North Tonawanda, New York, Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Jed Dietrich, Esq. is Dedicated to Representing Individuals Who Have Sustained Injuries as a result of Motorcycle Accidents in North Tonawanda, New York.

There have been numerous reports of fatal motorcycle accidents occurring in North Tonawanda, New York. One notable instance involved a collision that resulted in the death of a motorcyclist. The accident, which resulted when a car ran a red light and hit a motorcycle, is one example of how little protection motorcycles offer their operators and passengers. The same accident involving two cars would have been less likely to result in a fatality. For motor vehicle drivers, the importance of practicing situational awareness, particularly in the vicinity of motorcycles, cannot be overstated. As the above case demonstrates, a momentary lapse in concentration can be life-altering.

At the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., we understand the life-changing effects of personal injury. An accident on a motorcycle can permanently alter your way of life. As such, the importance of finding the right representative for your personal injury case cannot be overstated. Our team of top rated North Tonawanda, New York personal injury attorneys is more than capable of representing you. Please call us today at (716) 839-3939 or contact us online for your consultation.

By their very nature, motorcycles are less safe than standard motor vehicles. Because they lack the protection offered by seatbelts and airbags, there are fewer safeguards between a motorcycle operator and personal harm. There is very little that will absorb the impact of a crash. The level of protection offered by a motor vehicle is known as crashworthiness. A vehicle is considered crashworthy if it has “the capability to shield its occupants from serious injury or death.” Compared with other transportation methods, motorcycles are not as crashworthy because they provide fewer safeguards to passengers in the event of an accident.

Additionally, motorcycles have less visibility. They are both smaller and equipped with fewer lights than a standard motor vehicle. While they possess greater maneuverability on the road, they are also easily missed by other drivers, who may not see them in time to avoid them. This can happen when a motor vehicle driver makes a turn without realizing that a motorcycle is already in the lane. It is critical for all drivers to practice situational awareness while on the road, regardless of the type of vehicle they drive.

A recent article from the Buffalo News reported that over a hundred motorcyclists went joyriding through North Tonawanda, Buffalo, and Niagara Falls. Many of the motorcyclists were not wearing helmets. While the violation of New York State’s helmet law was only one of the infractions being committed by this group, it was a serious display of negligence on the part of the drivers. A helmet is the only protection for the head and neck in the event of a motorcycle accident. Neglecting to wear one is not merely dangerous; it is foolhardy.

The greatest protection available to motorcycle operators is the helmet. In a vehicle that offers no shield against injury, helmets have a 67% protection efficacy rate. The success of motorcycle helmets to safeguard drivers is entirely dependent upon whether or not the helmet is certified. Motorcycle helmets are required to be certified by the Department of Transportation to meet certain safety standards. According to New York State’s Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 381, it is illegal to operate a motorcycle without a federally approved helmet. A recent study conducted by the University of Maryland found that motorcycle operators involved in crashes were more likely to suffer a head injury while wearing a non-certified helmet. By contrast, only 23% of the accident victims wearing certified helmets sustained injury.

In addition to the Department of Transportation certification, another company that offers certified helmets is the Snell Foundation. Named after race car driver William Snell who lost his life due to a helmet failure, the company is dedicated to researching greater standards of helmet safety. Their website contains a list of helmets that have been certified by the Snell Foundation as meeting their safety standards. While the Snell certification is respected and acclaimed, it is not a substitute for the Department of Transportation certification. If a helmet does not meet Department of Transportation standards, it is not approved for use on a motorcycle.

Jed Dietrich, Esq., recognized as a New York Super Lawyer, is well acquainted with the often-calamitous effects of personal injury. He has represented countless clients over the years, attaining over $175,000,000 in successful wins for his personal injury clients. If you believe that you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident in North Tonawanda, New York, do not hesitate to reach out to the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. at (716) 839-3939 or by filling out the online consultation form.

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!