Hurt In A Motorcycle Accident? I Will Be Your Strongest Advocate.

Every day, the news is filled with reports of serious motorcycle accidents on Long Island roadways. Motorists don’t understand how to share the road and drive safely with bikers. Unfortunately for the motorcycle rider, these accidents can result in grievous injuries or death. In 2014, the American Automobile Association (AAA) released the shocking statistic that 95% of Long Island motorcycle fatalities happen in Suffolk County. In most of these accidents, the driver of the motor vehicle involved was found to be at fault. In many cases, motorists made surprise left-hand turns in front of motorcycles coming from the other direction. In other cases, motorists were driving while distracted.

If you’ve been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, The Law Office of Jeena R. Belil, PC, is here to help you seek justice and compensation. I bring more than 27 years of experience to your case, and I am committed to making you feel seen, heard and respected throughout the legal process.

The Challenges Motorcyclists Face When Seeking Compensation

Motorcycle accidents are unlike motor vehicle accidents in many ways and if you are interested in becoming a motorcyclist, it’s important that you know this information.

The first thing to know is that motorcycles are NOT covered by no-fault insurance. If you are on a motorcycle and are involved in an accident, there is no vehicle insurance coverage for your medical bills, lost wages, medical mileage or home care services. Therefore, if you do decide you want to ride, make sure that you have health insurance. If you don’t and you are in an accident, you may wind up with tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills on top of dealing with your injuries. Dealing with insurmountable medical bills while losing time from work recovering is a nightmare scenario. If you are thinking about getting a bike or currently ride without health insurance, look into coverage options.

Second, you also need to be forewarned that juries just don’t love motorcyclists. It’s a known fact. You may be the most decent human being, but a jury most likely won’t have much sympathy for you, no matter how bad your injuries may be. It also won’t matter if most or all of the fault is on the other driver. Right or wrong, there is still a bias against motorcycle riders that is difficult to overcome because riding is inherently dangerous, and most jurors assume that only reckless people ride motorcycles. This becomes much more difficult in conservative counties like Nassau and Suffolk. We know this isn’t true, but it’s challenging to get a jury to believe you.

OK, those are the disadvantages, however, there is one positive. Motorcyclists are not bound by New York’s serious injury threshold law, because you don’t have no-fault coverage. This is a good thing, because it means that even if you suffer a relatively minor injury, we don’t have to worry about getting your case dismissed.

Injuries From A Motorcycle Accident Can Be Severe

Motorcyclists are often much more seriously injured than occupants of cars and trucks. Some of the injuries my motorcycle accident clients have suffered are:

• Severe laceration with glass embedded in the soft tissues resulting in infection
• Fracture of scapula with surgical revision
• Calcaneus fractures with multiple surgical revisions
• Compound tibia/fibula spiral fractures with surgical revisions
• Fractured wrist with surgical revision
• Severe road rash and lacerations
• De-gloving injury
• Severe leg bruising

I understand the complicated issues involved in motorcycle accidents on Long Island and have experience recovering compensation for your injuries. I know how to fight the insurance companies while helping you put your best foot forward despite the biases you face.

Get Started With A Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured on Long Island, call The Law Office of Jeena R. Belil, PC, today. I offer free initial consultations so that you can discuss your case with me and learn more about how I can help you. To get started, reach out online or call me at 631-990-3235.