Long Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Exercising caution when riding a motorcycle on Long Island is critical. In a car or truck, you have a metal frame offering some protection if you are ever involved in an accident. Motorcycles do not offer this benefit.
Unfortunately, even if you prioritize safety on the road, you may still one day be injured in a motorcycle accident resulting from someone else’s negligence. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and related losses if this ever occurs.
Our Long Island motorcycle accident lawyers at Shulman & Hill can help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to. Schedule a free legal consultation today to learn more about your legal options.
Long Island Motorcycle Accidents: Essential Information
Motorcycle accidents are relatively common on Long Island. According to a report from AAA, 95 percent of all New York motorcycle accident fatalities occur in Suffolk County.
In general, the chances a motorcyclist will suffer a fatal injury if they are involved in a motorcycle accident are 27 times greater than they would be if they were involved in a car accident. Even if you survive a motorcycle accident, you could be left with serious injuries that may have a permanent impact on your quality of life.
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 who do not have sufficient time to stop. Other causes of Long Island motorcycle accidents include the following:
- Speeding
- 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
- Hazardous road conditions
- Vehicle defects
Those are merely a few examples. Determining the cause of a motorcycle accident is often key to determining the proper means of seeking compensation. A Long Island personal injury attorney can help you identify the cause of your accident if it is not immediately clear.
Seeking Compensation After a Long Island Motorcycle Accident
In New York, drivers involved in car accidents usually begin pursuing compensation by filing claims to collect benefits from their own insurance, regardless of who caused an accident. If a negligent party caused the accident, they may also file a lawsuit to recover additional compensation from the negligent driver’s insurance company.
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 a motorcycle accident lawsuit against the negligent party. This is typically much easier to do with the help of a Long Island personal injury law firm.
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.
Hopefully, this will never happen. If it does happen because someone was negligent, you should strongly consider enlisting the help of a personal injury attorney to pursue any compensation you may be entitled to.
Preventing Long Island Motorcycle Accidents
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 a side lane, and 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 will 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.
The Role of a Motorcycle Accident Law Firm for 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 negligence, correspond with doctors and insurance adjusters, file paperwork, and much more. You will also have to negotiate with an insurer who may not be motivated to pay what you may be entitled to.
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 in the following key ways:
- Investigating the accident to identify any and all potentially liable parties
- Collecting evidence to show why you may be entitled to compensation
- Filing a claim and 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 be injured in an accident on your motorcycle. But it is important to know that help is available if you are hurt because someone was careless.
Why Choose Shulman & Hill?
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. For more information, call us today at 516.613.3196 or contact us online to schedule your free legal consultation.
WE WORK WITH YOU
TO GET YOU COMPENSATED
Everyday working people often struggle to afford top-tier legal representation. To ensure equal access to justice, we work on a contingency-fee basis. You pay no attorneys’ fees unless we achieve a settlement or verdict in your case.