Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Blog

A potential problem including brake light switches on Harley Davidson motorcycles allegedly caused by exposure to too much heat from the exhaust system has lead to a recall of 308,000 Harley Davidson motorcycles. The recall indicates that the problem affects Harley Davidson’s Touring, CVO Touring, and Trike vehicles from 2009 through 2012 model years. Dealers will install a rear brake switch free of charge. Harley Davidson indicates it is aware of one crash from the problem.

If you or a loved has been injured as a result of a motorcycle accident or defective brake light switch, please contact one of our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers for a free, no obligation consultation toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As an experienced biker and Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorney since 1979, I understand that warm weather brings motorcyclists to our roadways, but unfortunately this is often coupled with catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths in motorcycle accidents. Over the last month, over a dozen people were injured or killed on Pennsylvania highways in motorcycle accidents.

I started building and riding motorcycles in my early teens and had never taken a motorcycle safety course until I was in my late 40's as I thought I knew it all. Frankly, I hate to admit it but I thought the course was way beneath my skills and would be elementary and boring. However, I was pleasantly surprised regarding how much I learned regarding motorcycle operation and safety. Pennsylvania motorcycle safety program is sponsored fees paid when obtaining, renewing, or replacing a motorcycle permit license and many insurance companies will give you a substantial discount if you prove that you have completed the course. Courses will be offered from July 21st to July 24th, and July 28 to July 31st. Many of my clients and friends have told me that they have avoided many accidents with the skills they learned in the Pennsylvania motorcycle safety course.

The Pennsylvania motorcycle accident law firm of Reiff & Bily is committed to motorcycle safety and always offers a free, no obligation confidential consultation to those who are injured in a motorcycle accident. For more information, please contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Since 2003, motorcycle riders 21-years of age or older could go helmetless in Pennsylvania if they had been licensed to operate a motor vehicle for more than two years or completed a Pennsylvania motorcycle safety course. Unfortunately the helmetless law resulted in many motorcycle accident related deaths and closed head injuries resulting in permanent dysfunction. According to findings head injury deaths from motorcycle accidents increased 66% and motorcycle-related head injury hospitalization increased 78%.

As an experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle rider and motorcycle accident lawyer for over three decades, I agree that despite the freedom of riding without a helmet. Chance favors the prepared man and helmets definitely have their place as they save lives and prevent brain injuries. Studies indicate that three times as many lives would be saved by repeal of the non-helmet law. Recently, I spoke to a family of a young man who had never had a motorcycle accident but lost his life due to the fact that he was not wearing a helmet and died of massive head trauma. Interestingly enough, the victim was an experienced rider with an unblemished safety record for over 15 years.

The new motorcycle safety bills introduced would require additional insurance for motorcycle riders who chose not to wear a helmet and provide special motorcycle license plates for riders younger than 21.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a Pennsylvania motorcycle accident, put three decades of experience on your side by contacting one of the experienced motorcycle accident lawyers (who also happens to be a motorcyclist) at Reiff & Bily. Contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com for a free, no obligation consultation.

An Ohio jury recently awarded $4.25 million dollars to a motorcycle passenger and $1.9 million dollars to the motorcycle operator after an alleged poorly marked construction zone caused a fatal collision with a pickup truck. It was alleged that the driver of the pickup truck entered a left turn lane to access a side road but discovered she could not turn onto the road and as she merged back into traffic, she struck the motorcycle. The motorcycle operator and passenger sued the contractor of the construction project alleging that they failed to place warning signs of the highway alerting motorist that the side road was closed or mark the left turn lane with signs, barrels, or both prohibiting motorist from entering the lane. The constructor alleged that the operator of the pickup truck was the sole cause of the collision. The jury found that the contractor was 50% responsible and the operator of the pickup truck was 50% responsible.

Motorcycle season is in full swing in Pennsylvania and as and experienced motorcyclist and motorcycle accident lawyer for over three decades, I am aware that many non-motorcyclists in other vehicles have a prejudice against motorcyclists and do not exercise proper and due care when the less protected motorcycle enters their domain. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett, together with the Alliance of Bikers aimed towards education, is urging motorists to beware of the increased presence of motorcycles on the highways.

For many decades we have investigated and prosecuted many motorcycle accidents against defending car and truck drivers. Many defendants claim as part of their case they did not see the motorcyclist. I always believe that it is important for bikers to be noticed by other vehicles on the open road and that the minimal lighting that most motorcycles come with is not enough. I always recommend that a motorcyclist keep their headlights on and wear reflective and bright clothing so that you are easily visible to others sharing the same roadways. This includes jackets, riding pants, and helmet as well. Many times accessories can be added to the bike that are brightly colored and make the rider and motorcycle stand out. It pays to be a conspicuous rider. It is also not a bad idea to place reflective tape on saddle bags and accessories and some motorcycle shops offer "stealth tapes" which are designed to be invisible during the day yet appear to glow at night when hit by headlights. When driving on the road, stay out of blind spots and make sure there is plenty of room between you and other vehicles when you pass or make turns. One should always assume that vehicles pulling out of side streets do not see you and that they might pull out in front of you. If you have not already done so, I highly recommend taking the Pennsylvania motorcycle safety course.

The experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily are also motorcyclists committed to motorcycle safety. We understand motorcycles and motorcycle law inside out. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, please feel free to contact us for a free, no obligation consultation online at www.reiffandbily.com. The Pennsylvania motorcycle lawyers of Reiff & Bily have recently joined forces with the legendary Beasley Firm and together our lawyers have been awarded over $2 billion dollars representing the interests of catastrophically injured victims and their families since 1958.

Boss Hoss Motorcycle recently settled a case involving a rear axle fracture. Approximately two months after purchasing a motorcycle, a husband and wife claimed to be traveling on a highway when suddenly without warning the rear axle on the subject motorcycle fractured causing a rear wheel lockup. Traveling at highway speeds, the operator of the motorcycle lost control resulting in the death of the wife passenger and catastrophic injuries to the husband. A metallurgical failure traveling at high speeds on a motorcycle is one of the worst accidents that anyone can imagine. In the immediate case, what is so surprising is that the rear axle fractured only two months after purchase.

Generally an axle failure is due to an engineering defect, metallurgical defect, or improper maintenance. When the weather gets warmer in the northeast and Pennsylvania, avid bikers will be taking there bikes out for the first ride of the season. It is important first to inspect the tires and then inspect the rest of the bike paying special attention to the axles and rear and front wheel bearings. If the bike has been stored or ridden in the rain, many times there is a corrosive effect on the bearings and axles. In some of our motorcycle accidents, we have found that metal utilized in bearings or axles contained latent failures and was too soft for the job it was intended to do which happens over time the metal or bearing wear away allowing water, rust, and corrosion to form eventually causing a seizure and failure with potentially catastrophic results.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a catastrophic Pennsylvania motorcycle accident, the experienced motorcycle accident legal team at the Beasley Reiff Law Group have over 50 years of experience representing motorcyclists and their families. Our avid bikers attorneys have been awarded in excess of $2 billion dollars on behalf of injured victims and their loved ones. As always, for a free no obligation and confidential consultation, please contact us online at www.reiffandbily.com or toll free at 1-800-421-9595.

It is that time of the year and many motorcyclists are taking their bikes out of winter storage and getting ready for the first motorcycle ride of the season. As an experienced motorcyclists for over 40 years and as an experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorney, the first thing that you ought to do is check your tires. I was about to get on a bike and take it for a ride and had a close look at the tire and saw signs of microscopic cracks. I have handled enough catastrophic motorcycle accidents and deaths resulting from tire failures that I am aware that it is time to get rid of those tires and replace them with new tires. Cracks and dry rot on tires is probably the most dangerous issue that occurs with winter motorcycle storage. There is no repair but to replace the tires. Winter storage is the main culprit of cracks and dry rot, if you are storing the bike in a non-heated garage or not on a piece of carpet. Motorcycle riders should check the tires on their motorcycles for tire pressure, dry rot, and cracking. Hairline cracks and dry rot on motorcycle tires may appear harmless, however, they are indicative of a serious problem when a sudden loss of air pressure in a motorcycle tire can cause a sudden loss of control and a catastrophic injury or death. The best way to avoid cracks and tire deterioration is to ride your motorcycle frequently. Riding a bike will warm the rubber which will help the anti-aging materials in the tire compounds to work properly. If you have ridden your bike on salt coated highways that are wet, always wash your tires.

The experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily are committed to motorcycle safety. We have recently joined forces with The Beasley Firm and many of our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers are experienced riders. If you or a loved one has sustained a motorcycle accident resulting in catastrophic injury or wrongful death, please feel free to contact one of our experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorneys for a free, no obligation consultation. You may also follow our motorcycle accident blog online.

31-year old John Paul Endicott was killed on Wednesday, July 7th when his motor scooter traveling on Broad Street was struck by an SUV making a left hand turn. Mr. Endicott was southbound on Broad Street at approximately 8:35 a.m. when a 29-year old woman behind the wheel of a 1999 Ford SUV made a left turn onto Susquehanna Avenue from the northbound lanes of Broad Street hitting the scooter. The victim was pronounced dead at 9:08 a.m. at Temple University Hospital.

As an experienced Philadelphia motorcycle and car accident lawyer, this case is nearly identical to a case that paralyzed a dear friend of mine almost 30 years ago when I started practicing law. The facts of this case spotlight that vehicles breaking traffic laws often pose the greatest danger and threats to innocent motorcyclists. The law of Pennsylvania states that vehicles making a left hand turn must yield the right of way to oncoming vehicles. In this case according to the initial investigation, the 29-year old operator of the 1999 Ford SUV was traveling in the northbound lanes of Broad Street and made a left hand turn onto Susquehanna Avenue by intersecting the southbound lanes, failing to yield the right of way. Although an investigation by the police is underway and no charges have been filed, it appears to this experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle and car accident lawyer that the driver of the vehicle making a left hand turn may have been at fault for failing to yield the right of way and failing to notice the motorcycle. It is not clear why she made the left hand turn into oncoming traffic and I question whether or not she was impaired or distracted. Was she inattentive driving recklessly or negligently? Was there any dangerous condition on the street which may have contributed to this collision? Was she texting or chatting on a cell phone? I trust that city officials and police will be closely examining these and other facts to determine how and why this collision occurred.

The family of the victim would be well advised to contact an experienced Pennsylvania car accident and motorcycle accident lawyer to analyze all facets of this crash to insure that the negligent parties are held fully responsible. The best motorcycle accident law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive claim evaluation to victims and their families. At the Philadelphia motorcycle accident law firm of Reiff & Bily, we believe that motorists should be “extra conscious” while operating a vehicle particularly in the summer while motorcycles are about on our streets and highways. Please contact us for a free no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Five Killed In Motorcycle Accident! These are headlines, that have every motorcycle enthusiast observing a moment of thought, prayer, compassion, and sorrow for the victims and the families involved in yesterdays Penn Township, Pennsylvania tragedy. Sunday’s accident on Route 72 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania involved a van and 6 motorcyclists, 5 of whom were killed.

In Pennsylvania, summer is upon us and so is the increase of motorcycle ridership on our streets and highways. Every week, the experienced Philadelphia motorcycle accident law firm of Reiff & Bily receives phone calls from motorcyclists who are catastrophically injured and unfortunately, from the families of individuals who were killed as a result of a motorcycle accident. According to news sources, so far this year Lancaster County, Pennsylvania has recorded 27 motorcycle deaths alone. That is an average of 2 deaths per week since the beginning of spring, and that is in just one of the states 67 counties.

The Pennsylvania motorcycle accident law firm of Reiff & Bily is committed to protecting the rights of motorcyclists. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, contact one of our experienced Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyers for a free no obligation consultation to fully evaluate your rights and options at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Recently an article was posted in the York, Pennsylvania Daily Record. It stated a sobering fact known to this avid motorcycle rider and Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorney. Namely, motorcycle “benefit rides” and riders with long groups may be fraught with hidden dangers. The article cited the unfortunate death of art teacher Terry Fleagle, 41, who died when the bike she was a passenger on collided with another motorcycle during a benefit ride. According to the York Daily Record, this was the second recent local incident of people dying in a Pennsylvania motorcycle accident while participating in a benefit ride. The other death occurred when police officer Michael C. Weigand, Jr. of Adams County, Pennsylvania died when his bike was struck during a benefit ride.

The danger of traveling in a long group of motorcyclists is described as the “whip” effect. Basically motorcyclists at the head of the pack pick up speed and get away from those in the back who then accelerate to catch up and can be caught by surprise by sudden slowing or stops. If you are in the back and try to keep up some times you are not paying full attention to the other drivers on the roadways and they are sometimes not paying attention to you rather than focusing their eyes on the lead group.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a Pennsylvania motorcycle accident, please feel free to contact one of our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys for a free no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com. Remember please be aware of the dangers of riding in large groups with motorcycles as chance favors the prepared man.

As an experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyer, I am well aware of the fact that in the last 10 years, the number of motorcycle registrations in the United States has doubled to well over 7 million units and that motorcycles are becoming increasingly popular. Motorcycle fatalities represent 5% of all highway fatalities in America each year. Many product defects have been identified in motorcycles which in an automobile environment might amount to an inconvenience but are deadly for a motorcycle rider. Many defects on motorcycles are potentially life threatening and consist of the following:

1. Metallurgical issues on the frame and drag link assemblies;
2. Fuel system leaks;
3. Engine case and engine component metallurgical defects causing corrosion;
4. Manufacturing defects and foot placement and mounting;
5. Throttle body malfunction;
6. Tire failure;
7. Improper motorcycle frame integrity;
8. Defective welding;
9. Defective fuel tank and fuel delivery systems.

The breach of any one of these systems or defects has a significant likelihood of leading to a catastrophic injury or death.

Our firm has extensive experience handling motorcycle crashes and as an experienced biker for over 40 years, we are all too committed to motorcycle safety and safe motorcycling practices. If you or a loved one has a concern or an issue regarding a motorcycle accident or a motorcycle product defect, please call one of our experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorneys for a free, no obligation consultation. These are uniquely engineered vehicles requiring unique and specialized legal talent.

Last Wednesday evening, I was traveling on Interstate 76 from Center City Philadelphia to the western suburbs at approximately 65 mph when a man hunched over on a motorcycle passed me so fast that I thought my vehicle had come to a stop. The motorcyclist was weaving in and out of traffic and was traveling well in excess of the speed limit. To make matters worse, the motorcyclist did not have protective clothing on nor was he wearing a helmet.

I have been riding motorcycles since I was a young boy for probably well in excess of 40 years and the one thing I have learned as an experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorney is that you can never be too safe. Last year, over 250 motorcyclists were killed in Pennsylvania and many more catastrophically injured. Almost half of the deaths resulted from not wearing a helmet. A third of the accidents involved bikers with an alcohol content of .08 or more.

As an experienced motorcyclist, I have been involved in many near-collisions and have been almost hit by cars or trucks dozens of times. While I recognize that many people appreciate the freedom of not wearing a helmet and the bravado of going as fast as you can, it is just these types of risks that lead motorcycle accident victims to experience much greater injury and death than others in protective vehicles. Safety should always be a priority whether you are on a motorcycle or even in a car.

For more information on motorcycle safety, please check out the website www.pamsp.com or feel free to look at our website for previous blogs. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, please feel free to contact one of our experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyers at 1-800-421-9595 or online www.reiffandbily.com.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, last year there were 4,193 wrecks, 4,077 injuries, and 237 accident deaths in Pennsylvania involving motorcyclists. Per mile traveled, bikers are more than 35 times more likely to die in a crash than people driving in cars. These statistics are quite sobering.

As an experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle attorney (since 1979) and biker since the age of 13, it is no surprise that the danger and risk of death and injury to a motorcycle driver is most likely from other drivers who don’t see the motorcyclist. There is a very informative website www.livefreeridealive.com which is owned and sponsored by PennDOT and is worth checking out and has some great safety tips and information.

Chance always favors the prepared man and always the prepared biker. As biking season gets into full swing, always inspect your bike, keep it in good working order, make sure it is inspected, that your tires have no microcracks and always watch out for the other guy who may not be watching you.

If you or a loved one has any questions regarding motorcycle safety and the laws of Pennsylvania or are involved in an accident while operating a motorcycle, please feel free to contact one of our experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyers for a free no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

According to news sources, John J. Vaught, 35, of Smithfield, Pennsylvania was traveling south on Route 119 on his Honda motorcycle when another vehicle attempted to make a left hand turn into a private driveway in front of him. The impact sent Mr. Vaught to the northbound lane where he impacted a second car head-on. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Fayette County Coroner. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of Mr. Vaught. The facts as reported indicate that the vehicle turning left into the driveway failed to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic in accordance with Pennsylvania law. The survivors of Mr. Vaught would be well advised to seek the services of an experienced car accident and motorcycle accident lawyer to fully investigate and analyze this claim for damages resulting from this fatality. Pennsylvania law is clear that vehicles on a two lane highway turning left have a duty to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic.

Apparently the driver of the vehicle failed to have any regard for the safety of John Vaught as he traveled in the opposite direction on his motorcycle. Although the State Police claim that Mr. Vaught was traveling at an excess speed and viewed his excessive speed as the primary cause of the crash, this experienced motorcycle and car accident lawyer would argue that a full investigation of the facts might reveal otherwise.

If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of car accident or motorcycle accident, please contact one of our experienced lawyers at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

The experienced Philadelphia car accident and motorcycle accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily send their heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the families of Ronald Eaton, 45, and his wife Peggy Eaton, 41, who were pronounced dead at the scene of a catastrophic and fatal motorcycle versus SUV accident in York County, Pennsylvania. On Sunday August 23rd, at 3:30 p.m., according to news sources, the eastbound SUV made a left hand turn in front of the motorcycle and collided with the motorcycle traveling westbound. Corporal William Tucker said that neither husband nor wife was wearing a helmet. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the law clearly states that any vehicle making a left turn must yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. We offer our deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Ronald and Peggy.

Based upon the newspaper report, it appears that the SUV making a left hand turn into oncoming traffic failed to yield the right-of-way and was at fault in this tragic Pennsylvania SUV and motorcycle accident. It would be highly recommended that the families of these unfortunate victims consult with an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury and car accident lawyer specializing in motorcycle and car accidents who could properly advise them about their legal rights and options.

The Philadelphia car accident and motorcycle lawyers at Reiff & Bily have been analyzing car accident and motorcycle cases successfully since 1979. If in fact it is determined that the left hand turn of the SUV into oncoming traffic was the proximate cause of the accident then the owner and/or operator of the SUV could be held liable for the Eatons’ fatal injuries and the survivors of the Eatons would be entitled to collect monetary damages.

If you or a loved one has been injures as the result of a car accident or motorcycle accident, please contact one of our experienced car accident and motorcycle accident lawyers at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

The experienced car accident and motorcycle accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily send their heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the family of 23-year old Bryan M. Loeffler who was struck and killed while on his motorcycle by a driver traveling in the wrong direction on Route 30 in Hanover Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. According to news sources, the State Police at the Beaver Barracks revealed that the crash happened at 8:40 p.m. on Sunday, August 9th. 19-year old Jonathan Hogue was driving west in the eastbound lane of Route 30 just north of Platt Road trying to pass westbound traffic. While in the oncoming lane, Hogue struck the 23-year old motorcycle driver and collided head on with another vehicle driven by 26-year old Nadia Diboun. Hogue then crossed back into the westbound lane of Route 30 causing minor damage to another vehicle.

As an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer and as an experienced motorcycle rider since my young teen years, it is easily preventable and almost unexplainable tragic accidents such as this which create the biggest nightmare for motorcyclists and other drivers. In this instance, the motorcyclist did nothing wrong and was a sitting duck for a driver who apparently had no regard for the safety of others on the highway when he attempted to pass traffic in the wrong lane of oncoming traffic. I am sure that officials are looking into whether or not the driver of the car that struck Bryan Loeffler was driving recklessly or driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances. I would recommend that the family of Bryan Loeffler be well advised to contact an experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyer to fully investigate this accident.

The Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorneys at Reiff & Bily would be glad to provide a free comprehensive consultation and evaluation of their claim with no obligation. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident or car accident, please contact one of our experienced lawyers at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Donald E. Johnston, 38, who was pronounced dead as a result of being involved in a motorcycle accident in Hempfield Township, PA on Saturday, August 1, 2009 when a Volvo operated by Elizabeth Floro, age 50, turned into him. I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Donald Johnston for their tragic and heartbreaking loss and we ask that you please keep them in your prayers.

Regardless of who had the right of way in this fatal Pennsylvania motorcycle accident, it was the rider Donald Johnston who paid the ultimate price. I have been a motorcycle rider since I was a young lad and I am always concerned for myself and other motorcycle riders that we are highly visible while on the highway. All motorcyclists must be constantly aware that often car and truck drivers, for numerous reasons, are distracted or do not see them on the road and will often make quick and darting turns in front of them. In fact, I had to once lay my bike down due to the fact that an oncoming vehicle make a quick and darting left hand turn in front of me. Fortunately, I did not sustain serious injuries. However, many times in our office, we are faced with other motorcycle drivers who have sustained catastrophic injuries and many time fatalities.

In this case, the most likely scenario is that the driver of the Volvo will be held civilly liable for Donald Johnston’s death. The family of Mr. Johnston would be well advised to consult with an experienced Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorney who will investigate the claim and fight for his rights and determine whether or not negligence or reckless driving can be attributed to the driver of the car that caused this tragic motorcycle collision. The Philadelphia motorcycle and car accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily always offer a free and comprehensive initial consultation to injured victims and their families in cases where the negligence of the wrongdoers is involved. Families of deceased victims may also be eligible to file wrongful death claims to properly compensate the victim’s family for medical or funeral expenses, lost wages and other related expenses.

If you or a loved has been involved in a motorcycle accident, please contact one of our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.