Riding a motorcycle can come with risks that are sometimes easy to overlook. These risks can cause motorcycle accidents that result in serious injuries. As a rider in the area, understanding the common road dangers for motorcyclists on Long Island, NY, is essential. Call (212) 433-3100 if you’ve been in a motorcycle crash and need legal assistance.
Here’s what you need to know about local hazards to watch for and how a Long Island motorcycle accident lawyer from Carrion Accident & Injury Attorneys, PLLC can pursue compensation on your behalf after a crash. Call 212-CARRION to schedule a free consultation.
How Carrion Accident & Injury Attorneys, PLLC Can Help After A Motorcycle Accident On Long Island, NY
Carrion Accident & Injury Attorneys, PLLC has recovered tens of millions of dollars for motorcycle accident victims on Long Island, New York. With over 50 years of combined experience, we know what it takes to stand up to insurers and fight for the compensation our clients deserve.
When you hire our motorcycle accident attorneys after a motorcycle collision, we can help you by:
- Analyzing the details of your accident and what caused your injuries
- Determining your legal options and gathering evidence of the other driver’s liability
- Assembling your insurance claim paperwork and negotiating for a claim settlement
- Suing the at-fault driver if their insurer fails to resolve your case fairly
You don’t have to take on the aftermath of a motorcycle crash alone. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Long Island motorcycle accident attorney.
How Do Common Road Hazards Affect Motorcyclists on Long Island?
Accidents can happen even when you follow all the safety tips from motorcycle experts. To protect yourself, it’s vital to watch for these common road hazards:
Potholes
Potholes can throw a motorcyclist off balance and damage the motorcycle’s rims. In either case, you may lose control of your motorcycle and crash by laying it down or colliding with something.
Poor Visibility
Motorcycles are difficult to see even in good conditions because they are narrow. As a result, drivers have difficulty spotting motorcycles and judging their speed or distance. A motorcycle’s visibility can be reduced even further by rain, snow, and dust, as well as darkness and other atmospheric conditions.
Semi-Trucks
Semi-trucks often come with enormous blind spots. A small vehicle, such as a motorcycle, can easily get lost in them. Many truck accidents happen when drivers change lanes without spotting nearby motorcycles.
Careless Drivers
Driver carelessness is the most common cause of traffic accidents. More specifically, common driving behaviors such as distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving can significantly increase a motorcyclist’s risk of injury or death if these behaviors lead to an accident.
Who Is Liable for Road Hazards That Injure Motorcyclists on Long Island?
The party liable for your crash depends on the specific hazard that caused the accident. On Long Island, you may be able to pursue claims against the following parties after a motorcycle crash:
At-Fault Driver
The other driver involved in the crash may be liable for your injuries and property losses. To prove liability, your lawyer must show that the other driver’s negligence caused the accident. Negligence means that the driver did not exercise reasonable care.
One way to prove negligence is by showing that the driver violated traffic safety laws. For example, a driver might have failed to yield at an intersection by turning in front of you as you approached it.
Another way to prove negligence is by presenting evidence that the other driver engaged in unreasonably dangerous conduct. For instance, eating while driving could prevent the driver from seeing motorcyclists or steering to avoid them.
Municipality
You may be able to sue a municipality for negligence in New York for negligent road maintenance or design. Negligent road maintenance means the road had a defect that the city failed to fix within a reasonable time after receiving actual notice of the defect.
Suppose that you lost control of your motorcycle when you hit an unrepaired pothole. You may have an injury claim if your lawyer can prove that the city knew of the pothole but failed to fix it.
Negligent road design means the road was improperly designed, exposing road users to an unreasonable risk of injury or death. For example, a highway curve without a guardrail might be defectively designed. You will probably need proof that the road’s design did not meet acceptable standards for its type.
It’s important to act quickly when suing the government. The law typically requires you to send a Notice of Claim to the department responsible for your injuries within 90 days of your accident.
Contact Our Long Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
A motorcycle accident can leave you facing painful injuries, costly medical treatment, lost income, and uncertainty about what comes next. If another party caused your crash, you may be entitled to compensation for the financial and personal losses you have suffered.
Carrion Accident & Injury Attorneys, PLLC can review the circumstances of your accident, explain your legal options, and help you pursue compensation from the responsible parties. Our legal team can handle the claims process and communications with the insurance companies while you focus on your recovery.
Contact our Long Island motorcycle accident lawyers today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we may be able to help.
