Despite being as careful as possible while riding your motorcycle, serious accidents can still happen. Many of those incidents occur because of someone else’s carelessness or even willful actions.
In those situations, you or your loved ones have every right to seek justice through a personal injury claim. Find out how our motorcycle accident lawyers near Manhattan Valley, NY, can support you.
Why Work With Our Manhattan Valley, NY, Motorcycle Accident Lawyers?
When you team up with our legal professionals, you’ll have the assistance and guidance of a firm with roots going back over 65 years. We’ve helped residents in and around Manhattan Valley with all sorts of accident claims, including motorcycle collisions.
We’ll help you protect your rights and refuse to settle for anything less than what we deem a fair value. Remember that you can always receive a free initial consultation to discuss your case with us.
If you decide that we’re a good fit, we take your case on a contingency basis. That means you pay nothing to us unless we win.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Rider error plays a role in some collisions but probably not as much as nonriders might assume. Many accidents occur due to roadway conditions and other motorists.
For example, in the warmer months, wildlife activity can be a sudden and unexpected danger. Poorly maintained roads also lead to accidents. Common issues include poor lighting, insufficient shoulders, poorly marked curves and foliage that obscures visibility.
From other travelers, you could encounter:
- Inattentional blindness during left turns
- Drunk, drowsy or distracted drivers
- Sudden maneuvers or opening doors
- Road rage
If any of these situations led to you or a loved one having a motorcycle accident, our lawyers will work with you to determine the liable parties and fight for compensation.
What Are Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
Motorcycle riders lack the inherent protection of an enclosed vehicle. Also, using only two wheels means the vehicle is less stable. That makes you more vulnerable to severe injuries that require intense rehabilitation.
As a result, even low-speed collisions could result in amputations, paralysis, road rash and fatalities. However, if you or a loved one suffers a crash, you can’t just look for obvious wounds. Injuries may lie below the surface, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries or concussions
- Spine and neck injuries
- Damage to internal organs
- Broken bones and fractures
If you do not promptly address these issues and connect their appearance to the accident, you could miss out on valuable compensation. Let our team help you gather and present the evidence as you navigate the road back to recovery.
Who Is Liable for a Motorcycle Accident?
Liability depends on figuring out all parties that contributed to the accident. New York follows the pure comparative negligence standard. This means you can claim damages for an accident no matter the level of fault the court or insurance company says you have for your losses.
As an example, suppose an insurance company or court determined that you were 60% at fault for an accident. You could still claim 40% of your total damages from the responsible parties.
However, other parties to the incident will likely try to put as much of the blame as possible on you. With our team at Cellino Law, you can use every resource to counter these arguments and push for the highest amount of compensation.
What Steps Should You Take After a Motorcycle Accident?
After an accident, you’ll probably deal with confusion and other overwhelming feelings. Initially, it’s most important to stay calm and get to a safe place. If you can, help others to do so as well.
Call 911 and wait at the scene for help to arrive. In the meantime, try to get the contact information of the other parties to the collision.
Collect any evidence at the scene to support your account of what happened. Take pictures, videos and notes of what you experienced in the moments before, during and after the crash.
Also, let your insurance company know about the incident. However, don’t discuss fault or apologize. If the other driver’s insurer contacts you, you don’t have to speak with them just yet. They may try to get you to admit to fault or accept a lowball settlement.
Instead of dealing with the other parties and insurers directly, feel free to contact our lawyers for help. We’ll communicate with others for you and help you figure out your next steps.
What Kind of Compensation Can You Get After a Motorcycle Accident in Manhattan Valley?
There is no set amount you will receive for getting injured in a motorcycle accident. The total depends on your specific losses, and we’ve seen claims that get settled for a few thousand dollars and others that pay out millions. The evidence you provide for your financial and psychological losses will be the determining factor.
Common economic damages include medical bills, physical therapy and in-home care. Additionally, you can recover lost wages and lost future earning capacity.
Personal injury claims cover property damage as well. Remember that New York’s no-fault insurance system does not apply to motorcycles. In these cases, you may sue from the first dollar of your losses.
Beyond tangible losses, you can recover compensation for pain and suffering from the crash. This includes the emotional and psychological harm that results from permanent disfigurement and scarring.
What Are Your Rights as a Motorcycle Rider in New York?
Sometimes, motorcycle accident cases can have unique challenges. Others may assume that riders are unsafe risk-takers and presume fault. In reality, motorcyclists have the same rights as others on the road and in the courts for justice.
Of course, you should follow the rules of the road when riding, but others have a responsibility to look out for you and not cause you harm. If you believe that someone’s negligence led to your injuries while riding, talk to us at Cellino Law to uncover your options.
Call Cellino Law’s Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Near Manhattan Valley, NY, for Help After an Accident
It can take a lot to fully recover from a motorcycle accident. Our motorcycle accident lawyers near Manhattan Valley, NY, are ready to help. Contact us at Cellino Law for a free consultation to determine how you can fight for justice.