Long Island Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Proficient Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Serving Long Island, NY
Long Island roads are a dangerous place for motorcyclists. Many of our roads are poorly designed and extremely congested. Collisions are all too common on our streets and highways. And when an accident involves a motorcyclist, the results can be catastrophic.
Despite being cautious, even the most safety-conscious motorcyclists can still fall victim to accidents. According to a recent study, over two-thirds of motorcycle accidents are caused by automobile drivers. If you have sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident on Long Island, don’t hesitate to reach out to a Long Island motorcycle accident attorney. We provide complimentary consultations at any of our six Long Island offices, and if necessary, we can even arrange to meet with you at your location. Our consultations are entirely free, and we only charge fees if we successfully resolve your case.
When to consult with a Long Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you have suffered injuries in a collision on Long Island or if you are a Long Island resident injured in another New York jurisdiction, it is a good idea to consult with our motorcycle collision attorneys as soon as possible. Hiring an attorney early on in the process will help protect your legal rights, ensure your medical bills and lost wages are paid and give you an advantage building a strong collision case. An early investigation will also help preserve key evidence in your claim.
How much is my Long Island motorcycle accident claim worth?
The value of an injury suffered in a collision is an accumulation of several different factors. These include any incident related economic expenses such as medical bills, lost wages and damage to your vehicle as well as non-economic losses such as pain and suffering and mental anguish. At Palermo Law, our experience in handling thousands of collision claims allows us to accurately assess the value of your claim to determine the fairest settlement or jury award. In situations of long-term injuries, we partner with experts in the fields of medicine and economics to make sure that your compensation is adjusted for future inflation. This allows you the peace of mind knowing that you will be compensated for years to come.
Getting Your Medical Bills Paid Following A Motorcycle Collision
Unlike automobile insurance policies, motorcycle insurance policies issued in New York rarely contain provisions to pay for your medical treatment. That means that you will need to explore different methods for getting your medical expenses covered. Our Long Island motorcycle accident lawyers can help figure out the best way for you to get your medical treatment paid.
The first thing to keep in mind is that the at fault party is ultimately responsible for your medical bills. So, any outstanding medical bills can be included in your claim against the responsible parties. But law suits take time and you likely need treatment immediately. So, the best way to get your medical bills paid following a motorcycle collision is usually going to be to use your private health insurance coverage. If you do not have private health insurance, you can use your Medicaid or Medicare coverage. If you do not have any Medicaid or Medicare coverage, you may be eligible to apply for Medicaid or Medicare and have them pay your medical bills retroactively.
Ultimately if you use private insurance coverage, Medicaid or Medicare to pay for your medical treatment you may be required to pay those entities back if (and only if) you receive a settlement. In situations like that, our Long Island motorcycle accident lawyers factor your responsibility to reimburse your medical insurance providers into your settlement demand. For example, if you have to reimburse your health insurance company $20,000 for your medical treatment, we would seek to require the defendant in your case to pay that as part of the settlement package.
There are many ways to get your medical bills covered following an accident. The best way to find out your options is to contact our Long Island motorcycle accident lawyers to discuss your specific situation. We can review your insurance policies and figure out a way to get your bills covered.
Common causes of Long Island motorcycle crashes
- The automobile operator fails to yield the right of way to the rider.
- The automobile operator makes a left hand turn in front of a rider.
- The automobile operator sideswipes a motorcyclist.
An astounding 98% of motorcycle crashes result in injury. And unlike cars, which have built in safety mechanisms (air bags, seat belts), motorcycle collision injuries are often severe due to the lack of such safety mechanisms.
Common crash injuries:
- Fractures
- Road rash
- Torn ligaments
- Sprains and strains
- Head injuries
Essential Tips For Motorcycle Accident Victims Following A Crash
- Seek medical attention for any injuries, even minor injuries. Often injuries that result from a crash intensify in the hours and days following a collision. It’s best to be cautious.
- Obtain a Police Incident Report. It is always a good idea to call the police to the scene of the incident. However, it is also possible to file a police report following the collision.
- Contact your vehicle insurance carrier to report the crash.
- Do not give any statements to the other vehicle’s insurance company without first consulting with an attorney.
- Contact a Long Island Motorcycle Accident lawyer to ensure your rights are protected and to see if you are entitled to compensation
Other Factors that Contribute to Motorcycle Crashes Include the Following:
Negligence: Negligence from an automobile driver is hard for a motorcyclist to account for. However, understanding that operators often drive negligently and being vigilant at all times may be the single most important factor in avoiding collisions. Vehicle operators disobeying traffic laws or driving under the influence can be very dangerous for motorcyclists. If a crash occurs in either situation, the vehicle operator is at fault, as long as the bike rider was safely operating their vehicle.
Blind Spots: Every driver should be checking their blind spots before they switch lanes. However, motorcycles are even harder to see since they are small vehicles. What can help is the fact that motorcycles are also louder than most cars. So, if you are operating a motorcycle be aware that a car operator may not see you. Try and steer clear of any possible blind spots.
Lane Splitting: This is a maneuver that motorcyclists use to pass traffic by going along the space between lanes to pass cars. This practice is not only dangerous, but is illegal in the state of New York. Riders should avoid this practice to prevent a serious injuries.
Speeding: A bike is on only two wheels which makes it harder to control or slow down when a defensive maneuver needs to be made. Sharp turns, potholes and quick stops can result in a crash if the driver is going too fast.
Dangerous roads: Liability could be claimed against a municipality if unsafe conditions caused the crash. But, be aware that such claims have extremely short statute of limitations.
We can also arrange an in home or hospital consultation with you. Further, we handle all Long Island motorcycle cases on a contingency basis meaning we never charge a fee unless we win your claim.
FAQ’s answered by managing partner, Steven Palermo
I think it’s always a good idea to consult with a qualified Long Island motorcycle accident attorney. Most attorneys offer a free consultation. So, there’s no risk in speaking to an attorney. Also, attorneys work on a contingency basis. That means they do not charge a fee unless they win your case. So, there’s no financial risk. However, since attorneys work on a contingency basis, they will not usually take on a case unless they believe they have a chance of winning compensation for you.
Our Law Firm has handled approximately one thousand injury cases, many involving motorcycles. We are fully familiar with the risks that motorcycle operators face every day and have seen firsthand how a collision can ruin a person’s life. We are aggressive advocates for motorcyclists and will use all of our knowledge and experience fighting for you.
Where are you Located?
We have six locations throughout Long Island. Our main office is in Hauppauge. But we also have offices in Huntington, Babylon, Patchogue, Riverhead and Garden City. We can also arrange in home or hospital appointments if you are unable to make it to one of our locations. We even offer after hours and weekend appointments.
What Does it Cost to Hire Your Long Island Motorcycle Accident Law Firm?
There is no upfront cost to hire us. We work on a contingency basis. That means we do not charge a fee unless we win your case. So, there’s no financial risk in hiring us. We also offer free consultation to discuss your case.
If I Hire Your Law Firm Who Will Handle My Case?
I personally oversee all of the cases that my law firm takes on. I have a team that assists me in every case. My case manager makes sure that all phases of the case are progressing appropriately, including gathering of evidence, gathering of medical records, and dealing with any insurance issues. My legal assistants handle all communications with healthcare providers and insurance adjusters. My paralegal assists in drafting legal documents.
This allows me to focus on building your case for trial, handling of depositions and legal work, and to negotiate settlements. I always handle all of the depositions, mediations, arbitrations, settlement negotiations and of course, trials. Your case is never passed off to a junior partner or associate to be tried. You can rest assured that the attorney that you hire for your claim, will be the attorney that represents you the entire time your case is with my office.
How Long Does a Long Island Motorcycle Accident Case Take?
All cases are different, so it is hard to give an exact time frame on when a case will be resolved. Typically, a collision case will take at least a year to two years before it is resolved. But there are some cases which take longer. Some of the factors that can delay a case are the severity of your injury or if fault for the incident is disputed.
How Will I Pay for my Medical Treatment after a Long Island Motorcycle Accident?
Unlike if you are involved in a car crash, in a motorcycle accident there is no no-fault insurance to cover your medical bills. Therefore, you will have to use your private insurance to pay for all of your medical expenses. If you have any unreimbursed medical expenses an attorney can include that in your claim against the responsible driver and possibly get them reimbursed through your lawsuit. However, this is contingent on proving the other party is at fault and has the resources (insurance or assets) to pay for your medical bills.
What Type of Motorcycle Accident Cases do you Handle?
After practicing law for over two decades, I’ve handled all types of Long Island motorcycle collision claims. The most common type of motorcycle accident case I see is left hand turn cases. It seems that car operators often don’t notice motorcyclists on the road and turn in front of them causing an accident. I’ve seen that scenario happen many times. I have also seen many side swipe cases and rear end incidents. I’ve noticed a pattern of behavior from car operators over the years in which they often overlook motorcyclists on the road. This is particularly dangerous as motorcycle operators do not have the same protections as drivers of cars.
If I’m injured in a hit and run accident by an unknown motorist, can I still recover?
Did the person responsible for your accident leave the scene? Are you unable to identify the party who caused your injuries?
If the answer is yes, there’s no need to fear. You’re still entitled to compensation. A hit and run motorist who is responsible for your injuries does not preclude you from establishing a claim and receiving compensation for your injuries. Palermo Law offers free consultations at our Long Island motorcycle accident law firm where we can examine and analyze the conditions related to your specific situation in order to determine the next course of action.
I was in a motorcycle accident and felt fine at the time. However, I am now feeling symptoms of an injury. Can I still pursue a claim?
Many times, the onset of injuries incurred during a crash are not felt until well after the occurrence. Further, mere discomfort immediately after a motorcycle accident instead of intense pain can be indicative of a more serious injury. While it is best to immediately seek medical treatment after a collision in order to document your issue, as well as inform your respective health and automobile insurance carriers, failure to do so should not discourage you from bringing forth a claim where you may be entitled to compensation. The attorneys at Palermo Law have experience dealing with such situations and are happy to examine your specific facts during a free consultation.
What should I do if I’m injured in a Long Island motorcycle accident?
First, assess your injuries and any injuries of your passengers and if necessary call 911 and seek immediate medical attention. If there are no injuries you should still call the police to have the accident documented. Being in a motorcycle accident can cause an adrenaline rush, which might mask pain from your injuries. To be on the safe side, it’s good to get medically evaluated right away.
Second, gather the contact information for any witnesses. Don’t rely on the police to do this as they often do not do it right and witnesses are lost.
Third, contact your motorcycle insurance carrier to report the accident. New York is a no-fault state, but no-fault does not cover motorcyclists. But you may have some sort of medical coverage through your motorcycle insurance. So, it’s always a good idea to check.
Finally, if your injuries are serious you should call our Long Island motorcycle accident law firm right away. This will not only protect your legal rights, it will also make your life easier as we handle all medical insurance and property damage issues for you while we fight to get you the most compensation possible. This way you can concentrate on your recovery.
Our Process
Initial consultation
One of our attorneys along and case manager will meet with you for a free initial consultation taking the time to fully get all of the details of your case. Once they have obtained all the necessary information, they will discuss the likelihood of success in your case and decide whether we can help you out. If your case is a good fit for our law firm and you want to hire us, we will complete all of the necessary paperwork to begin the case.
Investigation
Every case is fully investigated upon being retained. We will gather all accident reports, witness statements, photograph, videos, medical records and insurance policies to support your case. We have a team of support staff members to help build your case. We even engage the services of a private investigators and expert witnesses, if needed.
Claims
After we complete our investigation, we will file your claim with the responsible party’s insurance company and obtain all policy limits and have a claim number and adjuster assigned. We will then file all the necessary documentation with that adjuster to establish your case.Once the adjuster has had an opportunity to review the case, we will allow the insurance carrier 30 days to make a settlement offer. If that offer is reasonable, we will negotiate with the adjuster to obtain the maximum amount possible for your recovery.
Litigation
In instances where litigation is necessary, we will file a law suit on your behalf, complete all discovery and set the matter down for trial. Often this will lead to the insurance company making a good settlement offer.
Resolution
At some point there will either be an acceptable settlement offer or a trial. If a favorable settlement can be reached, we will draft all of the needed paperwork and obtain the settlement funds on your behalf and disburse them to you accordingly. If the insurance company refuses to take responsibility for its insured’s actions, it may become necessary to have a trial. In those situations, we will be ready to present all evidence on your behalf and fight to obtain the compensation that you are entitled to.
Choosing A Long Island Motorcycle Accident Attorney
We are a true Long Island Motorcycle collision law firm. With two decades of experience, Long Island Motorcycle collision Attorney Steven Palermo heads the legal team at Palermo Law. He personally handles each client’s injury claim from its inception through conclusion. He has litigated hundreds of accident cases and won several million dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients. He has a passion for helping injured people find justice in their fight against large multi-million-dollar insurance companies that try and minimize his client’s injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries as a result of another person’s negligent driving and would like schedule a free case evaluation from an experienced Long Island Motorcycle Accident Attorney, call or email us today.