New York Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Leading Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Defending Injured Victims In Suffolk County, Nassau County, Queens County, and Throughout NY

If you have been injured in a Long Island motorcycle accident, you are probably wondering what to do next. You may feel overwhelmed with the mounting medical bills, worried about how you will survive financially. You are probably still in pain as you continue to cope with your life-altering injuries. As a priority, you should consult a New York motorcycle accident lawyer. Injured motorcyclists often find it challenging to recover the compensation they need without the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.

Motorcycle accidents often lead to severe injuries. Claims involving motorcycle crashes present various unique challenges. Although motorcycles are a common method of transport on the streets of New York, the rules for insurance and liability concerning motorcycles differ from that of cars. According to New York’s No-Fault laws, a motorcycle is not considered a motor vehicle; therefore, motorcycles are not covered by the No-Fault law. Motorcyclists involved in an accident are not entitled to compensation for medical treatment expenses and lost wage benefits under the No-Fault law.

However, motorcycle drivers can bring a motorcycle injury claim against the parties responsible for the accident that injured them. Having the guidance and support of an experienced New York motorcycle accident lawyer is crucial. 

The attorneys at Harrison Law Group P.C. have extensive experience defending the rights of victims of motorcycle accidents. We will evaluate your case and seek evidence to support your claim. With our team fighting in your corner, you can seek full compensation for your injuries and damages.

Types of Motorcycle Accidents For Which You Should Seek Help from a New York Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle accidents happen every day in Long Island and New York City on city streets, highways, side roads, and private property. Even when motorcyclists are wearing a helmet and proper safety equipment, the injuries caused by motorcycle crashes are often catastrophic. Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable than drivers and passengers in motor vehicles because they do not have any external protection in a collision. 

People in passenger vehicles are surrounded by a steel frame and held in place by seat belt restraint systems and airbags, while motorcyclists are exposed to more hazards on the open road. Even when a motorcyclist is driving safely and cautiously, an accident can occur due to no fault of the motorcyclist.

Some of the common types of motor vehicle accidents involving motorcycles include the following: 

• Side-swipes
• T-bone collisions
• Accidents caused by debris in the road
• Accidents caused by poor road conditions
• Left turn collisions 
• Rear-end accidents 
• Single motorcycle accidents 
• Drunk driving accidents 
• Blind spot accidents
• Failure to yield accidents 
• Excessive speed accidents

Especially when traveling at high speeds, a rider’s relative invisibility in blind spots or when changing lanes translates into a high risk of serious injury caused by someone else’s negligence. Left turns present another dangerous scenario in which a rider is likely to cross paths with a driver who doesn’t see them. A driver’s failure to use turn signals when they are only expecting a larger vehicle in their vicinity can lead to a potentially deadly crash.

Due to combined factors, motorcyclists have a greater risk of an accident than other types of motorists. The personal injury attorneys at The Harrison Law Group, P.C. are experienced and skilled at fighting on behalf of victims of motorcycle accidents. We have represented both injured people and the survivors of victims of deadly motorcycle wrecks involving the situations listed above, and more. 

We understand how complex motorcycle accident claims can be. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and strategy session with an experienced New York motorcycle accident lawyer from our firm.

Motorcycle Accidents are Often More Severe than Other Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motorcycle riders are more vulnerable to accidents than other motorists, and to suffering severe injuries from the accidents. Several reasons for the severity of motorcycle injuries include:

Motorcycle Riders are Exposed To Other Vehicles and The Surrounding Environment

When a collision occurs, there is nothing between motorcyclists’ bodies and the other vehicle, the pavement, or other objects. They have no seat belts, and are directly exposed to the outside environment. The motorcycle rider feels the impact directly on the body. There is nothing to cushion or absorb some of the force from the impact, leading to the likelihood of more severe injuries. 

Motorcycles Don’t Offer the Same Stability as Other Motor Vehicles

Motorcycles only have two wheels and a light body, making them more susceptible to damage when they collide with heavier, more stable vehicles.

Motorcycles Do Not Have the Same Level of Visibility

It is usually harder to see or notice an approaching motorcycle than a car or truck, due to the relative size. Other vehicles are large, bulky, and easy to notice. Motorcycles are small. Other drivers may not notice motorcycles and therefore cut them off, fail to yield, or even open doors in their path.

Motorcycles are More Susceptible to Dangerous Road Conditions

Defects on a poorly-maintained roadway or other dangerous road conditions can cause more sever accidents and injuries than those involving enclosed passenger cars. Defects such as potholes are more likely to lead to accidents involving motorcycles than with other types of motor vehicles. 

Motorcycle Accidents Often Involve Catastrophic Injuries

Common motorcycle accident injuries include many catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injury and other forms of head trauma, spinal cord injury, and burns. Road rash is common, especially if the rider was not wearing appropriate protective gear. A serious motorcycle accident can lead to many other common injuries involving broken bones, and motorcycle fatalities are much more common than traffic fatalities for accidents limited to passenger cars and other types of vehicles.

Severe Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents Can Lead to Lost Wages

Your losses following a crash can continue to mount as your injuries may cause you to experience lost wages due to an inability to perform job responsibilities. You may suffer emotional harm in response to the traumatic experience caused by the other party.

Personal injury cases need to address any continued pain and suffering, and there may be future costs associated with treatment or therapy that you should include as you pursue full and appropriate compensation through the legal process.

Motorcyclists in New York Must Prove Fault for an Accident

Motorcycles are not covered under the No-Fault law in New York. However, if you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you can file a claim for compensation from the at-fault party. This means that you will need to prove fault, making your claim even more complex.

An experienced and skilled New York motorcycle accident lawyer from The Harrison Law Group, P.C. can guide you through the process of making a claim and negotiating for a settlement. Our law firm will fight to recover full compensation for your injuries.

Rear-End Motorcycle Collisions

Long Island drivers are more distracted than ever. One common type of motorcycle accident involves a rear-end collision. Suppose a rear-ending driver approaches an intersection but cannot see the traffic light because of the sun’s glare. He does not realize that the light has changed to red, causing him to accelerate into the back of a motorcyclist who is stopped at the traffic light. He runs over the motorcyclist, causing severe injuries.

Another example of a rear-end collision involves distracted driving. Suppose the passenger vehicle driver is in stop-and-go traffic on a freeway and receives a text message. He glances down at his phone for two seconds to check the text message. He looks up and sees a motorcyclist idling right in front of his car. He cannot prevent the collision that occurs next. These collisions can be categorized as rear-end motorcycle accidents, but the facts in any given case are unique and require an experienced lawyer to prove negligence.

Proving Negligence in a Long Island Motorcycle Accident

Victims of motorcycle accidents will need to prove that the driver who caused their injuries acted negligently. Drivers are negligent when they fail to use reasonable care under the circumstances. When it comes to proving negligence, your lawyer will need to be careful in categorizing what type of accident has occurred. 

For example, when a passenger vehicle’s driver rear-ends a motorcyclist, there is a presumption that the driver of the passenger vehicle was negligent. However, your lawyer will still need to thoroughly investigate your motorcycle crash case and gather evidence demonstrating the driver’s negligence. At The Harrison Law Group, Our motorcycle accident lawyers have the resources, professional network, and experience to thoroughly investigate your motorcycle accident claim. We will take the following actions to gather evidence against the negligent driver:

• Interview witnesses
• Review the police report
• Gather event data recorder information
• Gather CCTV footage or video evidence from witnesses
• Work with accident reconstruction specialists to determine fault
• Examine photos of the accident 

Due to the nature of a motorcycle crash, evidence can be fleeting following the incident. In order to protect your ability to pursue fair and appropriate compensation for your medical expenses and other damages, it is imperative that you reach out to a motorcycle accident attorney promptly.

Witness statements are more reliable when they are fresh, and personal injury cases often rely heavily on these types of accounts. CCTV video footage is often overwritten. Several factors can contribute as causes of motorcycle injuries, and any other parties involved will be seeking evidence in support of their own interests — which are likely contrary to yours.

The sooner you can explain your account of the incident to your attorney, the sooner they can assess the circumstances and begin acting on your behalf. Proving the other party’s negligence in a motorcycle accident case is a necessary step to seek maximum compensation through a personal injury claim to help you pay for your medical expenses, physical therapy, and other damages.

The Benefits of Consulting With a Long Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

In New York, motor vehicle accident victims only have a limited amount of time to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the defendant who caused their accident. Even extremely clear-cut motorcycle accident cases can present challenges and obstacles. 

The sooner you speak with an experienced motorcycle lawyer following a motorcycle crash, the better chance you will have of recovering the compensation you need. Delaying the investigation into your case could lead to losing critical evidence that would have helped you, and that can impair your ability to win your case. We urge you to contact one of our motorcycle accident lawyers as soon as possible after your accident.

Motorcycle Insurance Policies Do Not Include PIP

In New York state, motorcycle insurance policies do not include mandatory Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. In contrast, automobile insurance policies for passenger vehicles, trucks, and commercial vehicles must include at least $10,000 of PIP coverage.

When you are involved in a motor vehicle accident that does not involve a motorcycle, you can file a claim to seek compensation for your medical bills and part of your time off work and mediately through PIP coverage. Filing a PIP claim is not an option for motorcyclists, however, making it more difficult to recover compensation quickly after an accident. Your attorney can help you navigate these insurance issues and handle them on your behalf.

We Aggressively Negotiate With Insurance Companies

The last thing on your mind after being seriously injured is negotiating with the insurance company. Unfortunately, insurance companies are for-profit companies, and they will pursue nearly any means necessary to avoid paying fair compensation to victims. We strongly encourage you to avoid providing a statement to the insurance company without first speaking with one of our motorcycle accident lawyers regarding the matter. Victims of motorcycle accidents may unintentionally admit fault in their statement, damaging their chances of recovering compensation.

It is also important to discuss your case with a lawyer before signing a settlement agreement with the insurance company. In nearly every case, insurance companies will offer a low settlement amount upfront, hoping that the victim will be desperate enough to accept the agreement. It may seem like a tempting option to accept the insurance agreement so you can pay your bills. However, working with a lawyer can help you in the long run because an experienced attorney can negotiate a much better settlement agreement in the majority of cases.

At The Harrison Law Group, P.C., our motorcycle accident lawyers have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies on behalf of our clients. We will fight hard to seek the appropriate compensation you need for your physical injuries, property damage, and the pain and suffering caused by the accident. Do not sign a settlement release without discussing your case with a lawyer, because you will lose the ability to bring a personal injury lawsuit or negotiate with the insurance company.

Contact The Harrison Law Group, P.C. for Free Consultation with an Experienced New York Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in New York, you can file a claim for compensation for your injuries. Contact The Harrison Law Group, P.C. and book an appointment for a free consultation and strategy session with an experienced New York motorcycle accident lawyer from our law firm. We will fight to recover full compensation for your injuries and damages. Call us today to discuss your case and discover your options.

We understand you need to be heard, and we are prepared to listen, guide you, and be your voice — The Harrison Law Group, P.C.