Did you get hurt after colliding with another driver while riding your motorcycle? This is often a disorienting experience, and it’s not uncommon for people in your position to be overwhelmed. As stressful as the aftermath of the crash feels, you don’t have to figure anything out alone.
All it takes is reaching out to a personal injury lawyer in Brookhaven who has experience handling cases involving injured motorcyclists. As the victim of the crash, your motorcycle accident lawyer in Brookhaven can advocate for your rights and help you take legal action.
When you reach out to Chaikin Trial Group Personal Injury Lawyers, you’ll be met with lawyers who have recovered $100 million in compensation. We have 50 years of combined experience, and we’re ready to fight for a favorable outcome on your behalf.
Types of Compensation Available After Motorcycle Collisions
Motorcycle accident claims can cover more than just your medical bills. In general, there are two types of damages in personal injury cases in New York, which include economic damages and non-economic damages.
Depending on the details of your case, here’s what your compensation might include:
- Emergency surgeries and ongoing treatment
- Physical therapy and rehabilitative care
- Lost wages as a result of missing out on work
- A reduction in your future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, as well as emotional distress
- Long-term disability or permanent limitations
The value of your case depends heavily on how well documented your situation is, as well as your Brookhaven motorcycle accident lawyer’s ability to prove liability. It’s also important to clearly show how your crash-related injuries have affected your everyday life.
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New York Laws That Go Into Effect After a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accident claims in New York are handled very differently from standard car accident cases. The difference between the two processes can catch a lot of riders off guard. Unlike drivers of passenger vehicles, motorcyclists aren’t covered by the no-fault insurance system.
So, what is no-fault insurance? This means you won’t have automatic access to benefits for medical bills or lost wages through your own insurance policy, even if the crash wasn’t your fault. Because of this, your lawyer will need to build a claim on your behalf.
In more practical terms, this means your lawyer must establish that another party was responsible for what happened. From there, they will also have to show that those actions directly harmed you. Here’s what this process involves:
- Another driver acted carelessly, behaved recklessly, or violated laws.
- Their behavior directly caused the motorcycle crash.
- You suffered measurable damages as a result of the collision.
On top of that, New York follows a comparative negligence rule under CPLR §1411. Many people end up asking, “What is comparative negligence?” This means even if you are partially at fault for the crash, you’re not automatically prevented from recovering compensation.
However, your total recovery will be reduced based on your percentage of fault. Insurance companies understand how to use this rule to their advantage, and it’s common for them to argue that the motorcyclist is somehow at fault for the crash.
By shifting even a small portion of the blame onto you, they can reduce what they have to pay you. This is why working with Brookhaven motorcycle injury lawyers can make all the difference in your case.
What to Know Before Speaking With Insurance Companies After a Motorcycle Crash
After a crash, many victims are not thinking about coming up with a legal strategy. Instead, it’s more common to be focused on getting through the day while managing your pain and trying to get your life back on track.
Meanwhile, insurance companies are often paying close attention to everything you’re doing and looking for ways to reduce what they have to pay you. With that in mind, these are examples of accidental mistakes that could end up affecting your case:
- Providing a statement without advice from motorcycle accident attorneys in Brookhaven
- Telling insurers that you feel okay before undergoing a complete medical evaluation
- Skipping follow-up appointments or delaying medical treatment
- Sharing details about the accident on your social media accounts
- Agreeing to a settlement without knowing the full extent of your injuries
These actions usually seem harmless in the moment, but they can be used against you later. Let’s take a look at how insurance companies can take advantage of your well-intentioned behavior:
- Suggesting your injuries aren’t as serious as you claimed
- Raising questions about how badly you were hurt
- Taking social media posts out of context entirely
- Using your own words to challenge your claim
Working with a motorcycle crash attorney in Brookhaven can help you avoid these kinds of issues before they turn into bigger problems. You’ll receive legal guidance on what to say, which behaviors to avoid, and how to protect yourself moving forward.
We will handle all communication with insurance companies as well. That way, you won’t be put in a position where your words are used against you or misunderstood, whether intentionally or not.
This also gives you the space you need to focus on getting better. Many people choose to work with lawyers because they understand how quickly small details can have a big impact on the outcome of your case.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Law Firm in Brookhaven
After getting hurt in a motorcycle collision, you’re likely wondering what your options are when it comes to taking action and pursuing compensation. When you call Chaikin Trial Group Personal Injury Lawyers, our Brookhaven motorcycle accident lawyers will look at your case.
As soon as we understand the details of your situation, we’ll let you know how we can help and what we would suggest from a legal perspective. We treat each of our clients like family, and we operate with a sense of urgency.
Not only will we provide you with your attorney’s direct phone number, but we can also come to you if you cannot make it to our office. Reach out today for more information. Come in as a client, leave as a friend.