A lot of individuals enjoy riding bicycles. And those who want to take bicycle riding to the next level often enjoy motorcycles as well. Bicycles and motorcycles are on the roadways a lot more these days, yet still they’re some of the most vulnerable operators on the roadways, and unfortunately both bicycle and motorcycle accidents are all too common.
If you’ve been involved in either a motorcycle accident or a bicycle accident, you probably have a lot of questions. Browse through the frequently asked questions below to get answers.
Call 1-800-HURT-511 to speak with our and bicycle accident, motorcycle lawyers in Queens. We’ve represented accident victims throughout NYC, and we’ve secured hundreds of favorable judgments over many years practicing.
Where Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen Most Often?
It’s been found that nearly 70% of motorcycle accidents happen around intersections, but these aren’t the only spots where accidents happen. Motorcycle accidents can occur in both urban and rural areas, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that more crashes happen in urban areas (60%) than rural areas (40%). This breakdown makes sense, considering there’s more traffic in urban areas, more pedestrians and bicycles, and more roadway hazards like potholes and debris. And despite what’s commonly believed about highways being where most motorcycle accident fatalities happen, most accident fatalities happen on non-interstate roads.
Why Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen?
A variety of factors can lead to a motorcycle accident. Some common factors are listed below:
- Vehicles that are turning left
- Hazardous road conditions
- Head-on and rear-end collisions
- Lane splitting
- Reckless driving
- Speeding driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Sharp turns
But the most common reason for motorcycle accidents is that motorcycles are a lot smaller than most other vehicles on the roadways and therefore sometimes harder to see, especially to those driving large vehicles like tractor-trailers and buses.
What Damages Are Recoverable From A Motorcycle Accident?
A motorcycle accident victim can be saddled with a range of expenses after an accident. It’s likely they’ll have to pay for emergency medical treatment, physical therapy, prescription drugs, doctor visits, and rehabilitation. In addition to these expenses, a motorcycle accident victim will likely be unable to work because of the accident, which is why accident victims sue for lost wages both past and future. One can also be awarded damages for pain and suffering.
An experienced and skilled motorcycle accident lawyer in Queens, for example, would have a medical professional examine their injured client so a full account of injuries can be taken. Once all the injuries have been documented, a lawyer can begin to calculate a fair compensation figure.
What Should Be Done Immediately After A Motorcycle Accident?
Immediately after a motorcycle accident, an accident victim should seek medical attention for two reasons:
- So they can get properly treated
- So an initial record of injuries can be created
The next thing an accident victim must do is contact their insurance provider. When interacting with the insurance provider, they must only state the facts of what happened and not answer questions. After this they should consult with a motorcycle accident lawyer.
Is Hiring A Motorcycle Lawyer Worth It?
A highly skilled and experienced motorcycle lawyer —like the ones who work for the Sanders Law Firm—knows the elements that lead to motorcycle accidents inside and out, and they’ll also be able to determine where fault lies after receiving a full account of the facts. A motorcycle accident lawyer will also know how much to seek in damages, and they’ll handle all the stress-inducing and tedious processes for their client so the client can focus on recovering. A lawyer will also be able to represent their client’s interests in court (should the case go to trial).
Are Bicyclists Considered Pedestrians?
No. Bicyclists are considered motorists, and therefore they must obey the traffic laws that cars and other vehicles do, except in instances where traffic signals specifically indicate what a bicyclist is supposed to do. If a bicyclist violates traffic laws, gets in an accident, and is injured as a result, it’s quite likely they’ll be found solely responsible for the injuries they sustained.
Where Do Bicycle Accidents Happen Most Often?
According to the NHTSA, close to 80% of bicycle accidents happen in urban areas, whereas about 20% happen in rural areas. And like motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents often happen around intersections. Even though bike lanes exist in many places, a bicyclist can still be struck here by a negligent or reckless driver. Bike accidents can also happen on public trails, uneven sidewalks, and defective surfaces.
What Should Be Done Immediately After A Bicycle Accident?
Immediately following a bicycle accident, an accident victim should seek medical attention. Even if they don’t believe they’re significantly injured, they should still get examined by a doctor, as a doctor will be able to identify injuries that are likely to manifest later on.
If the accident happened in Queens, they should contact a bicycle lawyer in Queens immediately. A lawyer will get the police statement and take pictures at the scene for their client. Also, they’ll interact with insurance companies, opposing lawyers, and witnesses on their client’s behalf.
What Happens When A Bicyclist Is Hit By An Uninsured Driver?
In this case, an accident victim would have to file a claim against their own insurance provider. This will have to be done promptly, and it must be proven that the uninsured party was solely responsible for the accident. If an accident victim bears some fault, such could get their claim rejected or their compensation reduced.
What Happens If A Bicyclist Is Not Wear A Helmet At The Time They Get Injured?
95% of fatal bicycle accidents involve individuals who weren’t wearing a helmet at the time the accident occurred. That being said, adult bicyclists are not required to wear a helmet. Helmets are only required for individuals age 16 and under. It’s rare for an insurance company to raise an issue about an accident victim not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, but this has happened before.
Is Hiring A Bicycle Accident & Motorcycle Lawyer Worth It?
It’s best to call 1-800-HURT-511 and hire one of our bicycle accident lawyers when you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident. We’ll navigate the legal process on your behalf and exhaust every option to ensure you’re awarded fair compensation for injuries sustained from a bicycle accident.
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