NYC Personal Injury Lawyer » Motorcycle Accidents

Staten Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Have you been injured in a Staten Island motorcycle accident? If someone else was responsible for your accident, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries through a personal injury claim. 

The Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers has more than 25 years of experience representing individuals injured in motorcycle accidents in Staten Island and throughout New York City. Our proven track record of success means we can obtain the maximum compensation you are entitled to. 

To speak to a Staten Island motorcycle accident lawyer about your case, contact us at (212) 564 2800.  

How The Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel, LLC Can Help After Your Motorcycle Accident

Hiring a skilled lawyer after a motorcycle accident can mean the difference between medical debt and a financially comfortable future. No amount of money can undo the pain of life-changing injuries or the devastating, unexpected loss of a loved one. However, a personal injury claim can hold a negligent motorist or third-party financially accountable. 

When you hire our law firm to handle your motorcycle accident claim, you can rest assured that we will: 

• Listen to your story and evaluate the merits of your claim 
• Gather evidence, including police reports and witness statements 
• Fully investigate the cause of your accident
• Communicate with the insurance companies and legal counsel on your behalf 
• Take your case to trial if a fair settlement is not offered. 

Contact The Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel to see how a Staten Island personal injury lawyer can help you obtain the justice you deserve in a personal injury or wrongful death claim. We will offer advice, resources, and support while fighting to protect your rights and obtain the best possible result for your case. If we represent you, we will not charge any legal fees unless we recover money for you. 

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Staten Island, New York? 

Motorcycle ownership has increased across the country in the last two decades, doubling from 4.2 million motorcycles in 2002 to 8.3 million in 2018. New York has seen an increase in motorcycle registrations as well. In 2018, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety reported 367,813 motorcycles registered in New York, up from 232,608 in 2002. According to the New York State Motorcycle Safety Program Manual, more than 241,000 New Yorkers use motorcycles for commuting, touring, and recreational activities. 

The New York State Department of Health has released some motorcycle accident statistics and injury data about motorcycle accidents: 

• An average of 166 people die each year in motorcycle crashes in New York. Around 1,600 more people are treated in New York hospitals each year as a result of motorcycle accidents. This averages to more than 4 people a day.  
• Motorcyclists are approximately 37 times more likely to die in a traffic crash (per mile driven) than occupants of a passenger vehicle. 
• Unsafe speed is the greatest contributing factor in New York State motorcycle crashes. 

In 2018, 4,985 motorcyclists were killed in accidents nationwide. Despite decreases in fatalities, motorcyclists continue to be overrepresented in traffic fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urges motorcyclists and drivers of passenger vehicles to share the road and be alert. Motorcyclists should make themselves visible, wear protective gear and DOT-compliant helmets, and never ride when impaired by alcohol or drugs. 

What is My Staten Island Motorcycle Accident Worth? 

“What is my case worth?” is one of the most frequently asked questions in a consultation. Many factors determine the value of a motorcycle accident case. A personal injury claim will request damages for all the ways that your injuries affect you, which can vary wildly. 

Some of the factors that can affect the value of a New York personal injury claim include: 

• Whether your injuries are mild, severe, or catastrophic 
• If and for how long your injuries prevent you from working
• Whether your injuries prevent you from taking care of yourself 
• Whether your injuries caused disability, scarring, or disfigurement 
• Whether the accident damaged or destroyed property
• The extent that the accident caused physical pain, emotional suffering, anxiety, depression, or other distress. 

One of the biggest determinations in your case’s outcome is the lawyer you choose to represent you. Hiring a lawyer from a New York personal injury law firm with a long history of verdicts and settlements can make the difference in getting you are fair compensation for your injuries.

No two motorcycle accidents are alike, and the outcome of one personal injury claim does not mean that another case will resolve similarly. Insurance adjusters may tell an accident victim that a settlement offer is the highest they will be able to give, but this is not true. Before accepting any compensation offer, accident victims are well-advised to speak with a skilled and knowledgeable Staten Island motorcycle accident lawyer. 

What Kind of Damages Are Available to Staten Island Motorcycle Accident Victims? 

A motorcycle accident can result in life-changing injuries. Without the protection offered by a vehicle, motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable to catastrophic injuries. When injuries are severe, the costs of treating them can be high. 

The types of damages that may be available in a New York personal injury claim include:

• Medical bills and expenses: You may be compensated for every cost associated with treating your injury, including ambulance transport, emergency room or urgent care visits, hospitalization charges, surgeries, diagnostic tests, and future follow-up doctor visits.
• Property damage: If your motorcycle accident caused damage or a complete loss to your bike, you can recover compensation for repair or the replacement value. 
• Lost earnings: If your injuries caused you to take off work, you can recover your lost income. If you used vacation or time off benefits (PTO), you may be compensated for the value of those benefits. 
• Future lost income: If you are only able to work in a reduced capacity in the future, or if you’ll need to take time off for treatment in the future, you may be compensated for anticipated future lost income or loss of potential income.
• Pain and suffering: Money awarded for pain and suffering accounts for your injuries’ physical and emotional impact on your life. It may not be possible to place a dollar amount on things such as inconvenience, fear, depression, anxiety, PTSD, loss of enjoyment of life, but that does not take away from their very real impact. There is no official formula for calculating pain and suffering, but insurance companies often use a multiplier method or a per day compensation until the plaintiff reaches maximum recovery. 

The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be stressful and overwhelming. After an accident, victims should speak with an experienced Staten Island motorcycle accident as soon as possible. 

Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed For a Motorcycle Accident in New York? 

It is very common for insurance companies to say that the injured plaintiff’s actions contributed to an accident. States have different ways of handling personal injury claims when a victim is also at fault for an accident. 

In New York, under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 1411, injured plaintiffs can recover from negligent defendants regardless of if they shared fault for the accident. This is sometimes referred to as “Pure Comparative Fault.” 

Under this principle, a plaintiff’s damages are reduced by their amount of fault. For example, if you were 90% at fault for an accident with a semi-truck, you could still recover 10% of damages from a trucking company. 

Your personal injury attorney can also negotiate the percentage of contributory fault. Don’t let the insurance company place the blame on you to reduce their own liability. If you were injured in an accident that you contributed to, speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. 

We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation For All Of Your Motorcycle Accident Injuries 

The following are some of the most common injuries we see following a Staten Island motorcycle accident: 

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries 
• Amputation injuries 
• Broken bone injuries 
• Internal injuries 
• Road rash injuries

At The Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel, LLC, we have seen firsthand the devastating impact of serious injuries on victims and their families. You may have even lost a loved one. We believe motorcycle accident victims injured by the negligence of others deserve legal representation at the highest level. Our accident attorneys are proud to relentlessly advocate for our clients’ rights while allowing them to focus on their healing and recovery. 

What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents in Staten Island, New York? 

Many accidents have more than one cause or contributing factor. 

Some of the common causes of motorcycle accidents in New York include: 

• Left-turn accidents (where a vehicle turns left into the path of a motorcycle going straight)
• Hazardous road conditions 
• Distracted driving 
• Operating at an unsafe speed 
• Alcohol/drug use 
• Reckless driving

Even the most skilled, safety-conscious motorcycle operator cannot avoid all collisions caused by negligent drivers and motor vehicles. After an accident, motorcycle accident victims and their families should seek a Staten Island motorcycle accident law firm as soon as possible. 

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Accident in New York? 

All 50 states have a statute of limitations, which is a time period or window that a personal injury victim has to pursue a civil claim or lawsuit for monetary damages. This time period usually begins when an accident occurs but could also begin when the injury is “discovered.” Delayed discovery of an injury can occur when symptoms do not show up right away, or sometimes in very young children when symptoms do not show up until developmental milestones are missed. 

Under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214, injury victims have three years from the date of a motorcycle accident to file a personal injury claim. 

Get a Free Consultation With A Staten Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyer 

Motorcycle accidents cause devastating injuries, some of which are permanent or may not be survivable. The compensation you receive after your motorcycle accident personal injury claim can make a huge difference in the quality of your future. Do not wait to reach out to a lawyer, because you have a limited window of time to begin the necessary legal processes. The longer you wait, the more difficult it can be to preserve evidence of your claim. 

The Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel, LLC offers a free initial consultation to answer your questions and discuss your legal rights and options following a Staten Island motorcycle accident. Contact our Staten Island motorcycle accident lawyers today to schedule a phone or video consultation.