Riding a motorcycle in Forest Hills means you’re more susceptible to serious injury if you’re involved in a collision. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents also have a higher likelihood of resulting in a fatality than other motor vehicle crashes. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a collision, Forest Hills motorcycle accident attorney Michael J. Redenburg can help you determine your legal options. Victims may need financial assistance above and beyond those provided by their personal insurance coverage. Seeking compensation from those at-fault for causing an accident is often the only way these victims can pay for the costs of their injuries. Mr. Redenburg fights on his clients’ behalf to make sure they have the financial resources to move forward after a devastating accident. If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle collision, call our office at (212) 240-9465 or contact us online to learn more about your legal rights.
Motorcycle Crashes in Forest Hills
Forest Hills has a population of over 76,000 residents, some of which ride motorcycles to commute, but most ride as a form of recreation. Regardless of the reasons, motorcyclists are entitled to use of the road as much as any other vehicle. However, many other motorists do not respect this right, which can lead to significant accidents and injuries. Forest Hills’ main thoroughfare is Queens Boulevard, a street so notoriously dangerous it has been nicknamed the “Boulevard of Death.” Although this name has been mostly attributed to the number of pedestrian deaths that have occurred on the road, it is still a hazardous place for motorcyclists as well. Motorcycle riders in New York are 37 times more likely than those riding in cars to die in a collision. If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal Forest Hills motorcycle accident, attorney Michael J. Redenberg can help you pursue proper legal action against those responsible.
Unlike other motorists in New York, motorcyclists do not have to file claims with their own insurance company following a collision. The general “no-fault rule” that governs most other vehicle accidents does not apply to motorcycles, since they do not qualify as “motor vehicles” under state law. As such, those who are involved in a motorcycle accident must seek damages directly from the party who is at fault for causing their injuries. It is usually another motorist’s negligence that causes these crashes.
A defendant is negligent when they have breached a duty of reasonable care owed to the victim, known as the plaintiff. Plaintiffs also must show that they were injured, or a fatality occurred due to the defendant’s breach, and that damages were suffered. Examples of other motorists’ negligent actions that are common in motorcycle accident cases include: failing to yield the right of way; tailgating; distracted driving practices; as well as drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you believe your collision was due to another’s negligence, a seasoned motorcycle accident lawyer in Forest Hills can help you determine your legal options.
When involved in a motorcycle crash, certain evidence must be collected and presented in order to succeed in court. One important piece of evidence includes obtaining a police report. If your accident occurred in Forest Hills, you can obtain this report from the NYPD’s 112th Precinct, which is located at 68-40 Austin Street. You may also request a report online via the NYPD Collision Report Portal.
In personal injury claims, victims of motorcycle accidents may receive damages in the form of past and future medical costs, lost income, diminished earning capacity, as well as pain and suffering. If a loved one has died as the result of a fatal motorcycle crash, certain family members may be entitled to compensation for burial or funeral expenses as well as loss of support in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Motorcycle Accident Attorney Helping Forest Hills Victims
If you’ve been hurt, or lost a loved one, due to a serious motorcycle accident, Forest Hills attorney Michael J. Redenburg is available to help you with your legal claims. Injuries sustained by motorcyclists are often much more severe than for those involved in other motor vehicle accidents. This means that these victims also often need more time, and financial assistance, to aid in their recovery. Mr. Redenburg is committed to ensuring his clients recover the compensation they deserve from those that caused them harm. If you have questions about your legal rights in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, call our office at (212) 240-9465 or contact us online today.