Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by a dangerous road condition or a negligent driver in Queens, New York? Carrion Accident & Injury Attorneys, PLLC represents injured motorcyclists throughout Queens. Call (718) 550-7851 today to schedule a free consultation with a Queens motorcycle accident lawyer.
Motorcyclists can face dangers from distracted drivers, unsafe turns, sudden lane changes, speeding vehicles, potholes, road debris, and other hazards. If someone else’s negligence contributed to your motorcycle crash, you may be entitled to compensation. At 212-CARRION, we can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation for your injuries and other losses.
How Can Carrion Accident & Injury Attorneys, PLLC Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Queens, NY?
Motorcycle accident claims in Queens, NY, can involve disputed fault, serious injuries, and insurance companies that may try to minimize what they pay. Carrion Accident & Injury Attorneys, PLLC can handle the legal process while you focus on your recovery.
Our Queens motorcycle accident attorneys can:
- Investigate the cause of the crash
- Obtain police reports, photos, videos, and other evidence
- Interview witnesses
- Review medical records and document your injuries
- Identify all potentially liable parties
- Calculate your accident-related losses
- Handle communications with insurance companies
- Negotiate for a fair settlement
- Take your case to court when necessary
With over 50 years of combined experience and tens of millions recovered for injured clients, our team is prepared to pursue the compensation available in your case. Contact our Queens personal injury lawyers for a free consultation.
What Are the Most Common Road Dangers for Motorcyclists in Queens?
Motorcycles are smaller and less visible than most other vehicles. Riders are also more vulnerable to roadway defects and sudden movements by surrounding drivers.
Some of the most common dangers motorcyclists may encounter in Queens include:
- Distracted drivers
- Speeding vehicles
- Drivers making unsafe left turns
- Sudden lane changes
- Vehicles following too closely
- Drivers opening car doors into traffic
- Potholes and uneven pavement
- Debris in the roadway
- Wet or icy roads
- Poorly marked construction areas
- Limited visibility at intersections
Any of these hazards can cause a motorcyclist to lose control or become involved in a collision. In some cases, several factors may contribute to the same accident.
Why Are Intersections Dangerous for Motorcyclists?
Intersections can be particularly dangerous because vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians may all be traveling in different directions.
One common motorcycle accident occurs when a driver turns left across a motorcyclist’s path. A driver may fail to notice an approaching motorcycle or incorrectly judge its speed and distance before beginning the turn.
Drivers may also run red lights, fail to yield, or make sudden turns without signaling. Motorcyclists approaching an intersection should remain alert for vehicles that could unexpectedly enter their path.
How Can Distracted Driving Put Queens Motorcyclists at Risk?
Distracted drivers may fail to notice motorcycles even when riders are clearly visible. Looking at a phone, adjusting navigation, eating, or focusing on passengers can take a driver’s attention away from surrounding traffic.
Even a brief distraction can be dangerous in congested areas. A distracted driver might drift into a motorcyclist’s lane, rear-end a motorcycle at a traffic light, or turn directly in front of a rider.
Motorcyclists can reduce some risks by maintaining space around their bikes and watching for signs that surrounding drivers are not paying attention. However, riders cannot control the behavior of other motorists.
Why Are Lane Changes Dangerous for Motorcyclists?
A motorcycle can easily disappear into a passenger vehicle’s blind spot. When drivers change lanes without carefully checking their mirrors and blind spots, they may move directly into a motorcyclist’s path.
Unsafe lane changes can force riders to brake suddenly or swerve to avoid a collision. Those evasive actions can sometimes cause a motorcyclist to lose control even if the other vehicle never makes physical contact with the motorcycle.
Using turn signals, maintaining a safe following distance, and remaining aware of surrounding traffic can help motorists and motorcyclists reduce the risk of lane-change accidents.
How Can Potholes and Poor Road Conditions Cause Motorcycle Accidents?
Road defects that may be little more than an inconvenience for passenger vehicles can create significant dangers for motorcycles. Because motorcycles have two wheels and require riders to maintain balance, sudden changes in the road surface can cause a rider to lose control.
Potential road hazards include:
- Potholes
- Cracked or uneven pavement
- Loose gravel
- Standing water
- Road debris
- Poorly maintained utility covers
- Construction materials
- Missing or unclear warning signs
Liability for an accident involving a dangerous road condition depends on who was responsible for the roadway and the circumstances surrounding the hazard.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Motorcycle Accident in Queens?
Liability depends on what caused the accident. A negligent driver may be responsible when speeding, distraction, failure to yield, an unsafe lane change, or another careless action causes a crash.
Depending on the circumstances, other potentially responsible parties could include an employer, vehicle owner, property owner, contractor, or government entity responsible for a dangerous road condition.
Some motorcycle crashes involve more than one contributing factor. Investigating the accident can help determine how it happened and identify the parties who may share responsibility.
Contact a Queens Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Motorcyclists in Queens face hazards ranging from distracted motorists and unsafe turns to potholes and other dangerous road conditions. When another person’s negligence causes an accident, an injured rider may have the right to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.
If you were injured in a motorcycle crash, contact Carrion Accident & Injury Attorneys, PLLC for a free consultation. Our Queens motorcycle accident attorneys have over five decades of combined experience and have recovered significant compensation for injured clients.
