Motorcycles provide a unique transportation experience that many individuals enjoy. Unfortunately, when passenger vehicles fail to pay proper attention to their surroundings, it can cause dangerous conditions for motorcyclists who do not have a metal frame to protect them from impact or the other elements of a crash. If a negligent motorist injures you, you may have the right to file a legal claim against the driver who caused the crash.
An Amherst motorcycle accident lawyer can help you understand and pursue your options and take the lead in handling the legal work so you can focus on recovering. Reach out to Richmond Vona, LLC to speak with a dedicated personal injury attorney to begin reviewing the details of your case.
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Does New York Have Special Traffic Laws for Motorcycles?
Under New York law, motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as passenger cars, trucks, and other vehicles. While there are some regulations that are specific to bikers, including the use of helmets and obtaining the proper licensing, they are still owed the same duty of care as all other motorists on the road. This means passenger cars should allow motorcyclists to occupy the entire width of a traffic lane, despite their smaller size. Likewise, motorcycles deserve to have a safe following distance between them and another vehicle to help reduce the risk of a rear-end crash.
When a crash occurs because a driver fails to adhere to these or other traffic regulations like speeding, yielding the right of way, and proper signaling, that driver can be held financially responsible for all resulting injuries and losses. Our experienced motorcycle wreck attorneys in Amherst can investigate the details surrounding a crash to determine its cause and who may be at fault.
Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Wrecks
Many states set deadlines, called the statute of limitations, for injured parties to bring a claim. New York’s statute of limitations is three years. However, some circumstances may result in this time limit being much shorter, including whether the at-fault party worked for the government and was performing job duties at the time of the crash. The most effective way for someone to protect their right to bring a claim is to act swiftly. Missing this deadline can result in being unable to recover any compensation whatsoever.
What Compensation Can Motorcycle Accident Victims Receive?
Because of their open frame, motorcycles provide little protection when collisions occur. For that reason, this type of accident has a higher chance of causing extensive harm, including catastrophic injuries like spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, amputations, and even death. While bringing a claim cannot undo the damage from the crash, it can help the injured parties recover a financial award to ease their overall burdens.
The compensation that an injured biker can pursue after their accident is also referred to as damages and can include both economic and non-economic forms of loss. Some common examples of economic damages are past and future medical bills, property repairs, and lost wages from missing work. Non-economic damages are subjective and do not stem from a direct monetary loss such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life. Calculating the appropriate sum to ask for in a damages award is critical to ensuring an injured biker has what they need to regain a sense of normalcy in their life. An Amherst motorcycle crash attorney can help with this process.
Speak To an Amherst Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
Filing a motorcycle accident claim can be complex, but it may be the best way to get the compensation you deserve. An Amherst motorcycle accident lawyer can thoroughly investigate your wreck and understand your priorities to create a personalized case plan.
At Richmond Vona, LLC, our attorneys effectively advocate for injured people throughout New York. We understand the nuanced laws and can help you pursue justice against the person who caused your harm. We are here to fight for your best interests. Reach out today to learn more.
With over 25 years of combined personal injury experience, our co-founding attorneys, John E. Richmond and Keith R. Vona, have helped injury victims and their family members recover more than $150 million in financial relief.
John E. Richmond
Co-Founding Member
As one of New York’s top personal injury attorneys, John E. Richmond understands that clients come first. With over a decade of experience representing plaintiffs, he knows how to hold negligent corporations and big insurance companies liable.
In his nearly 15 years in practice, Keith has been consistently recognized for his client service and record of results. He has been selected for inclusion in the New York Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list four times (2013 to 2016), an honor reserved for the top up-and-coming attorneys.
