Top Rated Personal Injury Attorneys Serving The Hudson Valley, New York City & Other Courts Throughout New York State

Motorcycle Injuries

Motorcycle Injuries Attorneys New York Beldock & Saunders, P.C

Motorcycle Crashes & Motorcycle Injuries in New York

Motorcyclists throughout New York City and New York State face unique risks on the road. Because motorcycles offer far less protection than passenger vehicles, even a relatively minor collision can result in serious injuries. Riders must also share the road with larger vehicles and may be particularly vulnerable to distracted, inattentive, or negligent drivers.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, an experienced New York motorcycle accident attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other accident-related damages.

New York’s No-Fault insurance system generally provides benefits for medical expenses, lost earnings, and certain other costs following motor vehicle accidents, regardless of who caused the crash. However, motorcycle operators and passengers are generally excluded from these No-Fault benefits.

Because motorcyclists are not treated as covered persons under New York’s No-Fault system, an injured rider may pursue a claim against an at-fault party without first satisfying the serious injury threshold that generally applies to covered motorists seeking compensation for pain and suffering.

Motorcycle accident claims can involve complex questions of liability, insurance coverage, medical expenses, and long-term damages. At Beldock & Saunders, P.C., our attorneys understand the laws affecting injured motorcyclists in New York and can help evaluate your claim, protect your rights, and pursue the compensation that may be available under the law.

New York motorcycle laws are very clear:

  • In order to legally drive a motorcycle in New York, drivers must carry a Class M or Class MJ (junior operator) license. This requires passing both a written and road test.
  • All motorcycles must be properly registered with the State of New York. Motorcycle registration is an annual event, and all motorcycle registrations expire on April 30 annually.
  • Anyone operating a motorcycle in New York must wear a U.S. DOT-approved motorcycle helmet with appropriate eye protection.
  • All motorcycles must be inspected by a certified technician every 12 months.
  • Every motorcycle on the road must have proper liability insurance. The requirements in New York are: $25,000 for bodily injury per person, per accident; $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident; and $10,000 per accident for property damage.

Best motorcycle accident lawyers in New York

Most motorcycle accident victims are facing new challenges as they struggle to recover from serious physical injuries. The last thing you need is lengthy negotiations with insurance companies and defense lawyers. Unfortunately, the legal tactics these organizations use to avoid paying compensation leaves many accident victims with less than they deserve. Our NY-based personal injury attorneys are committed to adding value in the form of financial results. We will:

  • Conduct a full investigation into the motorcycle accident to determine the cause
  • Work with accident reconstruction experts
  • Work with medical and financial experts to create an insurance demand that fully accounts for your injuries
  • Take care of the paperwork and procedural requirements for filing your claim
  • Negotiate with the insurance company and defense lawyers on your behalf
  • Stand ready to advocate fiercely to protect your rights in court if the insurance company fails to offer a fair settlement

At Beldock and Saunders P.C., we have vast experience handling motorcycle accident cases. This specific experience is important because motorcycle injury cases are more complex—and involve more serious injuries—than your typical personal injury case. The challenges are also different from those faced by most traditional motor vehicle accident victims. The insurance company usually puts up a fight when serious injuries are involved. Having a trusted lawyer by your side can improve the odds that you’ll get fair compensation for your injuries. Give us a call today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help.

What Are Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

While the specific nature of any accident will dictate the exact injuries that occur, some are more common than others. These include:

  • Road rash. While not as serious as a spinal or head injury, road rash can cause tremendous pain and require extensive treatment. This type of injury occurs when a biker is thrown from a motorcycle and the road scrapes away skin, leaving cuts and surface nerve damage. Infections are quite common due to road rash, so medical treatment and antibiotics are often necessary.
  • Degloving. Despite the seemingly harmless name, degloving refers to an injury in which a large section of skin is completely removed from the tissue beneath it. Such an injury can be fatal or require extensive surgical treatment. Skin grafts may be required, and amputation is necessary in some situations. In almost all cases, long-term physical therapy is prescribed.
  • Spinal cord injuries. Damage to the spinal column can have tremendous, life-long consequences. Depending on where the injury occurs, a motorcyclist can suffer chronic back or neck pain, partial or full-body paralysis, or death. Little protection can be offered to the spine of a motorcyclist, which makes these injuries all too common.
  • Head injuries. While many motorcyclists wear helmets to protect their heads, injuries to the head and brain still happen. These types of injuries are often fatal, or result in loss of sensory perception, brain damage, and time lost to a coma. Wearing a helmet is always the smart choice to minimize potential head injuries in a motorcycle accident.
  • Arm injuries. When a motorcyclist is thrown from his bike, his arms and shoulders take the brunt. In an accident, many bikers try to brace for impact on landing using their arms, which leads to broken bones, nerve damage, and other injuries that can require long-term care and recovery.
  • Leg injuries. In a motorcycle collision, injuries to the hips, knees, and feet are quite common. These can occur at the time of impact or just afterward, especially when a biker is thrown from the motorcycle. Bone fractures, muscle damage, and other trauma can require physical therapy and treatment to recover.

What About Treatment, Recovery, and Costs?

Different types of injuries require different treatments and costs, but some predictions can be made based on the type of injury.

Minor treatment and recovery: Cuts and bruises, minor broken bones, and similar injuries often require only minimal care. Long hospital stays are not required, though additional checkups or appointments may be necessary. This treatment can cost you medical bills and lost wages due to missed days at work.

Long-term care: More serious injuries, such as extensive damage to the limbs or multiple broken bones, can require longer care. These may involve a long hospital stay, the need for in-home care for a few months, and additional expenses. Medical bills, weeks or months of lost salary, and other expenses can all come up with such treatment.

Physical therapy: Even after an accident victim’s initial treatment and care, there might be additional long-term requirements like physical therapy. This results in long-term medical costs, loss in immediate salary, and can result in loss of future salary due to changes in lifestyle or missed career opportunities.

Lifelong recovery: Injuries that result in paralysis or similar conditions require lifelong therapy or treatment and have tremendous costs. Medical expenses, loss in salary, alterations to your home and vehicle, and other future costs can be difficult to calculate or even imagine on your own. Having an experienced attorney on your side can help relieve you of such burdens.

Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Beldock and Saunders P.C will Handle Your Injury Case with Care

Even if the law and other drivers don’t agree, at Beldock and Saunders P.C., we believe that regardless of your method of transportation, you have the right to be justly compensated for your injuries due to another party’s negligence. As New York personal injury lawyers, we help our clients establish liability, evaluate and prove damages, and collect the highest possible settlement or judgment. At Beldock and Saunders P.C, we act both as advocates and negotiators on behalf of our clients. We handle personal injury claims on a daily basis, ranging from simple whiplash injuries to wrongful death claims. Contact us today for a free consultation.

In just a split second, the road can change and even a careful motorcyclist may find him or herself involved in a tragic situation. We defend the rights of those who have been injured in motorcycle accidents and work to get you the money you deserve. Call us today to find out how we can help you.

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At Beldock & Saunders, P.C., we serve Rockland, Orange and Westchester Counties, Hudson Valley, and New York City to provide those who need our services with the best possible legal advice and representation there is. It is important to know what your rights are so you can get every penny you are owed. A skilled attorney will be able to make this entire process go smoothly and fast with better results, and that is exactly what we can offer you.

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Dealing with serious injury or illness, particularly as a result of another’s mistake, can become overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to provide knowledge and support to get you through this challenging period. Some of the kinds of cases we regularly take on include: Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Work Injury, Birth Injuries, Slip and Fall, Misread Mammograms, Surgical Errors, Auto Accidents, Construction Accidents, Car Accidents, Truck Accidents, Train Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Bus Accidents, Railroad Injury, Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect, Wrongful Death, Failure to diagnose cancer or other serious or life-threatening illnesses.

Why Choose Beldock & Saunders

Proven Results You Can Trust

With a strong track record of winning cases, we understand the critical link between high-quality legal representation and successful outcomes. At Beldock & Saunders, we are committed to making your case as stress-free and successful as possible.

Personalized & Dedicated Advocacy

Our attorneys provide top-tier representation for victims of car accidents, workplace injuries, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and other personal injury claims.

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Knowing your legal rights is essential in securing every dollar you are owed. We fight relentlessly to maximize your compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

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