People must drive carefully on our roads and highways or face possible criminal and civil penalties. Being safe is especially important for motorcycle riders who are more exposed and are more susceptible to injuries. In the event of an accident, a motorcycle rider may need to file a personal injury claim against another driver to cover their accident-related expenses.
Motorcycle crashes are unlike accidents involving standard vehicles. Motorcycles are smaller and more easily missed by other drivers. Riders are also not shielded within an enclosed vehicle or restrained with a seatbelt, so injuries are more likely to be severe. The expenses incurred by motorcycle accident victims can be astronomical, especially if a rider lacks medical insurance. A lawsuit may be the only way for riders to cover their expenses and get their lives back to normal.
A motorcycle rider should not have their life upended because of another driver’s negligence. Our Yonkers motorcycle accident attorneys can help you get the compensation you need to put your life back together. The team at The Martello Law Firm, PLLC is available for a free legal consultation. Call us at (646) 396-0236 to discuss your accident.
How Motorcycle Accidents Happen in Yonkers
Motorcycle accidents share many of the same causes as more typical crashes involving cars and trucks. When a motorcycle rider is in an accident, they tend to sustain very serious injuries. However, the driver of a car that hits a motorcycle may only suffer minor damage. Our Yonkers motorcycle accident lawyers are ready to help you get compensation for your collision.
One major factor in motorcycle accidents is that drivers do not look for motorcycle riders on the road. Motorcycles are smaller and pose less of a threat to cars, so drivers often overlook them. This creates a huge risk for motorcycle riders who rely on other drivers to be fully aware of their surroundings. It is not unusual for a driver in a car to overlook a motorcycle rider when changing lanes or making a turn. It is extra important for drivers to be aware of motorcycles because a motorcycle is more easily concealed in a driver’s blind spot.
Accidents that might be relatively minor for drivers in cars and trucks may be very serious for motorcycles. For example, when a car is rear-ended, there may be some bumper damage and possibly a bad case of whiplash if the collision is bad. If a motorcycle is rear-ended, the rider could be thrown from the bike into traffic.
Who Can I Hold Liable for My Motorcycle Accident in Yonkers?
Accidents could involve one or several other vehicles and drivers. In any case, our Yonkers motorcycle accident lawyers can help you identify possible defendants who are liable for your accident and injuries. It is important to identify potential defendants early, as adding more defendants later in your case could complicate matters.
In many cases, injured motorcycle riders sue another driver they believe caused the accident. As discussed previously, other drivers tend to overlook motorcycles on the roads, placing riders at higher risks of accidents. If a driver in a car, truck, or other vehicle hit you or caused you to run off the road, they may be liable for your injuries and related expenses. The driver may claim they did not mean to hit you and it was “only an accident,” but that does not excuse their negligent behavior. Our Yonkers motorcycle accident attorneys will help you prove the other driver acted negligently and caused the accident.
In some cases, an accident involves not one but multiple drivers. Multi-vehicle accidents are often very tricky to assess because it is not immediately clear who caused the accident. One car might have set off a chain reaction that led to the accident. Alternatively, several drivers might all share some degree of responsibility.
When a lawsuit involves more than one defendant, you may sue all possible defendants or just one. If you are successful, the defendants must sort out how they are to pay. In some cases, you might only be able to sue one defendant because the others fled the scene and could not be identified. In that case, it is the defendant’s responsibility, not yours, to find the other drivers and seek contribution for your damages.
Injuries and Damages for Motorcycle Accidents in Yonkers
Your injuries after a motorcycle accident may be numerous and quite severe. Motorcycle riders are at a greater risk of significant injury compared to other drivers, and riders may be left with significant medical debt after a crash.
Common injuries can include head injuries like concussions or even debilitating brain injuries. Spinal cord damage and other back injuries have also been reported. In some cases, a motorcycle rider is so severely injured they lose their ability to walk. Broken bones, bruises, and lacerations are all very common in motorcycle accidents and can be very painful. Long-term or permanent injuries, like the loss of certain bodily functions or senses or bodily disfigurement, are also possible.
You should always remember to include the value of your motorcycle when calculating damages. People are so overwhelmed by their medical bills that they sometimes forget to include the cost of repairs or total replacement of their bikes. A motorcycle is not a toy. It is a sophisticated vehicle that can be very expensive to fix or replace.
Other injuries can include losing income because you miss work after an accident. The longer you are out of work and the more income you lose, the greater your damages may be. We must also account for your pain and suffering after the accident, both physical and mental. Your injuries may be excruciating, and motorcycle riders often report mental health problems, like depression, anxiety, or PTSD, after a traumatic accident. Your suffering can also factor into your damages calculations. Our Yonkers motorcycle accident lawyers will help you determine an accurate value of your total damages.
Call Our Yonkers, New York Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
After a motorcycle accident, you have to deal with various bills and expenses related to recovery. Our Yonkers motorcycle accident attorneys can help you get compensation from the drivers responsible. Arrange a free legal consultation with the team at The Martello Law Firm, PLLC. Call us today at (646) 396-0236.
