The compensation you can get for a motorcycle accident on Long Island ranges from a few thousand dollars to many millions of dollars. Your award or settlement will depend on the severity of your injuries and how the accident impacts your life and your future.
New York has complicated rules that impact motorcycle accidents, such as comparative negligence and no-fault insurance regulations. When you are hurt in an accident, it is smart to consult with a personal injury lawyer in order to understand your rights.
Our Long Island personal injury lawyers have recovered more than $100 million for injured accident victims in New York. If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident on Long Island, contact our legal team for your free consultation today.
Should You Take a Settlement After a Motorcycle Accident?
Don’t take the first settlement offered by an insurance company without first speaking with our attorneys. Insurers often attempt to convince accident victims to take lowball settlements. They make it seem like they are helpful, while in reality, they are watching their bottom lines.
This can greatly reduce the amount of compensation you can get for a motorcycle accident. Our legal team will understand the real value of your claim, and we aren’t going to let an insurance company take advantage of you. We will fight for the compensation you deserve.
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What Types of Compensation Can You Get After a Motorcycle Accident?
You may be entitled to several types of damages in a personal injury case in New York. Our attorneys will review your hardships and calculate maximum compensation. This can include enough economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical expenses such as emergency care, hospital visits, tests, and procedures
- Future medical costs, such as reducing doctor visits, therapy, and prescription medications
- Lost wages and benefits when you missed time at work
- Property damage, like the cost of repairing your motorcycle.
- Pain and suffering and other non-economic damages.
In some cases, you could be entitled to punitive damages. These are non-compensatory damages meant to punish the defendant rather than make you whole after your losses. They are awarded by a court when a defendant behaves especially egregiously.
What is No-Fault Insurance in New York?
New York is one of a small number of states that operate under a no-fault insurance framework for car accidents. This means drivers must rely on their own insurance policies to cover their damages after a crash, no matter who caused the accident.
However, this doesn’t apply to motorcycle accidents. You must instead file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance, and they are responsible for your damages. This may fully cover your costs, but insurance companies often attempt to delay or deny payments.
How Does Comparative Negligence Apply to Motorcycle Accidents?
Under CPLR § 1411, motorcycle accident claims are governed by comparative negligence. Specifically, New York follows a pure comparative negligence system, meaning you can theoretically still recover damages even if you are 99% responsible for the accident.
Insurers sometimes use comparative negligence to reduce the amount of compensation you can recover, claiming you played a role in the accident. Our legal team will investigate your accident and push back against unfair claims that could harm your settlement.
Can You Sue After a Motorcycle Accident?
If the at-fault party’s insurance maximums aren’t enough to cover your damages, you may need to file a lawsuit. To prove liability, our attorneys must show that the other driver neglected their duty to drive safely, caused the accident, and that you suffered real damages as a result. We will:
- Conduct our own investigation into the accident
- Identify all liable parties that played a role in the crash
- Assess your damages and calculate maximum compensation
- File your lawsuit and deal with attorneys and insurance providers
Insurance companies often prefer to settle out of court instead of going to trial, which can be less stressful and less time-consuming for you. We will negotiate for the full compensation you deserve after your motorcycle accident. If the insurer won’t agree, we’ll take your case to court.
Get Help With Your Motorcycle Accident Case on Long Island
You can get compensation for a motorcycle accident on Long Island if you have suffered real damages due to the negligence of another party. In some circumstances, you could be entitled to millions of dollars, though the typical award or settlement is much less.
New York’s pure comparative negligence regulations, as well as at-fault insurance policy limits, can make recovering maximum compensation challenging. An experienced personal injury lawyer can manage your claim and hold liable parties accountable for your damages.
Our team at Chaikin Trial Group Personal Injury Lawyers has more than 50 years of combined legal experience. We will fight for the maximum possible compensation for your motorcycle accident claim. Call today to schedule your free consultation and tell us what happened.