It can be stressful to deal with the aftermath of a motorcycle accident in which you or a loved one is injured. You are attempting to heal, but medical bills are mounting, you may need to take time off work, and you do not know how long this will last.

Any traffic accident can leave you distressed and in pain, especially if it was the result of someone else's negligence. In these situations, you may require legal representation to ensure that your rights are protected. Knowing that someone with legal expertise, such as a motorcycle accident attorney, is on your side will provide you with peace of mind.

At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we value open and honest communication with our clients. We accept cases on a contingency basis, so it is in our best interests to win in court and negotiate the best possible settlement for each client. There are no upfront fees required. This is just one of the many reasons why we are consistently ranked among the best motorcycle accident lawyers in Queens.

If you do not file a claim, the insurance company may offer you a very low settlement that barely meets your needs. In some instances, you may even be required to pay out of pocket, which is the last thing you want. Contact our New York offices immediately so we can assist you in overcoming this obstacle.

Our commitment to you is that we will devote 100% of our efforts to your case and fight for your rights and compensation. We have aided others in your situation in overcoming difficult circumstances that were not their fault. Give us a call today at (877) 640-5611

We will provide an accessible overview of motorcycle accidents in Queens, New York, as you continue reading.

TURN YOUR SETBACK INTO A COMEBACK WITH BRANDON J. BRODERICK, QUEENS MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER

Recover Compensation for Your Present and Future Medical Expenses and Injuries.

A severe motorcycle accident can have debilitating repercussions. The protection offered to the driver of a motorcycle is significantly less than that of a typical automobile, thereby increasing the risk of serious injuries and fatalities for motorcycle riders. When this occurs, it is essential to consider your rights and future needs. Typically, insurance companies will attempt to contact injured victims and reach a settlement for as little money as possible as soon as possible. You need sufficient time to assess the extent of your injuries, as well as their potential impact on your future earnings and quality of life, in addition to their effect on your current expenses.

Expert Negotiators and Trial Lawyers

In the absence of a legal claim, insurers will provide victims with inadequate compensation. Adding insult to injury, the insurer may even refuse to pay for some of the damages.

With Brandon J. Broderick as your motorcycle accident attorney, we will handle all communications with the insurance company and diligently pursue the compensation to which you are entitled. If a settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, we will proceed to trial and win.

By Your Side

Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, will handle and manage all aspects of your case while you recover from your injury. When you retain our services, our seasoned legal team will aggressively pursue the compensation to which you are entitled. We will make every effort to protect your rights and will stand by your side during this trying time.

Contact Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, to receive a free consultation. As we have for many of our previous clients, we will turn the situation in your favor. Our track record of success speaks for itself.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT

A motorcycle collision can be terrifying. While riding a motorcycle, your body is significantly more susceptible to harm than when you're driving a conventional vehicle. Immediately after and in the weeks following a motorcycle accident, there are a number of steps to take. 

Call 911

Calling for help immediately after an accident may seem like the most obvious course of action, but it is essential to emphasize this.

Someone at the scene of the accident must immediately call for an ambulance, whether they are the motorcyclist or a witness who has just arrived. Even when no one appears to be injured, medical attention is always necessary. Concussions and other injuries may occur after impact, even if they are not immediately apparent.

Get to a Safe Location

After any type of accident, whether involving an automobile or a motorcycle, the next step is to move to a safe location.

If you have recently been involved in a motorcycle collision, it is likely that you and others are still on the road. Particularly if you are traveling on a highway, being on the road can put you at risk for another collision.

Collect Evidence of the Accident

If possible, take photographs of the accident scene and collect as much information as you can about the incident.

Despite suggestions that you should take photographs of the accident scene before removing your bike from the scene, it is safer to get yourself to a safe location first, particularly on busy roads. However, if you have ample time to photograph the incident, you will have solid evidence should you ever need it.

Exchange Information With Everyone Involved

All parties involved in a motorcycle collision should exchange their contact information. In general, you should provide the following information to others:

  • Names
  • License plates
  • Phone numbers
  • Home addresses
  • Vehicle information

To be prepared for a lawsuit, it is important to have everyone's contact information at the scene. Ensure that the police respond to the accident scene and file a report. Any accident in Queens, New York, that results in more than $500 in damage must be reported to the police.

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer and Your Insurance Company

For some people, the aftermath of a motorcycle accident is undoubtedly the most challenging. This is the time to inform your insurance company about the accident. When doing this, be careful not to admit fault in the incident when providing details about the accident.

If you've shared information with them, the insurance company of the other person might make an effort to get in touch with you. A knowledgeable motorcycle injury attorney can handle and negotiate your case. Whether it's your own or the other party's, dealing with insurance companies can be difficult. While the accident is still fresh in everyone's memory, you have the best opportunity to collect evidence and witness statements. It's crucial to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible following an accident.

If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident, you must not wait to seek legal counsel. Call us right away to schedule a free consultation. Thanks to our track record of success and commitment to our clients, we deliver results for them.

UNDERSTANDING MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT SETTLEMENTS

Your insurance company might offer a settlement if you were hurt in a motorcycle accident. However, you might be wondering what the average settlement for a motorcycle accident case is.

Two types of compensation for injuries are covered by motorcycle accident settlements: economic damages and non-economic losses. The full extent of your injuries, whether or not they are permanent, and the expected outcome for either you or a loved one must be taken into consideration.

MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT SETTLEMENTS: ECONOMIC DAMAGES

The accident-related financial losses you experienced will serve as the foundation for the economic damages you are awarded. This compensation takes into account both actual and anticipated wage losses incurred throughout the course of treatment and rehabilitation. Economic damages also include payment for the total cost of your medical expenses, including both past and present costs of treatment. Here are some examples of medical costs:

  • Bills incurred for medical care or emergency room visits
  • Doctors' visits
  • Physical or occupational therapists
  • Expenses such as travel to a doctor's appointment that are associated with the medical care

The greater the severity of the injury, the higher your medical expenses and other losses may be, making negotiations more difficult. This is yet another reason to hire a Queens motorcycle accident attorney who can lead all negotiations with the opposing party. If you pursue a high-value claim with legal counsel, insurance adjusters will generally take you seriously, giving you an advantage in negotiating a reasonable settlement or obtaining a favorable verdict in court.

How Do You Estimate Ongoing or Future Medical Costs?

Your claim may include compensation for future medical expenses if your treatment is anticipated to be ongoing or protracted, particularly for victims who have suffered a severe injury. It is of the utmost importance to be fully aware of the extent of your injuries and to comprehend that there may be future expenses. Present and future medical expenses should be included in your settlement offer.

How does one determine these future expenses? It can be difficult to estimate future economic damages; therefore, a lawyer will call upon medical experts to testify and provide their opinion regarding the victim's injury and condition. These specialists are able to determine the severity of an injury and its prognosis for the future. Regarding lost income and projected lost income, an economist or related professional may be necessary.

Fortunately, if you retain the services of a motorcycle accident law firm, they will bring in experts and strengthen your case. This is crucial if a victim sustains a severe injury with long-term effects.

Future expenses may include medication, nursing care, lost wages, and compensation for services that the injured party can no longer perform independently.

One of the primary reasons why you should not accept a settlement offer too quickly is that you must have a thorough understanding of the amount of damages necessary to compensate for your losses. This is particularly true when the offer appears to be very low. Before any settlement is considered, all losses associated with your injuries must be determined.

If you are still receiving medical care, you may require surgery or additional treatments in the future. If you accept the initial settlement offer and still require treatment in the future, you may be responsible for the additional costs.

MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT SETTLEMENTS: NON-ECONOMIC DAMAGES

In claims for injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents, non-economic damages are common. However, these losses are more challenging to quantify. When non-economic damages are mentioned, this refers to the physical and mental pain that a motorcycle accident victim has endured as a result of their injuries, regardless of whether they have suffered a financial loss.  Non-economic damages may include pain and suffering caused by depression, PTSD, mental anguish, or other conditions.

The severity of your physical injuries, as well as whether they are permanent, will be considered by insurance companies. Every settlement and case is unique. For instance, if you have suffered a traumatic brain injury as opposed to a sprained ankle, you will be entitled to greater compensation for pain and suffering. You are entitled to more compensation because you have endured greater pain and suffering as a result of your injury's severity and duration.

In order to calculate "pain and suffering" damages, insurance companies typically multiply medical expenses by a number between one and five. If the injury is more severe or permanent, the multiplier may increase. In situations such as this, it is crucial to have an experienced motorcycle accident attorney assist you in navigating all of the variables. Their expertise will make it simpler for you to justify the settlement you are seeking.

FATAL MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

If a family member or loved one is killed in a fatal motorcycle accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. A wrongful death claim may be filed when another party's negligence results in the death of a victim who would have otherwise been entitled to compensation for injuries. Since the victim likely had the option to file a valid personal injury lawsuit, the victim's family has the right to seek monetary compensation for the decedent's death in a wrongful death suit.

According to New York Consolidated Law §4-1.1, the children, parents, spouse, or representative of the deceased's estate may file a wrongful death lawsuit. In Queens, New York, brothers or cousins of the deceased do not typically have the right to file a wrongful death claim unless they have also been appointed as a guardian or representative of the estate.

Although no amount of money can ever fully compensate for the loss of a spouse or other loved one, the untimely death of a spouse can impose a substantial financial burden. Damages that may be awarded in a New York wrongful death lawsuit if your spouse or other loved one dies in a motorcycle accident include:

  • Hospital and medical expenses
  • Funeral costs
  • Lost income and loss of deceased person’s expected lifetime income 
  • Lost health and insurance benefits
  • The deceased person’s pain and suffering
  • Your loss of love and companionship
  • Your loss of consortium

WHO IS AT FAULT IN A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT?

Accidents involving motorcycles are governed by the same legal principles as automobile collisions in terms of who is at fault and whether negligence played a role. All motorists are responsible for driving safely. However, when the driver of another vehicle has violated a motorcyclist's right-of-way, they are typically liable or at fault for an accident. Did you know that in two-thirds of motorcycle-vehicle collisions, this is the case? Additionally, 70 percent of motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle occur at intersections.

In certain instances, a driver operating a work vehicle may be involved in a collision with a motorcycle. If the negligent driver was performing work-related duties at the time of the collision, the owner of the company for which the driver works may be partially liable. In other instances, the manufacturer of the motorcycle could be held at least partially liable for the accident. If a manufacturing defect hindered the motorcycle's performance and contributed to the accident, the manufacturer could be held liable for any injuries.

As with the majority of injury cases, every motorcycle accident in New York is unique, and determining liability can be challenging. Contacting an experienced Queens motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible is your best chance of determining who was at fault in the accident.

DOES QUEENS HAVE A STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CLAIMS?

The statute of limitations is a deadline for filing lawsuits, mandating that claims be made within a specific timeframe. Motorcycle accident victims in New York have three years from the date of their injuries to file a claim for personal injury. Exceptions are possible, but you must adhere to this deadline or risk losing your right to file a legal claim and seek compensation.

If you lost a family member or loved one in a motorcycle accident, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is two years from the date of death.

Due to these deadlines, it is crucial that you consult with a motorcycle accident attorney about your case. The sooner a lawyer begins advocating on behalf of a motorcycle rider who has been injured, the more likely it is that he or she will be able to collect crucial evidence and build the strongest possible case against any parties who may be at fault.

STATISTICS RELATING TO NEW YORK MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

Motorcycles account for a large proportion of serious injuries and fatalities in New York City, despite making up a small proportion of registered vehicles. According to a study conducted by the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), the following data and information have been compiled.

  • In New York City, motorcycles account for 14% of all traffic fatalities despite comprising only 2% of all registered vehicles.
  • 56% of fatalities involved motorcyclists younger than 35 years old.
  • Nearly all motorcycle-related fatalities involve men.
  • The majority of motorcycle collisions involve more than just the motorcycle; typically, another motor vehicle is to blame.
  • Every 100 million miles driven, approximately 450 motorcyclists are injured.
  • Instead of occurring on highways or rural roads, the vast majority of motorcycle accidents occur on city streets or in densely populated areas of the Hudson Valley, such as Newburgh.

REGISTRATION, INSPECTION, AND INSURANCE ARE ALL REQUIRED

Each year, motorcycle registrations expire on April 30 and are valid for one year, as opposed to the standard two years for other motor vehicles. Additionally, motorcycles must undergo annual safety inspections by a DMV-licensed inspection facility.

Requirement for Insurance

In New York State, "no fault" insurance rules do not apply to motorcycles. Owners and operators of motorcycles must understand the scope and limitations of their insurance coverage, including coverage for passengers. To operate a motor vehicle on any public road, you must have liability insurance.

Required Motorcycle Equipment

All motorcycle drivers and passengers are required to wear approved motorcycle helmets (FMVSS 218) and approved eye protection in accordance with USDOT federal motor vehicle safety requirements.

The Headlight Rule

The headlight and rear light of your motorcycle must both be on at all times while you are operating it.

CALL BRANDON J. BRODERICK AT ANY TIME, DAY OR NIGHT, TO DISCUSS YOUR MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT

Your physical, mental, and financial well-being may all be impacted by motorcycle accidents, which could lead to unneeded stress and anxiety for you and your family. Wouldn't it be comforting to know that you have a trustworthy friend and advisor who will defend you and who has your best interests in mind?

At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we place a high value on empathy, compassion, and excellent client service. As a result, we are among the best motorcycle accident attorneys in Queens. You can rely on us to use the best strategy to ensure your quality of life. Our legal team has decades of experience helping individuals just like you who were injured in motorcycle accidents. We've assisted them in overcoming an injury brought on by someone else's carelessness. Call us right away to schedule a free consultation.

We have offices in numerous New York locations, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Rochester, and New Rochelle. Wherever you are in New York, our motorcycle accident attorneys will travel to you. Call (877) 640-5611

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