Hudson Valley Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Motorcycle riding can be exciting, offering a feeling of freedom that just doesn’t come from driving a car. Along with that exhilaration, however, comes a risk of injury. Motorcycle accidents can leave victims with devastating injuries and costly medical bills. Unlike victims of New York car accidents, no-fault insurance doesn’t provide relief for injured motorcycle riders in the same way. Recovering your motorcycle accident-related expenses can be an uphill battle.
Experienced New York motorcycle accident attorneys can help
After a motorcycle accident in the Hudson Valley, an experienced motorcycle crash attorney can help you get the money you deserve from those responsible for your injuries. The seasoned New York motorcycle accident lawyers at the Law Office of Taran M. Provost, PLLC are ready to fight for you after a crash. Our lawyers understand the prejudices that some insurance companies and judges hold against motorcyclists and why you need vigorous representation to overcome those biases. Our investigators and attorneys will work together to prepare a case that proves your right to money damages after your crash. Contact the Law Office of Taran M. Provost, PLLC at our offices in Poughkeepsie and Montgomery for a free consultation after a Hudson Valley motorcycle accident.
Motorcycle riders have a higher risk of significant injuries when involved in a crash
Without the protections afforded by passenger vehicles, motorcyclists bear a much higher risk of serious injury when involved in a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that the number of motorcyclist fatalities has increased by 144% over the past 20 years. In 2017, 5,172 motorcyclists were killed in crashes in the US, accounting for 14% of all traffic fatalities. Motorcycle crashes are 27 times as likely to result in death as crashes involving passenger vehicles.
What are some common causes of motorcycle accidents?
Motorcycle accidents are commonly caused by:
- Speeding: The NHTSA found that 32% of all motorcycle riders were speeding at the time of a crash. Speeding by other vehicle drivers can also pose a substantial threat to motorcyclists.
- Left-turn accidents: About 42% of all collisions involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle occurred when the passenger vehicle was turning left, and the bike was going straight through an intersection. Many passenger vehicle drivers underestimate oncoming motorcyclists’ speed or fail to scan the roadway completely before making a turn, putting oncoming motorcyclists at serious risk.
- Poor roadway conditions: Poorly-maintained roads such as those with potholes, loose gravel, or construction debris can present motorcyclists with a dangerous obstacle course. Due to the greater instability of two-wheeled vehicles, a roadway hazard can send motorcycles sailing off the road and into stationary objects. When government offices are negligent in maintaining roadways, motorcycle accident victims may have a claim for damages.
- Drunk driving: Alcohol use is often a factor in motorcycle crashes. When the driver of a truck or car is drunk behind the wheel, they’re even less likely to notice the smaller visual object posed by a motorcycle than if they were sober, making motorcyclists even more vulnerable to serious injury by a drunk driver.
- Red-light running: When passenger vehicle drivers run red lights, these much larger speeding vehicles can impose severe or fatal injuries on motorcyclists who have begun to travel through the intersection.
- Failing to check blind spots: Since motorcycles are smaller than cars or trucks, drivers who fail to check before changing lanes may be putting riders in their blind spots at risk of a side-impact collision.
- Defective parts or poorly-performed maintenance: defectively-manufactured or poorly-installed brakes, tires, or engine components can leave motorcyclists vulnerable to a spin-out or crash.
What should you do after a motorcycle accident?
After a New York motorcycle crash, here are some of the most critical steps you should take:
- Get safe: Many motorcycle accident victims suffer the most serious injuries not from the initial impact, but from subsequent impacts by drivers who don’t see motorcyclists in the road. As soon as you can, get out of lanes of traffic to a safe place.
- Call for medical help: Make sure you get the emergency medical attention you need as soon as you can. Even if you don’t think you’ve suffered serious injuries, be sure to visit a doctor after a crash. You may not realize the severity of your injuries until after the shock of the crash has worn off, and documenting your physical condition after an accident will serve as important evidence if you later decide to file a claim for your injuries.
- Document the scene of the accident: Take photos of the scene, including the position of the vehicles, skid marks on the road, and damage to the vehicles involved.
- File a police report: A police report can serve as valuable evidence in a lawsuit based on your motorcycle accident. If the police do not come to the scene after a crash, be sure to file a report after the fact.
- Speak with an attorney: A knowledgeable motorcycle crash lawyer can handle the hard work of filing and pursuing a claim for compensation after an accident, allowing you to focus on recovering from your injuries. With offices in the Poughkeepsie and Montgomery, the New York motorcycle accident attorneys at the Law Office of Taran M. Provost, PLLC are prepared to help you fight for the money you deserve after a crash.
Personal Injury Protection doesn’t cover motorcyclists
Most New York drivers are covered by a no-fault insurance policy that provides compensation for bodily injuries through personal injury protection, or PIP, coverage. This coverage isn’t available for motorcycle riders, however, as New York law deems motorcycles as “inherently dangerous.” This doesn’t mean that motorcyclists don’t have a right to seek compensation if they’re hurt in a crash, but it does mean that they may have a harder time getting the money damages they deserve. Unlike passenger vehicle drivers, motorcyclists don’t have to overcome an injury threshold to sue for damages after an accident. As a result, riders hurt in a crash can file a lawsuit for damages against the at-fault driver without meeting a minimum injury requirement.
Seasoned motorcycle accident lawyers to represent you after a crash
The dedicated, effective, and professional motorcycle accident lawyers at the Law Office of Taran M. Provost, PLLC have been fighting for accident victims for decades. With over 50 years of combined experience, our attorneys have developed the knowledge and skill you want on your side after a serious motorcycle crash in New York’s Hudson Valley. Members of our team have spent time as trial attorneys for a major insurance company, learning the strategies of defendants, but now choose to represent accident victims. When you choose the Law Office of Taran M. Provost, PLLC to represent you after a crash, you won’t need to worry about fees—if you don’t win, you don’t pay. Contact the Law Office of Taran M. Provost, PLLC today for a no-cost evaluation of your motorcycle crash claim.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a New York motorcycle accident, contact the aggressive and knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at the Law Office of Taran M. Provost, PLLC for a consultation at 845-675-3243. With offices in Poughkeepsie and Montgomery, we serve clients throughout Orange, Dutchess, Sullivan and Ulster counties.
