Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Long Island

A motorcycle accident can leave you facing serious injuries and prohibitive medical bills. If you were injured in a crash that wasn’t your fault, a Long Island personal injury lawyer can help you recover damages.

Chaikin Trial Group Personal Injury Lawyers has won more than $100 million for our clients. If you were involved in a motorcycle crash, a motorcycle accident lawyer in Long Island can help you obtain a fair settlement.

How a Long Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help

Dealing with insurance companies after a motorcycle accident can quickly become overwhelming. A Long Island motorcycle accident lawyer can step in and help by:

• Investigating the accident: We can gather evidence like police reports, witness statements, and traffic camera footage to determine what caused the crash.
• Calculating damages: We can make sure your claim includes all of your losses, including future medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
• Handling insurance companies: Insurance adjusters often try to minimize payouts. We can help ensure fair treatment and push for a settlement that reflects your losses.
• Taking the case to court: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we can pursue litigation and represent you at trial.

What Types of Compensation Can You Recover?

You can recover numerous types of damages after a motorcycle crash, including:

• Medical expenses: You can recover compensation for emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and ongoing treatment.
• Lost wages: You can seek compensation for income you lost while recovering, as well as reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to work.
• Pain and suffering: You can pursue damages for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
• Property damage: You can be reimbursed for the repair or replacement of your motorcycle and other damaged property.
• Rehabilitation costs: You can recover the cost of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other forms of rehabilitation.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: You can be compensated if your injuries prevent you from participating in activities you once enjoyed.
• Punitive damages: In cases involving extreme negligence or reckless behavior, you can seek additional damages meant to punish the responsible party.

Our Long Island motorcycle accident lawyers can help make sure none of your losses are excluded from your claim.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in New York?

Motorcycle accident claims in New York are subject to strict deadlines. Under NY CPLR § 214, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Certain circumstances can shorten or extend this deadline. For example, claims involving government entities often require a notice of claim to be filed within 90 days. Failing to meet the applicable deadline can result in you losing your right to pursue compensation altogether.

Our Long Island motorcycle accident attorneys can help you file a motorcycle accident claim on time.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Motorcycle Accident?

Determining liability is a crucial part of any motorcycle accident claim. Multiple parties may be responsible for your damages, including:

• Negligent drivers: A driver who was speeding, distracted, or otherwise careless can be held accountable for causing the crash.
• Employers: If the at-fault driver was working at the time of the accident, their employer may share liability.
• Vehicle manufacturers: Defective motorcycle parts or safety equipment can contribute to accidents and worsen injuries.
• Government entities: Poorly maintained roads, missing signage, or unsafe construction zones can shift liability to local or state agencies.
• Other third parties: In some cases, additional parties such as contractors or maintenance companies may be responsible for hazardous conditions.

Our Long Island motorcycle injury lawyers can determine who is at fault for your crash and hold them responsible for your losses.

How Do You Prove Negligence?

To recover compensation for a motorcycle crash, you must show that another party’s negligence caused your injuries. That requires establishing these legal elements:

• Duty of care: The responsible party had an obligation to act safely and follow traffic laws.
• Breach of duty: This obligation was violated through careless or reckless behavior.
• Causation: The breach directly led to the accident and your injuries.
• Damages: You suffered measurable losses as a result of the accident.

A Long Island motorcycle crash lawyer can collect evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, expert testimony, and medical documentation to prove liability in your case.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents on Long Island

Motorcycle accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, such as:

• Driver inattention: Distracted driving, including texting or using in-car technology, can cause drivers not to notice motorcyclists.
• Failure to yield: Many accidents occur when drivers fail to yield the right-of-way at intersections or while making turns.
• Unsafe lane changes: Motorcycles can be harder to see in blind spots, which increases the risk of a crash during lane changes.
• Speeding: Excessive speed reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases the severity of collisions.
• Driving under the influence: Alcohol or drug impairment significantly raises the likelihood of serious accidents.
• Road hazards: Potholes, uneven pavement, and debris can be especially dangerous for Long Island riders.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

The steps you take after a motorcycle accident in New York can impact both your health and your legal claim. You should:

• Call the police: An official police report can document the details of the accident and serve as valuable evidence later.
• Document the scene: Take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries (if possible).
• Exchange information: Collect contact and insurance details from all parties involved in the crash. If any witnesses are present, ask for their contact information as well.
• Seek medical attention: Even if injuries seem minor, it’s important to see a doctor to create a record of your condition.
• Avoid admitting fault: Statements made at the scene can be used against you, so it is best to stick to factual information when speaking to police and insurance adjusters.
• Talk to a lawyer: A Long Island motorcycle crash attorney can help you build a strong claim and file it promptly.

Speak to a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Long Island

It can take months to recover from a motorcycle crash. If you are currently recovering from one, our Long Island motorcycle accident law firm can handle every aspect of your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Schedule a free case review to discuss your legal options with an attorney.