Even the most experienced and cautious motorcyclist may find his or herself injured in an accident. After a collision, it is not uncommon for the other driver to state that he or she did not see the motorcycle. While it may be hard to see a bike in some situations, this is not a solid defense. Each motorist on the roadways has a level of responsibility to be aware of his or her surroundings. Whether the other driver saw your motorcycle or not, he or she could be held liable for your incurred damages.
If you or a loved one has been in a motorcycle and sustained a personal injury, contact the New York motorcycle accidents lawyers today at (212) 668-6000. Our New York motorcycle accident attorneys have over 40 years of experience handling accident cases and are available to answer your questions today.
Hill & Moin motorcycle accident lawyers work hard to protect our clients’ legal rights. If you sustained an injury because of another’s negligence and we take on your case, we will work tirelessly to seek the highest compensation on your behalf. We also work hard in gaining compensation for your lost wages, property damage, therapy, medications, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents are less common than motor vehicle accidents. However, since motorcycles have less body protection, this often makes a personal injury more severe. Furthermore, head and neck injuries are more common in motorcycle accidents.
Seeking assistance from an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help you receive fair compensation for any injury sustained in an accident.
Below are some common types of motorcycle accidents that Hill & Moin has handled:
- Car accidents
- SUV accidents
- Truck accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Head-on accidents
- Road-sharing accidents
Suffering from a motorcycle injury brings a tremendous amount of stress physically and emotionally. Therefore, if you or a loved one has suffered a motorcycle injury, reach out to the Hill & Moin motorcycle accident lawyers today at (212) 668 – 6000 for a free case evaluation.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in New York
There are several reasons a motorcycle accident may occur. For instance, motorists may not be paying attention to their surroundings. Therefore, it is always important not only for motorists but also for motorcyclists to pay close attention when on the road.
Below are some common reasons for motorcycle accidents:
- Road conditions – Different road conditions, including word debris, rain, snow, and ice, can cause a motorcyclist to lose control and wreck their bike.
- Driving intoxicated – Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can affect how you operate a motorcycle along with your reaction time. You may swerve or drive erratically, resulting in an accident.
- Blind spots – Failing to pay attention to your blind spots or check them often could make you run into something and wreck.
- Door accidents – When drivers or car passengers open their car doors without paying attention to oncoming traffic, this can impede a motorcyclist’s view and obstruct his or her path.
- Front brake overcompensating – When the motorcycle comes to a sudden stop, this can throw your momentum off and, in return, throw you off of your bike.
- Line splitting – Cutting in between other vehicles and dangerously lane changing may cause a severe accident.
It is essential for other drivers to pay attention to motorcyclists on the road. Still, it is just as important for motorcyclists to pay attention to other drivers and their surroundings. If everyone paid attention to road signs, road conditions, and other drivers on the road, we could very well cut down on the number of accidents that occur each day.
Common Motorcycle Injuries in New York
Riding a motorcycle may give you a sense of freedom, but the lack of protection can cause severe injuries, even in a low-speed collision.
Below are some common motorcycle injuries that may occur:
- Broken bones – Since motorcycles have less protection, it is more common to suffer from broken bones during a motorcycle accident.
- Traumatic brain injury – By not wearing a safety helmet, the motorcyclist can suffer severe head trauma. Severe head trauma can result in the loss of quality of life.
- Spinal cord injuries – A spinal cord injury can result in paralysis of the legs and arms or may even become fatal.
- Road rash – When you are involved in a motorcycle accident and your body meets the pavement, gravel, or dirt, this can cause abrasions, cuts, and bruising.
- Amputation – Depending on the severity of your injuries, some accidents may result in the removal of a limb.
- Wrongful Death – Some motorcycle accidents become fatal because of the lack of protection or not wearing proper safety gear.
Impact of Being Involved in a Motorcycle Accident in New York
After being injured in a motorcycle accident, it is crucial to seek legal representation. After the accident, if you can retain any information from witnesses, this can help your legal case later on.
You must seek legal help when you are severely injured and wish to seek compensation. A motorcycle accident lawyer from Hill & Moin or among our trusted network of local attorneys can help you through your entire legal process. After an accident, depending on the severity of injuries, you may experience some disruptions.
These impacts can include but not limited to:
- Loss of income
- Medical bills
- Diminished quality of life
- Pain
- Mental impairment such as stress and depression
- Medical equipment expenses
- Expenses for property damage
- Loss of consortium
With a personal injury and psychological stress, it can be hard for you to focus on your court proceedings. Therefore, it is important to seek the best legal representation.
When we take on your case, a New York Hill & Moin lawyer will help you every step of the way. We understand the stress you are under right now and will fight aggressively to seek the highest settlement possible. If you have been injured and looking for legal counsel, contact a New York motorcycle accident lawyer today at (212) 668- 6000 for a free case evaluation.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in New York
Motorcycle accidents can happen quickly, and what you should do next is not always clear. If you or your loved ones have been accident victims, your priority is your safety and health. If the accident scene is unsafe, the first thing you should do is seek protection.
Below are the next few steps one should take after a motorcycle accident:
- Evaluate any personal injury – Be sure to evaluate any injuries you have sustained along with others involved. Suppose you or someone else has been injured, contact 9-1-1 immediately. Even if the injuries do not seem severe, it is important to get medical professionals on the scene.
- Retain personal and insurance information – When in a safe location, gain information from all involved. This includes personal information, including names, insurance information, phone number, address, license number. If you have been involved in a hit-and-run accident, your accident attorney can request camera footage from the area to identify the driver.
- Contact law enforcement – Once contact information has been exchanged between the involved parties, law enforcement should be notified. Having law enforcement present may help in building your legal case. Police officers are required by law to take statements and file a report of the accident. This report can be used later in court when seeking compensation.
- Make a note of the surroundings – During this time, take pictures of the accident scene, vehicles, and injuries. Also, make a note of the exact location and time of the accident.
- Contact a motorcycle accident attorney – The attorneys at Hill & Moin are able to help you with your legal proceedings. Having a motorcycle accidents lawyer on your side may help you in receiving reimbursem*nt for any expenses such as medical bills and property damage. Be sure to give all pertinent information and evidence to your attorney as soon as possible.
- Contact your insurance company – Informing your insurance company that you have been involved in an accident can help when seeking reimbursem*nt and compensation. However, before contacting your insurance company, you must seek legal counsel, as your insurance company may ask for a legal statement. Do not oblige them! Lawyers for motorcycle accidents should be the ones to speak to the insurance companies, to keep clients from implicating themselves.
Reaching out to a motorcycle accident attorney can help you in gaining compensation. Our law firm understands the stress that motorcycle accident injuries can cause. As accident victims, it is vital to seek legal help. Contact a New York motorcycle accident attorney today at Hill & Moin LLP law firm (212) 668 – 6000.
What a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Do for You
Experienced motorcycle accident attorneys can help with all your legal proceedings. Choosing a lawyer to help represent you in your case can benefit you in gaining all evidence and information you need to win your case.
Below are a few things that the accident attorneys at Hill & Moin can do for you when we take on your case:
- Get witness statements
- Obtain reports from law enforcement and medical professionals
- Gain photos of the scene of the accident
- Recreate the accident scene to build your legal case
- Gain access to security camera footage
- Consult experts regarding your accident
- Get the driving history of those involved in the accident
- Gather evidence to help show negligence
- Talk with insurance companies on your behalf
When choosing the attorneys at Hill & Moin, you are choosing professionalism, respect, and knowledge. Our legal team has handled many cases regarding motorcycle accidents over our 40 years of practice. We know how important it is to seek compensation to help with medical bills and to get back on your feet.
Let the motorcycle accident attorneys at Hill & Moin represent you today. When you choose Hill & Moin, it is “like having a lawyer in the family,” as many of our clients have told us.
When you work with us, you are always treated with respect and compassion. We treat all our clients as if they were family. Contact our New York City law office today at (212) 668-6000 for a free case evaluation.