Long Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
- Content reviewed by: Alex Shulman
- Last updated: Aug. 16, 2024
Exercising caution when riding a motorcycle on Long Island is critical. In a car or truck, you have a metal frame offering some protection in an accident. Motorcycles do not offer this benefit. Collisions frequently lead to catastrophic injuries and significant financial expenses and losses.
Unfortunately, even if you prioritize safety on the road, you may still one day suffer injuries in a motorcycle accident resulting from someone else’s carelessness. If this ever occurs, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and related losses.
Our Long Island motorcycle accident lawyers at Shulman & Hill can help you pursue compensation. Call (866) 880-0645 for a free legal consultation today to learn more about your legal options and how our personal injury lawyers can help you.
The Role of a Motorcycle Accident Law Firm on Long Island
Pursuing compensation after being injured in a motorcycle accident on Long Island can be a difficult process if you attempt to do so on your own. You may need to gather evidence proving liability, correspond with doctors and insurance adjusters, file paperwork, and learn about the laws that apply to your case. You will also have to negotiate with an insurer who may not be motivated to pay fair compensation based on case facts.
Your priority right now should be your recovery. Our Long Island motorcycle accident lawyers at Shulman & Hill are prepared to handle the task of pursuing compensation on your behalf. We can help you in the following ways:
- Investigating the accident to identify all potentially liable parties
- Collecting evidence to show why you may be entitled to compensation
- Filing a claim and/or lawsuit
- Corresponding with insurance adjusters
- Negotiating for a fair settlement on your behalf
Ideally, you will never need to seek compensation because you will never suffer injuries in an accident on your motorcycle. However, it is important to know that help is available if you are hurt because someone else was careless.
Why Choose Shulman & Hill to Handle Your Motorcycle Accident Case?
At Shulman & Hill, we do not make vague promises. We can demonstrate we are the right Long Island motorcycle accident attorneys to handle your case by citing our proven track record of success. We have over $500 million won for our clients hurt by someone else’s carelessness. We know how to build these cases and win.
While our past success does not make any guarantees about your financial recovery, it shows why we are New York’s premier personal injury law firm. Our Long Island team knows how to develop compelling cases and fight for the compensation our clients deserve based on their documented expenses and losses.
When you trust Shulman & Hill with your Long Island motorcycle collision case, we will get to know you and your case. We dedicate ourselves to handling every case we accept with the utmost professional expertise, regardless of the difficulty or complexity. In addition, we represent motorcycle accident victims with no upfront fees. We work on a contingency-fee basis, so our attorneys do not get paid until you do.
Seeking Compensation After a Long Island Motorcycle Accident
In New York, drivers involved in car accidents usually seek compensation by filing claims to collect benefits from their own insurance, regardless of who caused an accident. They rely on personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to pay for their basic damages, including medical bills and lost income up to the policy maximum.
If a reckless party caused the accident, they may also file a lawsuit to recover additional compensation from the careless driver’s insurance company, if they can demonstrate to the judge or jury that they suffered “serious” injuries.
The rules for motorcyclists are different. Because no-fault insurance does not apply to motorcyclists, an injured motorcyclist may only be able to pursue compensation if another driver or party was at fault for the accident.
Doing so involves filing an auto liability insurance claim or a motorcycle accident lawsuit against the negligent party. This may be less stressful to do with the help of a Long Island personal injury law firm. Hiring a motorcycle collision lawyer from our team could benefit you, allowing you to focus on your healing and health while we take care of the rest.
Shulman & Hill obtained a $2,500,000 settlement for a non-union laborer
Shulman & Hill obtained a $2,000,000 settlement for an immigrant laborer
Shulman & Hill obtained a $1,600,000 settlement for a 53-year-old union bus driver
Shulman & Hill obtained a $1,500,000 settlement for an undocumented day laborer
Shulman & Hill obtained a $1,500,000 settlement for a bus driver
The Consequences of a Long Island Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents have the potential to leave victims with significant injuries. If you are harmed in a Long Island motorcycle accident, you will likely sustain injuries that require costly medical treatment.
Your financial struggles in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident may be even greater if your injuries prevent you from working and earning an income. Additionally, you might face difficulties that do not have an objective dollar value, such as pain and suffering.
While expenses and losses vary widely in these cases, some types of damages you may be able to recover through an insurance claim or lawsuit could include:
- Past/future pain and suffering
- Past/future medical expenses
- Past/future lost income
If you are facing expenses and accident-related losses because of another party’s actions, you should strongly consider enlisting the help of a personal injury attorney from Shulman & Hill to pursue any compensation you may be entitled to.
Fatal Motorcycle Accidents on Long Island
Unfortunately, Long Island motorcycle collisions also cause fatal injuries. According to a report from the American Automobile Association (AAA), 95 percent of all New York motorcycle accident fatalities occur in Suffolk County on Long Island. The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) reported that fatal collisions rose statewide by 50 percent between 2019 and 2021, an even more alarming statistic.
In general, the chances a motorcyclist will suffer a fatal injury if they are involved in a motorcycle accident are much greater than they would be if they were involved in a car accident.
Our Long Island wrongful death attorneys represent those who lost a loved one in this type of accident. If an immediate family member—spouse, child, or parent—died from their collision injuries, connect with our team to discuss your next steps and how our lawyers handle these cases. We provide free case assessments and will explain the wrongful death laws that apply to your case during your initial consultation.
Causes of Long Island Motorcycle Accidents
AAA officials report that one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents on Long Island is drivers making left turns in front of motorcyclists. These motorcyclists do not have sufficient time to stop and lay down their bikes or collide with the other vehicle. Other causes of Long Island motorcycle accidents include the following:
- Speeding
- Ignoring traffic control devices such as stops signs and red lights
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving, a common problem due to smartphone ownership
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Failure to check blind spots for motorcycles, which are sometimes more difficult to see than other vehicles due to their size
- Violating other traffic laws
- Hazardous road conditions
- Vehicle defects
Determining the cause of a motorcycle accident is key to determining the proper means of seeking compensation. Our Long Island personal injury attorney can help you identify the cause of your accident if it is not immediately apparent. They investigate these collisions daily and know what to look for and the evidence necessary to hold the at-fault driver legally liable.
Preventing Motorcycle Accidents on Long Island
Although you may not be able to prevent others from putting you in harm’s way, there are steps you can take to limit your chances of being involved in a Long Island motorcycle accident. They include the following:
- Check weather reports before riding, and do not ride if there is a possibility of inclement weather
- Wear bright colors and keep your headlight on when driving at night
- Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles whenever possible
- Do not ride between cars, even if they are parked
- Schedule regular motorcycle maintenance
- Avoid riding at night whenever possible
- If riding on a major highway, stay in the outside lane—only use the middle lane for passing, avoiding hazards, or changing lanes in anticipation of an exit
Keeping these tips in mind whenever you ride can help minimize your chances of being harmed in an accident. If you are involved in an accident, review your case with our Long Island motorcycle accident attorneys to determine if you may have grounds to file a lawsuit.
Contact Our Long Island Motorcycle Accident Team for a Free Consultation
At Shulman & Hill, our motorcycle accident team meets with crash victims for free. We provide complimentary initial case consultations during which victims can discuss their cases and legal options with a team member. We will explain how we handle similar cases and answer your questions about our services. There is no obligation and no upfront fees to hire our attorneys.
For more information, call us today at (866) 880-0645.