Pisanchyn Law Firm Settlement March 22

Family settles fatal motorcycle accident suit for $1.5 million

By Terrie Morgan-Besecker
The Times-Tribune (TNS) 

 

The family of a Scranton man killed when a tractor- trailer struck his motorcycle reached a $1.5 million settlement with the trucking firm.

 

Thomas M. Burke Sr., 65, of Park Drive, Scranton, was riding his 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Carbon County on Oct. 4, 2013. The driver of a tractor-trailer owned by Lily Transportation Corp. of New Jersey moved into Mr. Burke’s lane and struck his motorcycle, pushing it into a barrier. Mr. Burke was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

Michael Pisanchyn of Scranton, attorney for Mr. Burke’s wife, Lela Mattern-Burke, initially filed suit against the company and the driver, Joh Hatterer, in Philadelphia County Court.

 

The case was later transferred to U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

In a press release, Mr. Pisanchyn said evidence showed Mr. Hatterer, who died while the lawsuit was pending, was previously involved in several collisions and had a long history of driving violations.

A settlement was reached following a meeting with a mediator on March 22. The agreement sets aside $600,000 in attorneys fees to be split evenly between Mr. Pisanchyn’s firm and Jason Provinzano, who represents Mr. Burke’s estate.

 

“The Pisanchyn Law Firm believes that this settlement sends a message to other trucking companies that if they do not follow the rules … putting our community in danger, there will be severe consequences,” the release says.

Teens Seeking Motorcycle Licenses- Read Up!

Last year, August 31, 2012 to be exact, the state of Pennsylvania put a new law into effect that all teens seeking a motorcycle license must first complete Motorcycle Safety Training.

Since the law was put into effect a little late in the motorcycle riding season we wanted to take this opportunity to remind parents of teens and teens who have yet to get a motorcycle license of this new requirement.

The safety training is the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program's (PAMSP) Basic Rider Course. This course is offered at close to 70 sites across Pennsylvania and is free to PA residents.

The Basic Rider Course provides an introduction to safe and responsible motorcycle operation. There are 15 hours of classroom and riding instruction. (Broken down to 5 hours in the classroom, 10 hours on the course) This course is beneficial because inexperience is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. The tools and knowledge shared in this course will help combat the inexperience many young riders face.

These 15 hours can be applied to the total number of hours needed to obtain a motorcycle license and students can take their motorcycle license test and the conclusion of the training if all other requirements are completed at that time.

For more information about this training program you can go to www.pamsp.com.

If you or a loved one are ever injured in a motorcycle accident our Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorneys can help. Visit our motorcycle accident pages for more information or call 1-800-444-5309.