Motorcyclists lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle and are therefore considerably more vulnerable to serious injuries in a crash. If you or your loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle accident, contact Michael J. Redenburg, Esq. P.C. Our attorneys are dedicated advocates for injured motorcyclists, serving Manhattan and New York City. Michael J. Redenburg holds a motorcycle license and enjoyed motorcycling for many years.
Why Choose Us?
- Our attorneys have more than a decade of experience representing clients in New York City.
- We are committed to protecting your rights and will not settle your case for less than what is fair.
- We handle all motorcycle accident cases on a contingency basis, meaning no cost to you until we recover compensation on your behalf.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 5,286 motorcyclists were killed in crashes in 2016. In 2015, the most recent year for which injury statistics are available, 88,000 motorcyclists were injured.
In 2016, the fatality rate per 100,000 registered motorcycles was 60.90. Of the 5,286 motorcyclist fatalities, 1,600 were alcohol-impaired. Motorcycle deaths, more than double the number in 1997, accounted for 13% of all traffic fatalities.
How Risky Are Motorcycles?
Motorcyclists are much more likely to be injured or killed than passenger vehicle occupants. Motorcycles are less crashworthy and less stable than four-wheel passenger vehicles. They lack the protective characteristics of an automobile and they are also less visible to other motorists. As reported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the number of deaths on motorcycles per vehicle miles traveled was 29 times the number in cars in a recent year.
Causes of a Motorcycle Accident
As stated in an NHTSA publication, The Anatomy of a Motorcycle Crash, approximately one-third of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes are caused by other drivers turning into the path of a motorcycle. This type of accident is common at intersections when drivers are making left-hand turns. Other causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Unsafe lane changes: Drivers who fail to do a head check for a blind spot or signal before changing lanes can cause accidents with motorcycles.
- Tailgating: A driver following too closely behind a motorcycle can cause serious injury or death in a rear-end collision in the event of a sudden stop.
- Car doors: Drivers cause motorcyclists to crash by opening the door of a parked vehicle in the path of the oncoming motorcycle.
- Dangerous road conditions: Potholes, debris, crumbling pavement, and other road hazards can cause a motorcyclist to lose control and crash.
- Motorcycle defects: Poorly designed or defective parts can cause accidents and injury or death to motorcyclists.
Who is liable for the motorcycle accident?
The adverse driver, eyewitnesses and responding officers often incorrectly assume that the motorcycle operator should be more responsible than others involved in the accident. Unfortunately, some reports indicate that motorcyclist involved in the accident was speeding or was lane-splitting. Lane splitting is where a motorcycle rides between the lanes of stopped traffic or slow-moving vehicles while traveling in the same direction. Often times, it is also referred to as stripe riding, filtering, white lining, or lane sharing.
Often times, it is not the biker but others upon the road disobeying New York's traffic laws, which leads to motorcycle accidents. In NYC, driver negligence is the number one cause of motorcycle accidents.
With fifteen (15) years of experience, we know how to focus the investigation on showing that the other vehicle's driver was at fault. Common types of driver negligence include:
- Distracted drivers. They have been a long-term problem, but nowadays with mobile cellular phones it has gotten much worse. There are thousands of fatal accidents each year related to distracted driving.
- Speeding drivers. Speed limits are often times ignored in New York City and driving at high rates of speed many times results in serious injuries or fatalities. Motorcyclists don't have the same physical protections as other motorists, and their injuries are often the most severe.
Negligent drivers in New York City can and should be held responsible for their actions.
Do You Need a Lawyer after a Motorcycle Accident?
Motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries, including fractures, brain injury, and spinal cord injuries. If you have been hurt in a motorcycle crash that was someone else's fault, it is important to have an experienced attorney on your side to protect your rights and aggressively pursue the compensation you are entitled to receive.
NEWS
- On February 2, 2019, at approximately 7:45 p.m., a motorcyclist was seriously injured and thrown from his motorcycle while traveling on Route 110. Southbound lanes were closed for approximately three (3) hours and the victim of the motorcycle accident was taken to a local hospital for emergency treatment. Police continued to investigate the accident and its cause.
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On July 9, 2022, a motorcyclist was killed early Saturday, in hit-and-run crash on the Williamsburg Bridge, police said. The 25 year old motorcyclist had crossed the East River span and was heading toward the exit ramp toward the eastbound side of the BQE at approximately 4:30 am when he collided with another vehicle and was thrown from his bike. The other driver fled the scene.
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July 19, 2022: Soundview, Bronx 10472 -- One man was killed and another was critically injured in a motorcycle accident in the Bronx Tuesday afternoon. The motorcycle accident took place on Morrison Avenue and Harrod Place in the Soundview section of the Bronx. Police say three people were on a motorcycle going southbound on Morrison Avenue when the driver tried to pass between two SUVs.
Contact Our Expert NYC Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Our New York City personal injury lawyers at Michael J. Redenburg, Esq. P.C. are tough advocates for injured people. We believe that responsible parties should be held accountable, and we will give your case the personal attention it deserves. Contact us today to find out how we can help if you have been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else's negligence.