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Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Syracuse

Motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic or even fatal injuries. A motorcyclist is not protected from the force of impact with a larger vehicle or concrete. Common causes of motorcycle accidents include driver negligence, motorcyclist negligence, dangerous property conditions, dooring, failure to obey signs and signals, failure to yield, distracted driving and weather events. When you’ve been seriously injured on your bike, you may run up medical bills. You may not be able to work. You may feel tremendous pain from your injuries. You should find the best of the best trial lawyers to represent you. If you were injured or a loved one was killed because someone else may have been negligent, you should discuss what happened with the experienced Syracuse motorcycle accident attorneys of DeFrancisco and Falgiatano. Our attorneys are members of the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a prestigious group to which only those who have secured verdicts of one million or multi-millions — less than 1% of lawyers in the country— can belong.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

As a motorcyclist, you face numerous challenges and dangers on the road. The lack of protective structures on your vehicle and your body can make you more likely to suffer catastrophic or even fatal injuries on your bikes. Common causes of motorcycle accidents include inexperienced drivers, reckless drivers, left turn accidents, dangerous road conditions, speeding, driving under the influence, unsafe lane changes, abrupt stops, and motorcycle defects. When you are injured or loved one was killed due to the fault of another, it may be appropriate to file a lawsuit for damages.

Liability for Common Motorcycle Accidents

In many cases, motorcycle accidents are caused by negligent drivers of other vehicles. For our attorneys to establish another driver’s negligence, we will need to show: (1 the other driver owed you a duty of care, (2) breach of the duty of care, (3) causation, and (4) actual damages. A driver may have breached the duty to use reasonable care by speeding, drunk driving, failing to obey traffic signs and signals, weaving, or failing to conduct maintenance on his or her vehicle. For instance, as a motorcyclist who is injured in a collision with a larger vehicle, you may be able to recover damages if an accident was the result of a driver speeding in the rain and hitting the motorcycle, sending you flying. For another example, if your spouse was killed by a drunk driver who failed to yield at an intersection when spouse had right-of-way, you may be able to recover damages.

Insurers Will Be Searching For Comparative Negligence On Your Part

New York follows the rule of pure comparative negligence. It is important to be aware that drivers of larger vehicles and their insurers may be searching for ways in which you were to blame for your injuries in a motorcycle accident. Your damages can be reduced by an amount proportionate to your percentage of fault. Some motorcycle accidents are caused by a motorcyclist’s own speeding, failing to obey traffic signs and signals, failure to yield at an intersection, lane splitting, and weaving.

Damages

When our Syracuse plaintiff’s lawyers can establish a defendant’s liability, we can recover damages on your behalf. In many instances, damages are compensatory, meaning that they are intended to put you back in the position you would have been in had there been no accident. Compensatory damages may include medical expenses, lost income, lost earning capacity, however, when an accident is caused by a drunk driver or is the result of intentional or egregious misconduct, punitive damages may be available.

If a loved one was killed due to the fault of another, you may be able to recover pecuniary losses in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Retain Seasoned Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

The Syracuse motorcycle accident lawyers of DeFrancisco & Falgiatano may be able to represent you if you were injured in a collision or spill on your bike. We have more than thirty years of experience in the courtroom. Our firm has recovered more than $100 million in personal injury awards and settlements. We represent motorcyclists and their passengers in Watertown, Rochester, Auburn, Oswego, Canandaigua, Lowville, Wampsville, Lyons, Ithaca, Cooperstown, Oneida, Utica, Herkimer, Binghamton, and Elmira. Complete our online form or call us at 833-200-2000.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
"We were very impressed with how Jeff DeFrancisco represented us at trial and we were extremely happy when the jury found in our favor." D.M., Auburn, NY
★★★★★
"I suffered a serious injury as a result of medical malpractice. My husband and I retained Jeff DeFrancisco to assist us in this case. We were extremely happy with his representation and highly recommend him." Kelley R., Syracuse, NY
★★★★★
Since the insurance company was unwilling to settle the matter my case ultimately went to trial. At trial Jeff DeFrancisco did an absolutely amazing job by obtaining a very favorable result for me." T.H., Oneida, NY
★★★★★
"I highly recommend DeFrancisco & Falgiatano - Charlie represented me for a medical malpractice case. He is the best of the best. He is friendly and I am very happy with the representation he provided." Roger N., Oneida, NY