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NYC Motorcycle Accidents Lawyer

Headshot of Jeremy Schiowitz
Written by Jeremy Schiowitz

Personal Injury Lawyer at Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP.

Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.

Graduated from Brooklyn Law School: Juris Doctor, 2003.

motorcycle accident

Motorcycle accidents are incredibly frightening and can cause catastrophic injuries that you may never recover from. Mainly, this is because motorcycles don’t have the same level of protection that cars do. Motorcyclists are also 28 times more likely to have a fatal accident compared to car drivers. Motorcycles are considered risky vehicles, but not many know that is really car drivers that are the main reason that motorcyclists get injured. Distracted driving, aggressive driving, and other poor driving habits increase the risk of a horrific motorcycle accident. If you’ve been badly wounded because of a recent personal injury, it is time to speak to a New York City motorcycle accident lawyer who can represent you. This is especially the case if you are a survivor of a wrongful death victim who is eligible to claim compensation on their behalf. Reach out to our dedicated personal injury law firm that has proven experience in getting maximum compensation for our clients. Contact Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP now for a free consultation. 

What Lawyers Do To Help After A NYC Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accident lawyers work hard to make sure you are fairly represented. What lawyers can do to help after your NYC motorcycle accident include the following: 

Investigate Your Claim

Your attorney will investigate the motorcycle accident thoroughly to establish what caused it.

Calculate Damages

All of your medical bills, pain and suffering damages, lost wages, and property damages will be estimated by your attorney. This will be included in your settlement. 

Collaborate With Experts

Attorneys can obtain additional evidence by working with experts who can help provide more in-depth information about your accident. For example, they may consult with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and financial experts. 

Draft Documents

After documentation of your injuries, your attorney will organize and print all of the information required to submit your information to the other party’s insurer. 

Negotiate On Your Behalf

Your attorney will negotiate a settlement with the other party to get a fair resolution. 

Represent You In Court

If the other party won’t agree to your settlement, they will file a lawsuit and represent you in court. 

New York Motorcycle Accident Statistics

In New York City, there is a fatal crash rate involving 89 motorcycles for every 100,000 registered motorcycles. The NYC motorcycle fatal crash rate is twice that of the state crash rate. It is also much higher than the national fatal crash rate. In 2020, about fifty motorcyclists died. 

Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Most motorcycle accidents happen at intersections. The main reasons that cause motorcycle accidents include the following:

Left Turn Accidents

When turning left, a lot of cars simply fail to notice motorcycle riders.

Blind Spot Accidents

Car drivers have a more difficult time seeing motorcyclists in their blindspots because they are much smaller vehicles. 

Bad Weather

Heavy rain, fog, snowy weather, and other road conditions can put a motorcyclist’s life at risk. It also makes it more difficult for other drivers to notice the motorcyclist. 

Road Or Construction Hazards

Potholes, cracked roads, large puddles, and obstacles laying on the road can cause terrible traffic accidents. 

Driver Negligence

A driver may not be paying attention because they are distracted. They may also be driving recklessly, for example weaving in and out of traffic and driving in areas not designated for cars. 

Intoxicated Drivers

Drunk drivers are notorious for not noticing motorcyclists on the road. The same goes for drivers abusing a drug while driving. 

Speeding Accidents

Speeding car drivers won’t have time to stop and avoid hitting a motorcyclist. 

Damages For Motorcycle Crash Victims

Damages that you can include in your settlement will be estimated using both your economic and non-economic damages. 

Medical Bills

Any medical care you required in the past, present, and future will be included. 

Property Damage

Damage to your vehicle and any personal property is also accounted for.

Lost Wages

Any income you couldn’t make while you were recovering will be a part of your settlement. This includes future lost income. 

Pain And Suffering 

Emotional turmoil, such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, grief, shame, and other emotions is also a form of damages.

Punitive Damages

Although this is awarded by the court, you can also receive punitive damages if the other party was grossly negligent. 

Can you get PTSD from a motorcycle accident? 

Any stressful event that you go through or even observe might lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Motorcycle accidents can cause PTSD because you may be traumatized by being hit by a car and the pain you experienced while injured. 

Can a motorcycle accident change your personality? 

If you suffer from a traumatic brain injury, there is a high chance that your personality can change. This is because when the brain cortex is injured, you can experience difficulty moving, talking, concentrating, remembering, and other brain activities. 

What do you do after a minor motorcycle accident? 

As soon as you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, you should take the following steps:

  1. Call 911
  2. Get medical care
  3. Take photos
  4. Get contact information 
  5. Speak to your insurance company
  6. Speak to your attorney
  7. Avoid posting about your injury on social media
  8. Don’t accept offers without your attorney’s input
  9. Avoid giving statements to insurance companies

Next Steps To Take After Your Motorcycle Accident

Find out if you can hold the other driver liable for your injuries by speaking to an educated lawyer. Our proven law firm only works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay when we win your settlement. Contact Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP now for a free consultation.