A great number of motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers’ careless and reckless conduct. These crashes can cause severe and even fatal injuries. Fortunately, negligent drivers can be held responsible for motorcycle accidents they cause.
Motorcycle accident lawsuits can take months to years to complete. The length of your lawsuit may depend on the circumstances of your accident. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can offer guidance and support throughout each stage of the legal process.
If you were injured because of a motorcycle accident in Brentwood, get help recovering the monetary damages available to you. Contact our experienced Brentwood motorcycle accident lawyers by calling The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 for a free case review.
Time Limit to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Brentwood
Time limits to file certain types of lawsuits are governed by states’ statutes of limitations. A motorcycle accident lawsuit is a type of personal injury lawsuit. Accordingly, under CPLR § 214(5), an injured rider will usually have 3 years from the date of their crash to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Brentwood.
However, you should not wait to file your case. There are numerous other requirements plaintiffs must comply with when filing motorcycle accident lawsuits. Failure to adhere to any of these requirements could force you to re-file. By beginning the process early, you may afford yourself time to re-file your case if necessary.
Damages Available in Brentwood Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits
There are multiple types of damages available to plaintiffs in motorcycle accident lawsuits. The amount of damages awarded will depend on the extent of injuries caused by a defendant’s negligent behavior. Our Brentwood motorcycle accident lawyers can help explain which of the following types of damages may be available in your case:
Property Damage
Plaintiffs in motorcycle accident lawsuits may be compensated for property damage caused by their accidents. Many riders incur damage to their motorcycles because of crashes. When such damage occurs, riders may be compensated for the cost of repair or replacement of their vehicles.
Some defendants may attempt to assert that certain property damage was not caused by the accident at issue. Accordingly, it can be helpful to take photos at the scene of your crash. Photos from the scene can help prove that certain damage was caused by the defendant’s careless conduct.
Medical Expenses
Plaintiffs may also recover medical expenses related to their motorcycle crashes. Motorcycle accidents regularly cause severe injuries that require intensive medical care. Victims may recover damages for the cost of all medical treatment, from ambulance rides to post-operative rehabilitation.
Damages for medical expenses are typically established through medical records and bills. Accordingly, it is crucial that you seek prompt medical treatment for injuries caused by a motorcycle accident. Proper documentation of your injuries is required in order to recover compensation for medical expenses. Our Brentwood motorcycle accident lawyers can help refer the appropriate physicians to treat your injuries.
Lost Income
Furthermore, many injuries caused by motorcycle accidents force victims to spend time away from work. Therefore, plaintiffs in Brentwood motorcycle accident lawsuits can recover damages for lost income. Damages for lost income are usually calculated using a victim’s average weekly wage.
Furthermore, in some cases, motorcycle accident victims may be unable to perform the same work they did before their accidents. These victims can recover damages for lost future earning capacity. Such damages are often established using expert witness testimony. Accordingly, the assistance of our experienced attorneys can be very valuable when seeking damages for lost future earning capacity.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Out-of-pocket expenses are another type of damages available to plaintiffs in motorcycle accident lawsuits. These damages can refer to a wide range of expenses caused by crashes. For example, a motorcycle accident victim may incur out-of-pocket expenses for the cost of travelling to and from their medical appointments. If you suffered a motorcycle accident in Brentwood, it is important to keep receipts for any expenses related to your crash.
Pain and Suffering
Additionally, plaintiffs in motorcycle accident lawsuits can recover damages for their physical pain and emotional suffering. Many injuries caused by motorcycle accidents are extraordinarily painful. Furthermore, such injuries can cause emotional anguish and produce devastating impacts on victims’ quality of life.
Damages for physical pain and emotional suffering can be difficult to quantify. Our experienced Brentwood motorcycle accident lawyers can help fight for these damages in your case.
Punitive Damages
Lastly, in rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded. Punitive damages serve to punish grossly negligent defendants and discourage their egregious conduct. Our Brentwood motorcycle accident lawyers can help determine if punitive damages may be awarded in your case during a free case review.
Settling Your Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit vs. Taking Your Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit to Trial in Brentwood
Most plaintiffs in Brentwood motorcycle accident lawsuits will encounter the difficult choice of either settling their case or taking their lawsuit to trial. A settlement agreement is a form of legal contract that ensures a defendant will pay an agreed-upon sum to the plaintiff in order for their case to be voluntarily dismissed. By settling early, you may obtain financial compensation sooner. Furthermore, parties who settle early can save on the numerous costs of going to trial. For example, parties who take their cases to trial may incur additional attorney’s fees, expert witness fees, administrative fees, and court filing fees.
Unfortunately, not all settlement offers are fair. Insurance adjusters often wish to settle cases for as cheaply as possible. By going to trial, plaintiffs have the opportunity to recover additional compensation. However, plaintiffs who are unsuccessful at trial risk receiving nothing for their injuries. Our experienced Brentwood motorcycle accident lawyers can help plaintiffs assess settlement offers and decide if going to trial is the right decision for them.
If You Were Injured Because of a Motorcycle Accident in Brentwood, Our Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured because of a motorcycle accident, seek support from our experienced Brentwood motorcycle accident lawyers by calling The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 for a free case review.