Practice Areas
We Specialize in Handling Accident Cases of All Types
Motorcycle Accidents
Our Personal Injury Attorneys Have Your Best Interests at Heart
The phase that immediately follows a motorcycle accident can be daunting, to say the least, having to deal with medical bills, insurance companies, lost wages, and seeking compensation. Fortunately, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you right through the process.
Advice From the Best Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
All good motorcycle accident attorneys hold the same basic view about what you should do if you’re involved in a motorcycle accident.
- Report it. You need to report the accident to your insurance provider as soon as you can. When doing so, refrain from giving a statement because the company might not have your best interest at heart
- Check your paperwork. Go through your insurance papers carefully to determine the coverage it provides. If the accident involves another motorist, get his/her/their auto insurance information. Keep a copy of the police report.
- Handle the other motorist’s insurance company with tact. You don’t have to meet an agent, offer a recorded statement, or settle the case on your own. It’s best you leave this to your attorney.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents that result in injuries or deaths include:
- Alcohol/drug use
- Speeding
- Inattention/inexperience
- Physical/emotional impairment
- Mechanical problems
- Weather/seasonal conditions
- Condition of roadways
- Motorists taking left turns
- Distracted motorists
- Traffic/motorist-related threats
Types of Compensation
Personal injury attorneys who specialize in handling motorcycle accident cases may seek financial damages to cover varied costs. These include, but do not limit to:
- Hospital/medical expenses
- Physical/mental suffering
- Lost wages
- Loss of capacity to earn
- Loss of companionship
- Vehicular damage
What Do Motorcycle Accident Numbers Say?
There was an 11% increase in motorcyclist fatalities from 2019 to 2020. Deaths increased by 20% in the preceding 10 years, whereas there was a 27% increase in death rates. In 2020, while only 3% of registered vehicles in the U.S. were motorcycles, motorcyclists accounted for:
- 14% of all traffic fatalities
- 18% of all occupant fatalities
- 4% of all occupant injuries
What Makes Motorcyclists More Susceptible?
Even with accidents that don’t involve other vehicles, motorcyclists face greater risk than other motorists mainly because motorcycles provide little protection from potential dangers. The risk rises significantly when an accident involves other vehicles. Factors such as the absence of protective frames, instability, low weight, and low visibility tend to increase the probability of accidents and injury. For example, a motorcycle is typically harder to spot than other motor vehicles, especially when visibility is low.
The Road Forward
The prescribed minimum insurance coverage in New York often fails to meet the financial requirements of those who suffer injuries and damages in motorcycle accidents. If this is the case, a personal injury attorney who specializes in handling motorcycle accident cases can help you receive fair compensation. While we try to arrive at favorable settlements before going the litigation way, our attorneys are well-equipped to handle such cases even if they make it to court.