Motorcycle riders face more risks on the road than operators of other motorized vehicles do. With little or no safety features to protect them, riders often sustain serious or life-threatening injuries in motorcycle accidents.
If you or a loved one sustained serious injuries from a motorcycle accident, a motorcycle accident lawyer in Bayport, Long Island could advise you about your options. Call the lawyers of Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C. today at 631-600-0000 to schedule your free consultation.
Who Is Liable for Your Motorcycle Accident?
Driver negligence is one of the most common causes of serious motorcycle accidents. Other common causes include poor roadway markings, obstructions, poor maintenance (e.g., potholes), and obstructed views.
If the individual or condition that led to your accident resulted from negligence, you might have the right to compensation for your injuries and damages.
A motorcycle accident lawyer can evaluate the facts of your crash and determine whose negligence caused your injuries.
What Is the Value of Your Motorcycle Accident Claim?
The basis of your claim’s value will depend on the facts of your case and the extent of your injuries. Your lawyer will arrive at the amount by gathering documentation of your actual damages. This may include:
- Doctor bills and medical costs to date
- Lost earnings to date
- Out-of-pocket expenses (towing costs, etc.)
- Property damage (your motorcycle, helmet, etc.)
- Future medical treatment and care costs
- Future lost wages
- Loss of income potential
- Pain and suffering
- Lost of life enjoyment
Your lawyer will use specialized resources, including investigators, doctors, medical experts, and other subject matter experts, to document your motorcycle accident claim.
How Do You File a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
If you have a motorcycle accident attorney, they will take care of everything necessary to file your claim and negotiate an equitable settlement for your injuries.
If another driver caused your accident, your lawyer would file the claim with their car insurance carrier. However, if a problem with the road, traffic control, or roadway signage caused or contributed to your accident, your attorney may pursue your claim through the insurer of the state, county, or municipality overseeing that area.
One your lawyer submits the claim, the insurance company will assign its lawyers to your claim. Its lawyers will often posture, attempting to deny your claim or making lowball settlement offers. Your lawyer can protect your legal rights and advocate for a fair settlement.
Sometimes, however, if the insurance company will not make an acceptable offer to settle your claim, your motorcycle accident lawyer may recommend going to trial in court.
Why Do You Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
A motorcycle accident lawyer has a unique perspective on how devastating a severe injury accident can be. If your injuries prevent you from returning to work, you worry about how you will pay your bills and obtain medical care.
Your lawyer will help preserve your right to seek financial compensation for your injuries. In addition to protecting your legal rights, your attorney answers your questions, allowing you to make an informed decision about your future.
Most important in your quest to obtain a settlement and hold the at-fault party liable for their negligence, your lawyer understands how to build a comprehensive and persuasive injury claim.
Documenting your claim requires obtaining testimony from medical experts and accident scene reconstruction specialists, taking statements from witnesses and, obtaining police and accident reports. Using a wealth of resources, your lawyer can obtain important supporting documentation and evidence that you may not have access to.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
According to the New York Department of Health, for the period of 2012 to 2014 (the most recent period the agency has aggregated crash data), motorcycle riders, along with pedestrians and bicycle riders, had a much higher risk of suffering injuries sufficient to put them in the hospital.
On average, 141 people died from a motorcycle accident each year during that period, During the same period, emergency personnel hospitalized an average of 1,558 people and another 4,458 people had to visit the emergency department.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Bayport, Long Island
- Distracted drivers
- Aggressive drivers
- Failure to yield
- Failure to see the motorcyclist
- Illegal lane changes
- Illegal turn
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Road hazards
Some of the most common hazards that contribute to motorcycle crashes include road construction, debris in the roadway, poor road maintenance, missing traffic control markings, and temporary signage.
Some of the most common injuries in motorcycle accidents include:
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Sprains and strains
- Abrasions
- Burns
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain Injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Amputations
- Internal injuries
- Death
Unfortunately, victims of motorcycle accidents frequently suffer long-term or permanent injuries, including para- and quadriplegia, paralysis, and the loss of some degree of physical functionality.
The primary reason for this lies in the limited protection a motorcycle provides. And, although you can offset the risk somewhat by wearing a helmet, gloves, and thick, sturdy clothing, you can only limit your injuries to a moderate degree.
According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), New York requires all riders to have helmets. This includes passengers. However, in the case of serious motorcycle accidents, any protection the helmet provides may be ineffective for helping you avoid injury.
Schedule a No-Cost Consultation with a Bayport, Long Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
The personal injury attorneys of Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C. would like to offer you a complimentary consultation. Call us today at 631-600-0000.
