Marine Killed in Philadelphia Traffic Accident

Ryan Zavodnick | August 26, 2020 | News

Cpl. David Shuff died in a tragic motorcycle accident on August 1, 2020. According to Marine Corps Time, Cpl. Shuff was traveling at high speeds when his Yamaha motorcycle crashed into a car. The car was turning from the opposite lane into a parking lot.

According to the Philadelphia Police Department, Cpl. Shuff sustained severe body trauma from the motorcycle crash. He was transported to Temple University Hospital. At 8:30 p.m., he died from his injuries.

An investigation into the cause of the motorcycle accident continues. No arrests have been made as of yet.

Cpl. Shuff was 27 years old when he died. He was from Bensalem, Pennsylvania. He had numerous awards. Cpl. Shuff was with the Marine Wing Support Squadron 472 as a motor vehicle operator.

What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in Philadelphia?

Speed is one of the common factors in the cause of many motorcycle accidents. However, it is not the only cause. Human error and poor driving decisions by riders and other motorists also contribute to the cause of motorcycle crashes in Philadelphia.

In addition to speed, other factors that could contribute to the cause of a motorcycle accident include:

It can be difficult to determine the cause of a motorcycle accident without help. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can investigate the cause of the crash to determine who is liable for a rider’s injuries and losses.

Seeking Medical Treatment After a Motorcycle Crash

Victims of motorcycle accidents should seek medical attention as soon as possible after a crash. Because of the design of the vehicle, motorcyclists have no protection from injuries in a collision. 

In many cases, a motorcyclist sustains catastrophic injuries including:

A motorcyclist should always wear a motorcycle helmet and other protective gear to reduce the risk of injury in a motorcycle crash. However, even the best safety gear cannot prevent all injuries in motorcycle crashes. 

Recovering Compensation for a Motorcycle Accident

If another driver or party is responsible for causing the motorcycle accident, that party is liable for the damages caused by the crash. Damages include financial losses and non-economic damages. 

Financial losses include medical bills, loss of income, personal care, and other out-of-pocket expenses related to the crash.

Non-economic damages are the “pain and suffering” experienced by the victim because of the accident. Pain and suffering damages include physical pain, permanent impairments, emotional distress, scarring, mental anguish, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Before the rider can recover money for a claim, the rider must prove that the other party caused the motorcycle accident. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help. A lawyer can:

  • Gather evidence from the accident scene
  • Search for videos of the crash
  • Take statements from eyewitnesses
  • Gather medical evidence proving injuries
  • Identify all parties who may be liable for damages
  • Review insurance policies to determine coverage
  • File insurance claims and handle all communications with the insurance company
  • Research and analyze applicable laws and statutes
  • Calculate the maximum value of damages
  • Prepare and submit a detailed demand package
  • Negotiate a fair settlement for the accident claim
  • File a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary

Additionally, a personal injury lawyer protects you from bad faith insurance tactics designed to hurt your claim. The insurance company wants to pay as little as possible to settle your claim. Your attorney ensures that you are not taken advantage of or treated unfairly during the claims process.

The Insurance Company Blames Me for the Crash

Blaming the victim is just one tactic used by insurance companies to lower the value of your claim. If the insurance company can shift some of the blame for the cause of the motorcycle accident to you, it does not have to pay full value for your injury claim.

Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence law states that your compensation is reduced by the percentage of blame assigned to you for causing the accident. In other words, if you were 30 percent to blame for the motorcycle accident, the compensation you should receive is reduced by 30 percent.

If the insurance company can convince a jury you were over 50 percent to blame for the crash, you receive no money for your claim. Therefore, the insurance company has a lot of incentive to blame the motorcyclist for causing the crash.

A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you fight allegations of comparative negligence and other unfair insurance tactics.

Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Law Firm in Philadelphia Today To Get Help With Your Case

To learn more and get the help you deserve, call Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers at (215) 875-7030 or contact us online.
You can also visit our law firm at 123 S Broad St #1220, Philadelphia, PA 19109.