Motorcycle accident NY

Motorcycle Crash Attorney in Buffalo, NY

As the second-most populous city in New York, motorcyclists in Buffalo are at great risk when sharing the road with other vehicles. Motorcycles can be a lot of fun, but they can be deadly for riders, other automobile passengers, and pedestrians when they crash.

Motorcycle accidents lead to the most serious injuries. Facial fractures, spinal cord injuries, partial or complete paralysis, traumatic brain injury (TBI), limb loss aren’t unheard of in relation to bike accidents. The injured person can lose their job, followed by months of rehabilitation, affecting their own and their loved ones’ mental health.

Even worse, insurance companies frequently fail to compensate motorcycle accident victims fairly. To combat this, seeking the assistance of motorcycle crash attorneys can help you obtain fair compensation from insurance companies for lost wages, pain and suffering, medical expenditures, and other losses.

Common Causes of a Motorcycle Accident

Let’s look at the most common causes of motorcycle accidents.

1. Drunk Driving – According to 2019 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, motorcyclists under the influence of alcohol were responsible for 16% of motorcycle accident fatalities in New York.
2. Inexperienced Riders – A good number of motorcycle accidents are caused by incompetent riding skills and inadequate training. Not knowing how to ride a motorcycle properly, the need to be visible to other vehicles, wearing protective gear and a helmet, and avoiding lane-splitting, all lead to terrible outcomes.
3. Excessive Speed – Motorcycles can weave in and out of traffic at breakneck speeds, but exceeding the speed limit not only violates the state speed limit but it also causes motorcycles to collide with other vehicles.
4. Distracted Drivers – Most motorcycle accidents are caused by distracted driving, which includes texting or calling, eating, or holding something while riding.
5. Bad Weather – Motorcycle accidents on slippery roads are common in New York due to rainy weather. Turning a motorcycle becomes difficult on wet roads, resulting in a crash into oncoming traffic.

What to do after a Motorcycle Accident in New York

1. Call 9-1-1 –Seek medical help immediately. Back, neck, and head pain can often lead to serious injuries. Even if you’ve had a mild accident and are feeling okay, it is essential to get a thorough medical examination to make sure there aren’t any hidden injuries you’re not immediately aware of.
2. Exchange Contact Information – Exchange contact information with the accident’s victims and witnesses. This will come in handy later if any legal issues occur or if you need to file a compensation claim.
3. Document the Damage – Photograph the scene of the accident, your vehicle, as well as your vehicle. Ensure that all evidence is collected by responders.
4. Contact Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in NY – If you want to seek compensation for your loss or pain, it’s important to hire a professional legal representative as motorcycle accident claims and lawsuits can be extremely complicated.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics in NY

All year, New York is the busiest state in the United States. In the summer, when traffic is more congested than ever due to tourists, motorcycles are the favored mode of transportation, leading to an increase in accidents.

• Motorcycle crashes are one of the leading causes of fatal accidents in New York, accounting for up to 53% of all fatalities, making it a high-risk state.
• In 2018, 344,688 motorcycles were registered in New York, and 751,837 motorcycle licenses were issued.
• According to the New York City Motorcycle Safety Study, only 2% of registered vehicles in NYC are motorcycles, yet they are responsible for 14% of all traffic fatalities.
• New York reported 136 fatal motorcycle accidents.
• 56% of motorcycle riders killed were under the age of 35.
• Almost 100% of motorcycle fatalities were males.

Despite the state’s efforts to minimize these numbers through education and law enforcement, the rate of motorcycle accident injuries is extremely high.

New York Motorcycle Helmet Laws

When riding a motorcycle, wearing a helmet helps protect the rider and passengers from danger. Motorcycle helmets are estimated to be 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle riders and 42% effective in preventing fatal injuries to passengers.

Head and brain injuries are the greatest cause of death in motorcycle accidents. However, wearing a helmet can reduce the risk by 67%. Riders who do not wear a helmet are three times more likely than helmeted riders to get a brain injury.

NY was among the first states in the country to adopt a universal motorcycling law. The law requires both the rider and the passengers to wear a helmet regardless of age or experience.

It also mandates helmets to comply with the federal motor vehicle safety standards outlined in section 571.218, which are as follows:

• The helmet must have the “DOT” symbol horizontally centered not less than 0.38 inches high from the bottom of the helmet to indicate the Department of Transportation’s approval of the helmet.
• The helmet must have no projections inside the shell and protrude no more than 0.2 inches from the outer shell.
• The helmet must provide complete visual clearance.

Consult with New York Motorcycle Lawyers

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you might have a case to get compensation. A personal injury lawyer at The Alder Law Firm can provide legal advice and investigate your case to get you fair compensation for your losses.