The following article was written by Mr. Gelber and appeared in Western New York-area newspapers.
An increasing number of accidents in New York and around the country can be attributable to the increasing popularity of motorcycles. Although many motorcycle accidents result in serious injuries, the rate of fatalities has actually declined due to New York’s helmet laws.
What should you do if you are in a motorcycle accident? Have someone call 911 for police and emergency medical service assistance. Get the name, address, phone number and insurance information of the driver(s), as well as the make, model, year and license plate number of the other vehicle(s). Provide your information to the other parties. If your medical condition permits, try to identify any possible witnesses. Notify your insurance company.
What should you not do? Do not make any statement about what happened to anyone other than a police officer. Do not discuss your injuries with anyone other than a police officer or emergency medical technician.
Do not have your bike repaired until you speak with an attorney who can advise you on what steps to take to preserve possible evidence.
Why do you need an attorney who specifically handles motorcycle accident cases? Motorcycle crashes involve several areas of insurance and state law and regulations, so it is important that the attorney you contact understands the interrelationship of all the involved areas of law.
As an example, there is no Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or No-Fault benefits for motorcycle operators or their passengers. There may be medical payment coverage, but typically it is limited to just $1,000. Only your own personal health insurance will pay for your injuries.
It is our experience that motorcycle accidents are usually the fault of the other driver involved in the accident, largely because motorcycles can be difficult to see. When there is an accident, the results can be devastating and you are best served by immediately contacting a good personal injury law firm, such as ours, to immediately take care of your legal issues so you can take care of your loved ones and yourself.
