As a rider, you know the unfair stereotypes. After a negligent driver hits you, their insurance company will use this bias against you to minimize their payout. A White Plains motorcycle accident lawyer defends your rights by fighting back against these false narratives with facts.
You don't have to accept the blame for a crash you didn't cause. Our firm's approach is to build a case so strong that it dismantles the insurance company's arguments. For a free conversation about your accident, contact the Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler at (914) 220-1088.
Table of Contents
- Why Choose Us for Your Motorcycle Crash Claim
- How a White Plains Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Defends Your Rights
- Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in White Plains
- Potential Compensation for Your Motorcycle Injuries
- FAQ for White Plains Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
- Your Fight Is Our Fight
Why Choose Us for Your Motorcycle Crash Claim
Our law firm understands that a motorcycle wreck isn't just another traffic accident. It's a unique event that requires a specific strategy and a deep commitment to the rider. The Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler provides the determined legal representation you need when everything is on the line.
We Fight the Unfair Biker Bias
We know that other drivers are often careless around motorcycles. They fail to look, make unsafe lane changes, and then try to shift the blame onto you when a wreck happens. We reject this common bias and start every case with a simple principle: riders have a right to be on the road.
A motorcycle accident attorney from our firm uses evidence, not stereotypes, to build your case. We work to show how the driver's inattention and negligence caused your injuries and changed your life.
We Understand the Roads in White Plains
Our firm knows the streets and highways of Westchester County because we're part of this community. We understand the specific dangers on the Cross Westchester Expressway, the tight merges of the Hutchinson River Parkway, or at busy intersections along Mamaroneck Avenue.
Whether your crash happened on the Bronx River Parkway or a side street, our familiarity with the area helps us investigate your accident and build a compelling case.
We Know How New York Law Impacts Riders
Motorcycle accident claims have specific legal challenges, particularly regarding insurance coverage for medical bills. Our firm understands these complexities inside and out. We can navigate the system to help you handle hospital bills while your claim progresses.
For an advocate who truly understands your fight, contact the Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler at (914) 220-1088.
How a White Plains Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Defends Your Rights
A motorcycle accident attorney is your champion through the entire legal process. They take the fight to the insurance company so you can put your full energy into your physical recovery. Their job is to manage the complexities of your claim and position you for the best possible outcome.
From investigating the scene to fighting for your compensation, your lawyer handles every detail. They’re the barrier between you and the aggressive tactics of the insurance adjuster. The right legal partner makes the path forward clear and manageable.
Reconstructing the Accident
The other driver's insurance company will likely try to blame you. A deep investigation is the best defense. Your lawyer acts quickly to counter their narrative with clear and convincing evidence of what truly occurred. A skilled attorney gathers all the critical facts to build your case.
They assemble and analyze every piece of evidence available, which may include the following:
- Police Reports and Scene Evidence: Your lawyer obtains the official accident report and analyzes photos or videos from the scene, looking for skid marks, debris fields, and vehicle damage that tell the story.
- Witness Statements: Independent witnesses are powerful allies. Your attorney finds and interviews anyone who saw the accident to get an unbiased account that can disprove the other driver's claims.
- Expert Analysis: When needed, your lawyer consults with accident reconstruction professionals who can use science and engineering principles to show how the collision happened and prove the driver’s fault.
Managing Medical Bills and Liens
One of the biggest sources of stress for injured riders is figuring out how to pay for medical treatment. Motorcycles are excluded from New York’s no-fault law, so you must use your own health insurance for your initial medical bills.
Your attorney communicates with your health insurance provider and the hospitals. They also work to manage any medical liens placed on your claim.
Battling the Insurance Company
Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators whose goal is to save their company money. They may try to get you to provide a recorded statement, ask you to sign release forms, or make a lowball settlement offer before you know the true extent of your injuries.
Once you hire our firm, all communication with the insurance company stops for you and goes through your White Plains motorcycle crash attorney. They handle the phone calls, the paperwork, and the tough negotiations.
Their protection allows you to focus completely on your recovery without the stress and pressure of dealing with the insurance company directly.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in White Plains
Motorcycle crashes are almost always the result of another driver's negligence. Motorists who aren’t paying attention, misjudge distances, or simply fail to respect a rider's space on the road create dangerous, life-altering situations.
Your attorney investigates to find the root cause of the crash and uses this information to build the foundation of your claim for justice.
Unsafe Left Turns
The most common cause of motorcycle accidents is a car turning left at an intersection directly into the path of an oncoming rider. Drivers often claim they didn't see the motorcycle, but this is an excuse for not looking carefully.
Unsafe turns result in wrecks because drivers frequently misjudge the motorcycle’s speed or simply fail to yield the right-of-way.
Unsafe Lane Changes and Blind Spots
On highways like I-287 or the Hutchinson River Parkway, drivers who change lanes without checking their blind spots pose a major threat. A car that moves into a rider's lane can cause a sideswipe or force the motorcyclist into another vehicle or off the road.
Rear-End Collisions
A motorcycle has a much shorter stopping distance than a car. Drivers who follow too closely don't have enough time to react if a rider needs to slow down or stop suddenly. A rear-end collision, even at low speed, can throw a rider from their bike and cause devastating injuries.
Dooring
Dooring is common on busy streets like Mamaroneck Avenue when a driver or passenger of a parked vehicle opens their door without checking for oncoming traffic. A rider who strikes an open door is often thrown into the flow of traffic, leading to catastrophic secondary impacts.
Potential Compensation for Your Motorcycle Injuries
Since motorcyclists are so exposed, they often suffer severe and life-altering injuries. The compensation you seek must reflect the true and total impact the crash has had on your life, both now and for years to come. Your lawyer works to build a claim that accounts for every single loss.
Economic Damages
These damages provide compensation for every specific, out-of-pocket financial loss you have experienced because of the accident. Your lawyer compiles every bill and receipt to document these costs.
A complete claim for your financial recovery includes compensation for:
- All Medical Expenses: This covers every cost from the initial ambulance ride and emergency room visit to all surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, medications, and any future medical care you need.
- Total Lost Income: You receive payment for the wages, salary, and benefits you lost while out of work and recovering from your injuries.
- Future Lost Earning Capacity: If your injuries are permanent and prevent you from returning to your former job or limit your ability to work, your claim includes compensation for this lifelong loss of income.
- Other Costs: You may seek compensation for other costs, such as your destroyed motorcycle, modifications to your home or vehicle, and hiring help for tasks you can no longer do yourself.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages provide compensation for the immense physical and emotional suffering caused by a motorcycle accident. This harm is devastating, and your claim must reflect that reality.
Your attorney demands compensation for the following losses:
- Pain and Suffering: This is compensation for your significant physical pain, discomfort, and mental anguish.
- Scarring and Disfigurement: This specifically addresses the permanent physical changes to your body caused by injuries like severe road rash or surgical scars.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: You may seek compensation if the crash prevents you from enjoying the hobbies, activities, and experiences that brought you happiness, including your passion for riding.
FAQ for White Plains Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
How Do I Pay My Medical Bills if Motorcycles Are Excluded From No-Fault Insurance?
You use your own private or employer-provided health insurance as the primary payer for your medical treatment. Your motorcycle accident lawyer can assist in coordinating with your health insurer and ensuring the bills are submitted correctly.
Your White Plains motorcycle accident lawyer then includes all of these medical costs in your personal injury claim against the at-fault driver's insurance company.
What if the Police Report Puts Me at Fault for the Crash?
Don’t assume your case is over if the police report says you caused the wreck. Police reports sometimes contain errors, are based on an incomplete investigation, or reflect the driver's one-sided story.
Your attorney will conduct an independent investigation to find the true cause of the crash, often uncovering evidence from witnesses or video footage that contradicts the initial report and proves the other driver was negligent.
How Does a White Plains Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Overcome the Biker Bias?
A White Plains motorcycle accident lawyer overcomes bias with irrefutable evidence. They use detailed accident reconstruction, statements from credible witnesses, video footage, and physical evidence from the scene to create a clear and factual account of the driver's negligence.
By shifting the focus from stereotypes to facts, they show an insurance company (or a jury) who was truly responsible for the crash.
How Long Do I Have To File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in New York?
In New York, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. While there are a few very limited exceptions, failing to file your lawsuit within this time frame will permanently bar you from seeking compensation for your injuries.
Contact a lawyer well before this deadline to give them adequate time to investigate and build your case.
Should I Talk to the Other Driver's Insurance Adjuster After a Motorcycle Crash in White Plains?
Don’t give a statement or engage in any detailed conversation with the at-fault driver's insurance adjuster. Their job is to find reasons to deny your claim or pay you as little as possible. They’re trained to ask questions in a way that might get you to say something that hurts your case.
Instead, politely tell the insurance adjuster to contact your White Plains motorcycle accident lawyer.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
You have a right to the road and a right to justice. Don't let a negligent driver and their insurance company dictate your future. A powerful advocate on your side can make the difference between accepting an unfair offer and getting the full compensation you need to move forward with your life.
Contact the Law Offices of Jason B. Kessler today at (914) 220-1088 for a free, no-obligation strategy session with a White Plains motorcycle accident lawyer.