Motorcycle Accident Lawyers New York

Experienced NYC Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Represent Crash Victims Throughout NY

Motorcycle riders are not afforded the same physical protections as drivers of cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles that have seat belts and airbags to minimize the damage in an accident. This relative lack of protection can expose motorcyclists to potentially serious injuries in the event of a crash. For motorcycle riders in NYC, the risks may be even greater due to congested roads and notoriously aggressive motorists. If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident in New York City, you may find yourself struggling under a mountain of medical bills and desperately in need of compensation – especially if your injuries prevent you from working for the time being. Unfortunately, the legal process for recovering damages in NY motorcycle accident cases can be extremely complicated. That’s why it is imperative that you seek out an attorney who has expertise with motorcycle accident claims in New York and who can represent you from start to finish.

Mitchell Proner, the founding partner of Proner & Proner in New York City, is an avid motorcycle rider himself, so he understands why you ride. Mitchell has also been involved in motorcycle accidents, so he knows what you and your loved ones are going through right now. In fact, Mitchell made the bold decision to focus his legal career on seeking justice for injured motorcycle accident victims after he was involved in a particularly serious motorcycle crash. Since then, the legal team at Proner & Proner has won millions of dollars for clients who were injured in motorcycle accidents in New York. You can count on us to do everything in our legal power to help you get the compensation you need, want, and deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Motorcycle Accident Injuries on NY Roads

The truth is that even the safest rider can be injured in a motorcycle accident. Sometimes, a crash is unavoidable. Beyond that, the vast majority of motorcycle crashes result in injuries to the rider. Sometimes, those injuries are catastrophic and require urgent medical care, surgeries, and physical therapy and rehabilitation. In the worst cases, a motorcycle accident can result in death.

Some of the most common injuries sustained in NYC motorcycle accidents include:

• Road Rash: Road rash, also known as “road burn,” is a common injury suffered by motorcycle riders when they are involved in an accident and slide across the pavement, which can cause abrasions of the skin.
• Spinal Cord Injury: A violent collision between a motorcycle and a car or truck can cause the motorcyclist to suffer compressed nerves and spinal cord damage.
• Head Injury: Motorcycle accidents can result in blows to the head of the motorcyclist and, in the worst cases, severe head trauma and brain damage.
• Lower Body Injuries: A high percentage of motorcycle accidents result in injuries to the legs and feet of riders, even when the rider is wearing boots and other protective foot gear.
• Broken Bones: Even a minor motorcycle accident can result in fractures because motorcyclists are not protected by doors or windows in a crash.
• Nerve and Tissue Damage: Sometimes, a motorcyclist involved in a crash may lose sensation or feeling in their arms, wrists, or legs due to severe nerve damage.
• Muscle Strains: When the motorcyclist’s arms or legs hit the ground in an accident, the damage to their muscles can be severe and may require physical therapy and rehabilitation.
• Internal Bleeding: Injuries to internal organs may not be apparent immediately after the motorcycle accident, but these kinds of injuries can prove the most serious and, in some cases, be fatal.
• Skin Lacerations: Motorcyclists are exposed to the road and largely unprotected against the elements, which can lead to lacerations in the event of a crash.
• Scarring and Disfigurement: Severe lacerations caused by contact with the pavement can result in scarring and other permanent physical injuries.
• Amputation / Loss of Limbs: Motorcyclists can suffer permanent damage to an arm or leg when they are pinned between the motorcycle and another vehicle or when they are pinned to the roadway after an accident.
• Paralysis: Violent collisions on the road can cause permanent damage to a motorcyclist and, in the worst cases, paralysis.
• Wrongful Death: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle accidents account for 14% of all traffic fatalities. In fact, motorcycle riders are far more likely to die in a crash than occupants of other motor vehicles.

Motorcycle riders can suffer severe injuries in crashes because they are not inside an enclosed vehicle and they are not protected by the body of a car. When a motorcycle is struck by a car or truck, or skids off the roadway, there is no barrier between the rider and the pavement or ground, putting the rider at risk of serious injury. Additionally, while drivers of cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles are typically protected by seat belts and airbags, motorcycle riders have no such protection when they are involved in violent collisions on the road. Even a sudden stop without a collision can cause a rider to be ejected from their motorcycle and result in catastrophic injuries.

Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in New York

Although motorcyclists have a right to use the roadway, many other motorists incorrectly believe that cars and trucks have a greater right to the road and should not have to share space with motorcycles or obey the rules of the road when it comes to motorcycles. This false perception can create dangerous conditions for motorcyclists and may result in reckless behavior by drivers of cars, trucks, buses, and other, larger motor vehicles. On top of that, even motorists with the best of intentions can cause motorcycle accidents because they simply do not see relatively small motorcycles on the road. All of this amounts to driver negligence, which is the primary cause of most motorcycle accidents in New York City.

Here are some common causes of motorcycle crashes on NY roads and highways:

• Distracted Drivers: Distracted motorists who are busy talking on their cell phones, texting while driving, or eating and drinking may not see a motorcyclist on the road until it’s too late to avoid a violent collision.
• Drunk Drivers: Intoxicated motorists pose a significant risk to all motorists, including motorcyclists. However, motorcyclists may be at the greatest risk of being struck by a drunk driver because their bikes are relatively small and more difficult for an intoxicated driver to see.
• Speeders: Speeding motorists present special risks to motorcyclists because a high-speed collision between a car and a motorcycle can cause catastrophic damage to the much-smaller bike and the biker who is not protected by a seat belt or an airbag.
• Failure to Yield: Drivers of cars and trucks who do not believe that motorcyclists have the same rights to the road may be less likely to yield to a motorcycle, resulting in dangerous collisions and severe injuries.
• Illegal Turns: One of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in NY is a car or truck driver who makes an illegal left turn and hits an oncoming motorcycle.
• Running Red Lights: A motorist who runs a red light or goes through a stop sign can do significant damage to a motorcyclist who happens to be passing through the intersection at the same time.
• Tailgating: Motorists who refuse to leave enough distance between their motor vehicle and the motorcycle in front of them on the road may not have enough time to bring the vehicle to a complete stop if the motorcyclist suddenly has to hit the brakes.
• Blind Spots: Motorists who fail to check their mirrors before turning into traffic may not see an approaching motorcycle, resulting in a collision. Since motorcycles tend to be smaller than other vehicles on the road, they can fit into blind spots more easily than cars or trucks.
• Road Hazards: Potholes, oil slicks, puddles, uneven pavement, gravel on the pavement, and debris left behind by road repair crews can all present dangers to motorcyclists, especially when the road hazards are not clearly visible. Sometimes, the local government or municipality is legally responsible for motorcycle accidents caused by poorly maintained roads.
• Inclement Weather: Poor weather conditions, such as heavy-falling rain and thick fog, can inhibit visibility for the motorcyclist and make it harder for them to maintain control of their bike on a slick roadway.
• Pedestrians: If a motorcyclist has to swerve their bike to avoid hitting a jaywalking pedestrian, the motorcycle can potentially skid off the roadway and cause serious injuries.
• Animals in Road: It can also be difficult for a motorcyclist to avoid an animal crossing in the road because it’s not always easy to bring the bike to a sudden stop.
• Improper Maintenance: Some motorcycle accidents are caused by improperly installed brakes, misaligned tires, or damaged signal lights.
• Defective Motorcycle Parts: Defective or recalled auto parts on a motorcycle, such as a flat tire or a defective engine, can have deadly consequences when the motorcyclist suddenly loses control of their bike on the road. A knowledgeable attorney can help you determine who was responsible for the design or manufacturing defects that caused your motorcycle accident.

The experienced legal team at Proner & Proner in New York City will fight for you and make sure that the right parties are held accountable for your motorcycle accident. One of the first things our skilled attorneys will do is thoroughly investigate the causes of your motorcycle crash by reviewing evidence, obtaining police reports and medical reports, interviewing witnesses, researching case law, and working with experts. We will determine who might be legally responsible for your motorcycle accident, which might include the other motorist, the motorist’s employer if they were on the job at the time of the motorcycle accident, governmental entities that were responsible for shoddy roads, the motorcycle manufacturer who made a defective part on your bike, and/or the manufacturer of the safety gear you were wearing at the time of the motorcycle accident. Additionally, our knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyers can utilize accident reconstruction experts to establish driver fault or determine if there was another cause of your motorcycle crash.

Proner & Proner Pursues Financial Compensation and Justice for NY Motorcycle Accident Victims

The experienced personal injury attorneys at Proner & Proner in New York are dedicated to providing aggressive legal representation to NY motorcycle accident victims. We will investigate the causes of your motorcycle crash, determine all of the potentially liable individuals and entities, and assist you throughout the legal process, including settlement negotiations with the insurance company.
The major types of damages available in New York motorcycle accident claims include financial compensation for:

• Medical Expenses: A motorcycle crash often requires urgent medical treatment at an emergency room or trauma center, as well as ambulance or helicopter costs for transportation to the hospital. All of this can result in extremely high medical bills that place a huge burden on the motorcycle accident victim and their family.
• Future Medical Care: If your motorcycle accident resulted in chronic injuries, you may need physical therapy, crutches, leg braces, and pain medication. An attorney can help you get compensated for projected future medical expenses stemming from your motorcycle crash, including hospital follow-up visits, chiropractic care, travel expenses to visit doctors, prescriptions, and rehabilitation.
• Lost Wages: Depending on the nature of your motorcycle accident and the severity of your injuries, you may be unable to work and earn a paycheck while you recover from your injuries in the weeks and months that follow the crash. Moreover, if your injuries are permanent, you could be looking at lost wages in the future due to reduced earning capacity, as well.
• Pain and Suffering: Some motorcycle accidents can cause such severe physical pain and long-lasting emotional trauma, including PTSD, that the victim suffers from reduced quality of life. You may be able to get compensation for non-economic costs related to your motorcycle crash. A knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney can evaluate your accident claim and calculate the appropriate amount of compensation for your pain and suffering.
• Loss of Companionship: If a motorcycle accident is particularly severe, the victim may be unable to maintain a healthy relationship with their spouse. This is also known as “loss of consortium,” and you might be able to recover compensation for your loss of companionship stemming from the motorcycle crash.
• Property Damage: A motorcycle accident can cause significant property damage, including damage to the bike that requires costly repairs or even replacement.
• Wrongful Death: Some motorcycle crashes cause catastrophic injuries that result in death. If you lost a loved one in a fatal motorcycle accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the negligent motorist who caused the accident.

Proner & Proner Has Won Millions for Injured Motorcyclists in New York

At Proner & Proner, our experienced NYC personal injury lawyers understand that a motorcycle accident can have long-lasting effects and could leave you struggling to pay medical expenses and other bills in the months and years ahead. That’s why we fight hard during negotiations with the insurance company and, if necessary, at trial to secure maximum compensation for our clients. Opposing attorneys and insurance providers know that when we handle a client’s motorcycle accident claim, they won’t be able to bully our client or pressure them into accepting a lowball settlement offer. In fact, our skilled attorneys have won millions of dollars for motorcycle accident victims throughout New York. Here are just a few of our recent settlements and verdicts:

• $3,300,000 – Motorcyclist Hit by Vehicle
• $2,000,000 – Motorcyclist Hit by Vehicle
• $1,100,000 – Motorcyclist Hit by Oncoming Traffic
• $930,000 – Wrongful Death Accident
• $930,000 – Motorcyclist Hit by Car Pulling into Roadway
• $930,000 – Motorcyclist Hit by Car
• $900,000 – Motorcyclist Hit by Left-Turning Vehicle
• $821,000 – Motorcyclist Hit by Vehicle
• $325,000 – Motorcyclist Lost Control of Bike
• $280,000 – Motorcyclist Cut Off by Car

FAQs About Motorcycle Accidents

Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions about motorcycle accidents and injuries in New York.

What Can I Do to Protect Myself Against Serious Injury in a Motorcycle Accident?

One of the best ways to protect yourself against injury in a motorcycle crash is to wear proper safety equipment. High-quality safety gear can significantly reduce the risk of injury for motorcycle riders. So, consider wearing a helmet, goggles, a mouthpiece, gloves, boots, knee pads, hip pads, and a motorcycle jacket when you ride your bike. A helmet that covers your entire face will protect you against traumatic brain injury, goggles will shield your eyes from the elements while you ride and ensure that your vision is unblocked, gloves will prevent lacerations to your hands if you are thrown from your bike or if the bike skids on the roadway, and a motorcycle jacket with bright colors will protect your upper body against injuries in a crash and make you more visible to other motorists on the road or highway.
Additionally, since NY law requires motorcycle riders to wear helmets, the failure to wear a helmet could affect your ability to win an accident claim if you do sustain injuries in a motorcycle crash.

What Should I Do Immediately After Being Involved in a Motorcycle Accident?

Whether you were involved in a single-vehicle accident, a head-on collision with another motor vehicle, a hit-and-run accident, or any other type of motorcycle accident, the most important thing for you to do immediately after the crash is to get to a safe place on the road (or off the road).

Next, you need to get proper medical treatment for your injuries. And remember that some injuries aren’t always apparent right after the motorcycle accident and may take days or even weeks to become obvious, so make sure that you see a doctor and get checked out just to be sure.

You should also report the motorcycle accident to the police and get a police report. This will ensure that everything is documented for your accident claim with the insurance company and for court if the case eventually goes to trial.

Once you have taken care of your physical well-being and reported the accident to the police, protect yourself legally and speak to an experienced motorcycle accident attorney at Proner & Proner. Do not talk to the other motorist or to the insurance company before talking to a qualified attorney who can explain your legal options and make sure that you do not make any unnecessary admissions to the insurance adjustor.

Will Insurance Cover My Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

Unfortunately, a lot of vehicle insurance policies don’t cover all motorcycle accident injuries. For instance, your motorcycle insurance policy may not provide medical coverage for any injuries you sustained in the motorcycle crash. That’s because NY motorcycle insurance policies don’t automatically come with Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which means that the injured rider is typically responsible for payment of their own medical bills after an accident. The best way to protect yourself and ensure that you get the compensation you need to cover your accident-related medical expenses is to speak with an experienced New York motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.

What Are the Attorney Fees in a Motorcycle Accident Case?

A consultation with our law firm about your motorcycle accident claim is free. Additionally, if we take on your case, we don’t get paid unless we get money for you. We will pay all expenses and get a percentage of the recovery at the end of the case that is consistent with local bar association rules.

Who Pays for the Damages to My Bike?

When it comes to getting paid for the damage to your motorcycle, the first important question to ask is: What insurance coverage is available? You may have purchased collision coverage on your motorcycle when you got your own insurance.

Of course, you may be wondering: Why should I put this on my own carrier when I’m not at fault? Your carrier will typically make payment quicker than the adverse vehicle’s carrier. Then your carrier will go to the adverse vehicle’s carrier and seek reimbursement for the money they paid you. So, they get repaid by the adverse vehicle’s carrier. They will typically also recover the deductible (the money your insurer deducted from the value of your bike), which will be reimbursed to you.

If you did not have collision coverage, the adverse vehicle should make payment to you, but typically they will claim that a portion of the accident is your fault. They may claim that you were speeding, or that you failed to pay attention to the other vehicles on the road, even if you did nothing wrong. They may try to deduct 10% to 15% from what they rightfully owe you. Whether you wish to accept 90% or 85% of the value of your vehicle is up to you.

How Much Is My NY Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?

Typically, there are several issues that must be resolved to determine the value of a motorcycle accident case. The first issue is: Who is at fault for the accident? Even though you may be partially at fault, you still may be entitled to compensation.

The second issue is the extent and permanency of your injuries. Typically, after an accident, your doctors will try to predict the healing process, but there is no certainty until actual healing takes place. Sometimes, an injury to a joint will heal but there will be limitation of motion. Sometimes, physical therapy will improve healing and you will regain a full range of motion. Other times, surgery is necessary, or a limitation may be permanent.

This degree of permanency of your injuries, along with any loss of earnings or earning capacity, will affect the value of the case. Additionally, if you lose the ability to pursue a hobby or skill—such as a hand injury limiting your ability to play guitar—it could also affect the claim’s value.

Lastly, sometimes, recovery in a motorcycle accident case is limited by the amount of insurance or assets that an individual must pay for damage they caused.

Is There a Bias That the Motorcyclist Is Always at Fault for an Accident?

Insurance adjusters, juries, judges, and even lawyers representing motorcycle accident victims often have a deep-seated bias that when somebody gets on a motorcycle, they are asking for whatever happens to them, including injuries. At Proner & Proner, we have a tradition of not minimizing the claims of the motorcycle accident victim. If a motorcycle accident victim is not getting full and fair compensation, we will try the case.

Moreover, we have a demonstrated history of success in winning motorcycle accident cases at trial. Insurance carriers around the nation know that we have this history of success. Because we have a reputation of being willing and able to get fair compensation for our clients in motorcycle accident cases, we have an advantage when we demand fair compensation for our clients.

Contact the Experienced NY Personal Injury Attorneys at Proner & Proner Today to Discuss Your Motorcycle Accident Recovery Options

You need an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side and helping you to secure compensation for your injuries and justice for your losses, as well as ensuring that you get any medical care you might need. Contact the NY personal injury lawyers of Proner & Proner now. You can call us or fill out the online form to schedule a free consultation. We have a highly skilled legal team and an attentive support staff, we utilize the latest technology to communicate with clients about their cases, and we are available 24 hours a day for our clients.