Motorcycle Injuries

Motorcyclists in New York City, and New York Stare often find themselves in a highly vulnerable position given the unique traffic conditions we have within the NY state. Not only do they have to know how to control their own bike, but they must also share a roadway with much larger vehicles, often operated by drivers who don’t think to look out for them or are texting.  You need a motorcycle accident lawyer Rockland county motorcyclist can trust to secure a much-needed settlement as your injuries will be life-threatening or prolonged.

Motorcycle Crashes and Insurances in New York

New York has a no-fault law for car accidents, which means that insurance companies are required to pay for any medical expenses, lost earnings, and incidental costs resulting from a car accident, regardless of who was at fault for the crash. Unfortunately, this law does not apply to New York motorcyclists, because the law sees motorcycles as “inherently dangerous.” This means that they lose out on the benefits provided under this law, so it’s even more important that riders carry their own private insurance any time they plan on being on their bikes.

However, New York law regarding car accidents also makes some allowances for motorcycle drivers. Because the injuries they may face after even a minor crash are much more severe, motorcycle drivers in New York are not subjected to the “serious injury threshold” other drivers are. This threshold is intended to ensure that New York drivers only make a claim or take a case to court when they have sustained injuries severe enough to warrant it. Because motorcyclists are not subjected to this threshold, they can press charges and bring a lawsuit against another driver even if their injuries are only minor. This can also help motorcyclists get around the no-fault threshold, as they can make a claim after a motorcycle accident.

New York motorcycle laws are very clear:

• In order to legally drive a motorcycle in New York, drivers must carry a Class M or Class MJ (junior operator) license. This requires passing both a written and road test.
• All motorcycles must be properly registered with the State of New York. Motorcycle registration is an annual event, and all motorcycle registrations expire on April 30 annually.
• Anyone operating a motorcycle in New York must wear a U.S. DOT-approved motorcycle helmet with appropriate eye protection.
• All motorcycles must be inspected by a certified technician every 12 months.
• Every motorcycle on the road must have proper liability insurance. The requirements in New York are: $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.

Best motorcycle accident lawyers in New York

Most motorcycle accident victims are facing new challenges as they struggle to recover from serious physical injuries. The last thing you need is lengthy negotiations with insurance companies and defense lawyers. Unfortunately, the legal tactics these organizations use to avoid paying compensation leaves many accident victims with less than they deserve. Our NY-based personal injury attorneys are committed to adding value in the form of financial results. We will:

• Conduct a full investigation into the motorcycle accident to determine the cause
• Work with accident reconstruction experts
• Work with medical and financial experts to create an insurance demand that fully accounts for your injuries
• Take care of the paperwork and procedural requirements for filing your claim
• Negotiate with the insurance company and defense lawyers on your behalf
• Stand ready to advocate fiercely to protect your rights in court if the insurance company fails to offer a fair settlement

At Beldock and Saunders P.C., we have vast experience handling motorcycle accident cases. This specific experience is important because motorcycle injury cases are more complex—and involve more serious injuries—than your typical personal injury case. The challenges are also different from those faced by most traditional motor vehicle accident victims. The insurance company usually puts up a fight when serious injuries are involved. Having a trusted lawyer by your side can improve the odds that you’ll get fair compensation for your injuries. Give us a call today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help.

What Are Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

While the specific nature of any accident will dictate the exact injuries that occur, some are more common than others. These include:

• Road rash. While not as serious as a spinal or head injury, road rash can cause tremendous pain and require extensive treatment. This type of injury occurs when a biker is thrown from a motorcycle and the road scrapes away skin, leaving cuts and surface nerve damage. Infections are quite common due to road rash, so medical treatment and antibiotics are often necessary.
• Degloving. Despite the seemingly harmless name, degloving refers to an injury in which a large section of skin is completely removed from the tissue beneath it. Such an injury can be fatal or require extensive surgical treatment. Skin grafts may be required, and amputation is necessary in some situations. In almost all cases, long-term physical therapy is prescribed.
• Spinal cord injuries. Damage to the spinal column can have tremendous, life-long consequences. Depending on where the injury occurs, a motorcyclist can suffer chronic back or neck pain, partial or full-body paralysis, or death. Little protection can be offered to the spine of a motorcyclist, which makes these injuries all too common.
• Head injuries. While many motorcyclists wear helmets to protect their heads, injuries to the head and brain still happen. These types of injuries are often fatal, or result in loss of sensory perception, brain damage, and time lost to a coma. Wearing a helmet is always the smart choice to minimize potential head injuries in a motorcycle accident.
• Arm injuries. When a motorcyclist is thrown from his bike, his arms and shoulders take the brunt. In an accident, many bikers try to brace for impact on landing using their arms, which leads to broken bones, nerve damage, and other injuries that can require long-term care and recovery.
• Leg injuries. In a motorcycle collision, injuries to the hips, knees, and feet are quite common. These can occur at the time of impact or just afterward, especially when a biker is thrown from the motorcycle. Bone fractures, muscle damage, and other trauma can require physical therapy and treatment to recover.

What About Treatment, Recovery, and Costs?

Different types of injuries require different treatments and costs, but some predictions can be made based on the type of injury.

Minor treatment and recovery: Cuts and bruises, minor broken bones, and similar injuries often require only minimal care. Long hospital stays are not required, though additional checkups or appointments may be necessary. This treatment can cost you medical bills and lost wages due to missed days at work.

Long-term care: More serious injuries, such as extensive damage to the limbs or multiple broken bones, can require longer care. These may involve a long hospital stay, the need for in-home care for a few months, and additional expenses. Medical bills, weeks or months of lost salary, and other expenses can all come up with such treatment.

Physical therapy: Even after an accident victim’s initial treatment and care, there might be additional long-term requirements like physical therapy. This results in long-term medical costs, loss in immediate salary, and can result in loss of future salary due to changes in lifestyle or missed career opportunities.

Lifelong recovery: Injuries that result in paralysis or similar conditions require lifelong therapy or treatment and have tremendous costs. Medical expenses, loss in salary, alterations to your home and vehicle, and other future costs can be difficult to calculate or even imagine on your own. Having an experienced attorney on your side can help relieve you of such burdens.

Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Beldock and Saunders P.C will Handle Your Injury Case with Care

Even if the law and other drivers don’t agree, at Beldock and Saunders P.C., we believe that regardless of your method of transportation, you have the right to be justly compensated for your injuries due to another party’s negligence. As New York personal injury lawyers, we help our clients establish liability, evaluate and prove damages, and collect the highest possible settlement or judgment. At Beldock and Saunders P.C, we act both as advocates and negotiators on behalf of our clients. We handle personal injury claims on a daily basis, ranging from simple whiplash injuries to wrongful death claims. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Where We Serve:

• Rockland County, NY
• Orange County, NY
• Westchester County, NY
• Hudson Valley, NY
• New York City, NY
• New York State

We serve Rockland, Orange, and Westchester Counties, Hudson Valley, and New York City to provide those who need our services with the best possible legal advice and representation there is. It is important to know what your rights are so you can get every penny you are owed. A skilled attorney will be able to make this entire process go smoothly and fast with better results, and that is exactly what we can offer you.

Practice areas:

• Medical malpractice
• Personal injuries
• Wrongful death
• Construction accidents
• Car & truck injuries
• Motorcycle injuries
• Nursing home neglect & abuse

In just a split second, the road can change and even a careful motorcyclist may find him or herself involved in a tragic situation. We defend the rights of those who have been injured in motorcycle accidents and work to get you the money you deserve. Call us today to find out how we can help you.