What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in New York?
Riding a motorcycle is something that many people enjoy. Most motorcycle riders will agree that riding a motorcycle is far more enjoyable than driving a car. Nonetheless, riding a motorcycle might be even more risky. Motorcycle accidents can leave victims with severe injuries, and in extreme situations, they can be fatal. The majority of motorcycle accidents occur in the summer and spring. Motorcycle accidents killed 204 people in 2021. The majority of accident casualties were drivers, however there were occasional fatalities among passengers and pedestrians. Every year, over 1500 individuals are hospitalized as a result of a motorbike accident, and over 4,400 people visit the emergency department as a result of a motorcycle accident.
After a motorcycle accident in New York there are some very important steps that you need to follow to be able to recover fair compensation for your injuries.
4 Steps You Should Take After A Motorcycle Accident
Get on to safe and go immediately for medical attention
Motorcycle riders are more likely to be harmed in a car accident. Motorcycle drivers do not have the same level of protection as automobile drivers, who are protected by seatbelts and airbags. Even small collisions can lead to fractures or other painful injuries.
It is crucial to get medical attention right after a motorcycle accident. Some injuries are not detectable right after the collision but a doctor should be able to identify them and provide the necessary medical care. Additionally, obtaining copies of medical records, medical test results and other documents provided by your doctor can be used as evidence later.
Collect evidence and eyewitness information for your accident
Once you have determined that you are healthy, gathering evidence should be one of your top priorities. It is essential to record everything, including the time of the accident and any other details you may recall. Take photos or videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any property that was damaged as a result of the collision. If there were people that saw what happened, you can ask them for their contact information. That way you or your lawyer can contact them in the future. They might be able to provide you with a statement of the incident. Do not discard the clothes you were wearing at the moment of the accident, especially if they are torn or damaged, they can also be used as evidence.
Call the NYPD, file a report and get a copy of it
According to the law in New York, you are not required to report an accident to the police if the damages to vehicles and property do not exceed $1,000 or if no one was injured or died. However, it is always advisable to report it to the police for a couple reasons. First, a police report can protect you if the other party claims that you were at fault after leaving the accident scene. A police report can be used as evidence in the future. In some cases, the insurance company may ask you for a police report. A police officer may arrive at the accident scene and they can help you get the contact information of all the parties involved. For these reasons, it is very important to get a copy of the police report as soon as possible.
Get in contact with a motorcycle accident lawyer to discuss your case
Contacting a personal injury lawyer will greatly increase your chances of obtaining fair compensation for your injuries. After a motorcycle accident, you may need time to recover from your injuries. During that time, a personal injury lawyer can work on the legal process and gather evidence to support your claim. Furthermore, a personal injury attorney will help you accurately determine the amount of money you should be awarded.
What you should know about motorcycle accident laws in New York
Because New York is a no-fault state, victims of car accidents can utilize their “no-fault benefits” to cover their medical expenses regardless of who was at fault. Unfortunately, no-fault benefits do not apply to motorcycle drivers because of the significant risk of riding a motorcycle. That means that you need to file a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company or file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages. For that reason it is very important to work with a lawyer and build a solid case to prove that the other party was negligent. Since personal injury lawsuits and insurance claims can take a long time, motorcycle drivers should have health insurance to be able to get medical assistance after an accident.
Motorcycle drivers must be very careful when driving and use the appropriate safety equipment. There is special clothing for motorcycle drivers that offers protection against burns and scratches. Wearing gloves and goggles will help you protect your eyes and hands in the event of a collision. All motorcycle drivers in New York are required to wear a helmet that fulfills safety regulations. Because New York is a comparative negligence state, it is possible that you may be responsible to some extent. If that is the case, your compensation will be reduced by your level of responsibility. If you were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, the other motorist may still be held liable, but your compensation may be lowered because your injuries may have been less severe if you had worn the helmet.
New York Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you were recently involved in a motorcycle accident and you wish to pursue compensation for your injuries and other losses, make sure to contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. Greenberg & Stein P.C., is a law firm in New York that has helped countless motorcycle accident victims recover fair compensation. Our attorneys have vast experience handling all kinds of car and motorcycle accidents and they are ready to help you. Contact us at 212-681-2535 to schedule a free consultation to review your case.