The Value of a Motorcycle Accident Case

As popular as motorcycles are, they can be extremely dangerous when they are involved in an accident. In 2012 alone, there were almost 6,000 motorcycle crashes in New York, with 173 fatalities and 5,820 injured. While motorcycles are safer these days with modern advancements, they are also faster, and therefore more dangerous. If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident, speak to a New York City motorcycle accident lawyer from Stephen Bilkis and Associates. You have a right to be compensated for your injuries, including your medical expenses, pain and suffering and lost wages.

Unlike a motor vehicle, motorcycles lack protection. There is nothing between you and the road. Even with a helmet, the impact of an accident does not fully protect the driver, and severe skull fractures and brain injuries can result.

Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Motor vehicle fails to yield to traffic laws (runs a stop sign or light);
• Driver follows a motorcycle too closely;
• Driver fails to observe a safe distance from motorcycle;
• Motorcycle experiences mechanical failure or tire blowout.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, you likely have many questions and aren't sure where to begin. The first step is to choose a law firm you can trust, and that has a strong track record of success. The lawyers at Stephen Bilkis and Associates has been handling personal injury cases for decades. Our successes are reflected in the settlements and verdicts we have won for our clients. In fact, the past 200 cases that we have settled or won in court were all over one million dollars ($1,000,000) respectively. The sum of favorable verdicts and settlements we have reached now totals over one half billion dollars ($500,000,000). It is hard to argue with results like that.

When considering whether to take a case to court, the most common question is what is the value of a motorcycle accident case? Every case has unique circumstances, so it is difficult to come up with a quick number. Speak with one of our New York City motorcycle accident attorneys to discuss the value of your case.

In New York, you are required to carry no-fault insurance. What this means is that the insurance company is required to pay a maximum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) to each driver or injured passenger involved in an accident, regardless of whose fault it is. To receive money over and above that amount it must be proven that you have suffered a "serious injury."

If you have been injured, chances are that you have missed time from work. Depending on the severity of your injuries this can last from weeks, to months to years. You are entitled to be reimbursed for the income you have lost because of your injuries. If you are now disabled and unable to return from to your former job, you are also entitled to lost future earnings. Your New York City motorcycle accident lawyer will also consider inflation and cost of living increases when calculating this amount.

Medical care can be extremely expensive. Depending on your injuries, this can run from thousands, to hundreds of thousands of dollars. As the victim of an accident, you have a right to be reimbursed for your past, present and future medical expenses.

If you have been injured, you have probably experienced considerable pain and suffering. There is no way to put a value on your pain. However, the court recognizes that you should be compensated for this and will attempt to arrive at a dollar amount that is commensurate with your injuries.

Some recent cases in the area have yielded the following verdicts in New York:

Queens, New York-$6,400,000 Verdict: Plaintiff motorcyclist drives on wet pavement and crashes into motor vehicle.

Orange County, New York-$2,350,000 Verdict: Snow plow hits plaintiff while driving.

Suffolk County, New York-$2,100,000 Verdict: Bike struck by negligent driver.

For a New York City lawyer who specializes in motorcycle accidents, contact Stephen Bilkis and Associates. The sooner you contact our office, the sooner we can set to work creating a strategy to help get you the compensation you deserve. We will determine the value of a motorcycle accident case, or need assistance with a workers' compensation claim we are here to help. We have offices locations throughout New York, including locations in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, Suffolk County, Nassau County and Westchester County. Call us today for a free consultation at 800.696.9529.