New York Motorcycle Accidents

Any motorcyclist is aware of the fact that even the smallest motorcycle wreck can have disastrous consequences.  Even when riding carefully, obeying traffic laws, and using protective equipment, serious personal injury or even wrongful death can occur, especially if other motorists are negligent in their duties to maintain a high level of safety and awareness of other motorists. 

Injuries endured by cyclists are often severe because motorcycles provide very little physical protection in a crash.  It is not difficult to see why vehicles such as cars, trucks, and buses do severe damage to motorcycles and their riders in the event of a crash.  It is simply a matter of sheer size.  In fact, it is quite a similar rationale to a tractor trailer crashing into a car.

Common injuries in the event of a motorcycle wreck include head or brain trauma and disabling leg and foot injuries.  Also, motorcyclists suffer a larger percentage of injuries and deaths than other motorists.  In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were more than 5,000 fatalities and more than 100,000 injuries in motorcycle accidents in 2007.  There were 1,359 accidents in New York City alone, resulting in 36 fatalities and 1,122 injuries.

In most scenarios, accidents involving motorcycles are caused by other motorists, not the motorcyclist.  Other motorists commonly fail to see the motorcycle, which can result in dangerous incidents, such as:

• A truck or car turning directly in front of the motorcycle,
• Running a traffic signal or stop sign, thus causing a collision,
• Pulling into an intersection in front of the motorcyclist, or
• Forcing the motorcycle into other traffic or off the road.

In 2007, approximately 13 percent of New York’s motorcycle wrecks involved driver inattention.  Another 16.5 percent involved a driver failing to yield the right of way.

The range of injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents can be vast, and vary in extremity from scrapes and bruises to severed limbs. Here are a few common examples of motorcycle injuries:

• Head Injuries are the one of the most common types of motorcycle accident injuries. This may include facial injuries, bumps and bruises, and even fractures to the skull. These injuries can be quite serious, and are an excellent reason to wear a protective helmet.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) can occur even if the skull remains intact. These are extreme brain injuries that may cause permanent mental and physical disability.
• Back Injuries, such as slipped discs, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and facet syndrome.
• Spinal Cord Injuries, such as spinal cord contusions and compressions, paraplegia, and quadriplegia.
• Neck Injuries, such as fractures, pinched nerves, and herniated cervical discs.
• Broken or Crushed Bones, including broken legs, arms, knees, collarbones, feet, and ankles.
• Other damages done to various body parts, such as severed limbs, torn ligaments, fractured ribs, and organ injuries.

Motorcycles are lacking many safety features possessed by automobiles – features such as airbags, seatbelts, and the cage of protection that the body of an automobile itself provides.  For this reason, safety and protective gear are essential for motorcyclists because if an accident occurs, it will likely cause severe injury or even death to the rider. 

Helmets are an excellent addition to the repertoire of a rider.  While this can’t guarantee the prevention of injury, it significantly reduces the chance that an accident will be fatal or do lasting damage.  In some states, including New York, helmets are even required by law.  Failing to wear a helmet in these states while operating a motorcycle could result in a fine not exceeding $100, jail time not exceeding 30 days, or both. 

Other types of protective gear may also be worn to protect various parts of the body, such as jackets, gloves, boots, and pants typically made of nylon, leather, or even Kevlar.  These types of jackets commonly have heavy padding on the spine, elbow and shoulder areas.  Gloves, usually made of leather or Kevlar, sometimes contain extra protection on the knuckles made of carbon fiber.  Boots, particularly boots intended for sports riding, contain reinforcements and plastic caps around the toe and ankle areas. 

Motorcycle accident injuries typically include damage to the lower extremities, especially broken foot and leg bones, which can be very costly to treat. According to a federal study in August 2008, motorcycle riders with a single foot or leg injury had an average hospital bill of $20,745 and an average bill of $38,608 when multiple lower extremity injuries were being treated. Those who had foot or leg injuries combined with other types of injuries had an average hospital bill of $56,288.

Filing a claim after a motorcycle accident can be quite complicated in some states.  In fact, most states, including the state of New York, have strict limitations for bringing a personal injury action following a motorcycle wreck.  You must acquire the right within the applicable time period.  Otherwise, you may permanently lose the chance to recover money for personal injuries. 

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, contact the Manhattan motorcycle accident lawyers of David Resnick & Associates today. We will strive to earn the financial compensation you deserve.

We serve various types of personal injury accident victims throughout the metropolitan New York area and beyond.

Call us at (212) 279-2000 or fill out our convenient online contact form for a free case evaluation!

These Hubs are provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Professional legal counsel should be sought for specific advice relevant to your circumstances.