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NYC Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

In the aftermath of a crash, motorcyclists may find themselves struggling with injuries and the blame for the crash. If you were in a wreck and it wasn’t your fault, get help proving you weren’t at fault and getting your compensation from a New York City motorcycle accident lawyer.

When there are so many cars and so much traffic on the streets of New York City, it makes sense that many citizens would opt for a motorcycle, rather than a car. More freedom and more room to move are major benefits that many NYC drivers want.

Unfortunately, things might go wrong on the road. Motorcycles might be one of the more exciting rides, but their riders are one of the most vulnerable groups on the road. Without the protections a larger vehicle provides, they could be seriously injured.

Worse, they often have trouble getting the insurance coverage they need. While New York is a no-fault state, motorcyclists have a reputation that could hurt their claim. As such, if you’ve been injured on your bike and the insurers don’t want to help, get an NYC motorcycle accident lawyer from Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP on your side. We’ll fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Motorcycle Injuries Are Devastating

Motorcycles give their riders a unique experience on the road, but that experience also makes them vulnerable. Other drivers have seat belts, airbags, and other features that are meant to raise their chances of surviving a crash as much as possible.

Unfortunately, as a motorcyclist, you don’t have many safety features to rely on. While helmets are required and can prevent head trauma, which is the leading cause of death for motorcycle crashes, you’re exposed to many road hazards. These injuries can be especially traumatic, and often, these injuries can take months or longer to heal.

Even the mental trauma associated with motorcycle accidents can be severe. Any crash might leave you with scary flashbacks and memories, which might leave you with a PTSD diagnosis, but motorcycle crashes tend to be especially devastating.

As such, your lawyer will need to know about the injuries you’ve suffered, which could be difficult to overcome. This could include any of the follow severe injuries, among others:

  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Whiplash
  • Internal bleeding
  • Broken bones

New York City’s No-Fault Law

Once your accident has happened, you might have one major question: Who is going to pay for this? You might not have had any part in causing the accident, and you need compensation that will cover the expenses for your recovery.

As mentioned, New York is a no-fault state, which means that drivers should be covered by their insurance, regardless of fault. You would expect to be able to file a claim with your insurance company and get the compensation you need. However, that law applies mainly to cars and car accidents.

While motorcyclists should have some liability coverage in the case of an accident, they do not have the personal injury protection insurance that a car would and won’t be covered by their insurance company, regardless of fault. As such, you’ll need to file a claim for your compensation.

When you’re unable to get a settlement through your insurance company, you’ll need to fight for your claim in court, which is difficult on your own. If you’re having trouble with your claim, reach out to a motorcycle accident lawyer in NYC to ensure you’re making the right steps.

When Is Someone Else Responsible for an Accident?

When you’re unable to file a claim with your insurance company alone, you’ll need to file a claim with the court. That means that you’ll need to determine what happened, who’s responsible, and how much you’re owed because of it.

When you’re filing a claim for a motorcycle crash, it can be especially difficult to find the person responsible, because many things can go wrong for a motorcyclist. While it’s often the fault of the driver who hit you, you might have been involved in a one-vehicle accident, which might not have been your fault.

In some cases, something might have gone wrong with your bike. Maybe the brakes went out unexpectedly, or other parts were made poorly and caused the crash. When this happens, your lawyer may seek out the manufacturer and prove that they were liable for making a dangerous product.

And what if you were hit by a rideshare driver? Do you sue Lyft or Uber, the driver, or both?

Otherwise, you might have lost control of your motorcycle because of hazardous road conditions. While the Department of Transportation is responsible for ensuring that the roads are safe, they don’t always act on dangerous conditions. A pothole left unfixed and without any warning signs could cause a serious accident. If you believe the government is responsible for your injuries, we can help you fight back.

Compensation Offered for Motorcycle Crashes

Once you’ve determined who’s responsible for the accident, you’ll then need to determine how much your accident is worth. Unfortunately, it’s not easy. You’ll need to calculate the economic damages you’ve suffered, but your financial losses aren’t everything you’ll include.

Don’t forget that you’re owed compensation for the emotional toll of your damages, too. These can be difficult to calculate because they don’t have a clear price, and intangible effects like pain can affect people differently. But, your bike accident attorney will have the resources to calculate the full worth of your compensation and get you the amount you need to recover.

If you’re not sure what your compensation should include, speak to your lawyer about it. Your compensation could include any or all of the following damages:

  • Medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost wages
  • Disfigurement
  • Property damage

NYC Laws Can Affect Your Claim

Before you get started, however, you’ll need to also protect your claim from the laws that could harm it. While there are other laws your NYC lawyer might cover, two laws could hurt your claim and make recovery difficult or impossible.

First, you’ll need to remember that you only have three years to get your claim started. Every state has a statute of limitations, and while that varies, one thing is true: If you miss that time limit, your claim may be dismissed and you may be barred from recovery.

Second, once you know you’re acting in time, you’ll need to focus on ensuring you won’t be held responsible for the accident. When you’re pursuing damages for a motorcycle crash, you can expect some defenses to focus on how you, as a motorcyclist, are reckless and careless with your safety and others. Unfortunately, these accusations can diminish your claim whether they’re true or not.

New York City recognizes comparative negligence, which means that if you’re partly responsible for your crash, your compensation will be reduced by that amount. While you can still recover, you’ll need an attorney to protect your compensation when the defendant claims that you were negligent.

Contact an NYC Motorcycle Wreck Lawyer

Motorcycle wrecks can be difficult to recover from, between the devastating injuries and the responses you can expect from the defense. Unfortunately, that means getting the compensation you need can be nearly impossible without help.

Don’t take chances with your compensation. Instead, contact a lawyer from Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP. Our attorneys understand how difficult it can be to recover, but we’ll fight to get you the compensation you need.

Ready to get started with an NYC motorcycle accident lawyer? Reach out for a free consultation with our team. To take advantage of this offer, just call 1-800-VICTIM2 (842-8462) or fill out the online form below.

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