Manhattan Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Riding a motorcycle is more dangerous than driving a car. According to a 2020 statistics published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are 28 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a vehicle accident and 4 times more likely to be injured. This is due to motorcycles being smaller, being unenclosed, and not having safety features such as seatbelts and airbags that cars, vans, and trucks have. A victim of a motorcycle accident is more likely to face catastrophic injuries that result in paralysis, cognitive impairment, or amputation. This may lead to the loss of a career and financial problems. If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in a motorcycle accident caused the negligence of another person, contact a Manhattan motorcycle accident lawyer at Stephen Bilkis & Associates. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Common Motorcycle Accident Causes

There are many reasons for motorcycle accident, but most are caused because someone was negligent.

• Distracted driver: When the driver of a car or truck is looking at their phone instead of focusing on the road and other vehicles, the result is often a collision, including a collision with a motorcycle. Drivers are not only distracted by their cell phones, they are also distracted by other devices, as well as by passengers, pets, the radio, GPS and eating.
• Road hazards: Road hazard present a bigger risk to motorcyclists than to drivers of cars and trucks. A pothole, uneven pavement, or debris can cause a motorcyclist to lose control of his bike and collide with a car or a stationery object. In the case of a pothole, the government entity charged with road maintenance may be liable. If the pothole was on private property such as in parking lot, the owner of the property would may be liable.
• Defective vehicle: As an experienced Manhattan motorcycle accident lawyer can explain, over the years thousands of motorcyclists have been seriously injured or killed because the motorcycle was defective. For example, one case involved riders suffering leg burns because pipes on the side of the motorcycles had a tendency to overheat. In such cases the manufacturer of the motorcycle or the manufacturer of the faulty part can face a product liability lawsuit.
• Negligence: Negligent driving means breaking a New York traffic law. If a driver speeds, runs through a red light, drives while under the influence, or tailgates, causing an accident, that driver would be liable.

Pursuing a Claim for Negligence

Under New York law if you are seriously hurt in a motorcycle-related accident that was caused because another person was negligent, you have the right to file a lawsuit against the at fault person and demand payment for your medical bills and other losses related to the accident. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Manhattan can get the process started.

• Medical expenses: All past and future estimated medical bills related to treating the injury you suffered in the motorcycle accident. For example, if you broke your arm in the accident, then your treatment may include x-rays, pain medication, and physical therapy. If it was a severe break, you may need surgery. In cases where the injury requires extended treatment such as in cases where the injury is an amputation or leads to paralysis, experts will be able to estimate the amount of your future medical expenses.
• Lost income: Because you may be unable to work for a while after suffering a head injury or some other severe injury in a motorcycle accident, your finances may suffer because of the missed paychecks. You can demand compensation based on the amount of money you lost from not receiving paychecks as well as the value of benefits and other types of compensation that you lost. If you own your own business, lost income will be related to the amount of business revenue you lost because you were recovering.
• Pain and suffering. This type of compensation acknowledges that people who receive serious injuries suffer physically and emotionally. Pain and suffering compensation is based on constant pain, permanent disfigurement such as a loss of a limb, scarring, as well as psychological suffering such as depression, mood swings, fear, and hopelessness.

Stephen Bilkis & Associate Can Help

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident that was caused by another person's negligence, the first thing you should do is seek medical assistance. You should then contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney serving Manhattan who understands both the legal issues and medical issues associated with motorcycle accidents. Contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County, and Westchester County.