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Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Helping You Recover Damages on Long Island

Advocating for your rightful compensation when someone hits your bike

Riding your bike across Long Island lets you experience your surroundings in a special way. Unfortunately, a motorcycle ride exposes you to dangers, because you are largely unprotected. Negligent drivers often do not see, or are not looking for motorcycles. This can cause traumatic injuries with life-altering impacts. Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP is a full-service law firm with a focus on personal injury cases. If you or your family member has been involved in a tragic motorcycle accident, we can seek the compensation you deserve.

Understanding New York motorcycle laws

All motorcyclists in New York state must have a Class M or Class MJ operator’s license (or learner’s permit). New York is one of only 19 states, plus the District of Columbia, with a universal helmet law. In addition to eye protection, every rider must wear an approved helmet with a limit of only one earphone.

In spite of these precautions, many motorists injure motorcyclists in crashes caused by negligence. If you have injury claims, our firm fights on your behalf to get you the recovery you deserve.

Causes of accidents

According to New York’s Department of Health, motorcyclists are 37 times more likely to die in a crash than occupants of a passenger car. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 5,375 motorcycle crashes reported in New York state in 2012. Although multiple factors contribute to many crashes, human error causes more accidents than vehicular fault or environmental factors. The most common factors, in order, are:

  • Failure to yield right of way: Motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities to share the road as other vehicles.
  • Speeding: Many drivers disregard the speed limits to “go with the flow” or do not take road or weather conditions into account.
  • Distracted driving: Few bikers text while driving, but unfortunately, car and truck drivers often text behind the wheel.
  • Following too closely: Many drivers get frustrated when another vehicle is right on their tail and may aggressively brake to send a message, exposing motorcyclists to unnecessary danger.
  • Inexperienced drivers: Some new drivers have difficulty gauging other vehicles’ speed or the distance between cars, which frequently leads to accidents.
  • Improper passing: Despite the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Share the Road campaign and other measures, passing on the right, cutting off drivers and similar actions put motorcyclists at risk.
  • Reaction to other vehicles: When drivers don’t have enough time to brake, it can create chain-reaction accidents with multiple-car pileups that sandwich motorcycle drivers between vehicles.
  • Turning improperly: Whether a car is making a K-turn or a truck is turning and the driver is unable to see other vehicles in the mirrors, turning is a factor in many crashes.
  • Unsafe lane changing: Swerving between vehicles, maintaining unsafe distances and going from a far-left to a far-right lane often cause accidents.
  • Alcohol: New York state has very strict DUI laws; nonetheless, alcohol contributes to many roadway accidents.

Determining fault in a motorcycle accident

As multiple factors may play a role in an accident, it is important to hire counsel experienced in accident investigation. At Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, our attorneys use accident reconstruction techniques to determine and demonstrate who is at fault in a motorcycle accident. Our Long Island legal team also includes attorneys skilled in traffic violations defense. If the police ticketed you for an accident in which you were injured, this is not necessarily an admission of fault. As a full-service firm, we can build a defense for traffic violations and fight for your right to just compensation.

Contact seasoned Long Island attorneys who fight for your recovery

At Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP, we have helped motorcycle riders get compensated for their catastrophic injuries since 1988. To speak with an attorney about your particular options, call 631-360-0400 or contact us online. We operate on a contingency-fee basis and offer a free initial consultation.