Motorcycle Accident Attorney Binghamton, NY
If you are a motorcyclist who has been involved in an accident, it’s likely that you have suffered serious personal injuries. Motorcycles don’t have the structure that other motor vehicles provide to protect occupants in a crash.
Many motorcyclists are harmed because other drivers have been careless or reckless. Motorcyclists have the same right to the roads – and the right to be compensated if another driver causes an accident that hurts them.
Meet Motorcycle Accident Attorney Scott C. Gottlieb
Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, can work to help you seek justice if you or a family member has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident because of someone else’s carelessness. Obtaining the compensation you deserve after a motorcycle accident is likely to require filing a personal injury claim. We represent motorcycle accident victims in Binghamton and throughout New York’s Southern Tier.
Our firm’s commitment is to provide quality legal services while treating each client with care and respect. We will work together to decide whether it is better to fight a case in court or pursue a settlement in order to obtain the financial recovery that you deserve.
Contact our Binghamton motorcycle accident lawyer online today or call our office for a free consultation. Our responsibility is to help you in your time of need. We return all calls every day, usually within the hour – even on weekends. We will fight for you!
How Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
The firm of Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, has the experience and resources to help you seek compensation for the injuries you suffered in a motorcycle accident that was someone else’s fault.
- We are prepared to fully investigate your motorcycle accident to determine what really happened and who should be held responsible for your losses.
- We can help you secure the proper medical treatment you need to recover from your motorcycle accident injuries.
- We can consult with economic experts to calculate the full extent of your losses, including lost income and diminished earning capacity, as well as medical and rehabilitation expenses.
- We can deal with the insurance companies, courts and others involved in the matter while you focus on your health and your life.
Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, has earned a reputation for getting results for people who have been hurt in motorcycle crashes in Binghamton and elsewhere in New York’s Southern Tier. He is prepared to assist you right now.
Getting our firm involved early could greatly help your motorcycle accident case. Not only can we make sure no deadlines are missed, but we handle the crucial legal and evidentiary issues, while you focus on your health and recovery. We are proud to have the highest possible rating of AV Preeminent from Martindale-Hubbell, the premier peer review rating service for attorneys. Our achievements are based on our personal commitment and dedication to those we represent.
What are the leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Many motorcycle safety programs, including the New York Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee’s SafeNY program, focus first on other drivers sharing the road and watching out for motorcycles and motorcyclists.
An influential study titled “Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures” (or simply called the “Hurt Report” for its author), says about 75 percent of motorcycle accidents involve collisions with another vehicle, which is most often a passenger car. In two-thirds of these accidents, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle’s right-of-way and caused the collision.
Intersections are the most likely place for a motorcycle accident, with the other vehicle not only violating the motorcycle’s right-of-way, but often violating traffic controls (stoplights and stop signs, for example) as well, according to Hurt.
“The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents,” Hurt says. “The driver of the other vehicle involved in [a] collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.”
Common causes of motorcycle crashes include:
- Turning left into the path of an oncoming motorcycle
- Changing lanes into a motorcycle
- Pulling out of an intersection, driveway, or parking lot into the path of a motorcycle
- Tailgating a motorcycle
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Other forms of reckless and careless driving
Types of Injuries Caused By Motorcycle Accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says motorcyclists are about 30 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash, and five times more likely to be injured.
The SafeNY program says there were 5,336 motorcycle accidents in the state in a single recent year. Of these accidents, 4,550 (85 percent) resulted in personal injuries to 5,180 people, and 168 resulted in a total of 171 deaths.
Injuries to a motorcyclist involved in an accident may include, for example:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Bone fractures
- Ankle and knee injuries
- Back injuries
- Deep cuts that cause permanent disfigurement
- Amputation
- “Road rash,” a type of abrasion and bruising caused by contact with the pavement
- Burn injuries
- Internal injuries and bleeding
Investigating a Motorcycle Accident Claim in New York
Even the most visible and safety-conscious motorcyclist can be injured in an accident caused by another motorist’s negligence. When this happens, motorcyclists may have a right to compensation for their losses, including money for medical expenses, property damage and lost income, as well as for their pain and suffering.
Resolving a claim usually requires a detailed investigation of the motorcycle accident. Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, works with accident reconstruction and economic experts to help prepare persuasive cases that show what happened in a motorcycle accident and the compensation the victim deserves.
Developing a legal claim can be complicated and time-consuming. New York law imposes deadlines for filing a personal injury lawsuit after a motorcycle accident. It is best to get started on your case as soon as possible.
Contact Our Binghamton, New York Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in a motorcycle accident in Binghamton or anywhere in New York, and you believe someone else was at fault, contact Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, today for a free review of your case. You may be eligible for compensation to help you with medical expenses, property damage and other losses.
Our motorcycle accident lawyer and investigators can thoroughly examine your motorcycle crash. If the evidence shows that another driver was at fault, we can, with the help of accident reconstruction and economic experts, develop a convincing case that shows what happened and the compensation you are due. Then we will be ready to negotiate with insurance companies or go to court to seek the maximum compensation you are entitled to recover.
There is no charge for an experienced Binghamton motorcycle accident lawyer at Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, to review your case and explain the legal options available to you. Every case is different, and although we cannot guarantee the outcome of yours, experience counts. We have a successful track record and a commitment to obtaining maximum compensation for our clients.
Submit our online contact form today to set up a free, no-obligation meeting to review your case
Motorcycle Accident FAQs
Motorcycle accidents are one of the most common cases the personal injury attorney in Binghamton at Scott C. Gottlieb Injury Law Attorney handles. Our motorcycle accident attorney hears many of the same questions from our clients. You might have similar questions, which is why we put together this list of answers to the questions we often receive. Keep reading to learn more, or you can contact Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney right now for a free consultation.
Motorcycle Accident
What happens if I am involved in an accident on my motorcycle?
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident in New York, you should seek immediate medical attention. You may be brought to a hospital from the crash scene. If not, visit your doctor as soon as possible.
If you were hurt in the crash and someone else is to blame, you could have the right to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the other driver or another party who is liable for your injuries. While drivers in cars are required to have no-fault insurance in New York, these benefits do not apply to people involved in motorcycle accidents. While you are recovering from the crash, a personal injury lawyer in New York can start working on your case so you can recover the money you need as soon as possible.
Do I need to wear a helmet if I only drive on the weekends? How will not wearing a helmet affect me if I get in an accident?
Wearing a helmet is a good idea whenever you ride a motorcycle because it reduces your risk of sustaining a serious head injury in a crash. Furthermore, New York law requires anyone riding a motorcycle to wear a helmet, regardless of their age or any other factors. If you ride a motorcycle in New York without a helmet, you are breaking the law.
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident and are not wearing a helmet, you are likely to sustain more severe injuries and could be ticketed by police for breaking the state helmet law. However, not wearing a helmet does not impact who was at fault for a crash or automatically make you liable for your injuries. If an insurance company tries to deny your motorcycle accident claim because you were not wearing a helmet, talk to a lawyer right away.
Do the police need to know if I am involved in a traffic accident?
Police must be notified about any accident involving injuries or deaths. If you do not notify the police and nobody else does either, everyone involved could be in legal trouble. You may also have a harder time recovering compensation for your injuries if you do not have an accident report prepared by a police officer to back up your claim.
What does “comparative negligence” mean regarding a traffic accident?
Comparative negligence is the system used to determine fault and award compensation in a personal injury case when more than one party is to blame. Under New York law, you can file a lawsuit against another party involved in a motorcycle accident even if you are partially to blame for the crash. If you are found partially at fault for the crash, though, your compensation will be reduced by your degree of fault. For example, if you were found 20 percent liable for a motorcycle accident, you would lose 20 percent of your compensation.
How do I determine if my motorcycle helmet meets my state’s helmet law safety standards?
New York’s motorcycle helmet law requires all helmets to meet certain safety standards set by the federal government. This rule is known as Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218. Any helmet that meets these standards should have a sticker or label on the back that reads “FMVSS No. 218 Certified.”
For All Injury Cases, Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney Can Help Today
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident in New York, contact Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney right away. Our team offers free initial consultations, so it won’t cost you anything to learn more about your legal options.
