Islip Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

There were nearly 5,000 motorcyclist fatalities on U.S. roadways in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Motorcycle riders have less protection than commercial and passenger vehicle occupants, and can be harder to see because of the small size of motorcycles relative to other vehicles. The likelihood of a motorcyclist dying in a crash is 28 times higher than those in a regular passenger vehicle.

Motorcycle crashes may lead to serious injuries, including amputations, paralysis, and death. Treatments for such injuries can take months or years, all at a considerable cost. If you suffered injuries of any kind in a motorcycle collision, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim if the crash was caused by the negligence of another party. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Islip can help. Call the team from Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P. at (631) 451-7900 for a free consultation.

Causes of Motorcycle Collisions

A collision on the road may happen at any time. One vehicle may strike a motorcyclist, a motorcyclist may be thrown off balance when going over a pothole or a damaged section of road, or a motorcyclist may simply not have the experience to safely handle and navigate a dangerous road hazard.

Some common causes of motorcycle incidents include:

• Aggressive driving
• Car and truck drivers who are unfamiliar with road-sharing rules
• Driving under the influence, either the motorcycle rider or other drivers
• Reckless driving or speeding
• Poor road conditions, including poor lighting, inclement weather, road damage, potholes, uneven roads, or road debris. Slippery conditions can also cause or contribute to a crash
• Driver distraction, inattention, or fatigue
• Driver inexperience or unfamiliarity with the road
• Poor road signage and missing or malfunctioning traffic control signals
• Sudden changes in traffic patterns or a sudden and unexpected development on the road ahead
• Blindspot accidents, in which the driver of another vehicle does not see a motorcyclist in time and sideswipes or crashes into them. May also include a dangerous lane change without knowing there is a motorcyclist there

Speed contributes to collisions, and high-speed collisions are more likely to cause long-term or permanent damages, injuries, or death. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Islip can help you identify the causes of your collision and gather relevant evidence in support of your case. Call the team from Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P. at (631) 451-7900 for a free consultation.

Possible Motorcycle Collision Injuries

Motorcycle collisions can be catastrophic. Motorcyclists typically have little insulation and protection beyond helmets, knee or elbow pads, and scratch-resistant clothing. High-impact collisions can cause incapacitating or fatal injuries in an instant that come with a high cost. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motorcycle crashes cost society up to $12 billion every year in lost productivity, lost wages, medical treatment, and insurance costs.

Injuries that motorcycle riders may suffer include:

• Brain, head, neck, or back trauma
• Road rash or biker’s elbow
• Broken bones and injured limbs
• Cuts, lacerations, bruising, and scarring
• Amputations and paralysis
• Internal organ damage
• Eye and dental injuries

Many of these injuries could change the course of the victim’s life. Scarring, disfigurement, or amputations lower the quality of life of the victim, and paralysis or permanently damaged body parts can affect their ability to work in a gainfully-employed capacity.

These are real costs that can place a significant amount of strain on a family, especially when combined with the expenses of medical care and treatment. For the primary earners of a family or those responsible for the care of others, time away from work in recovery can lead to other health issues. Significant mental, social, and financial stress are common after crashes, and they may make it difficult for the victim and his or her family to keep their lives on track.

If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle collision, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, losses, and damages. These damages may include:

• Lost wages
• Therapy and rehabilitation expenses
• Medical care, surgery, and hospitalization costs
• Testing and medication costs
• Burial and funeral expenses in cases of wrongful death
• Incidental outlays such as hiring a caregiver
• Pain and suffering for the injuries sustained

Collision Insurance

There are different types of insurance you can purchase to cover yourself for damages caused in a motorcycle collision. These include:

• Personal accident insurance for your bodily injuries
• Passenger liability coverage
• No-Fault insurance for medical bills and basic economic losses
• Collision insurance
• Comprehensive coverage for non-collision events that may cause you harm, such as vandalism or theft
• Coverage for custom parts beyond the book value of a stock motorcycle
• Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage to cover losses incurred from a collision with an uninsured or underinsured driver

New York does not require no-fault insurance for motorcycles. This coverage can be purchased separately from your insurance carrier. Without no-fault coverage, treatment for injuries sustained while on a motorcycle typically is covered by private medical insurance. Generally, you have to recover compensation for collision-related damages from whatever insurance coverage you carry.

If you sustained economic damages or physical injuries, you may be able to sue the at-fault party for damages that are not covered, or are beyond the policy or coverage limits that you and the other party carry. An attorney may be able to assist you in calculating the value of compensable losses, and also determine which insurance provisions apply to your case.

Contact Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P. for Help

A motorcycle accident lawyer in Islip can help you handle your motorcycle collision case by:

• Collecting evidence to support your claim
• Negotiating with the at-fault parties and their insurer on your behalf
• Obtaining dashcam and surveillance footage of the collision
• Obtaining the police report regarding the collision
• Evaluating your damages
• Compiling a complete claim
• Meeting all statutory and administrative deadlines

The statutes of limitation for personal injury cases are generally three years for a motorcycle accident in New York, although this period can be shortened in certain circumstances such as when dealing with a municipal defendant or in the case of a wrongful death. Call Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P. at (631) 451-7900 to discuss your case with our team through a free consultation. We can assist clients in Spanish.