Brooklyn Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycles are increasing in popularity in Brooklyn. Many long-time residents ride a motorcycle to get to work or as an enjoyable recreational activity. Meanwhile, countless people visit Brooklyn on their motorcycles, especially during the summer months. With so many motorcycles on the road, we aren’t surprised by the number of accidents.

If you’ve been hurt, or if a loved one was seriously injured, you may be wondering what to do next. The O’Connor Law Firm can help.  We understand the unique challenges that motorcyclists face after an accident, and we are here to help you get the compensation you deserve. We offer free case reviews.

Risks of Riding a Motorcycle

There are many different types of motorcycles on the road, and each has its own set of rules and regulations. However, all motorcyclists share one common vulnerability: they are at a higher risk of being injured in a crash than people in other vehicles.

Some of the increased risks that come with getting on a motorcycle include:

• Because you are on two wheels, the motorcycle is less stable than a four-wheeled passenger sedan. Consequently, road hazards can upset your motorcycle and send you tumbling.
• Motorcyclists have no seat belt or air bag to restrain them in a crash. They can easily be tossed into the road after a crash and be hit by a different vehicle.
• There is no barrier around a motorcycle. As a result, motorcyclists often suffer traumatic blows from speeding vehicles.
• Motorcycles often blend in with the traffic around them, which impedes the ability of other motorists to see them.
• According to the Insurance Information Institute, 5,579 motorcyclists were killed in accidents in 2020.
• Motorcyclists make up roughly 1 in 7 accident fatalities out on the road.
• The fatality rate for someone riding a motorcycle is about 6 times the rate for occupants of passenger vehicles.

There are ways to improve safety. For example, wearing a helmet can reduce serious head injuries by roughly 70%. Also wearing brightly colored clothing will make you stand out on the road and improve the odds motorists see you in enough time to take defensive action.

Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents

Brooklyn motorcycle accidents can occur in many different ways. Some riders are hurt in parking lots or when pulling out of a driveway at low speeds. But some of the most common accidents we tend to see include:

• Left-hand turn collisions. A car waiting in an intersection to make a left-hand turn might fail to see a rider coming toward them.
• Lane change accidents. On the highway, a driver can pull directly into a motorcyclist who is in their blind spot or who blends in with the surrounding vehicles.
• Rear-end collisions. Some distracted motorists will slam into a rider stopped at an intersection or light. Many bikers are tempted to lane split at stop signs and red lights, but lane splitting is illegal in New York City.
• Head-on collisions. Fatigued or impaired drivers can drift across the center line and slam into a motorcyclist.
• Broadside accidents. Often called a T-bone accident, this occurs when the front-end of a vehicle strikes the side of a motorcycle.
• Sideswipe accidents.  A sideswipe accident happens when a car swerves into a lane occupied by a motorcycle resulting in a side collision.
• Door accidents.  A dooring accident occurs when a parked or stopped vehicle opens their car door in the path of a passing motorcycle.
• Single vehicle accidents. A road defect can lead to a motorcycle flipping or sliding off the road. Some common reasons include ice, snow, potholes, and trash or construction debris.

Understanding the cause of a motorcycle accident is key to bringing a claim for compensation. You can only sue someone if they have liability for the wreck. This requires a deep analysis of all evidence, including your motorcycle. Remember not to get it repaired until you meet with a motorcycle accident attorney. Regardless of how your accident happened, a Brooklyn motorcycle accident lawyer can help.

Who is Responsible for My Motorcycle Accident?

The legal team at The O’Connor Law Firm can dig into any motorcycle accident to uncover who or what caused it. Based on this analysis, we can bring a claim for monetary damages against any entity which bears at least partial fault for your wreck. Some of the potential responsible parties include:

• Other motorists. Car and truck drivers must drive with reasonable care, otherwise they are liable for the accident. Sadly, many motorists are outright reckless whenever they are near a motorcycle.
• Employers. You might have been hit by someone who drives for their job, such as a delivery driver or trucker. In this situation, you can sue the employer, who has automatic liability under New York law.
• Mechanics. A mechanic might have performed negligent repairs on your motorcycle or failed to identify a problem. They are liable when they perform their jobs negligently.
• Motorcycle manufacturers. A component part on your bike could have failed, which would make the manufacturer responsible for the accident. An example would be brakes that fail.
• Municipalities. A road defect could have caused your accident, in which case the government is liable because they are responsible for the safety of the roads.

Identifying who to sue is challenging. Each case presents its own unique facts, and you might be too hurt to perform any investigation. Our litigation strategy might change depending on who we identify as at fault. For example, employers tend to have very large liability policies, so we can be more aggressive in negotiating a settlement when an employer is on the other side. By contrast, a motorist might have only the state’s minimum liability coverage.

Common Injuries from Motorcycle Crashes

After a motorcycle accident, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries, such as concussions and broken bones, are obvious right away. Other injuries, such as internal bleeding and whiplash, may not be apparent until days or even weeks later.  At The O’Connor Law Firm, our Brooklyn motorcycle accident lawyer can help you get the medical treatment you need to recover from your injuries and move on with your life.

Due to the vulnerability that motorcycle riders face during a collision, their injuries are often more severe than occupants in cars or other vehicles.  These are too often traumatic accidents for riders and their passengers which can leave serious, sometimes permanent injuries:

• Degloving injuries
• Fractures
• Nerve damage
• Biker’s arm
• Road rash
• Leg and knee injuries
• Organ damage
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Crush injuries
• Amputations
• Paralysis

It is not unusual for a motorcyclist or a passenger to suffer fatal injuries in a wreck. If so, their families should reach out to our law firm. It might be possible to make a wrongful death claim, but you’ll benefit from an experienced lawyer’s help with this special type of lawsuit.

Compensation for Motorcycle Accidents in Brooklyn

Motorcycle accidents tend to be expensive. Many victims have large bills arriving in their mailboxes, but they might be unable to work. With no income coming in, they feel intense economic anxiety. In addition to reimbursement for your medical bills and lost wages, you may also be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering and more.

We can seek compensation for the following losses associated with your accident:

• Past and future medical care 
• Rehabilitation costs
• Prescription medication
• Past and future lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Mental anguish and psychological trauma
• Disability or disfigurement

How Much is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?

A common question is how much compensation an accident victim can receive. So many factors go into the analysis that it is difficult to offer a “one size fits all” answer. Instead, we analyze various factors, such as the amount of insurance available and the severity of your injuries.  Additional factors include whether you have lost time from work as well as the cost of your medical bills.

We also consider your comparative negligence. New York allows an accident victim to receive compensation even when their negligence contributes to a wreck. Nonetheless, the amount you receive gets reduced by your percentage of fault. Someone 25% to blame will receive 25% less in compensation than if they were blameless. Because of this law, many defendants immediately point the finger at our clients and blame them for the accident.

At The O’Connor Law Firm, we understand that you want to know how much your motorcycle case is worth.  That is why we evaluate your case on an ongoing basis and update our clients when it becomes clear from their medical treatment that they have reached their maximum medical improvement and we understand what type of future care they may need, if any. 

Bringing a Lawsuit Before the Deadline

To file a lawsuit, you must comply with the state’s statute of limitations, which gives you three years to file a personal injury suit. Failure to abide by this law will result in a judge dismissing your case. For this reason, we recommend finding an attorney as quickly as possible.

Shorter deadlines might apply, especially if you are suing the government. For example, you might only get 90 days to make a claim against The City of New York or the New York City Transit Authority, or other government agency.

Should I Speak with the Other Driver’s Insurance Company after My Motorcycle Accident?

You should never speak with the other driver’s insurance company after a motorcycle accident without first contacting a Brooklyn motorcycle accident lawyer who can help protect your rights.  Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize the amount paid out on claims, and they may try to get you to say something that could damage your case.

Insurance adjusters will ask you to give them a recorded statement about how the accident happened and the extent of your injuries.  You should never agree to this without first speaking with a lawyer.

Insurance companies have one goal in mind – to save themselves money and blame you for the accident.  They will pressure you to settle quickly with a lowball offer before you have completed your medical treatment or contacted a lawyer.  Do not fall for their tricks!  Contact The O’Connor Law Firm before speaking to the other driver’s insurance company.  We can help you navigate the insurance claims process, negotiate on your behalf and get you the compensation you deserve. 

How We Can Help You with Your Brooklyn Motorcycle Accident Case

Recovery after a motorcycle accident is difficult. Painful injuries put intense stress on families, and many don’t know if anyone can help them.

The O’Connor Law Firm can. We take on the responsibility of dealing with the insurance company and handling all aspects of the legal process so you can focus on your recovery.  Here are some of the steps we take to help you get the compensation you deserve:

• Investigate your claim: We often use private investigators to visit accident scenes, talk to witnesses, take photographs and identify and obtain possible surveillance video of the motorcycle accident.
• Communicate with your doctors and medical professionals: We will keep in touch with your medical providers to ensure we are up-to-date on your medical status and that you are getting the medical care you need for your injuries.
• Negotiate with the insurance company: We will speak with the other driver’s insurance company to negotiate a possible settlement of your claim as well as speak with your insurance company to determine whether there is additional coverage available for your losses.  You will never have to deal with insurance companies again.
• File a Lawsuit: If necessary, we will file a lawsuit on your behalf to get you full and fair compensation for your injuries.  We will handle all the paperwork, and attend court conferences, including the trial of your case if the insurance company fails to offer a full and fair settlement.
• Keep you fully informed on the status of your case: We pride ourselves on a high level of personal service to our clients.  This begins with communicating with you on a regular basis and updating you at every stage of your case.  We are always available to answer any of your questions or concerns as the case proceeds from the discovery process through trial.

Call The O’Connor Law Firm Today for a Free Case Review

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash, you may have many unanswered questions about the legal process, insurance paperwork, and who will pay your medical bills.  Call The O’Connor Law Firm today for a free case review.  We understand the uncertainties you are dealing with now and will attempt to provide clarity with answers to your questions.

Contact our office today at 718-948-3500 and schedule a free case review. If you are unable to travel to our office, we can come to you or we can schedule a virtual meeting for you.