Motorcycle accidents can have devastating consequences. If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, you’ve likely suffered serious physical, mental, and financial losses.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Utica, NY, our team at Passalacqua & Associates, LLC is ready to fight for you. An experienced Utica motorcycle accident lawyer can help you recover the maximum compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Our team will guide you through every step of the legal process. We put the weight of 50 years of combined experience in personal injury law to work diligently in every case we take on.
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Utica, New York, call our law offices to schedule a free initial consultation today at (315) 500-6425.
How Can the Legal Team at Passalacqua & Associates, LLC Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Utica?
Many accident victims wonder whether hiring a lawyer is worth it. In the end, hiring an injury lawyer with extensive experience is usually a smart idea.
After an injury, you’re likely dealing with an insurance company. Minimizing your compensation award is the insurance adjuster’s job. After all, the insurance company is out to make a profit. They may even blame you for causing the crash.
When you hire Passalacqua & Associates, LLC you’ll be working with highly skilled negotiators and litigators. We face off against insurance companies on a daily basis. We have a proven track record of success that includes millions recovered.
Hiring our Utica personal injury lawyers means you’ll have a team to:
Collect evidence on your behalf
Analyze the facts and determine who is liable for your damages
Evaluate your losses and calculate your case value
Aggressively defend you when you’re blamed for the crash
Hire leading experts who can strengthen your compensation claim
Negotiate for a full and fair settlement with insurance
Insurance companies know that our Utica personal injury attorneys have the skills to win at trial. With our name on your case, you’re much more likely to receive a full settlement. To learn more about the benefits of an attorney client relationship, call today.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in New York?
In 2023 alone, 193 motorcyclists were killed in fatal traffic accidents in New York. That’s a nearly 12% jump from 2022 and a 45% increase compared to 2019.
Serious injuries are often involved in motorcycle accident cases. Generally speaking, that means more money is at stake in your case.
It’s important to understand how much your personal injury claim is really worth. Otherwise, you risk letting the at-fault driver off the hook for part of your damages.
While there’s no standard settlement amount, our lawyers evaluate certain factors in almost every motorcycle accident claim we handle.
They include:
The nature and severity of your injuries
The cost of your medical treatment, rehabilitation and out-of-pocket expenses
The value of income you’ve lost during recovery
Future impacts associated with a long-term disability, including loss of earning capacity
Damage to your quality of life and mental health
Allegations of shared fault, and whether they’re legitimate
The evidence to support your case
You may be faced with more expenses than you could have imagined. If you were injured in a car accident involving a motorcycle, call our lawyers in Utica today. We offer free case reviews and there’s never any obligation.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Motorcycle Accident Victims in Utica?
“Damages” is the legal term for the losses you’ve experienced due to an accident and injury. You can seek compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages in New York.
More specifically, you may be entitled to compensation for:
Past and future medical expenses
Current lost wages
Lost future earning power
Physical therapy
Rehabilitation
Nursing care
Property damage
Vehicle repairs
Miscellaneous expenses
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Humiliation
PTSD
Reduced quality of life
Physical disfigurement or scarring
Loss of consortium
While punitive damages are rare, New York courts have the authority to award when in cases where the defendant deserves punishment. Where there is evidence that the defendant’s acts were intentional or amounted to gross negligence, we’ll also pursue these additional damages.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in New York?
At Passalacqua & Associates, LLC we know the cost of legal representation is a big concern for many accident victims. Our law firm works exclusively on a contingency fee basis.
That means you won’t pay anything upfront. Our attorneys’ fees are deducted from the compensation we eventually recover in your case.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Motorcycle Accident in New York?
Liability in motorcycle accident cases is not always clear-cut. Even if you were injured, it’s possible that you could have been partly responsible. The defendant will probably raise the issue of shared fault in your case. Insurance companies love to blame motorcyclists for being reckless.
Even if the responsible party can prove you share the blame, you won’t lose your right to compensation entirely. New York follows a pure comparative negligence law. If you share a portion of the blame, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
So, even if you were 75% to blame, you can recover 25% of your damages. You only lose your right to damages if you were 100% responsible.
Our Lawyers in Utica Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Bikers are the most likely to suffer serious injuries when they’re involved in a car accident.
Our Utica motorcycle accident attorneys at Passalacqua & Associates, LLC represent all injury victims, including those who are struggling with:
All motorcyclists in New York are required to wear a helmet. Wearing a helmet can be incredibly helpful in preventing serious brain damage and death. Still, motorcycle riders are left vulnerable to a range of life-changing injuries.
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, our lawyers in Utica are here to fight for full compensation for each one of those injuries.
What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents in Utica, New York?
Motorcycle accidents are much more likely to occur when someone is careless and puts the safety of others at risk. Examples of careless and reckless driving behaviors can take many forms.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
Distracted driving
Texting while driving
Failure to yield the right-of-way to motorcyclists
Tailgating
Speeding
Lane splitting
Aggressive driving behaviors, such as weaving between lanes
Dangerous left-hand turns
Running a red light or stop sign
Failure to check blind spots
Fatigued drivers
Drunk driving
Driving under the influence of drugs
Negligent vehicle maintenance
Inexperienced drivers
Hazardous road conditions can also contribute to a cause of a motorcycle wreck. Poor visibility, inadequate lighting, and bad weather can all contribute to a crash.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Motorcycle Accident in New York?
To recover after a motorcycle accident, you will likely be required to prove negligence by the other party. Negligence is a failure to exercise the amount of caution that a reasonable person would have used under the circumstances.
In technical terms, negligence requires proof that:
The defendant owed you a legal duty of care
They somehow breached their duty
That breach was a direct cause of your accident
You can point to specific damages that you suffered as a result
While different legal theories may apply, negligence is by far the most common basis for motorcycle accident claims.
What Types of Evidence Do I Need to Prove a Motorcycle Accident Case in Utica?
Many different types of evidence can be relevant to your claim.
Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers in Utica often evaluate:
Police reports
Vehicle damage and other physical evidence from the accident scene
Medical records, pay stubs, and other records that can be used to prove your damages
Video footage
Photos of the crash scene
Traffic citations
Eyewitness testimony
Drug or alcohol testing results
In cases involving highly contested issues, we’ll often bring in experts who can testify on your behalf and strengthen your case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Accident in New York?
Under the statute of limitations in New York, most car accident victims have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. The three-year clock starts running on the date of your accident. Once three years pass, you will likely no longer be able to pursue compensation.
Contact an Experienced Utica Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Were you involved in a motorcycle accident? Was someone else responsible? An experienced Utica motorcycle accident lawyer at Passalacqua & Associates, LLC can help you resolve your case. We’re prepared to handle any legal issues that arise during the process, so contact us today to get started.
Passalacqua & Associates, LLC provides legal representation for individuals facing personal injuries and criminal charges. Our attorneys offer compassionate guidance and aggressive strategies, and we’re committed to achieving the best possible outcomes. We’ll protect your rights and navigate legal complexities on your behalf.
Areas We Serve
Passalacqua & Associates, LLC proudly serves clients in Utica, Syracuse, and the surrounding upstate New York communities. We are dedicated to providing accessible and effective legal services to those in need of experienced personal injury and criminal defense representation within these regions.