What Possible Damages Could Be Awarded to You After a Motorcycle Accident?

Are Motorcycles More Dangerous than Cars?

If you ride a motorcycle like Mitchell Proner, you understand the thrill and excitement of hitting the open road on a warm spring or summer day. The freedom of getting on your bike and riding “wherever the road takes you” is part of the lure of motorcycling.

But riding a motorcycle is not always like it appears in television commercials. If you ride often enough, you understand the dangers inherent in motorcycle riding. Despite how careful you may be while riding, there is always a likelihood of being involved in an accident. In fact, according to U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), you are 28 times more likely to be involved in an accident riding on a motorcycle than you are driving in any other vehicle, including a car.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Here are some interesting motorcycle crash and safety statistics published by New York City Motorcycle Safety Study:

• Motorcyclists in New York City are at a disproportionate risk of death.

• Only 2 percent of registered vehicles in New York City are motorcycles, and motorcyclists account for 14 percent of traffic fatalities in New York City.

• New York City’s fatal crash rate for motorcyclists is nearly twice the rate for New York State motorcyclists.

• Forty-three percent of fatality cases involved a motorcycle rider not correctly licensed to operate the vehicle.

• Fifty-six percent of motorcycle rider fatalities were under the age of 35.

• Nearly 100 percent of motorcycle fatalities are male riders.

• Motorcycle injury crashes are more likely to occur during afternoon or evening hours and on weekends.

• The number of motorcycle injury crashes increases dramatically during the summer months.

• Excessive alcohol use was less prevalent in motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes than in most motor vehicle driver fatalities in New York City or national motorcycle rider fatalities.

• The majority of motorcycle fatality crashes occur on city streets rather than highways.

• Motorcycle injury crashes are likely to involve another vehicle, not only the motorcycle rider.

• The collision types most often cited in motorcycle injury crashes indicate that visibility is an issue for motorcyclists and motor vehicle drivers.

• Nearly half of motorcycle accidents result in lower extremities (thigh, knee, ankle, foot) injuries.

• According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, head injury is the most common cause of motorcycle fatalities.

• Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of head injury by 69% and reduces motorcycle fatalities by 37%.

• 60% of riders involved in accidents were not wearing a helmet.

• 73% of riders involved in accidents were not wearing any protective eyewear.

• Research shows that wearing protective gear can significantly reduce these high rates of injuries and fatalities.

• Even minor motorcycle accidents can result in property damage, injuries, and even fatalities, which can cost you and your family significant financial damages.

What Are the Common Damages You Can Recover After a Motorcycle Accident?

Damages resulting from a motorcycle accident can range from minor property damage on your motorcycle to major medical expenses for bodily injuries. Most motorcycle accidents result in some cost that you are responsible for paying. But what if you were not responsible for the accident?

If another motorcyclist, pedestrian, or driver of another vehicle was responsible for causing your accident in which you sustained property damage or were injured, you have a right to financial recovery from the person at fault. And your recovery can include the cost of a variety of damages.

Depending on the accident’s severity, you may recover any costs associated with your injuries. These may include the cost of:

• Any necessary ambulance service at the scene of the accident

• An initial medical exam if taken to the hospital

• Any X-rays, MRIs, CAT-Scans, or other diagnostic tests

• Any treatment necessary in the hospital

• Staying in the hospital, if necessary

• Any medical expenses, including doctor fees and medicines

• Ongoing damages sustained after the accident

• If you are injured in your accident, there are always medical expenses associated with any injuries you sustained—for example, the cost of treating burns from road rash or putting a cast on your leg to treat a broken bone

Often, however, injuries are more serious, and recovery can take significant time. In some cases, you may not recover quickly or entirely. If you can show that you sustained any ongoing expenses or long-term disability because of your accident, you may also recover for such damages. These may include the cost of:

• Follow-up doctor visits

• Rehabilitation or physical therapy

• Continued medicine

• Lost pay for time spent out of work

• Lost earning potential resulting from any long-term disability

• You also can recover for any pain and suffering you experience due to your injuries or continued disability and loss of quality of life

Of course, all these injuries must be proven and valued. For this, you will need an attorney like Mitchell Proner, who is experienced in evaluating the cause of your accident and the value of your damages based on other similar accidents and injuries.

Why You Need an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney

If you have sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident, you should immediately contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. Mitchell Proner has handled more motorcycle accident cases than any other lawyer in New York. Mitchell Proner was in a motorcycle accident where he suffered severe injuries that were not his fault. He fully recovered, continues to ride today, and passionately advocates for other riders who have been injured.

If someone else caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for all the damages described here. But proving these damages requires evidence that must be collected beginning at the accident scene and continuing through every doctor visit and medical procedure. It will require evaluating the cause of the accident and negotiating your compensation with insurance companies, and it may require litigating your case in court. This can be a long and complicated process that occurs while you are trying to recover from your injuries. Let the experienced motorcycle accident lawyers at Proner & Proner assist you.