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Car-Motorcycle Accidents in Pennsylvania – A Look at Liability Part 3 | PA Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Phil Blackman-Pennsylvania New Jersey Personal Injury LawyerPublished on behalf of Philip Blackman, an experienced personal injury lawyer who has devoted his entire career to helping individuals and families who have been injured due to medical malpractice, car accidents, fall accidents and more. FREE Consultations: 215.925.4451

Drivers often have difficulty seeing, much less reacting to motorcycles. Whether it’s due to their inherently smaller size or lack of familiarity with motorcycles, in a split second, a car-motorcycle accident can occur.

Below are two common car-motorcycle accident scenarios:

1. Following Too Closely

Many motorcycle accidents occur because a driver was following a motorcycle too closely. Under Pennsylvania motor vehicle traffic law, drivers must not follow other cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc. too closely. 75 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 3310 [Following too closely], section (a) provides:

General rule.–The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of the vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.

What is reasonable will depend on the circumstances and not only depend on the traffic conditions, but the weather conditions, as well as time of day. Drivers tend to have a difficult time seeing motorcycles on the roadway and therefore, drivers can come into contact with a motorcycle, essentially striking a motorcycle from behind. Even a rear end accident can cause significant injuries to a motorcyclist.

2. Overtaking or Passing on the Right

Motorcycle Car Intersection Accident DepictionAnother common motorcycle accident scenario involves a situation in which one car passes another car on the right. Because drivers generally do not anticipate or see motorcycles, overtaking a car on the right can cause the driver to strike a motorcycle. For instance, a motorcycle may be turning left and gets hit by a car which is overtaking another car. This diagram shows how such an accident would occur.

75 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 3304 [Overtaking vehicle on the right] allows cars to pass other vehicles on the right in certain situations:
1. If the movement can be done without driving on the shoulder or berm of the road.
2. When the roadway is wide enough to accommodate two lanes of travel in the same direction, the passing car cannot drive off of the roadway.
3. However, under no circumstances can a driver pass on the right when it is unsafe to do so.

Related:

Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

The lawyers at Schwartz & Blackman represent those injured in car and motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. If you’d like a NO-COST review by our Pennsylvania and New Jersey car-motorcycle accident lawyers, call 215.925.4451. Our lawyers are available for a free, no obligation legal consultation.

The lawyers at Schwartz & Blackman handle cases in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey area:

  • PA: Berks County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia County, Allentown, Lehigh Valley, Norristown, Philadelphia
  • NJ: Atlantic County, Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Camden, Cherry Hill, New Jersey shore cities

*This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is important to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.

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