Staten Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
It’s no secret that the rate of traffic congestion in an area has a direct impact on the number of motor vehicle accidents that happen. Staten Island has more than its fair share of congestion when compared to other cities of similar size, so it’s no surprise that motorcycle accidents are common occurrences.
However, this doesn’t mean that motorcycle accidents shouldn’t be taken seriously. These crashes have the potential to cause some of the most serious injuries of any type of traffic accident.
Since these injuries and damages can be more expensive than most people are prepared to deal with, it’s best to have a Staten Island motorcycle accident lawyer from Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP help you through the legal process.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
There are several common causes of motorcycle accidents, most of which involve the negligence of other drivers. However, other elements that may not affect larger vehicles like trucks, such as weather and some dangerous road conditions, can also factor in.
Below are some of the most common reasons that motorcycle accidents occur on Staten Island:
- Car drivers not yielding the right-of-way
- Speeding
- Driver distraction
- Failure to obey traffic signals or laws
As you can see, most motorcycle accidents are caused by the negligence of other drivers, making the stereotype that motorcycle riders are reckless an unfortunate exaggeration.
In any event, the party at fault should be held accountable. Your Staten Island motorcycle accident lawyer will collect the evidence needed to prove this fault and allow you to receive the compensation you are due.
Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Other Elements
The scenarios above all involve other drivers who might be to blame for what happened in a crash. However, sometimes these accidents have nothing to do with other drivers. Instead, sometimes a crash happens because of something in the environment caused by a third party:
- Dangerous road conditions due to poor upkeep and maintenance
- Mechanical failure
- Animals or objects in the road
- Poor or missing road signs
- Improperly secured construction sites
Even though another driver isn’t responsible in these accidents, there could still be another party that could be held accountable. For instance, if your neighbor’s dog wasn’t restrained and caused your accident, your neighbor could be held responsible.
Likewise, if a dangerous road isn’t maintained by the entity responsible for it, they could be at fault for your injuries and damages. It’s important to look at all possible causes for an accident, and a qualified Staten Island motorcycle accident lawyer from our office can help with this.
Injuries in Staten Island Motorcycle Accidents
Many motorcycle accident injuries result in long-term disabilities, meaning you may have to deal with doctor’s appointments, medication, mobility equipment, and therapy for the rest of your life. You may also lose the ability to carry out daily tasks and not be able to ride a motorcycle ever again.
When injuries and losses affect your life and wellbeing to this extent, it’s important that you seek financial compensation. Although money won’t erase the accident or the injuries, it can help you move forward.
Listed below are some of the most likely injuries to occur in motorcycle wrecks:
- Brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spine injuries
- Broken bones
- Limb loss and amputation
- Wrongful death
Determining Fault in a Motorcycle Accident
Although there are stereotypes that most motorcyclists are at fault for causing their own accidents, this isn’t always true. In fact, most motorcycle accidents involve negligent drivers of other vehicles.
No matter what kind of accident you are in, it is important to establish fault in order to seek compensation. In many cases, the fault doesn’t fall on just one person. Rather, multiple parties are found partially at-fault for the sequence of events that led up to the final impact.
In order to determine financial liability, a percentage scale is used. For example, if you were on a motorcycle and pulled out in front of a speeding driver, you may have a share in the blame because even though the driver was speeding, you made the choice to pull into that lane.
Because the percentage you are found responsible for can reduce your settlement directly, it’s important to mitigate it as much as possible. Your Staten Island motorcycle accident lawyer will do this for you by building the strongest case possible for your accident.
Staten Island Motorcycle Accident FAQ
After a crash, you’re bound to feel uncertain about how to proceed and will likely have a number of questions. Below are answers to just a few of the questions we get asked the most often. If you don’t see your question addressed, please call our office to speak with a Staten Island motorcycle accident lawyer.
What if my motorcycle accident was caused by a pothole?
Potholes are much more dangerous to motorcyclists than they are to other motorists. A pothole is an indication of poor road maintenance, meaning that the business or government agency responsible for the road would also be responsible for your crash.
What is my motorcycle accident claim going to be worth?
The value of every claim is different and depends on your injuries, damages, and the cost to recover from or repair them. Your Staten Island motorcycle accident lawyer will assess your claim and provide you with an accurate estimate.
Will I be able to sue if my motorcycle accident was a single-vehicle crash?
Being the only driver involved doesn’t necessarily mean that you were at fault. If a dangerous road or defective part caused your crash, the party responsible for those factors could be to blame for your motorcycle accident.
Help from a Capable Staten Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you have been in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to have an experienced Staten Island motorcycle accident lawyer on your side. The opposing attorney may attempt to portray you as reckless, and we can prevent you from becoming a victim twice in this scenario. Just because you were riding a motorcycle, it does not mean you are automatically to blame for your crash.
The attorneys of Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP have many years of experience successfully navigating motorcycle accidents and getting the largest settlements possible. If you have been in a motorcycle accident, complete the form below or call us at 1-800-VICTIM 2 (842-8462) as soon as possible.