Proner & Proner Law Blog

Helmet laws vary from state to state but in New York and surrounding cities, you are required by law to wear protective head gear while operating a motorcycle. Sadly, it is for this very reason that bikers who have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident where they were not wearing a helmet do not file a claim. These types of accident victims believe that they won't be awarded compensation because they were breaking the law by not wearing a helmet in the first place.

Road Rash sounds innocuous enough and in some cases it is. A simple spill off a bike or a tumble off a skateboard can produce an insignificant bruising that many people call road rash–this type is easily fixed up with neosporin, a band aid and/or gauze.

Road Rash sounds innocuous enough and in some cases it is. A simple spill off a bike or a tumble off a skateboard can produce an insignificant bruising that many people call road rash–this type is easily fixed up with neosporin, a band aid and/or gauze.

The motorcycle is one of the greatest toys an adult can enjoy. No other vehicle hugs the road closer, or gives you a more exhilarating experience while getting from point A to point B, than a powerful, roaring bike. Whether you choose to ride a chopper or a sport bike, a Harley or a Boss Hoss, bikers coast to coast share a similar culture born of an undying passion for their two wheeled machines. Many of us love to ride these iron hogs, but few ever stop to reflect upon the motorcycle’s humble beginnings.

The motorcycle is one of the greatest toys an adult can enjoy. No other vehicle hugs the road closer, or gives you a more exhilarating experience while getting from point A to point B, than a powerful, roaring bike. Whether you choose to ride a chopper or a sport bike, a Harley or a Boss Hoss, bikers coast to coast share a similar culture born of an undying passion for their two wheeled machines. Many of us love to ride these iron hogs, but few ever stop to reflect upon the motorcycle’s humble beginnings.

Riding doesn't come without its downsides, and unfortunately, the risk of injury is a big one. The infographic below shows the frequency of these injuries, and the likelihood of severity.

Riding doesn't come without its downsides, and unfortunately, the risk of injury is a big one. The infographic below shows the frequency of these injuries, and the likelihood of severity.

A motorcycle accident victim can suffer numerous repercussions from a debilitating car wreck. The main fall outs aside from a heart wrenching fatality are brain injury, severe burns and spinal cord injury. All of these can vary in severity but no matter the type of trauma sustained, serious personal injury can change the life of the injured tremendously.

When we hear the words “motorcycle accident” most of us conjure the image of a single cyclist being hit by a car or truck. While this is the case a great majority of the time, motorcycle accidents can also occur while bikers are riding in packs. More often than not this particular type of accident can result in a multiple motorcycle accident.

When people think about purchasing a motorcycle they do so for a number of reasons. Some feel it will be a better economic value than a car as such a vehicle can cut gas costs down tremendously. Another consideration is maneuverability—Motorcycles have an easier time jettisoning through traffic than cars and trucks.

Bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts all over the nation are all well aware of one thing. When it comes to their love of bikes, they are a wildly misunderstood bunch. Most a painted as brazen law breakers with little regard for the safety of others. Nation statistic would indicate otherwise however, as most motorcycle-to-car accidents are the fault of the passenger car driver and not the biker.

There are some states with lax helmet laws that have a surprisingly low number of motorcycle related fatalities relative to states with strict laws (not that the strict helmet laws have anything to do with causing the higher number of deaths).

Since 2007, the New York State Police, along with other county and local police departments, have been conducting motorcyclist only police checkpoints on the roadways of New York State. They claim the purpose of these stops, at which they issue numerous tickets for helmet and exhaust pipe violations, is to advance motorcycle safety. Being a motorcycle rider myself, as well as the Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM) Attorney for New York State, I was asked by ABATE of New York to contest this infringement on the rights of motorcyclists.

A World War is no place for half-ass machinery, and motorcycles are no exception. The bikes our grandfathers rode while in the service were not only incredibly functional, but also some of the most stylish vehicles around. Here is a look at the gnarly motorcycles of WWII.

A statistical analysis of motorcycle accidents, injuries and fatalities. View full size image graphic.

If you ride a motorcycle regularly you are already familiar with some of the common misconceptions that people have about bikers. The biggest stereotype is that they are all a bunch of lawless banditos with little regard for the law or safety. Statistically speaking this is a fallacy as a great majority of bikers obey the law, in fact, over 2/3^rd’s of motorcycle accidents are the fault of passenger car drivers.

To date California is the only state that legally recognizes lane splitting, also know as lane sharing, a practice that allows a motorcycle to share a lane with a passenger car. Motorcycle riders insist that the practice is safe because there are many stipulations that coincide with this particular traffic law. For instance, a motorcyclist is supposed to use the practice only in heavy traffic conditions and at a certain speed.

Although most motorcycle riders are least likely to cause their accidents a sort of prejudice exists when it comes to bikers who have been involved in an auto accident. Statistically speaking, passenger a car driver would be most likely the cause of an accident between it and a motorized bike. Despite this, most jury members will automatically assume that the motorcyclists is at fault.

There are numerous makes and models of motorcycle available today, from the streamlined “crotch rockets” to the legendary Harley Davidson. Motorcycles have long been the symbols of liberation and freedom. Unlike a car, which shields you from the riding experience, a motorcycle puts you in touch with your surroundings, providing a road experience that is unmatched!

The short answer to that question is yes.

Motorcycles already work at a disadvantage because the vehicle itself isn’t enclosed. The driver’s body is extremely vulnerable, exposed to the elements and potentially grave dangers.

The media often portrays bikers as crazed, leather wearing zealots with a need for speed and the inability to obey traffic laws.

In reality, the very opposite is true.

Responsible cyclists realize that by driving a motorcycle, they are at something of a disadvantage.

While there are numerous causes of motorcycle accidents, of ten times the accident happens because car drivers don't keep a careful and proper lookout of the roadway. It is from car driver's failure to pay attention that the sticker "look twice, save a life," was born. Unfortunately, most human beings are creatures of habit, and as anyone who travels on the nations highways can tell you, it is becoming increasingly common for people to make sudden lane changes without even signaling, let alone looking around to see if a motorcycle rider is in their peripheral.

We start out our morning polishing our chrome and waxing our gas tanks and fenders, but before we get our bikes on the road, how often do we check the air pressure and tread on our tires? As it is the beginning of the new riding season, I had to get a new inspection for my motorcycle. Upon doing so, I discovered my rear tire was below the required minimum tread depth.

There you are, riding along the highway on your motorcycle and enjoying a nice summers day when suddenly, a car flies out of nowhere at excessive speeds.You try to get out of the way, but it is too late.The driver hits you square and you are sent sailing several of feet into the air.You wake up in the hospital with massive injuries, and in a ton of pain.To top it all off, you later learn that the driver of the car that hit you says you were at fault.