Serving Wappingers Falls, Beacon, Lagrangeville, Brewster, Carmel & Nearby Areas Of Hudson Valley
Motorcycle riders have a right to the road, just like other motorists. Unfortunately, motorcyclists are all too often denied these rights by motorists who fail to see and recognize them, or who intentionally fail to provide the motorcycle with the same ownership of the road. If you are a motorcycle rider who has been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by someone else's negligence, please call experienced attorney Ira Maurer at 845-896-5295.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Because of the lack of protection offered by a motorcycle itself, injuries sustained in a bike accident can be very severe, such as:
- Amputation/loss of limb
- Burns
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Severe internal injuries
- Head and brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries
- Death
These physical injuries can be life-altering in their ability to disable the person who suffers them. Additionally, if you suffered a serious injuries like one of those listed above, you may also be dealing with the emotional and mental trauma of the accident. You deserve compensation for these things and others, and attorney Ira Maurer is ready to stand at your side and fight for maximum compensation on your behalf.
Who Is Liable in a Motorcycle Accident?
There are many potentially at-fault parties in a motorcycle accident. Each case is unique, and Mr. Maurer will aggressively investigate your case to determine who is at fault for causing your injuries. Potentially liable parties include:
- Other motorists who cause a car accident involving your motorcycle
- Designers/engineers involved with the construction of a defective roadway
- Automakers who manufacture motorcycles and motorcycle parts
- Road work crews who do not provide adequate signage, lane markings, warnings, etc.
The only way to know for sure is to contact attorney Ira Maurer. Mr. Maurer has decades of experience with New York laws and New York case precedents. He understands the nature of motorcycle insurance laws and who can and cannot be held responsible for these types of accidents.
How Can A Motorcycle Accident Be Proven?
Several things can be used to establish liability in a motorcycle accident case. Police reports, witness interviews, and your own account of events can play a role. So too can accident reconstruction conducted by a qualified law firm.
The Maurer Law Firm utilizes the latest technology to build and manage motorcycle accident claims. This can prove incredibly useful when establishing liability in these and other personal injury cases.
What Should I Do After My Motorcycle Has Been Hit In An Accident?
Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injury that will prevent action on the scene of the accident. If you are able, however, documenting the scene can be helpful.
Collect information from all involved motorists, witnesses, and bystanders. Cooperate with emergency personnel and take pictures of the scene as well.
Do not admit fault to police, witnesses, other involved drivers, or insurance adjusters.
In all cases, it is a good idea to get in touch with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible following your accident. This helps ensure you are not waiving any of your rights and can be very useful in determining the best course forward.
Why Motorcycle Accident Cases Are Different From Car Accidents
Motorcycle accident cases differ significantly from standard car accident claims. Because motorcyclists lack the physical protection of passenger vehicles, even relatively minor crashes can result in severe or permanent injuries, increasing the financial and legal stakes of these cases.
Motorcycle riders also face unfair bias from insurance companies, which often attempt to shift blame by alleging recklessness or inexperience. Complicating matters further, New York’s no-fault insurance laws do not apply to motorcycles, leaving injured riders responsible for medical bills and lost wages unless compensation is recovered from the at-fault party. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney understands these challenges and how to navigate them effectively.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents often occur not because of rider error but because of the negligence of others on the road. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Drivers making left turns in front of oncoming motorcycles
- Failure to yield the right of way at intersections
- Unsafe lane changes or merging without checking blind spots
- Distracted driving, including texting or phone use
- Speeding or aggressive driving by other motorists
- Poor road conditions, such as potholes, loose gravel, or uneven pavement
- Inadequate or confusing road signage in construction zones
Because motorcycles are smaller and harder to see than other vehicles, drivers often claim they did not notice the rider before the crash. Regardless of the excuse, motorists have a legal duty to remain alert and share the road safely.
Motorcycle Accident Cases Involving Fatalities
Tragically, because riders have little physical protection, motorcycle accidents too often result in fatality. When a loved one is killed in a motorcycle accident caused by negligence, surviving family members may be entitled to bring a wrongful death claim.
A wrongful death claim may include compensation for funeral and burial expenses, lost wages and benefits, loss of financial support, and emotional suffering. Although no legal action can undo the tragedy, pursuing a claim may help relieve financial stress and bring a sense of justice.
Attorney Ira Maurer understands the sensitivity of these cases and works closely with families to protect their rights while handling the legal process with care, respect, and compassion.
Some personal injury claims settle within a few months, others may take a year or more. If a case goes to trial, which is uncommon but not impossible, it can take two or more years to settle. Much of this depends on the complexity of your case and the severity of your injuries.
Motorcycle accident claims may include economic damages such as lost wages, medical expenses, and property damage. They may also include non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and forced changes to lifestyle.
The best way to learn what your claim may include is through a one-on-one consultation with a qualified attorney.
Under most circumstances, an injured motorcyclist will have three years to file a claim following injury in the state of New York. If you have lost a loved one, you will have two years from the date of his or her death to file a claim.
In all instances, it is a good idea to act swiftly following a motorcycle accident. Accident reconstruction and establishing liability may become more complicated as time passes. What’s more, insurance companies may work swiftly to try and prevent you from filing suit, often using coercive or misleading tactics to force your hand. Having an attorney on your side can work to protect you from the insurance company’s attempts to cheat you out of a fair and full settlement.
Not necessarily wearing a helmet does not automatically prevent you from recovering compensation. While helmet use may be considered in certain injury claims, it does not excuse another party’s negligence or eliminate their responsibility for causing the accident.
Failure to see a motorcyclist is not a valid defense. Drivers have a legal obligation to remain attentive and check for all vehicles before turning, changing lanes, or merging.
Yes. If a dangerous roadway, lack of maintenance, or inadequate signage contributed to your accident, a government entity or contractor may be held liable. These cases involve strict deadlines and procedural rules, making early legal representation especially important.
Most motorcycle accident cases resolve through settlement, but some do proceed to trial. Attorney Maurer prepares every case as if it will go to court, which often strengthens negotiating positions and results in better settlement offers.
Trusted Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Fishkill, NY
The Maurer Law Firm is personally committed to helping you recover from your injuries and receive as much compensation as possible for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and for other things. During your free consultation, Mr. Maurer will make sure all of your questions about motorcycle accidents are answered.
To find out if you have a motorcycle accident case in New York state, please call the Maurer Law Firm at 845-896-5295 or contact us online for a free case evaluation. Mr. Maurer is proud to serve the Hudson Valley area, including Fishkill, Myers Corner, Beacon, Wappingers Falls, LaGrangeville and Dutchess County areas.
