You should get a lawyer for a motorcycle accident if you were hurt in the crash. Many injured riders choose to speak with an attorney when they are facing medical bills, missed income, serious injuries, or disputes with the insurance company
Our Long Island motorcycle accident lawyer will review your situation, explain your options, and seek damages for you from the person or party responsible for the crash.
How Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Helps Riders After Crashes
After a motorcycle wreck, people have questions about fault, insurance coverage, and the value of their claim for damages. While they recover, we handle their entire case from start to finish.
This means:
- Investigating the crash to find out what happened and who is responsible
- Gathering evidence (e.g., police reports, medical records, camera footage, etc.)
- Speaking with witnesses
- Leading communications with insurance companies
- Calculating damages
- Negotiating a settlement
- Filing a lawsuit if necessary
- Representing you at trial
Many injury cases settle before trial, but some can head to court if the insurance company does not make a fair offer. In those situations, having a motorcycle crash lawyer who is ready to fight for your recovery in court may make a difference.
When Should You Contact a Lawyer?
Speaking with a lawyer early in the case allows an investigation to begin sooner and may help protect your rights from the start. Many people wait until they run into problems with an insurance company. By that point, evidence that can support your claim may already be harder to obtain.
Should I Get a Lawyer for a Motorcycle Crash if I Was Partly at Fault?
You may still have a claim even if you share some responsibility for the crash. Insurers can try to place blame for an accident on the person who was riding the motorcycle. Our attorney will review the facts and challenge any unfair accusations.
Under New York’s comparative negligence system, injured people may still recover damages when they are partly at fault for an accident. The amount they recover may be reduced based on their share of fault.
Motorcycle crash cases vary according to the circumstances, so riders can speak with an attorney before accepting blame or agreeing to a settlement.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Signs You May Want to Hire a Lawyer After a Motorcycle Crash
Motorcycle accidents can involve minor property damage, but riders can suffer serious injuries and financial losses.
After an accident, you may want to speak with a lawyer if:
- You suffered serious injuries.
- You missed work because of the crash.
- There is disagreement over who caused the accident.
- More than one party is responsible.
- A loved one died in the accident.
- The settlement offer from the insurance company seems too low.
- You are being blamed for the crash.
A consultation with an injury attorney from our team can help you better understand your options.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcyclists have less protection than people inside passenger vehicles. Even a crash at a moderate speed can cause significant harm.
Riders can suffer various injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Leg and knee injuries
- Road rash
A motorcycle crash injury may require surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, or ongoing medical care. These costs can grow over time, making recovery expensive.
What Damages May Be Available After a Motorcycle Crash?
The damages injured riders can receive depend on the facts of the case and the losses they suffered.
After careful review of what happened, we may be able to file a claim for:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment costs
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
We take all injuries and losses into account as we work to determine the true cost of how the accident affected you or your loved one.
Why Insurance Companies Can Be Difficult to Deal With
Many riders expect the insurance company to treat them fairly. Unfortunately, that does not always happen. As insurance adjusters review claims, they may question the severity of the injuries suffered or say that the rider caused the crash.
They also may request recorded statements, downplay future medical or rehabilitation needs, or offer a quick settlement before treatment is complete. In many cases, early offers do not meet the needs of injured riders.
Accepting an offer without fully knowing the value of your claim can leave you responsible for costs that arise later. Once you accept a settlement, you usually cannot ask for more money later. Injured riders can speak with an attorney before signing any documents.
Deadlines for Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim in New York
If the next step is to file a lawsuit for damages, you have to do it within a certain time frame. Under NY CPLR § 214(5), personal injury lawsuits in New York generally must be filed within three years from the crash date.
Wrongful death lawsuits have a shorter deadline. Parties generally have two years from the person’s death date to seek damages, per NY EPT § 5-4.1. The exact deadline depends on the case, so speaking with an attorney from our firm early in the process can help.
We will work to file your case on time. Missed deadlines can end your opportunity to pursue damages.
Thinking About Getting a Lawyer for a Motorcycle Accident? Call Us
If someone else’s carelessness caused your motorcycle crash, you may have the right to seek damages for your losses. If you are wondering whether you should get a lawyer for the accident, you can talk with Levine And Wiss to understand your options and what to expect.
We are committed to justice and focused on you. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars, served thousands of clients, and built a reputation for standing up for injured people. When you hire us, you get experienced lawyers, in-house investigators, paralegals working under partner supervision, and a full support team that builds strong claims.
Our Long Island personal injury lawyers will go to trial and are not afraid to litigate against insurers. We can meet with you at the office, virtually through Zoom, at hospitals, or at another convenient location. Call us today for a free consultation. We are available 24/7.
