Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents In Buffalo, New York

Jed Dietrich, Esq., a recognized Best Lawyer of America and New York Super Lawyer, and his top rated and elite team of Buffalo, New York motorcycle accident lawyers at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. have over 20 years of experience representing people injured in motorcycle accidents caused by someone else’s negligence.

Since 1999, Jed Dietrich, Esq. has secured settlements and verdicts totaling over $175 Million for his clients in Buffalo, New York and beyond; including 33 cases where the victims were awarded $1 Million, or more. Every day, Jed Dietrich, Esq. strives to continue obtaining the best results possible for his injured clients.

If you, or a loved one, were injured in a motorcycle accident in Buffalo, New York; Rochester, New York; Niagara Falls, New York and beyond, our team of dedicated and highly experienced lawyers and paralegals will work to build a strong case against the responsible party and fight to get you the compensation that you deserve. Our team of top rated motorcycle accident injury attorneys in Buffalo, New York strives to provide the people of Western New York with the highest level of personal injury service. Contact us today to find out how we can help you after a motorcycle accident injury.

The small size and, often, quiet nature of motorcycles makes them less visible to other vehicles on the road—particularly to inattentive drivers. A motorcycle accident can cause serious bodily injury or death to occupants of the motorcycle. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that in 2017, on a per-mile-traveled basis, the number of people killed in motorcycle accidents was 27 times more frequent than people being killed in car crashes.

Although our team of Buffalo, New York motorcycle accident attorneys is here to fight for the compensation that you deserve after a motorcycle accident, it is our hope that motorcyclists on the roads stay safe. If you are a motorcycle rider, it is extremely important for you to be aware of the factors that contribute to motorcycle crashes so that you can take the necessary precautionary measures and ride safely.

Motorcycle accidents commonly occur because of the following:

1. Unsafe Lane Changes:

   The small size and fast nature of motorcycles can make them virtually invisible to inattentive drivers on the road. A driver who fails to check his or her blind spots adequately, or who fails to signal when making a lane change, can collide with a motorcyclist.

2. Speeding:

   The high-speed performance of motorcycles makes them very appealing to many people. However, speeding is a leading cause of accidents on the road. Speeding can cause a motorcyclist to lose control of their motorcycle or can reduce other driver’s chances of seeing a motorcycle on the road. The NHTSA reports that in 2017 32% of motorcycle riders that were involved in fatal crashes were speeding.

3. Alcohol Consumption:

   Riding a motorcycle requires undivided attention, physical coordination and balance. Alcohol consumption impedes a person’s ability to be attentive and their motor coordination, which makes a motorcyclist particularly susceptible to crashing if driving while under the influence. The NHTSA reports that in 2017 43% of motorcyclists who died in a single-vehicle crash were impaired by alcohol.

4. Lane Splitting:

   Lane splitting, or riding your motorcycle between two lanes of traffic, is illegal in New York. Even if the vehicles in both lanes have slowed down or stopped because of heavy traffic, a motorcyclist is still at great risk of injury in the event of a sudden maneuver of a vehicle.

5. Abrupt Stopping:

   All drivers should ensure there is enough space between their vehicle and the vehicle that they are following to allow for safe stopping in the event that a vehicle stops abruptly. A rear-end accident with a motorcyclist because of a sudden stop can cause the motorcyclist to be ejected from their motorcycle, which could result in serious bodily injuries or even death.

6. Road Hazards:

   Motorcyclists are particularly more vulnerable to poor road conditions than traditional cars, trucks and SUVs. Even minor road hazards can throw a motorcyclist off balance, causing them to lose control of their bike and crash. Hazards to be weary of on the road include potholes, cracked or worn pavement, debris, dead animals, uneven expansion joints, wet surfaces or pooled water and railway tracks and crossings.

7. Car Doors:

   Although a person in a car should only open their door to exit the car when it is safe to do so, a car occupant may not be paying attention or think it is safe to open their door when it is not. Opening a car door in the path of a motorcycle can cause an accident, which may result in serious injuries to the motorcyclist.

8. Cars Making Left-Hand Turns:

   A vehicle making a left-hand turn in front of a motorcyclist poses a great danger. Although the driver who is making a left-hand turn should yield the right-of-way to a motorcyclist that is traveling straight, a driver may misjudge the speed of a motorcyclist, misjudge the distance they have to travel to complete the turn or simply not see the motorcyclist coming at all. As a result, a crash can occur and a motorcyclist could be left with debilitating injuries.

9. Distracted Driving:

   The small size of motorcycles and their, often times, quiet nature, can result in drivers being unaware of their presence—even if they are an attentive driver. The risk of a collision with a motorcycle increases when a driver is distracted. Taking your hands off of the wheel and eyes off of the road, even for a brief moment, to text, make a call or eat or drink can result in a devastating collision with a motorcycle.

10. Motorcycle Defects:

    Harm to motorcyclists does not always come from other motorists or road conditions. Motorcycle defects such as faulty brakes, a defective accelerator mechanism, suspension problems or improper wheel alignment can result in a collision, putting the life of the motorcyclist at risk.

A motorcycle accident can result in serious injuries including broken bones, a traumatic brain injury, neck and back injuries, paralysis injuries, amputation injuries or even death. Injuries after a motorcycle accident can be life-changing resulting in expensive medical bills, lost time from work and pain and suffering. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you want the best personal injury lawyer in Buffalo, New York to fight for the compensation you deserve. Jed Dietrich, Esq., a recognized Best Lawyer of America and a New York Super Lawyer, has secured over $175 Million in settlements and verdicts on behalf of his injured clients, and you can count on him to fight for the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.

If you are a motorcyclist who was injured because of someone else’s negligence in Buffalo, New York; Rochester, New York; Niagara Falls, New York; throughout New York State and beyond, contact Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his team of top rated Buffalo, New York motorcycle accident lawyers today. We are available 24 hours per day and 7 days per week, and there is never a fee unless we WIN for you! Call us today at 716-839-3939 for your free consultation.

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Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at (716) 839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!

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