Summer is peak motorcycle season across Pennsylvania—but it’s also the deadliest. With more motorcyclists on the road and a significant rise in alcohol-impaired driving, weekends become a dangerous mix of speed, inattention, and recklessness. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 40% of fatal motorcycle crashes involve alcohol. The risk intensifies during summer months, especially around holidays and weekends. For victims of a DUI motorcycle crash in PA, understanding your rights is essential for holding the impaired driver accountable and recovering maximum compensation.

Why Summer DUI Crashes Involving Motorcycles Are So Common

Motorcycles offer little protection in a crash. When a car or truck driver operates a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, their slowed reaction time, poor judgment, and impaired coordination make catastrophic injuries nearly inevitable in any collision with a motorcyclist.

Here's why motorcycle accidents spike during summer:

Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day) are closely linked to alcohol-related traffic fatalities.

Evening and late-night rides are more common in warmer weather—and so is drunk driving after social events or bar outings.

Tourist and festival traffic adds unfamiliar drivers and congested roads to the mix, increasing the chance of unpredictable behavior.

Increased motorcycle traffic means more exposure to negligent or intoxicated motorists.

Impaired drivers often claim they “didn’t see” the motorcyclist until it was too late. That excuse doesn't hold up in court. If you’ve been injured in a summer motorcycle crash caused by an impaired driver, the law is on your side—and so are your rights.

Know Your Legal Rights After a DUI Motorcycle Crash

In Pennsylvania, motorcycle accident victims are not covered under no-fault insurance the way car passengers often are. That means a rider injured in a crash caused by an impaired driver must file a personal injury lawsuit or claim against the at-fault party to recover compensation. Fortunately, when the driver is impaired, the legal threshold for proving liability is often clearer.

You may be entitled to compensation for:

• Emergency medical bills, surgeries, and hospital stays
• Ongoing rehabilitation and therapy
• Lost income or inability to return to work
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Wrongful death benefits (if applicable)

Punitive damages may be available in cases where the driver's intoxication demonstrates extreme negligence. These damages are meant to punish reckless behavior and deter future harm. Frischman & Rizza has extensive experience in securing punitive damages for victims in DUI-related motorcycle cases throughout Pittsburgh and across Western PA.

The Path to Justice Starts with Accountability

After a motorcycle crash involving an impaired driver, the immediate focus is survival and recovery. But don’t wait too long to pursue justice. Key evidence—such as the driver's BAC levels, police reports, surveillance footage, and witness statements—can become harder to gather with time.

Victims should:

Obtain a copy of the crash report and medical records

Keep a detailed log of injuries, treatments, and missed work

Avoid giving recorded statements to the insurance company without legal counsel

Contact a trusted attorney who handles impaired driver lawsuits in PA

Frischman & Rizza investigates every angle of a motorcycle DUI crash, including the driver’s prior record, bar or establishment liability (dram shop laws), and whether the vehicle was improperly maintained. No detail is overlooked when your recovery is on the line.

Wondering What to Do Next? Start Here.

What if the impaired driver wasn’t arrested at the scene?
You can still pursue a civil claim. A DUI conviction helps your case but isn’t required to prove negligence.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations is typically 2 years from the date of the accident. Don’t delay—evidence disappears quickly.

Can I sue if my loved one died in a motorcycle DUI crash?
Yes. You may be eligible to file a wrongful death or survival action to seek justice on behalf of your family member.

What if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured?
You may still be covered under your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. A skilled attorney can help maximize your recovery.

What Every Rider Needs to Know After a DUI Crash

• Impaired drivers are a leading cause of summer motorcycle fatalities
• DUI-related crashes often involve clear-cut liability
• Victims can pursue full compensation, including punitive damages
• Time is critical—begin collecting evidence and call an attorney right away
• Motorcycle accident victims are not protected under no-fault; lawsuits are essential

If you or someone you love has been injured in a DUI motorcycle crash in Pennsylvania, don’t wait for the insurance company to call the shots. At Frischman & Rizza, we fight relentlessly for motorcycle accident victims and their families. You deserve more than a settlement—you deserve justice. Contact our Pittsburgh office today at (412) 247-7300 for a free, no-obligation case review.