Motor Cycle Accident Lawyers New York
Did you know that motorcyclists have a 35-fold higher risk of getting injured or dying in traffic accidents and that traffic accidents involving motorcyclists are among the most devastating of all accidents? According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the motorcycle fatality rate is 73 per 100,000 registered motorcycles. Just for comparison, the automobile fatality rate is 14 per 100,000 registered vehicles.
Additionally, over 50% of motorcycle-related deaths involved at least one other vehicle. 53% of those deaths were a result of head injuries, followed by chest or abdominal injuries (25%). While passenger vehicle accidents are decreasing, motorcycle accidents have been on the rise in the last few years. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 5,190 motorcycle crashes in 2013, with 171 people (157 motorcycle riders) killed and 5,017 injured in the state of New York.
The injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash are often more horrific than those sustained in motor vehicle accidents because riders are more exposed to the impact, motorbikes are smaller and lighter than cars, and some of the riders do not adhere to the recommended safety measures (mainly wearing a proper helmet and protective gear). Injuries to the motorcyclist’s head, torso, arms, and legs cannot only severely impair the quality of life. Still, they can also pose a substantial financial strain to the riders or their families. It has been estimated that the economic burden resulting from motorcycle-related injuries and deaths amounts to $12 billion per year in the United States. This economic burden is mainly associated with medical / hospitalization costs, higher insurance premiums, taxes, and lost income. There are also other equally severe motorcycle consequences of accidents, like mental anguish and physical pain and suffering.
The Primary Cause Motorcycle Accidents is Neglence by Other Vehicle Divers
Contrary to popular opinion, the primary cause of motorcycle accidents is negligence on the part of motor vehicle drivers and NOT motorcycle riders. Most motorcycle accidents occur because drivers are not alert or attentive enough to notice riders sharing the road. Other causes include:
- Alcohol consumption
- Speeding
- Motor vehicles making sudden left-hand turns
- Lane splitting (motorcyclists riding between two lanes between cars that are stopped or moving slowly)
- Collisions with fixed objects
- Road hazards (potholes, dead animals on the road, slippery surfaces, uneven heights between lanes etc.)
- Sudden-stop collisions/riders involved in rear-end accidents
- Skidding, sliding, toppling
- Inappropriate overtaking
- Motorcycle defects due to poor maintenance
Prevention of Motor Cycle Accident Injuries
One of the most important things a motorcyclist can do to protect themselves is to wear a helmet. Helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of severe injury or death in a crash by up to 67%. The second thing one can do is wear bright, reflective clothing when riding a motorcycle. It makes you more visible to other drivers on the road. This can help prevent accidents, as other drivers will be more likely to see you. Wearing bright, reflective clothing can help keep you safer in low-light or nighttime conditions. If you wear reflective gear, other motorists will find it easier to spot you, even in dim lighting.
Defensive Riding:
- Use hand signals to indicate a turn or a stop.
- Use your horn to signal your presence to other drivers.
- Ride in the middle lane so drivers more often change lanes to pass you.
- Always assume that drivers cannot see you.
- Be prepared to take evasive action if necessary.
Types of Motorcycle Accident Injury
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Both blunt-force head trauma and concussions fall into this category;
- Spinal Cord Injury The spinal column is damaged, and many of these injuries may be permanent – resulting in paralysis. Recovery periods are very lengthy, require physical rehabilitation, and may result in chronic pain.
- Facial injuries: These can be quite extensive. Wearing a full-face motorcycle helmet may offer some prevention. Broken bones and fractures: Wear a helmet that is properly fit for good visibility.
- Road rash. Many motorcycle accident victims wind up requiring extensive skin grafts. Protective Clothing can help.
- Torn ligaments: Ligaments hold the bones together and often require surgery and extensive physical therapy to heal or recover the function of a limb.
Suing For Motorcycle Accidents In New York
If you or your family member, spouse, or partner have been injured or died in a motorcycle accident due to the negligent actions of other drivers on the road, you might be entitled to compensation. Remember that motorcycle accident cases can be quite complicated to prove. The legal process typically involves filing a lawsuit, gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and potentially going to trial. This is why we highly recommended that you consult an experienced New York motorcycle accident lawyer to protect your legal rights, provide you with proper legal representation, and help you get the deserved compensation.
Many lawyers in New York are unwilling to take on motorcycle accident cases because of their complexity and the common belief that motorcyclists are usually the ones to cause accidents. The motorcycle accident lawyers at Gurfein Douglas in New York do not fear a challenge. A seasoned motorcycle accident lawyer has to be able to meticulously reconstruct the accident and explain detailed technical findings to a jury.
Lawyers with an Edge Expertise in Motorcycle Accident Litigation in New York City
At Gurfein Douglas, you can rely on the scientific training of our two partners to uncover the often hidden technical details of your motorcycle accident lawsuit that the untrained eye might miss. Our motorcycle accident attorneys know what insurance companies look for in evaluating claims, how to make the most beneficial settlement offers, and how to prepare your case best.
