Brooklyn Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Skilled Motorcycle Accident Lawyers In Brooklyn, New York
It’s no secret that motorcycles are dangerous given that they offer little protection to their drivers and passengers. When riders lose control of their motorcycle, they can cause severe damage to themselves, other drivers, pedestrians, and nearby buildings and property. In some cases, motorcycle accidents in Brooklyn result in life-altering injuries such as amputations, burns, brain damage, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones.
All too frequently, a motorcyclist is minding their business when a driver becomes distracted or there’s a mechanical error and causes a horrific crash. As a result, the motorcycle collides with another vehicle or veers off the roadway and crashes. Tragically, these types of accidents often leave the motorcycle rider with severe injuries or worse. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you deserve justice. Contact our Brooklyn motorcycle accident lawyers at Rosenberg & Rodriguez today for a risk-free consultation and to learn more about how we can help get back what was taken from you.
Suing After A Motorcycle Accident In Brooklyn
After a motorcycle accident in Brooklyn, you might be dealing with serious injuries and financial hardship. If someone else caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation that can help ease these burdens. However, the at-fault party or their insurance company won’t just give you money – you’ll have to fight for it.
That’s where our Brooklyn motorcycle accident attorneys at Rosenberg & Rodriguez. can help. We have represented injured motorcycle riders in Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Long Island, and all throughout New York City for decades. We understand the pain and suffering, both physically and mentally, that you are experiencing following such a traumatic experience. When you work with us, we go above and beyond to secure maximum compensation on your behalf by:
- Thoroughly investigating your motorcycle accident
- Determining causation
- Identifying all liable parties involved in the motorcycle accident
- Consulting with experts to fully understand what your personal injury case is worth
- Pushing back on insurance companies’ low-ball offers and fighting to secure a more than fair settlement on your behalf
- Escalating your case to court if you’re not satisfied with the settlement offers you receive
Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents In Brooklyn
While motorcycles are much smaller and safer than cars, they are also much harder for drivers to see. This lack of visibility often leads to accidents, which is why we see so many motorcycle accidents in New York City. Some of the most common types of collisions our Brooklyn motorcycle accident lawyers see include:
- Left-turn accidents
- Lane-change accidents
- Debris-in-road accidents
- Road condition defects
- Sudden stop accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Speeding accidents
Driving distracted, under the influence, fatigued, or driving too fast are all risks that increase your chance of being in a collision. Other factors that play a role in accidents include weather conditions and inexperience.
Common Types Of Motorcycles Seen In Brooklyn
Motorcycles are becoming more and more popular in our country, especially in major cities with congested roadways. You will see all sorts of motorcycles and other two-wheel vehicles in and around Brooklyn, New York City’s second-largest borough with nearly 2.6 million residents.
- Sport bikes
- Cruiser motorcycles
- Standard motorcycles
- Dual-sport motorcycles
- Scooters
- Mopeds
Possible Injuries Caused By Motorcycle Accidents
Agencies such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have made it clear that motorcycle accidents are much more dangerous than car accidents. In fact, data from a 2017 study showed that on a per-mile traveled basis, there were nearly 27 times as many motorcycle deaths compared to passenger car deaths. Often, serious motorcycle accidents cause incredibly severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and broken bones. Below are some other types of common injuries resulting from Brooklyn motorcycle accidents:
- Road rash injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Internal injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Blunt force trauma injuries
- Broken bones
- Disfigurement
- Permanent nerve damage
Traumatic Brain Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that head injuries are the primary cause of severe injury and death in motorcycle accidents. These occur when the brain collides with the skull or sustains a penetrating wound, which commonly happens when the rider is thrown from their motorcycle and hits the ground, another vehicle, or an object. The likelihood of sustaining a traumatic brain injury can be reduced by wearing a helmet while riding. Unfortunately, symptoms of a TBI may not present themselves immediately after an accident. Common signs to look out for include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Memory issues
- Change in mood or sleeping habits
Head injuries are the number one cause of death in motorcycle accidents. Wearing a helmet decreases your chance of dying by 37-42%. Motorcyclists often get thrown from their bikes during an accident, which puts them at risk of being hit by oncoming traffic and suffering catastrophic or deadly consequences. A traumatic brain injury is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. If you think you might have suffered a TBI, do not ignore it, go to the hospital right away. Following an assessment from your medical provider, your next step should be reaching out to a trusted motorcycle accident lawyer in Brooklyn.
Recovering Damages After A Brooklyn Motorcycle Accident
If you were hurt while riding your motorcycle, there’s a possibility that you could get money for those injuries. The law usually permits people who got injured because of somebody else’s carelessness to request compensation. Even though New York is known as a “no-fault” state, PIP policies don’t protect motorcyclists who got hurt. Consequently, they would have to file an official complaint or lawsuit against the person at fault in order to receive the money they’re entitled to.
In order to do this and receive compensation, you must first prove liability. Who is at fault will often lie with the other driver, however, there may be other individuals involved as well. An experienced Brooklyn motorcycle accident lawyer at Rosenberg & Rodriguez can help identify who might possibly be responsible so that you are able to seek the maximum damages possible. Other than the driver themselves, some liable parties may include:
Third-Party Drivers
If the driver that hit you wasn’t at fault, then there may be another driver who is financially responsible for the accident. For example, if the driver in front of them slammed on their brakes and caused the first driver to swerve into your lane. Accidents aren’t always what they seem, which is why it’s so important to have a skilled motorcycle accident attorney thoroughly investigate your case.
The Government
Although proving claims against the government can be difficult, it’s not an impossible task. State and local jurisdictions are responsible for keeping roads safe. If your motorcycle accident injury was caused by unsafe conditions, you might have a case.
A Company Or Corporation
In the event that the other driver was working or if you were hit by a commercial vehicle, the driver and their employer may be liable. Any time a big company is accused of wrongdoing, they will likely push back or present you with a lowball settlement offer. Having a motorcycle accident lawyer Brooklyn residents trust is a great way to ensure that your best interest is always in mind.
The Motorcycle Manufacturer
Although motorcycle riders are known for taking great care of their bikes, sometimes parts fail. If this happens to you, check and see if there were any recalls or manufacturer defects that might have caused the problem.
Brooklyn Motorcycle Accident Statistics [Updated 2021]
- The City of New York provides monthly reports for traffic accidents. In November 2020 alone, there were 55 motorcycles involved in collisions in Brooklyn.
- While those between the ages of 20-24 experience the most fatalities on motorcycles, older riders are gradually racking up more injuries in recent years
- Approximately 166 New Yorkers die as a result of motorcycle accidents each year
- New York motorcyclists have a 37 times higher chance of dying in an accident than people riding in passenger cars
- In a study period, motorcycle fatalities increased by 23%. Around the same time, 28% more motorcycles were registered in the state
- This factor plays the biggest role in most serious and fatal accidents
- Each year, about 4,000 New Yorkers visit the ER for injuries related to motorcycle accidents
- About 43% of all fatal motorcycle accidents involve drivers who were not properly licensed
- Compared to riders in the rest of the state of New York – those riding in NYC are almost twice as likely to die in their road accidents
Hot Spots For Motorcycle Accidents In Brooklyn
Although motorcycles provide an efficient and fun way to travel, they also come with the risk of accidents and injury. Especially in major cities like Brooklyn where motorcycle accidents are much more common. Here are some of Brooklyn’s most frequent streets for motorcycle collisions:
- Jay Street and Tillary Street
- Graham Avenue and Grand Avenue
- Atlantic Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue
- Bushwick Avenue and Grand Avenue
- Tillary Street and Flatbush Avenue
- Newkirk Avenue and Rugby Road
- Hooper and South Fifth Streets
- Lawrence and Willoughby
- Clarendon Road and Utica Avenue
- City streets, freeways, and highways
- Belt Parkway
- Fulton Street
- Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
- Van Wyck Expressway
- 86th Street
- Kings Highway
- Flatlands AvenueRoosevelt Avenue
- Queens Boulevard
- Knapp Street
- 14th Avenue
- 51st Street
Some of Brooklyn’s busiest intersections include Atlantic and Fourth Avenues (near the Barclays Center), Church Avenue and Old Utrecht Road (near the Green-Wood Cemetery), and Nassau Avenue and Bedford Avenue (where Williamsburg and Greenpoint meet). Surprisingly, almost half of all motorcycle accidents occur at these types of high-traffic intersections.
When compared to the other New York boroughs, Brooklyn has the most traffic signal intersections at 4,371. Although Staten Island has the least number of traffic signal intersections out of all the boroughs with only 545, Queens is a close second to Brooklyn with 3,119 intersections.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Motorcycle Accident in New York?
If you want to recover compensation from someone other than your insurance company, you have to prove that the person is negligent for causing the motorcycle accident. In legal terms, you will have to show that their carelessness was responsible for the crash. If your motorcycle accident occurred in New York, then you’ll need to fulfill these four elements of proving negligence:
- A duty of care existed
- A breach of that duty
- Causation
- Damages
By examining the particulars of your Brooklyn motorcycle accident, we can do this. To support your personal injury claim, we’ll collect pieces of evidence like accident reports, video footage, and witness statements. In other instances, to learn more about what probably caused the accident, we’ll hire experts who specialize in reconstructing accidents. Our team of Brooklyn motorcycle accident attorneys has the experience and legal resources needed to secure the justice and compensation you deserve after an irresponsible accident.
How Much Money Can I Get From A Motorcycle Accident In Brooklyn?
In most cases, you can recover the following damages in a Brooklyn motorcycle accident lawsuit, depending on the type and severity of your injuries and losses, and who is legally responsible for paying them:
- Your medical expenses—including both your out-of-pocket costs and what your health insurance company pays—for items such as emergency care, hospitalization, long-term care, doctor visits, medicine, and medical equipment
- The other costs related to your accident, such as fixing or replacing your motorcycle, or paying someone to do responsibilities for you while you’re recovering
- Missed work and medical bills can put a serious dent in anyone’s finances, let alone if you’re disabled from your injuries
- Compensation for the physical and emotional anguish you have experienced as a result of the accident
- Punitive damages may be appropriate when the crash happened due to someone’s outrageous or reckless actions
What Are The Motorcycle Helmet Laws In New York?
It is required by law in New York state that all motorcycle drivers and passengers wear a helmet. protective eyewear Is also mandatory. For Class A and B mopeds, both helmets and eye protection are needed if the top speed is 20 mph or more. The helmet worn in New York must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards under section 571.218; included should be a sticker from the US DOT to indicate it meets the standard if it does. A “novelty helmet” will not pass as meeting the requirements of the federal standard.
Can I Still Get Paid If I Wasn’t Wearing A Helmet During A Motorcycle Accident?
In New York, it is required by law that everyone riding a motorcycle must wear a helmet. We advocate for wearing helmets not simply because motorcyclists legally have to, but also due to the fact that they genuinely do reduce head injuries during motorcycle accidents.
If you were in a motorcycle accident in Brooklyn and not wearing a helmet, that could affect how much you are compensated. However, the other person is still responsible for your injuries and you deserve justice. Do not let the fact that you were not wearing a helmet at the time of your crash stop you from speaking with an experienced Brooklyn motorcycle accident lawyer, you still have options and legally have a right to recover damages.
Contact Our Brooklyn Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
There is a limited time frame, called a statute of limitations, to file a claim after a motorcycle accident in New York City. This is why you should speak to a Brooklyn motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible so that important evidence and witness recollections can be preserved.
If you’ve been injured and are looking for help, look no further than Rosenberg & Rodriguez. Our knowledgeable team of personal injury attorneys can guide you through the process of filing a claim and ensure that your rights are protected throughout. We offer free consultations so that you can get started on your case as soon as possible, and we’re here to answer any questions that you may have along the way. Don’t hesitate to call us today.