Bronx Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
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Have you been injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident in the Bronx, NY? You may be entitled to financial compensation from the party responsible for the accident, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages.
Contact the Bronx motorcycle accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers to discuss your case during a free consultation. Let us help with your financial recovery. Call (212) 564 2800. We are here to take your call and provide information, resources, and support 24/7/365.
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For some people, motorcycle crashes are catastrophic or fatal. For others, injuries may be less severe. Regardless, getting back on your feet following a Bronx motorcycle accident can take weeks, months, or even years. A personal injury or wrongful death claim can ease the financial burdens caused by an accident and hold negligent parties accountable.
Motorcycle accidents are a unique area of law, and insurance companies often blame motorcyclists for their injuries, even when they were not at fault. Having a knowledgeable Bronx personal injury attorney representing your interests can mean the difference between no compensation and full and fair compensation.
When you hire us to handle your New York motorcycle injury case, you can count on us to:
At the Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel, we understand the challenges of motorcycle accident litigation and fight for the rights of motorcyclists, even in the most difficult cases. Under our contingency fee agreement, we are only paid if we recover money for you. There are no up-front fees or out-of-pocket expenses.
The Bronx covers 42 square miles and is home to nearly 1.5 million people. Major highways in Bronx County (the Bronx) include Interstate 87 (I-87), Interstate 95 (I-95), Interstate 278 (I-278), and Interstate 295 (I-295). Motorcycle and car accidents on these highways and surface streets are common.
According to the New York City Motorcycle Safety Study, just 2 percent of registered vehicles in New York City are motorcycles. However, for the four-year period from 2010-2014, motorcyclists accounted for about 14 percent of traffic fatalities in New York City.
Nearly 100% of motorcycle fatalities were male riders. Of the five boroughs, the Bronx has the highest number of motorcycle fatalities compared to vehicle registrations. Many accidents occur at traffic signal intersections, where vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles are slowing down, changing direction, and speeding up. There are 1,605 traffic signal intersections in the Bronx.
A lot of motorcycle crash victims begin dealing with an insurance company on their own. Anytime an injury is involved, it is advisable to speak with a lawyer. Insurance adjusters want to resolve claims as cheaply as possible. An adjuster may offer an amount that would provide immediate financial relief – but does not account for future medical needs.
Numerous factors may determine how much your case may be worth:
An injury lawyer can help you determine the scope of your injuries and future treatment needs. This calculation is important. Accepting an offer from an insurance company without fully understanding how your injuries will affect you is unwise. Don’t leave money on the table when you need it for your future. Contact the experienced and knowledgeable Bronx motorcycle accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel to discuss your case.
You have the right to seek money for your injuries – called damages – when someone negligently harms you. This includes economic damages for medical expenses, future medical care, and lost earnings. Additionally, victims may also be entitled to non-economic damages, which compensate for physical and emotional pain and suffering.
When injuries are serious or an accident is fatal, the compensation may be substantial. A Bronx motorcycle accident attorney can review your potential case and explain the types of compensation you may be entitled to.
It is very common for more than one party to be partly “at fault” in an accident. If you contributed to an accident, you can still recover compensation. Under New York Civil Practice Law and Rules Section 1411, the compensation you can recover will be reduced by the amount that you contributed to an accident.
If you were 20% at fault for an accident, your total award will be reduced by 20%. If your case goes to court, the jury will first determine if the defendant was negligent, and then decide if you were also at-fault. Along with negotiating your settlement, your attorney can also negotiate the amount that you contributed to an accident.
Motorcycles are an efficient form of transportation, but they have unique dangers.
Injuries from a motorcycle accident can be life-changing, causing extreme physical pain, emotional trauma, and costly medical bills.
Common injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents include:
It is important that motorcycle riders get medical attention immediately after being injured in a motorcycle accident. Taking a “wait and see” approach can be harmful to your physical health as well as your personal injury claim. If you do not get prompt medical care, the insurance company may dispute your claim and may even question the truthfulness of your injuries.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are overrepresented in traffic collisions. The majority of collisions that involve a motorcycle occur because another driver simply didn’t see the motorcyclist. Even though motorcycles have a smaller profile and are harder to see than a car, drivers must still watch for motorcyclists.
Other causes of collisions involving motorcycles include distracted driving, speeding, and driving under the influence. Less common causes of collisions include motorcycle manufacturing defects and dangerous road conditions.
As a plaintiff, you must prove that the defendant’s negligent, reckless, or careless behavior caused or contributed to your injuries to recover compensation.
The four elements of negligence are:
In many cases, negligence can be established based on evidence, including the police report, eyewitness testimony, photos taken at the scene, drug or alcohol tests, and photos and videos taken at the crash scene. Do not submit your own evidence to an insurance company without first speaking with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer.
Every state has a specific window of time, called a statute of limitations, in which people can file a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Once this time period expires, any claim will be dismissed.
Under New York Civil Practice Law and Rules Section 214, injury victims must file a claim within 3 years of the date of an accident. The New York Estates, Powers and Trust Laws (EPTL) Section 5-4.1 states that wrongful death actions must be filed within two years of the date of the accident. Surviving family members may also file a separate survivorship cause of action for the decedent’s pre-death pain and suffering.
Time is of the essence after an accident. If you or someone in your family has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident in the Bronx, contact the Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel to discuss your legal rights and options. Our Bronx motorcycle accident lawyers forward to speaking with you and answering your questions. Contact us for a free consultation today.
New York City Office
450 7th Ave Suite 1605
New York, NY 10123
(212) 564 2800
Brooklyn Office
26 Court St., Suite 2511
Brooklyn, NY 11242
(718) 802-1600
We are available to take your call 24/7