Watertown Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident in Watertown, you’re probably dealing with significant challenges, including painful injuries and financial stress. Navigating these tough times can be overwhelming, but the right legal support can make a huge difference. We’re here to stand by you, offering compassionate guidance and fighting for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today!

What To Expect

After a motorcycle accident, insurance companies may try to blame you for the crash. A skilled motorcycle accident lawyer can help with these challenges. They know motorcycle accident laws well and can assist you in getting the medical care you need. Your lawyer will work to show that the other driver was at fault and guide you through the legal steps. Whether your case is settled out of court or goes to trial, your lawyer will fight for a fair outcome and make sure your rights are protected.

What Should You Do?

Acting quickly after a motorcycle accident is important for both your health and your legal rights. Here’s what you should do:

Seek Medical Attention: Get checked by a doctor right away, even if your injuries seem small. This helps document your injuries for your case.
Report the Accident: Call the police to make an official report. This report is important for your insurance and any legal issues.
Gather Evidence: If you can, take photos of the scene, get witness contact information, and note down details of the accident. This evidence will support your case.
Avoid Admitting Fault: Don’t say you’re at fault or talk about the accident details with anyone except your lawyer.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer: Getting a lawyer soon helps protect your rights and ensures you get the compensation you deserve.
Notify Your Insurance Company: Report the accident to your insurance, but hold off on giving detailed statements until you’ve spoken with your lawyer.
Follow Through on Medical Treatment: Keep up with all prescribed treatments and keep records of your care. This will be important for your case.

By following these steps, you can help protect yourself and work towards getting the compensation you deserve.

Determining Fault in a Motorcycle Accident

Most motorcycle accidents are caused by human mistakes, like distracted driving or not signaling. In New York, if you’re injured in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s fault, you can seek compensation from that person. For example, if a driver changes lanes without checking their blind spot and hits a motorcyclist, causing serious injuries, the motorcyclist can file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver.

However, figuring out who is at fault can be complex. The motorcyclist must show that the other driver was careless or reckless and that this caused the accident and injuries. This often needs a detailed investigation because many factors might be involved.

Sometimes, the motorcyclist might also be at fault, like if they were speeding or breaking traffic laws. If the motorcyclist shares some blame, it might reduce the compensation they get, based on how much fault they share. When fault is unclear, working with a skilled lawyer is crucial. They can carefully review the evidence, investigate the accident, and determine who is responsible. This helps ensure that everyone is held accountable and that the injured motorcyclist gets fair compensation.

New York’s Comparative Negligence Rule

If you were partly at fault for your injuries, New York’s pure comparative negligence rule still allows you to get compensation. This rule means you can receive damages even if you share some blame for the accident. For example, if it’s determined that you were 25% at fault and the other driver was 75% at fault, you would be entitled to 75% of the total damages.

It’s important to have an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer to handle your case. They can argue on your behalf to reduce your share of the fault and help you get the most compensation possible, even if you were partly responsible for the accident.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents often happen because of human mistakes. Since motorcycles are smaller, drivers might not see them, especially if they’re distracted or not paying full attention. Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

Driver Distraction: Activities like texting, calling, eating, drinking, daydreaming, or talking to passengers can take attention away from driving.
Driver Impairment: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol greatly increases the risk of accidents.
Driver Fatigue: Tired drivers may react more slowly and have less awareness of their surroundings.
Traffic Violations: Ignoring traffic signs and signals can create dangerous situations on the road.
Improper Signaling: Not signaling correctly when turning or changing lanes can lead to collisions with motorcyclists.
Insufficient Space: Not giving enough space to motorcyclists can cause accidents.
Poor Weather or Traffic Conditions: Failing to adjust driving for bad weather or heavy traffic can raise the risk of accidents.

Knowing these factors helps in figuring out who’s at fault and can also help prevent future accidents.

Common Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcyclists are at high risk for severe injuries because they lack a protective steel frame. Even minor accidents can lead to serious harm. Common and severe motorcycle accident injuries include:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Damage to the brain caused by a strong impact.
Road Rash: Skin abrasions from sliding along the pavement.
Fractures: Broken bones, like in the ankles, wrists, and legs.
Dislocations: Joints that are pushed out of their normal position due to the impact.
Organ Damage: Injury to internal organs from the force of the accident.
Severe Burns: Burns from contact with hot surfaces or fuel.
Infections: Resulting from open wounds or road rash.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spine that can lead to paralysis.
Wrongful Death: In cases where the injuries are fatal.

These injuries show why it’s crucial to wear protective gear and get medical help right away after an accident.

How Much is My Motorcycle Claim Worth?

Clients often ask about the potential value of their motorcycle accident claim. Determining the exact amount can be tricky because it depends on several factors, such as the severity of your injuries, the evidence of fault, and how your injuries will affect you long-term.

In your initial consultation, we’ll review your documents, discuss your injuries, and evaluate the medical treatment you’ll need. Using our legal experience, we’ll estimate your claim’s worth. We’ll also work with financial experts to calculate future medical costs and lost income. This information will help us negotiate with the insurance company to secure the compensation you deserve.