Motorcycle accidents in Staten Island are a common occurrence, as motorcycles are a popular mode of transportation on the island. These accidents can have serious consequences, as motorcycle riders are more vulnerable to injury than drivers of other vehicles. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of motorcycle accidents on Staten Island, leading to concern among residents and policymakers about the safety of motorcyclists on the roads. Many of these accidents are caused by the reckless or negligent behavior of other drivers, while some are the result of issues with the motorcycle itself. Regardless of the cause, motorcycle accidents can have long-lasting effects on the lives of those involved.
Injured motorcyclists, as well as family members of motorcyclists who have been wrongfully killed in accidents, should consult with an experienced Staten Island motorcycle accident lawyer. Our team of dedicated Staten Island motorcycle accident attorneys at Cohen & Cohen Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. are here to fight for the compensation that motorcycle accident victims deserve. We have the experience needed to handle these types of hard-fought accident cases.
COMMON INJURIES SUSTAINED IN STATEN ISLAND MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
Motorcycle accidents can be serious and often result in serious injuries for the rider. In Staten Island, motorcycle accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, such as distracted or negligent drivers, road hazards, or mechanical failure. Unfortunately, the lack of protection afforded by motorcycles means that riders are at a higher risk for injury compared to those in car accidents and truck accidents. Common injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents can range in severity from minor road rash to even paraplegia or death. Therefore, it is important for riders to take safety precautions, such as wearing a helmet and protective gear, and for all drivers to pay attention to their surroundings to help prevent these types of accidents. The most common injuries that can be sustained in a motorcycle accident can include, but are not limited to:
- Road Rash – When a motorcycle is thrown from a vehicle, road rash often results. The term “road rash” refers to an abrasion caused by the friction created by the rubbing of skin against the road after an impact occurs. In the event that a motorcyclist is hit and thrown from their motorcycle, they often suffer from road rash as a result of landing on the road or skidding across it.
- Broken & Fractured Bones – In the event of a motorcycle accident, bone fractures or breaks may occur. A motorcycle crash can cause a rider’s legs or lower body to be crushed, resulting in fractures or breaks. As a result of trying to brace their fall or being thrown from a motorcycle and landing on the upper part of the body, motorcyclists can also suffer wrist and arm fractures.
- Spinal Injuries – Injuries to the spinal cord can occur as a result of being struck by another vehicle or being thrown from the motorcycle. Staten Island motorcycle accident victims frequently suffer spine injuries, including back injuries, and paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – It is possible for a rider to suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) when their head is hit, bumped, struck, or penetrated. When a rider hits their head after a crash they may sustain a traumatic brain injury. There is a possibility of sustaining a TBI whether the rider is wearing a helmet or not, depending on the severity of the impact. An individual may suffer from a mild to severe TBI depending on their level of consciousness, the dysfunction of their brain cells, bruising, tears, and bleeding in the brain. A TBI can include injuries such as concussions, contusions, penetration injuries, or anoxic injuries.
- Wrongful Death – In the event that the Staten Island motorcycle accident involves a fatality, this is considered to be wrongful death. A motorcycle accident can result in wrongful death when negligence is involved, and this can often be the case in a motorcycle accident. An individual may be able to bring a wrongful death suit against the driver of the other vehicle if they were driving distracted, drunk, or in any other negligent manner.
Since bicycle and motorcycle riders are often less protected from impacts, our Staten Island motorcycle accident attorneys also see similar types of injuries in bicycle accidents. The first thing a motorcycle accident victim should do if they have been injured is to call 911 and have medical personnel assess any sustained injuries. Then it is essential to contact Cohen & Cohen Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. for a free case evaluation. In the process of evaluating the case and recovering compensation for motorcycle accident victims’ injuries and losses, we want victims to focus on their health as much as possible.
ARE MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CASES IN STATEN ISLAND HARD TO WIN? IF SO, WHY?
It is possible to recover maximum compensation for injuries and losses following a motorcycle accident in Staten Island and throughout New York City, but these cases can be more challenging than other types of motor vehicle accidents such as car accidents, truck accidents, and bus accidents. The following reasons contribute to the complexity of motorcycle injury cases:
- Greater Risk For Severe Injuries – There is a greater risk of injury associated with motorcycle accidents than with other types of motor vehicle accidents. In contrast to drivers of cars or trucks, motorcycle riders are more exposed when on the road. In addition to being lighter and smaller than a car or truck, motorcycle riders and their bikes may also sustain greater damage when they are involved in an accident.
- Motorcycle Accident Law Is Complex – The law of motorcycle accidents is more complete and requires specialized knowledge of the subtleties that may be encountered during the course of the case. It is common for motorcycle accident cases to involve product liability claims when one or more of the motorcycle parts or accessories the rider is wearing fail or break, causing the accident.
- Stigmas Surrounding Motorcyclists – During a trial, other drivers, insurance companies, and juries often make incorrect assumptions about motorcyclists. It is often assumed that the motorcyclist is to blame for the accident. Although this is not always the case, proving this is not true in court and with insurance companies can take a considerable amount of time and effort.
A Staten Island motorcycle accident attorney from Cohen & Cohen Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. understands the stigma associated with motorcyclists. We are prepared to aggressively prove the other driver’s negligence and pursue the compensation motorcycle accident victims deserve.
WHAT TO DO AFTER BEING IN A STATEN ISLAND MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
When involved in a motorcycle accident in Staten Island, the most important thing for a victim to do is to remain calm and contact 911 as soon as possible. A person who has been injured should contact 911 immediately and obtain medical attention on the scene as soon as possible. The health of the individual is the most important consideration. If victims are able to do so, they should take the following steps to strengthen the potential motorcycle accident case and to increase their chances of receiving the compensation they deserve.
- Seek Medical Attention – There is no doubt that this step is the most critical and deserves repeating. If injured, victims should not attempt to do anything that may result in further injury until medical assistance is on the way. It is important to take it easy following an accident even if the victim feels fine. They may have suffered injuries that may not be apparent for hours, days, or even weeks after the accident.
- Contact Law Enforcement – Victims should contact the police to file an accident report. It is important to obtain a police accident report in order to build a strong case and prove liability in the accident. The police should be informed of all the details of the accident and how it occurred. Victims should ensure that they do not embellish the facts and avoid taking responsibility for the accident or blaming anyone else. It is best to leave that to the police.
- Collect Contact & Insurance Information – The other driver’s contact information and insurance information should be obtained. Whenever possible, a victim should speak to the other driver after being struck by another vehicle in order to obtain their information. In addition to giving this information to the police, it is important for the victim to keep a copy in their own records so that it can be given to their Staten Island motorcycle accident lawyer as evidence in their potential lawsuit. Don’t forget to take note of their license plate number and vehicle registration number as well.
- Collect Witness Information – Collect contact information for any potential witnesses (phone number or email address) who observed the accident. As a result, this information can be extremely useful when proving liability in court.
- Avoid Blame Statements – At the crash scene, avoid talking about the accident. There is no desire on the part of victims to admit fault or to place blame on anyone else. Keeping the conversation with the other drivers and potential witnesses to a minimum is the best course of action.
- Don’t Discuss the Accident On Social Media – Social media and online discussions of the accident are not appropriate. In the event that a victim fails to take appropriate precautions after an accident, posting about it online can harm their case. In order to prevent social profiles from being used as evidence in court, it is best to avoid posting anything on them.
- Contact A Staten Island Motorcycle Accident Attorney – After the accident and after speaking with the police, it is important that motorcycle accident victims contact a Queens motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Before contacting the insurance company, victims should contact a lawyer so they can help navigate the complicated insurance process and ensure that the victim receives the maximum amount of compensation for any injuries or losses sustained as a result of the accident.