LONG ISLAND MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

As any motorcycle enthusiast knows, there are certain risks that come with riding. Unfortunately, data have shown that motorcyclists are disproportionately at risk of being catastrophically injured or killed when they are involved in accidents with other vehicles. Despite protective gear, motorcycle riders are simply no match for heavy passenger vehicles, SUVs, pickup trucks, and commercial vehicles.

If you were injured or if someone you love was killed in a motorcycle accident in New York City or the surrounding areas, turn to the team at the Law Office of Joseph J. Perrini, III. Based on Long Island, our motorcycle accident attorney offers personal attention and aggressive legal representation to each and every client. The firm’s founder, Joseph J. Perrini, III, started riding motocross bikes when he was thirteen years old and received a license to operate street-legal motorcycles when he bought his first motorcycle at nineteen years old. His invaluable experience as a motorcycle rider and enthusiast provides an advantage when handling motorcycle cases. He takes very seriously the inherent prejudices that the non-riding public often holds against motorcycle riders when motorcycle claims are brought. It is his experience as a rider that allows him to confidently dispel the many prejudices held against motorcycle riders and achieve the best results for his clients.

Since 1996, our firm has been proudly representing the injured throughout the NYC area, recovering tens of millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We provide our services on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront or out-of-pocket expenses when you hire our firm. Instead, we only collect legal fees if we recover a settlement or verdict on your behalf.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Unfortunately, even the most cautious of riders cannot always predict or avoid an accident. In fact, most motorcycle accidents result not from the actions of the motorcyclist but due to the negligence of others on the road.

Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Distracted driving, including texting while driving
• Speeding
• Tailgating, or following too closely
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Failing to yield the right of way
• Aggressive or reckless driving
• Road rage
• Failing to obey traffic control devices, such as signals and stop signs
• Driving drowsy
• Making unsafe or unlawful turns
• Passing unlawfully

Other common causes include poor visibility, inclement weather, and defective road conditions. Vehicle defects, including faulty motorcycles and motorcycle parts, can also cause or contribute to serious accidents.

At the Law Office of Joseph J. Perrini, III, we know how to properly investigate these collisions to determine what happened and, most importantly, who is at fault. This allows us to build powerful cases for our clients and aggressively advocate for the maximum compensation they are owed.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Fractures/ broken bones
• Road rash

Ways to Prevent a Motorcycle Accident

• Wear your helmet
• Never ride between traffic
• Perform regular maintenance on your bike

What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Accident

• Call the police
• Exchange information with others involved
• Take photos of the crash site
• Content a motorcycle accident attorney

Are Motorcycle Riders Covered by No-Fault Insurance in New York?

Unlike other motor vehicle drivers, motorcycle riders are not covered by no-fault insurance in New York. Instead, motorcycle accident claims follow a traditional tort-based system, meaning injured motorcycle accident victims must file third-party claims against at-fault parties in order to recover compensation for their damages.

To file a third-party claim against someone else’s insurance company, you will need to prove the following:

• The other driver was at fault for the accident
• You were injured
• You suffered measurable damages
• The other driver’s negligent or wrongful conduct was the cause of your injuries

Even if you are found partially at fault for the collision, you are still entitled to seek compensation. Under the state’s pure comparative fault rule, you can recover compensation regardless of your degree of fault, as long as the other party was at least partially to blame. However, your total recovery will be reduced by your at-fault percentage. So, if you are found to be 25% at fault for the accident, you can only collect up to 75% of the total amount you would have received for your damages if you were not to blame at all for the crash.

Insurance companies often use the pure comparative fault rule to devalue claims. The insurance company may argue that you share more of the blame, meaning they do not have to pay out the full amount of your damages. It is important that you have a skilled Long Island motorcycle accident attorney by your side who can fight back against these and other efforts to underpay your claim—or deny it altogether.

How a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help

Motorcycle accident cases are not like standard car accident claims. They tend to involve severe, life-altering injuries and extensive damages, including high medical bills, weeks or months of lost wages, and immense pain and suffering. As a result, motorcycle accident claims are often relatively high in value. Because of this, insurance companies often work hard to dispute or deny motorcycle accident claims. When you are already dealing with finding a doctor, getting the proper treatment, taking time off work, and managing everyday expenses, negotiating with the insurance company should be the last thing on your mind.

When you have an experienced attorney by your side, like Attorney Joseph J. Perrini, III, you can focus on what matters most: healing. Your attorney will be able to handle the legal details of your case, from investigating the accident to submitting the necessary paperwork to negotiating a fair settlement, on your behalf. Most importantly, your attorney will be able to present your case to the insurance adjuster and, if necessary, the judge and jury in the best possible light.

At the Law Office of Joseph J. Perrini, III, we understand the unique challenges motorcycle accident victims (and their loved ones) face. With nearly 30 years of experience and a long, proven record of success, we have what it takes to fight for the fair compensation you are owed.