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Motorcycle & ATV Law Firm - PA, OH, WV

Our Pittsburgh lawyers represent motorcycle & ATV riders in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio

Based in Pittsburgh, we represent people, and their families, in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, who have been seriously injured or killed in accidents while riding their street motorcycles, dirt bikes, scooters, Vespas, ATVs, "quads," or "four-wheelers."

Work with a Lawyer Who Rides Dirt Bikes and Street Bikes

Fred Goldsmith rides both street bikes and dirt bikes. He has successfully completed the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program's Basic Rider and Experienced Rider Courses. He is a member of Pittsburgh's Sport Bike Alliance, which promotes safe group riding, Four Winds BMW Riders, and Mon Valley - Donora Riders Group. He understands the machines, what it's like to ride trails, city streets, and highways, and what riders are up against, whether it's careless or distracted car and truck drivers (like talking on cell phones or texting), defective road surfaces, improperly marked roads and construction zones, or reckless riders in the woods.

On January 30, 2010, and February 13, 2010, Fred Goldsmith appeared on the popular Pittsburgh radio show "On the Road with Rocky" on ESPN Radio 1250 AM to discuss proper insurance coverages for motorcycle riders and what to do after a motorcycle accident. You can hear part of the first show (Fred appears mostly in the 2nd half of the hour-long show) via this link.

We Understand How Devastating a Serious Injury Can Be to You and Your Family

Having been deeply involved in significant personal injury litigation for collectively more than 25 years, we understand the medical issues surrounding the injuries that can happen in these types of accidents, particularly orthopedic and neurologic issues. We also know how devastating, both economically and emotionally, it can be to lose one's ability to earn a living.

Contingent Fee Representation: No Recovery, No Fee

We handle these types of cases on a contingent fee basis. We also advance the costs for the lawsuit, including the fees of experts and consultants. This means a client will not owe us a fee unless and until there is a settlement or judgment in the client's favor. When/if such occurs, the client would then owe us the agreed-to fee and any case expenses (such as court reporter charges, medical records fees, expert witness fees, etc.) which the client had previously agreed in writing were also its responsibility.

Motorcycle Post-Accident Checklist

If you or others are injured, call 911 for EMS and, if applicable, local or state police, sheriff, etc.
(If you are not taken to the hospital by EMS/ambulance/others), see your own doctor or hospital Emergency Room ASAP, as your medical condition requires.
Get photos, or have someone else do so, even with a cell phone camera, or a disposable camera from a nearby convenience store, of the accident scene, vehicles, equipment, products, road and pavement conditions, road signs.
If possible, preserve the accident scene and any vehicles, equipment, or products, involved, until such can be investigated.
Write down the name, address, and phone number of all witnesses, particularly including those not directly involved in the accident, such as nearby businesses, other drivers, pedestrians.
Immediately report the accident orally and in writing to police, describing how all persons, vehicles, equipment, and/or products played a part. Make sure the police investigate and prepare a report.
Try to avoid discussing the accident or giving a written or recorded statement to insurance adjusters until you have the opportunity to talk to your own lawyer. You can call G&O 24/7 toll free at 877-40-GO-LAW (877-404-6529). Don't sign any statements or settlement agreements, releases, waivers, etc. without first having a lawyer review them to make sure your legal rights and claims are protected and, if being settled, for an appropriate amount. Remember that injuries can worsen with time, thus quick settlements before you know exactly what is wrong with you usually are not a good idea.
If a motor vehicle accident, report it to your insurance company (but see #7), exchange vehicle, driver, insurance information. Most insurance policies require that you report accidents and potential claims "promptly" or "immediately."

**Why It's Important to Call a Lawyer Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident**

Whether you need to file a lawsuit or not, it's important to preserve evidence, and lawyers know the types of evidence they'll need to best present your claim to insurance companies and if necessary in court.
Lawyers and their investigators are experienced in interviewing witnesses and taking statements of witnesses...it's important to do this quickly, because witnesses disappear and memories fade with time.
An experienced accident investigator, such as a retired policeman or an engineer, may need to inspect and analyze the accident scene, the pavement conditions, and particularly if the accident occurs in a construction zone, the road surfaces, configuration of signs, barriers, and traffic cones, which may change quickly from the way they were at the time of the accident.
If a lawsuit needs to be brought against another person or entity, generally in PA and many states it must be brought within 2-years or it is barred, meaning the right to bring one is lost forever.
Lawyers know how to work with liability and damages experts that may be needed to obtain a just recovery for your accident and injuries: gathering medical, work, and earnings history records; deposing doctors and fact witnesses; working with experts in engineering and, for example, construction zone safety, hiring vocational rehabilitation and economics experts, and effectively presenting your case to the other side's insurer and if necessary to a jury in court.

Some Motorcycle Insurance Coverage Basics

Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability (BI/PD): This protects you for your legal liability for damages and injuries you may cause other riders, drivers, pedestrians, homeowners, etc., up to the limit of liability you have bought in your policy.

UM and UIM coverages are very important: They protect YOU if the other guy is UN-insured or UNDER-insured, meaning they have NO insurance or their insurance limits are not enough to cover all your losses from the accident, including property damage, medical care, lost wages, pain and suffering.
Comprehensive & Collision: This motorcycle insurance coverage pays to repair or replace your motorcycle if it's stolen or damaged in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. For each coverage, you select a deductible that you pay out of pocket. The insurer pays for the remaining damages up to the policy limits.
Medical Payments / MedPay: This covers the cost of necessary medical care you receive as the result of a motorcycle accident and can be used regardless of who is at fault. MedPay often is limited to medical treatment received within the first three years after an accident and is limited to a specific dollar amount.
Custom Parts & Equipment: When you purchase Comprehensive or Collision motorcycle insurance coverage, some insurers automatically provide Accessory coverage for your custom parts and equipment. For instance, Progressive provides $3,000 of coverage and you can usually buy more coverage.
Roadside Assistance: If your motorcycle breaks down, Roadside Assistance will pay to tow it to the nearest qualified repair facility. Roadside Assistance also covers the necessary labor costs at the place of breakdown when your motorcycle is disabled due to things like a breakdown, a dead battery, flat tire, running out of gas, or getting stuck in mud, water, snow, or sand in or near the road.

Free Post-Accident Credit Card Style Checklist

If you'd like us to mail you a free credit-card style plastic post-accident checklist card (see picture below), which has a scaled-down version of our above post-accident checklist and is smart to keep in your wallet just in case, and which includes our 24/7 contact info on the other side, just send us an e-mail and we'll get one right out to you.

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