When we think about accidents that occur on the road, we generally think about car accidents or truck accidents. However, motorcycle accidents are quite common as well. Statistics show that motorcyclists may be more likely to get into accidents than drivers of cars. In addition, according to data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration motorcyclists are far more likely to die in collisions than drivers or passengers in cars. In 2006 13.10 cars out of 100,000 ended up in fatal crashes. In the same year, 72.34 motorcycles out of 100,000 ended up in fatal crashes. Like car accidents, many motor cycle accidents occur because of driver negligence. Motorcycle accidents can also occur because there was a problem with the design of the bike or the way it was manufactured, resulting in the motorcycle being a dangerous defective product. Injuries sustained from these accidents are usually serious and can include a defective product, spinal injury, amputation or broken bones. Depending on the severity of the injury, a victim of a motorcycle accident may face permanent disabilities, face the loss of a job, and face enormous medical expenses. If you are in need of a personal injury lawyer because you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important that you immediately contact a Brooklyn motorcycle accident lawyer as you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Common causes of motorcycle accidentsAs in a car accident, truck accident, SUV accident or any type of motor accident there are many reasons for motorcycle accidents. One common cause is the negligent act of another driver. If another driver breaks the law by driving through a red light, speeding, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or makes an improper lane change and as a result causes a motorcycle accident, then that driver would be legally liable.
Road hazards can easily cause a motorcyclist to lose control of his or her bike. For example, if there is gravel on the road the motorcyclist can lost traction and crash. If this happens the reason could be with the condition of the road, meaning that the injured motorcyclist could have a personal injury claim against the company responsible for the resurface, or government responsible for maintaining the road.
Motorcycle accident injuriesMotorcycle accidents are often serious, resulting devastating injuries. A motorcyclist who is thrown from a motorcycle or collides with a car or truck at a high rate of speed may experience potentially life-altering injuries such as broken bones, a spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury. A broken bone in the arm, hand, fingers, ribs or leg is a common motorcycle accident injury. Fractured bones are painful, can limit the mobility of the victim and require several weeks to heal. A spinal cord injury can lead to permanent paralysis, changing your life forever. For example, Anthony Deandino was a passenger on a motorcycle when a city bus failed to stop at a stop sign and crashed into the motorcycle. The impact from the bus caused Deandino to be thrown from the motorcycle. As a result, he suffered serious injuries including multiple bone fractures. Deandino v. N.Y.C. Transit Auth., 105 A.D.3d 801 (N.Y. App. Div., 2013). Even when proper head gear is worn, motorcyclists sometimes experience brain injury in a motorcycle accident. This can happen if the motorcyclist is thrown from the motorcycle and lands on his or her head. Traumatic brain injury can lead to a comma or vegetative state. It can also result in permanent injuries such as nerve damage, communication problems and cognitive problems. In addition to serious injury, sadly, motorcycle accidents often result in death.
Pursuing a claimIf your accident was caused by the negligence of someone else, New York law allows you to pursue a claim against that person or entity for damages. The types of damages to which you are entitled depend on a number of factors. However, the possible damages include:
If you lost your loved one in a motorcycle accident, the law allows you to pursue damages through a wrongful death claim.
Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & AssociatesIf you were injured in a motorcycle accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical assistance. You should also contact an attorney who understands the legal issues associated with vehicle accidents. The staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates is experienced in handling personal injury cases stemming from all types of vehicle accidents, including motorcycle accidents, car accidents, and truck accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.