New York City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle accidents often result in the most severe injuries of any type of motor vehicle accident. Tragically, many are motorcycle accidents are fatal. Even for those that survive this type of accident, few walk away without serious or permanent injuries. Motorcyclists deserve the same respect on the road as any other type of motor vehicle. They have the same rights as other motorists regarding vehicle and traffic laws if other drivers are negligent and cause them to be injured.

Call a New York Motorcycle Accident Lawyer to Help

The motorcycle accident attorneys at Raphaelson & Levine work diligently to protect motorcyclists’ rights. Our legal team knows how to overcome biases against bikers and skillfully demonstrate the impact of injuries to secure compensation for the victim to pay for injuries and losses.

Coping with serious injuries, or worse, after a motorcycle accident occurs, is very difficult for survivors. Especially, if the accident occurred because of another party’s careless, unlawful, or negligent driving. Call the personal injury lawyers at the Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm at 212-268-3222 for legal advice or request a free case evaluation.

Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in NY

New York City streets are congested, poorly designed, full of potholes, and badly maintained, which is problematic for motorcyclists. Factor in other drivers’ negligence, and it creates a recipe for disaster. According to statistics, motorcycle accidents in NYC are disproportionate compared with other types of crashes, putting bikers at high risk.

• Two percent of registered vehicles in NYC are motorcycles, yet New York City records indicate motorcyclists account for 14% of traffic fatalities.
• Motorcycle crash rates in New York City are almost double the number of accidents across New York State.

Motorcycle accident victims are at higher risk because, in a crash, their body receives the full impact of hitting the road or other vehicles. Additionally, being a lighter, two-wheeled vehicle rather than a heavier four-wheeled one means riders are more susceptible to being tipped off-balance.

Establishing Liability for NYC Motorcycle Accident

The other driver, witnesses, and police officers often incorrectly assume that a biker should be more responsible than other motorists involved in an accident. Unfortunately, some reports indicate that motorcyclists speed, unsafely weave in traffic, or drive recklessly.

Sadly, it’s often not the biker but other motorists disobeying NYC traffic laws, which leads to crashes. In New York City, driver negligence is the top cause of motorcycle accidents. Our experienced trial lawyers know how to focus the investigation on showing that the other vehicle’s driver was at fault. Common types of driver negligence include:

• Distracted drivers. Distracted driving has been a long-term problem, but the introduction of mobile phones increased it significantly. About 3,000 people die every year in car crashes related to distracted driving.
• Speeding drivers. NYC drivers often ignore speed limits, and driving at high speeds often results in injury or death. Motorcyclists don’t have the same physical protections (e.g., car, truck) as other motorists, and their injuries are often the most severe.
• Driving under the influence. Drivers operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs put everyone’s lives in danger, and motorcyclists are often not visible to DUI drivers.
• Left-hand turns. Motorcyclists often get caught in the blind spot of other drivers, which can lead to serious accidents.
• Tailgating and aggressive driving. Impatient drivers who drive aggressively or tailgate motorcycles put bikers’ lives in danger because they’ll essentially be run over if the biker needs to stop suddenly.
• Running red lights and stop signs. Drivers running red lights and stop signs often don’t see motorcyclists in their path until it’s too late to respond.
• Changing lanes or sideswiping the bike. Drivers who don’t pay attention when changing lanes or swerve in their current lanes increase the risk of knocking a motorcyclist down.
• Pulling out or backing into traffic. Drivers abruptly backing up without taking the time to look and proceed carefully are more likely to run over a motorcyclist.

Negligent drivers in NYC can and should be held responsible for their actions. To hold them accountable, Raphaelson & Levine frequently utilize the services of accident reconstruction specialists and other professionals to gather evidence to help build a liability case. We are not afraid to invest in any personal injury cases we represent. Our law firm will stand with you and, if necessary, will go all the way to trial to secure justice for you, as our 25-year long track records illustrate.

New York Motorcycle Law

New York is specific when it comes to motorcycle laws. Drivers who fail to follow motorcycle safety regulations are penalized.

• Riders must carry either a Class M or Class MJ (junior operator) license. To qualify, drivers must pass both a written and road test.
• Motorcyclists must wear a motorcycle helmet approved by the U.S. DOT and wear appropriate eye protection.
• All motorcycles must be registered with New York State and be renewed annually on April 30.
• All motorcycles must be inspected every 12 months by a state-certified technician.

Additionally, motorcycle drivers must carry adequate liability insurance. NYS law requires them to carry $25,000 for bodily injury per person, per accident, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $10,000 per accident for property damage coverage.

How New York Motorcycle Crash Insurance Works

New York State is a “no-fault” insurance state which means a driver’s own insurance company is first required to pay for any medical bills, lost wages, and other costs connected with an automobile accident, regardless of who is at fault. Motorcycle drivers are treated differently because they are excluded from no-fault under Article 5102 (f) of NYS Insurance Law.

This means riders need to obtain their own private insurance because NYS no-fault insurance laws do not provide motorcyclists the same benefits as other drivers. However, due to the severe injuries bikers often suffer after an accident, their “serious injury threshold” is lower than for other drivers. Motorcyclists have more flexibility to file a lawsuit and can even sue negligent drivers for minor injuries.

Types of Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents are often severe or fatal because a rider usually bears the brunt of any impact occurring in crashes. The most common types of injuries are road rash, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and other head injuries, spinal cord injuries, degloving (severe lacerations that require surgery), arm injuries, and leg injuries.

Riders may recover from some types of injuries, but tragically, many motorcycle accident injuries are permanent and life-altering. Even those who often recover may first experience much pain and suffering as they receive medical care for their injuries.

Our Legal Team is to Committed to Get You Full Compensation

The motorcycle accident attorneys at Raphaelson & Levine are committed to pursuing full compensation for your injuries. The partners of our legal representation team promise to:

• Work closely with accident victims, their families, and their medical providers to document the extent of injuries suffered.
• Build a compelling case for damages based on the injuries sustained.
• Bring wrongful death claims on behalf of family members who have lost loved ones in tragic motorcycle accidents.

Our law firms’ personal injury attorneys have recovered significant compensation for our clients to pay for medical expenses, medical treatment, future economic loss, and other damages sustained in our clients’ motorcycle crashes. We promise to strive to ensure you receive a similar outcome.

Schedule Your Free Consultation With a Knowledgeable Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

Raphaelson & Levine is proud to serve as the “Voice of the Injured” for New Yorkers for all types of injury cases. If you, or a loved one, was injured on a motorcycle as driver or passenger, the personal injury attorneys at Raphaelson & Levine are here to support you and ensure you receive proper justice. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will tirelessly work hard on your behalf. We also support the family members left behind after a tragic accident.

To learn more about how we can build a strong motorcycle accident case, call our Manhattan office at 212-268-3222 or contact us online for a free consultation or case review with our attorneys. You will not owe attorneys’ fees until we recover compensation for your family.