Motorcyclists in New York are at high risk of suffering serious, catastrophic or fatal injuries when in an accident. The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles reports that in 2014 there were a total of 4,357 motorcycle accidents, or about 112 occurring in the state every day of the year. A further investigation into the facts reveals 142 fatal accidents, with 148 people killed and 4,105 people injured in that year.
Of the shocking numbers of injured people, 893 suffered serious injuries (about 20 percent of the total injured), 1,204 suffered moderate injuries, and 1,682 sustained minor injuries. The DMV also reports that a high percentage of these accidents were the result of driver distraction, at 15.4 percent. 10.3 percent were the result of following too closely, and 17.9 percent were due a driver failing to yield right of way.
Serious injuries include motorcycle crashes in which a person sustained broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, disfiguring injuries or accidental amputations, among others. These injuries can come with lasting consequences; the victim may require a lifetime of care in the worst cases. If the injuries can be successfully treated, it may require many months or even years before normal day-to-day life is restored. The losses sustained can leave a person with permanent impairments, unable to work or live life as he or she did prior to the motorcycle accident.
Any person who has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent driver, whether the driver was drunk, speeding, or inattentive can incur sobering economic and noneconomic damages. The offending party must be held accountable. A person who is unable to work, and is now living with serious impairments or facing many months of medical care and rehabilitation, could potentially seek financial compensation for the following damages:
A family who has lost a loved one in a fatal motorcycle accident caused by another party has the right to pursue compensation for losses, by filing a wrongful death claim. These claims pay specific family members various types of damages. As with any injury claim, the statute of limitations in New York restricts the time in which a wrongful death claim can be filed, and it is critically important that these deadlines are met.
Attorney Justin Brandel has made seeking justice for the injured his life’s work. With an outstanding record of success in injury claims, he has a reputation as a powerful advocate for his clients, who works hard and takes every case very personally. Who you choose to represent you matters. Call the Law Offices of Justin D. Brandel for immediate assistance, and a free case evaluation. No fees unless we win.
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