New York Motorcycle Accidents Attorneys
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident in New York City or anywhere across the great state of New York, the personal injury attorneys of Hach & Rose, LLP can help you take action against the party responsible and make sure you get the justice you deserve.
Our team has the experience you are looking for and our track record of success helping injured people in New York speaks for itself. We know all too well the devastation that a motorcycle accident can cause to the rider. While we know you love your bike and are likely aware of the dangers of riding a motorcycle, you do not have to bear the burden of your injuries if the crash was caused by someone else’s negligent actions. Call us at (212) 779-0057 to discuss the details of your collision and let us help you get back to work and back on the road.
Our team is committed to helping people who are hurt in New York. Seeking justice and securing fair compensation for injuries is what we do, and we can do that for you and your loved ones. If you were hurt, or if you lost a loved one due to the reckless or negligent actions of another party, you have the right to seek compensation to cover the expenses associated with the accident, and may be eligible for punitive damages for their actions. We are standing by to help you, so don’t wait, call us at (212) 779-0057 today.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Our team is capable of helping you if you have been hurt in an accident caused by someone else’s careless actions. We can help you if you have been hurt in an accident involving:
- Drunk driving accidents – If an individual chooses to drive after consuming alcohol or taking drugs, they are putting themselves and others at risk. This type of negligent action can cause a serious crash and may result in injuries or death.
- Driver error – If a driver fails to operate their vehicle in a responsible manner, an accident is likely to happen. If a driver is distracted behind the wheel, or careless in their operation of the vehicle, others may suffer.
- Road defects – Cities and municipalities need to make sure that roads are free of hazards and defects. Motorcycle riders are at serious risk if there are potholes, uneven roadways, and other dangers that have not been repaired by the city.
- Defective motorcycle parts or design – If you are hurt in an accident caused by a defective part on your bike, the manufacturer and others in the distribution chain may be held liable for your injuries.
If a person behaves in a manner described above and causes you harm, you may be able to take legal action to hold them accountable. Contact us at (212) 779-0057 to discuss your claim today.
Example Motor Vehicle Accident Results
U.S. Motorcycle Injuries and Fatalities – Statistics
According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), there are alarming statistics regarding motorcycle crashes and fatalities in the United States. For this data, a motorcycle was defined as either a moped, two- or three-wheeled motorcycle, off-road motorcycle, scooter, mini bike, and pocket bike. Although New Yorkers do have the helmet law and progress has been made, additional lives could be saved annually if more residents followed the law.
In 2017, 5,172 motorcyclists were killed in crashes, a 3% decrease from the previous year. Of this national total, 128 of these motorcycle deaths occurred in the state of New York. Some other key findings from the 2016 NHTSA Motorcycle Traffic Safety report are as follows:
- From 2015 to 2016, there was a 5.1% increase in motorcycle fatalities. The total yearly fatality count climbed from 5,029 to 5,286.
- For the total miles traveled on U.S. roads in 2016, fatalities from motorcycle collisions occurred 28 times more than fatalities in passenger vehicle collisions.
- Over one-fourth of all motorcyclists involved in fatal collisions did not have valid motorcycle licenses.
- Thirty-seven percent of motorcyclists killed in single-vehicle crashes were under the influence of alcohol at the time of impact.
- The NHTSA projected that in 2016, approximately 1,859 motorcyclists were saved by their helmets. Additionally, it is projected that 802 more cyclists could have been spared had they worn helmets.
- Motorcyclists killed in crashes at night were three times more likely to be under the influence of alcohol.
- Motorcyclists accounted for the highest swath, 25%, of drivers involved in alcohol-related accidents. Passenger cars accounted for 21%, light trucks accounted for 20%, and large trucks accounted for 2%.
Additionally, of all motorcycles involved in fatal crashes in 2016, 93% were two-wheeled motorcycles. Motorcyclists accounted for nearly 15% of all traffic deaths. Of the 5,286 motorcyclists killed in traffic accidents in 2016, 4,950 were riders and 336 were passengers.
While younger drivers are generally considered the most at-risk populations while driving, statistics indicate that an older age range of motorcyclists is at a higher risk of death. In the time between 2007 and 2016, national motorcycle fatalities increased by 2%. In 2016, the percentage of motorcycle fatalities of this same age group grew to 54%. The average age of a motorcyclist killed in 2007 was 39, but this drastic increase in deaths of riders over the age of forty brought the average age up to 43 in 2016.
Though drivers age 40 or above tend to be at risk while motorcycling, research shows that other age brackets’ risks are greater during certain times of the week. In 2016, motorcyclists aged 50 and above had the highest fatality rates over the weekend. This statistic is a marked departure from data collected in 2007, where motorcyclists aged 30 and younger were at the highest risk of being involved in a fatal crash over the weekend.
In addition to age, speed is a serious contributing factor to motorcycle fatalities. Motorcycle drivers and passengers lack the crucial exterior protections passenger vehicle occupants have. As such, impacts that occur at elevated speeds have a higher likelihood of leaving motorcyclists with fatal injuries. In 2016, 33% of motorcyclists were speeding at the time of fatal impact, which is a 14% increase compared to drivers of passenger vehicles.
Read more about U.S. motorcycle injuries, fatalities, and crash facts here.
Frequently Asked Questions
As chaotic as the time after a motorcycle accident can be, the attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP want to make your search for answers to your many questions as easy as possible. Though no internet search could beat the carefully crafted and personalized response from one of our attorneys, we have compiled our most frequently asked questions and answered them here, for your convenience. Since the answers to these questions are quite broad, you may not see an answer that matches your unique situation, and we urge you to call us at (212) 779-0057 to set up a free consultation today.
How much can I receive for my injuries?
The answer to this question is going to largely depend on your specific situation, and you can get an accurate idea of how much you can hope to receive by getting into contact with one of our attorneys. We’ll generally help you seek compensation for the following damages: medical bills that resulted from your immediate injuries, any future medical or therapy bills if your injuries warrant follow-ups or physical therapy, property damage, loss of income if you were forced to take off of work or were so injured that you cannot go back to work, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
Why do I need an attorney?
Although many people do go on to represent themselves in court, it’s in your best interest to seek the help of a Hach & Rose, LLP attorney for several reasons. First and foremost, injured individuals who hire lawyers tend to receive about three times more in compensation than those who do not, and our results speak for themselves. We have many multimillion-dollar settlements under our belt and will work just as hard for you as we did for those clients. Next, we work on a contingency basis, which means that our fees are paid for only through a percentage of the compensation you are awarded. If we don’t win, you don’t pay. Last, it’s incredibly important that you take the time you need to recover from your accident, and an attorney can help you to keep your mind away from the courtroom and on your own recovery. We’ll keep up with the paperwork and important dates while you focus on your health.
If I was injured in a motorcycle accident with another motor vehicle, can I recover damages from the other driver if I wasn’t wearing my helmet?
New York does have a mandatory helmet law, but it shouldn’t stop you from seeking compensation for your injuries, especially if the other driver was mostly or completely at fault. The compensation you receive, however, can be completely based on whether you would’ve received the same injuries if you were wearing certain, mandatory safety gear. In this case, it’s best to speak to one of our attorneys to get an idea of whether you can receive compensation and how much.