With spring just weeks away, many people in the New York City area looking forward to getting back on their motorcycles. While riding a motorcycle is unquestionable fun, exciting, and convenient in many ways, it also exposes riders to a significant risk of injury. Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions about motorcycle accidents.
Are Motorcycles More Dangerous than Passenger Vehicles?
Yes. The lack of a vehicle body surrounding riders makes them much more vulnerable to injury when they are involved in accidents. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that motorcyclists were 5 times more likely to be injured per vehicle mile traveled than people in passenger vehicles.
Can I Recover Compensation for My Accident?
Not every accident entitles victims to financial compensation. Under New York law, accident victims need to be able to establish that their accident was the result of negligence in order to recover compensation. Some examples of driver negligence that can lead to serious motorcycle accidents include the following:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Drunk driving
- Not stopping at stop sign
- Failure to yield
- Not signaling turns or lane changes
- Driving the wrong way on a one-way street
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Texting and driving
What Kinds of Damages are Available?
New York allows accident victims to recover for both their economic and non-economic losses. Generally speaking, motorcycle accident victims who are entitled to compensation recover for losses such as their medical expenses, lost income, loss of quality of life, property damage, and their physical and emotional pain and suffering. In certain cases, punitive damages may also be available. In addition, sometimes, the spouse of a person hurt in a motorcycle accident may be able to obtain compensation for loss of consortium.
Call a Brooklyn Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
If you have been hurt in motorcycle accident in the New York area, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. To schedule a free consultation with an aggressive personal injury lawyer, call The Rybak Firm, PLLC today at 718-307-5554 or contact us online.
1 https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812353
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