Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle riders are often exposed to dangers not faced by automobile drivers and other motorists on the road. Sullivan and Sullivan LLP will fight for you, as we do for all our clients. As an example, our client, a young man riding his motorcycle, was forced to make a sharp turn as a result of a defective condition on the road. This caused our client permanent leg injuries. We fought for a chance at fair compensation and won $200,000 on his behalf. If you would like us to fight for you, contact us for a free case evaluation. We will provide a translator if you need one.

Motorcycle crashes tragically claimed the lives of more than 4,500 already this year. Motorcycle riders are 27 times more likely to be killed in a collision than passenger car drivers.

Motorcycle accidents include:

– Left Turn Accidents
– The Opening of Car Doors
– Sudden Stops
– DUI/DWI
– Improper Lane Changes
– Speeding Drivers
– Distracted Driving
– Driver Indifference

The lack of substantial protective barriers, as well as the difficulty other motorists may have in seeing or stopping for a motorcycle, leave riders vulnerable to serious personal injury in the event of an accident.

In general, motorcyclists must follow the same laws as drivers of other vehicles on the road. They have all of the same privileges as drivers of larger motor vehicles, but also the same legal obligations, including obeying the posted speed limit and all traffic signs and signals.

However, there are a few special stipulations which apply to motorcyclists:

Motorcyclists must have a special motorcyclist’s license. Your ordinary driver’s license is not sufficient to operate a motorcycle. Typically, motorcyclists must undergo a special training class which teaches them the basics of handling a motorcycle, and then take a separate written and practical test. The precise requirements for a motorcyclist’s license vary from state to state, and you should become familiar with the requirements in your state. If a motorcyclist is caught riding without a proper motorcycle license, then they will receive a citation.

Motorcyclists are also required to don various types of safety gear and equipment. They may be required to wear eyewear, even if this eyewear does not come with a helmet, and they may also be required to wear certain types of padded clothing, as well as equip their motorcycle with reflectors, turn signals, safety lamps, and features to accommodate passengers. These laws can be fairly complex and can vary from state to state, and you should check the equipment requirements for your state before getting on the road.

There are a few laws which apply specifically to the number of damages that a motorcyclist can recover in an accident. These are known as added liability laws, and their purpose is to ensure that drivers act with more caution towards motorcyclists, because if they do get in an at-fault collision with a motorcyclist, they will be liable for more damages. Other states have gone in the opposite direction and passed laws limiting the number of damages that motorcyclists are eligible to receive. Again, this is a complex area, and it’s difficult to know which laws will be applied to your situation. In general, however, it’s important to know that motorcyclists do have the right to sue for damages.

Motorcyclists face all sorts of risks on the road that drivers of passenger cars do not. There are a variety of reasons for this. For one, motorcycles are much smaller than ordinary cars, which makes them harder to see, and easier for the driver of a passenger car to hit by accident (particularly if the motorcycle gets lost in a car’s blind spots). For another, motorcycles are much more likely to overturn than passenger cars. Because motorcyclists are balancing on two wheels, they are in an inherently less stable position than occupants of four-wheeled vehicles.

But at Sullivan and Sullivan LLP, your motorcycle accident case is more than just a number; it is our top priority and it will be handled with our experienced and aggressive style of personal injury representation.

If you or someone you know in New York, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Staten Island and Long Island (Nassau/Suffolk County), needs the assistance of experienced motorcycle accident attorneys, contact Sullivan and Sullivan LLP today to schedule your free consultation. The sooner you call, the higher your compensation can be.

A personal injury sustained in a vehicle accident might become formal civil court case/proceeding or may be solved through an informal settlement prior to a lawsuit being filed.