Motorcycles are popular in New York because they allow riders to enjoy all of our natural beauty and scenic roads. While riding a motorcycle can be fun, uplifting, and fuel-efficient, it can also be dangerous due to the risk of motorcycle accidents. When motorcyclists are involved in accidents, they often suffer devastating injuries because they don’t have the same external protection and safety mechanisms as passenger drivers.
When another party’s negligence or recklessness causes a motorcyclist’s injuries, the victim can pursue compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. If you’ve been seriously injured in a Syracuse motorcycle accident, CDH Law PLLC is here to help. Our skilled motorcycle accident attorneys have a proven track record of recovering significant compensation for accident victims. Contact CDH Law PLLC to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation consultation.
Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases We Handle
Motorcycle accidents can arise from many different circumstances. Extreme weather, hazardous road conditions, and Driver negligence are all common causes of motorcycle accidents. Whatever the circumstances of the motorcycle accident that caused your injuries, it’s important that you discuss your case with an experienced attorney. Your attorney will be able to start investigating your case and gathering evidence on your behalf.
Determining the cause of the accident and who was at fault is an important first step in pursuing the compensation you need and deserve. The attorneys at CDH Law PLLC represent clients who’ve been injured in a wide range of motorcycle accidents, including the following:
- Hit-and run accidents
- Dooring accidents
- Lane-splitting accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Side-impact or T-bone collisions
- Accidents with large commercial trucks
Many Motorcycle Accidents Are Caused By Negligence
Many motorcycle accidents cause devastating injuries and could have been prevented if the at-fault driver had been using reasonable care. Drivers are more distracted than ever, and motorcycles are more challenging to see on the road. When drivers are texting or engaging in other distracting behavior, they may fail to see a motorcyclist and collide with him or her. Eating, applying makeup, using a cell phone, or general lack of awareness can result in a devastating motorcycle accident. Other common causes of preventable motorcycle accidents include the following:
- Driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol
- Failure to adequately check blind spots for motorcyclists
- Lane-splitting or white-lining
- Speeding, racing, or engaging in other types of reckless driving
- Hazardous road conditions
- Poorly designed roads
- Faulty traffic lights
Proving the cause of the accident is crucial. If you’re pursuing compensation through an insurance claim or lawsuit, you must show that the driver’s negligence caused the accident. CDH Law PLLC has extensive experience investigating motorcycle accidents and improving liability. We will help you pursue justice.
The Benefits of Working with a Skilled Motorcycle Accident Attorney
The attorneys at CDH Law PLLC understand the devastating consequences accidents have on victims. In addition to dealing with the pain and other difficulties that come with being injured, victims also face significant lifetime costs. At CDH Law PLLC, we give every client’s case the attention it deserves. We will immediately use our resources and experience to investigate your case to determine what happened, who is liable for your damages, and what type of avenues for compensation are available.
Damages Available in Motorcycle Accident Cases
Injuries caused by motorcycle accidents can be more severe due to the lack of airbags, seat belts, and other protective measures. When a larger vehicle collides with a motorcycle, the motorcyclist may come off of the motorcycle and become crushed by the vehicle or collide with the ground forcefully. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, road rash, infections, and bone fractures are all common, serious injuries suffered by motorcyclists. Under New York tort law, accident victims can seek compensation for the following types of economic damages:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Loss of earning capacity due to disability
- Personal care
- Rehabilitation, including physical therapy
- Long-term nursing care
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
Plaintiffs can also pursue non-economic damages for injuries that are more challenging to quantify. Non-economic damages provide compensation for the pain and suffering a victim has gone through and can include the following:
- Physical discomfort
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Impairments
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Unfortunately, motorcyclists are more likely to be involved in fatal accidents than drivers in passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles. If your loved one was the victim of a fatal motorcycle accident in New York, nothing could bring him or her back. However, pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit can help your family move forward financially while holding the at-fault driver accountable. You may be entitled to compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of household services, loss of your loved one’s income, and other damages. The compassionate attorneys at CDH Law PLLC can help answer your questions and understand your legal options.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in New York?
After you receive medical treatment, it’s important that you reach out to an attorney regarding your claim for compensation. If you want to pursue a personal injury lawsuit in civil court, you must file your case before the deadline expires. The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is three years in New York. If you file your claim within three years of the accident, you could retain your right to pursue compensation. The sooner you discuss your case with an attorney, the more time your attorney will have to gather evidence on your behalf.
Contact a Syracuse Accident Attorney to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
Recovering from a serious injury is difficult enough, and pursuing compensation through a personal injury lawsuit may seem overwhelming. The Syracuse motorcycle accident attorneys at CDH Law PLLC understand how difficult it can be to recover from a devastating accident. When you work with us, you can rest assured that we will handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on your recovery. Our attorneys are prepared to negotiate the best settlement possible on your behalf. Contact CDH Law PLLC today to discuss your case with an experienced personal injury attorney.