Motorcycle crash attorney Lee D. Gaber, Esq,, handles motorcycle accidents across the entire commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Consultations are always provided to Pennsylvania accident victims at no charge, so contact motorcycle accident attorney Lee D. Gaber, Esq at 888-292-5352 to discuss your options.
My Pennsylvania motorcycle accident law firm only handles cycle accidents!
Legal Terms You Should Understand When Pursuing Motorcycle Settlements
I hope you find this guide to terminology helpful, but remember this is only a brief overview, we are available 365 days a year to explain everything about the legal process in motorcycle accident claims in Pennsylvania.
Legal Terminology
Over my career as a motorcycle accident attorney, I have made bridging this linguistic gap a cornerstone of my practice.
Motorcycle Accident Claim
A motorcycle accident claim, contrary to popular belief, is not suing for a motorcycle accident. It is the reporting of the accident to the proper entity to receive remuneration for the accident in a number of categories.
This entity is almost always an insurance company in everyday practice.
Motorcycle Accident Settlement
A motorcycle accident settlement is the concession of parties involved in the accident, typically the personally injured rider (and their motorcycle accident attorney), and the insurance company (and their attorneys) to pay for damages, both physical and otherwise.
Motorcycle accident settlements are in lieu of litigating an accident in court, going to arbitration or mediation.
Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
A motorcycle accident lawsuit will become necessary if your motorcycle crash attorney is unable to convince the insurance company to settle your accident claim outside of litigation or mediation.
A lawsuit is typically synonymous with “suing”.
Motorcycle Accident Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering is the legal term for the physical and emotional stress caused from a motorcycle accident injury.
When filing a claim as a result of an motorcycle injury, it is common to seek money both in compensation for actual monetary loss (such as lost wage earning opportunity or out of pocket medical bills) and for the pain and stress associated with virtually any injury.
Property Damage
Property damage, in a motorcycle accident, refers to the non-bodily destruction of physical property such as the motorcycle itself, helmets, gloves, and belongings that were on the cycle at the time of the accident.
Recovery of Motorcycle Accident Medical Bills
Your motorcycle crash attorney can help you to recover medical bills incurred as a result of a motorcycle accident in Pennsylvania.
This is accomplished either by negotiating a settlement out of court, or by prevailing in a motorcycle accident lawsuit.
Lost Wages Reimbursement
Your Pennsylvania motorcycle crash attorney will include, in a motorcycle accident claim, any wages that you missed out on earning as a result of being unable to work after your motorcycle accident in Pennsylvania.
Plaintiff
Also known as the “Claimant,” the Plaintiff is the person who brings a lawsuit. They are the one seeking to recover damages for a wrong committed by a Defendant. In short, if you are talking to me about a motorcycle settlement, personal injury matters, or recovering damages for example, you are the Plaintiff.
Defendant
The Defendant is the person being sued. While a Defendant can bring a counterclaim against the Plaintiff, generally, a Defendant has been accused of wrongdoing. If you were hit by a car while riding your motorcycle and are suing the driver, the driver is the Defendant.
Negligence
When a party has a duty to another party, and breaks or violates that duty, and that violation causes an injury for which the victim is eligible for compensation, this is negligence. A driver has a duty to stay on the correct side of the yellow line. If they cross that line and strike a motorcycle rider, they may be guilty of negligence.
Liability
Liability means that a Defendant has been held responsible for damages. When you hire me as your Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyer my job is to demonstrate that the other party, or parties, are liable for the injuries sustained by the Plaintiff.
Structured Settlement
A structured settlement may be used as an alternative financial tool to allow for a higher rate of return on a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Damages that would otherwise be awarded as a lump sum are invested so that there is a stream of tax-free payments paid out over an agreed upon period of time. They are usually funded by the Defendant buying annuities from highly-rated insurance companies.
All of these terms are commonly used in motorcycle accident claims, and you will hear them repeatedly throughout the process. My sincere hope is that by defining these terms here, you will gain a better understanding of what is happening with your claim.
If you have any questions regarding personal injury legal terms that you may have heard in the media or elsewhere, feel free to call motorcycle crash attorney Lee Gaber at 888-292-5352 (1-888-cycle-law).
Free Pennsylvania Consultation
If you have been in an accident call me at 888-292-5352 for specific questions about your accident situation.