fault analysis
Background: Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. has more than four decades of experience in personal injury law. The firm handles motorcycle accident cases throughout the Pittsburgh area. Attorneys Aaron Rihn and Sara Watkins have been appointed to key leadership roles in major litigation matters. The firm understands Pennsylvania’s motorcycle laws and modified comparative fault rules. The attorneys work to prove fault through accident reconstruction, traffic camera footage, witness statements, police reports, and expert testimony.
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Contact: (844) 383-0565 | https://www.peircelaw.com
Consultation: Free confidential consultation offered. Contingency fee basis.
5. Freeburn Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, product liability
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle crashes, fatal motorcycle accidents, motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, distracted driving accidents, drunk driving accidents, intersection crashes, single-vehicle motorcycle accidents, road hazard accidents, wrongful death claims, traumatic brain injury cases, spinal cord injury cases, road rash injuries
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, liability determination, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, trial representation, accident reconstruction, expert witness coordination, medical record analysis, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death litigation
Background: Freeburn Law has been representing injured motorcyclists across Pennsylvania for over 40 years. The attorneys at the firm are motorcycle riders themselves and are part of the motorcycle community, providing personal understanding of the risks and challenges riders face. The firm reports over 130 years of combined experience. Freeburn Law has helped create programs like Wills for Bikers and the Injured Bikers Foundation. The attorneys host legal workshops and advocate for safety laws that protect motorcyclists in Pennsylvania. The firm provides direct access to attorneys throughout the case.
Location: Pittsburgh, PA (with additional offices serving Pennsylvania)
Contact: (717) 777-7777 | https://pa-injurylawyer.com
Consultation: Free consultation offered. Contingency fee basis.
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Pennsylvania
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Pennsylvania has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from motorcycle accidents under 42 Pa. C.S. Section 5524. This means you must file your lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline will result in the loss of your right to pursue compensation through the courts.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Property damage claims in Pennsylvania also have a two-year statute of limitations.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Wrongful death claims in Pennsylvania must be filed within two years from the date of death.
Fault vs. No-Fault Insurance Status: Pennsylvania is a “choice” insurance state. Drivers can choose between “full tort” coverage (which preserves the right to sue for all damages, including pain and suffering) and “limited tort” coverage (which restricts the right to sue for non-economic damages unless injuries meet a serious injury threshold). Motorcyclists are generally not subject to the no-fault system and operate under a tort liability system, meaning fault determines who pays for damages.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 42 Pa. C.S. Section 7102. Under this rule, you can recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% at fault for the accident. If you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any compensation. Your damages award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% at fault and have $100,000 in damages, you would recover $80,000.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: Pennsylvania requires motorcyclists to carry liability insurance with the following minimum coverage: $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $5,000 for property damage. Additional coverage options, such as uninsured/underinsured motorist protection, collision, and comprehensive insurance, are available but not mandatory.
Helmet Law: Pennsylvania has a partial helmet law under 75 Pa. C.S. Section 3525. Motorcycle operators and passengers under 21 years of age must wear DOT-approved helmets. Riders 21 and older are exempt from the helmet requirement if they have either: (1) been licensed to operate a motorcycle for at least two full calendar years, or (2) completed a motorcycle safety course approved by PennDOT or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Passengers must wear helmets unless the operator meets the exemption criteria. All helmets must meet USDOT safety standards (FMVSS No. 218).
Eye Protection Requirements: Pennsylvania requires eye protection for motorcycle riders unless the motorcycle is equipped with a protective windscreen rising 15 inches or higher above the handlebars.
Lane Splitting/Lane Filtering Laws: Lane splitting (riding between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic) is illegal in Pennsylvania. Motorcyclists must remain in their designated lane and follow the same traffic rules as other vehicles.
Motorcycle Licensing Requirements: To operate a motorcycle in Pennsylvania, you must have a Class M license or motorcycle endorsement. Applicants must pass a written knowledge test and a skills test. PennDOT offers the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program (PAMSP), and completion of an approved safety course may waive the skills test requirement.
Motorcycle Equipment Requirements: Motorcycles in Pennsylvania must be equipped with functional headlights (which must be on at all times), taillights, turn signals, mirrors, brakes, and a muffler. Handlebars cannot be higher than 15 inches above the seat.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Pennsylvania does not require motorcyclists to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, but insurers must offer it. Explicit rejection is required to decline this coverage. UM/UIM coverage is strongly recommended given the risk of accidents involving drivers with inadequate insurance.
Damage Caps: Pennsylvania does not impose statutory caps on compensatory damages (economic and non-economic) in personal injury cases. Punitive damages are available in cases involving reckless or outrageous conduct.
Helmet Use as Evidence of Comparative Negligence: In Pennsylvania, failure to wear a helmet when not legally required could potentially be used by defendants or insurers to argue comparative negligence if head injuries are involved. The defense must demonstrate that helmet use could have reasonably prevented or minimized the severity of the injuries sustained.
Dram Shop Liability: Pennsylvania has dram shop laws that may allow injured parties to pursue claims against establishments that served alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals who subsequently caused accidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
A: Pennsylvania has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury and property damage claims arising from motorcycle accidents under 42 Pa. C.S. Section 5524. This means you must file your lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period runs from the date of death. Missing this deadline will result in the dismissal of your case, regardless of how strong your claim may be. Certain exceptions may apply, such as cases involving minors or defendants who leave the state, so it is important to consult with an attorney promptly.
Q: How does Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence rule affect my motorcycle accident claim?
A: Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 42 Pa. C.S. Section 7102. This means you can recover compensation for your injuries as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50%. If you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any damages. If your fault is 50% or less, your damages award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury awards you $100,000 but finds you were 30% at fault, you would receive $70,000. Insurance companies often try to attribute greater fault to motorcyclists, so having an attorney to counter these arguments is important.
Q: Do I have to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle in Pennsylvania?
A: Pennsylvania has a partial helmet law. If you are under 21 years of age, you must wear a DOT-approved helmet while operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle. If you are 21 or older, you are exempt from the helmet requirement if you have either been licensed to operate a motorcycle for at least two full calendar years or have completed a motorcycle safety course approved by PennDOT or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. However, even if you are not legally required to wear a helmet, choosing not to wear one could affect your injury claim if you sustain head injuries, as the defense may argue that your injuries would have been less severe had you worn a helmet.
Q: Is lane splitting legal in Pennsylvania, and how does it affect accident liability?
A: Lane splitting, which involves riding a motorcycle between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic, is illegal in Pennsylvania. Motorcyclists must stay within their designated lane and follow the same traffic laws as other vehicles. If you are involved in an accident while lane splitting, you may be found partially or fully at fault for the collision, which could significantly reduce or eliminate your ability to recover compensation under Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence rule. Even if another driver’s negligence contributed to the accident, your own violation of traffic laws could be used against you.
Q: What types of compensation can I recover after a motorcycle accident in Pennsylvania?
A: If you are injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, rehabilitation costs, and property damage. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, such as drunk driving, punitive damages may also be available to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior. The amount of compensation depends on the severity of your injuries, the extent of the other party’s negligence, and whether you share any fault for the accident.