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Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Near Me | Personal Injury Attorneys
Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Albany NY
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, the experienced motorcycle accident lawyers at LaMarche Safranko Law are here to help. Motorcycle crashes often result in devastating injuries because riders have little protection when struck by larger vehicles. Under New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Law, all motorists are required to operate their vehicles safely and with reasonable care to avoid harming others on the road, including motorcyclists. When another driver fails to uphold this duty, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Distracted driving, speeding, unsafe lane changes, and failure to yield are among the leading causes of motorcycle accidents. Unfortunately, many crashes occur because drivers fail to see or respect motorcyclists sharing the roadway. Our legal team understands the challenges riders face and will work tirelessly to investigate your case, determine liability, and ensure your rights are protected as a motorcycle rider.
Motorcycle Accident Attorneys | Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Near Me
At LaMarche Safranko Law, we have extensive experience representing injured motorcyclists across Upstate New York, 
including riders traveling along the Northway (I-87) and throughout the Adirondack and Capital Regions. Each year, thousands of motorcyclists take to the open roads around Lake George, Saratoga Springs, Albany, Clifton Park, and Plattsburgh, especially during popular events like Americade Motorcycle Rally, Lake George Bike Week, and scenic fall foliage rides through the Adirondacks and Hudson Valley. Unfortunately, these same beautiful routes can also be the scene of serious crashes caused by distracted or negligent drivers.
Our personal injury team understands the unique risks motorcyclists face on rural, mountainous, and high-traffic roads throughout Upstate New York. From tight curves along Route 9N and the Lake George shoreline to busy intersections in the Capital Region, one driver’s careless mistake can result in catastrophic consequences for a rider.
With offices in Albany, Latham, Lake George and Plattsburgh, LaMarche Safranko Law is positioned to serve riders across the region. Our motorcycle accident lawyers are dedicated to investigating every detail of your crash, working with accident reconstruction experts, and holding negligent drivers accountable. We know how to counter insurance company tactics and fight for the full recovery you deserve, including medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering.
FAQs about Motorcycle Accident Cases
After contacting a lawyer, the lawyer should conduct a full investigation as to how and why the crash occurred. This includes speaking with witnesses, obtaining the police investigation, obtaining photographs, considering all possible claims and theories of liability against any potential defendant, and dealing with the insurance company for the persons who injured you.
The lawyer should obtain all of your medical records to evaluate the extent of your physical and emotional pain and suffering. The lawyer should also analyze your economic losses including any out-of-pocket expenses and lost earnings. Once your full damages are understood, your attorney should attempt to obtain a financial settlement of your case. While the best personal injury lawyers should prepare you and your case for a trial, the best lawyers will also work hard to obtain a settlement for you to consider.
If the matter cannot be resolved by way of a settlement, your attorney will file a lawsuit on your behalf. Once a lawsuit is filed, your lawyer and his team will prepare all necessary paperwork to be exchanged with the defendants’ attorneys, conduct examinations before trial (depositions), work with experts and get your case ready for trial.
Throughout the process, your personal injury attorneys should keep you informed of any developments in your case, provide guidance on your options, and advocate for your best interests every step of the way. To learn more about what to expect in a personal injury case click here.
Dealing with your bills after a motorcycle crash can be very stressful and overwhelming if you are not working while you are healing. If you are unable to work, you should immediately apply for disability benefits. Additionally, a personal injury lawsuit should be pursued against the other driver(s) and any other person or party that may be responsible for your injuries. In some instances, it may be worth considering a loan against your home, your 401k or against your future settlement to help you with your immediate needs until your personal injury lawsuit is settled or resolved by a trial.
There is no exact answer to that question. How long a case takes depends on many factors including how the case happened, how many defendants are in the case, the extent of the injuries, the nature of your recovery from your injuries, and whether the case resolves by way of settlement or trial. However, in general, a personal injury motorcycle case can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to resolve and in some instances, it can take longer than 2 years. Keep in mind, the full extent of your injuries may not even be known until that time period is over. A quick resolution to your case may not be in your best interests. For additional information about how long a personal injury case takes see the blog “How Long Will My Personal Injury Case Take?”.
All medical costs should be paid for by your personal health insurance. Any co-pays that are required will have to be paid by you at the outset. If you are uninsured, depending on your income, you may apply for emergency Medicaid. If you are uninsured and make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, you should apply for health insurance immediately.
You shouldn’t. But in the short term, until a personal injury lawsuit can be finalized, unfortunately these are costs that must be paid by you. With a successful personal injury claim, your out of pocket costs can be reimbursed. Until then, please make sure you continue to pursue all medical treatment which will help your personal injury lawyer prove the full extent of your injuries.
No. No-fault doe not apply does not apply to accidents involving motorcycles in New York State. “No-fault” insurance applies to car, truck and bus accidents rather than accidents involving motorcycles. Under Article 51 of the New York State Insurance Law motorcyclists and their passengers are excluded from coverage. Because motorcycles are not considered to be motor vehicles under Section 5102(f) of the law, they are not covered by no-fault insurance.
Sadly, many people who are involved in motorcycle crashes have such serious injuries that their lives and working careers are forever altered. In these cases, it is crucial to pursue a claim against all potential defendants to receive the maximum amount of money for your pain, suffering, emotional damages and lost wages.
No. At LaMarche Safranko Law there is no charge for your consultation with an accident attorney. In fact, in NY, traditionally when you hire a personal injury lawyer to handle your claim, you will not be required to pay any money to retain or hire the lawyer. Rather, these types of cases are often handled on a contingency fee basis which means your lawyer is only paid a legal fee if the case is successful.
If there is damage caused to a vehicle in excess of $1,000, or if someone died in the crash, a DMV accident report is required to be filed within 10 days of the accident. It is recommended that you speak with an attorney before completing and submitting the form.
No. Because the no-fault law does not apply to motorcycle accidents, you do not need to prove that you’ve suffered a serious injury (as defined by NY law) to sue the driver who caused the accident.
Yes, if you have Supplemental Underinsured Motorist (SUM) Coverage on your motorcycle policy. Under the terms of your SUM Policy, you will receive additional protection in the event the driver who hit you has a limited policy. In other words, if for example, the driver who hit you has only a $25,000 policy, but you have a SUM policy that has, for example, a coverage limit of $100,000, you can pursue the difference between these two policies, totaling $75,000, from your own policy.
