Content Reviewed By:
John Richmond, Co-Founding Member
- November 6, 2024
Motorcycle crashes are some of the most dangerous–and often fatal–crashes that can occur on New York roadways. Unfortunately, these accidents are common, and injuries are often severe. Motorcyclists don’t have the protective shell of a traditional vehicle around them to shield them from harm, and because motorcycles are smaller than cars, they are easier for other drivers to overlook when making turns or changing lanes. Bikers can easily be thrown from their motorcycles, resulting in injuries like broken bones, road rash, and traumatic brain injuries.
If you or a loved one sustained injuries due to someone else’s negligence while riding your motorcycle, the seasoned Williamsville personal injury attorneys at Richmond Vona can help. You may be facing substantial medical bills and lost income, and our team can evaluate your legal options and decide the best way for you to pursue compensation.
Why Richmond Vona?
With a combined 30 years of experience and $175 million in total settlements and verdicts won for our clients, Richmond Vona attorneys have the resources and experience to handle the legal aspects of your case so you can focus on healing. Our firm is client-centric, providing each client with a three to four-person collaborative team dedicated to their case.
Founding partners John E. Richmond and Keith R. Vona have deep roots in Western New York and know the area well, including its key legal players and areas where accidents occur most often. Both John and Keith have owned and ridden motorcycles, giving them a personal connection to motorcycle accident cases and a unique sense of empathy for victims.
Compensation for Williamsville Motorcycle Accidents
Injured motorcyclists in New York may be able to collect compensation for their damages and injuries after an accident if they can prove another party was negligent in causing the accident. Typically, injured people are eligible for some combination of economic and non-economic damages, meaning compensation for both quantifiable and non-quantifiable losses. These can include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries, leading to particularly high medical bills. Sometimes, insurance companies try to get victims to sign lowball settlement offers, and uninformed victims may not realize that they could be getting far more compensation. At Richmond Vona, we have the technology to track insurance company tactics, giving us a leg up in negotiation and helping us get you the full compensation you deserve.
How Much Does Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Cost?
After being injured in a motorcycle accident, concerns about legal costs shouldn’t stop you from enlisting a lawyer’s help on your case. At Richmond Vona, our motorcycle accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning consultations are free and there is no fee for our services unless we win your case. After your case is won, your attorney will accept an agreed-upon percentage of your total winnings as payment.
New York’s No-Fault Exemption for Motorcyclists
When it comes to accidents involving traditional cars, New York is a no-fault state, meaning each driver involved must go through their own insurance first to pay for injuries. However, these no-fault laws don’t apply to motorcycles, and motorcyclists are able to sue the at-fault driver directly after an accident.
Because New York denies no-fault coverage to motorcyclists and their passengers, anyone riding a motorcycle must seek compensation for their injuries in court. To do so, bikers must prove that another party’s negligence—or failure to act with reasonable caution—contributed to the accident, and that the accident caused the biker’s injuries and financial damages. If a motorcyclist bears partial responsibility for a crash, they can still seek partial damages from other negligent parties.
Other New York Motorcycle Laws
The New York Department of Motor Vehicles sets forth a series of rules and regulations that motorcyclists in the state must follow in order to ride legally. For instance, New York Vehicle and Traffic Law 381 requires motorcyclists to wear an approved helmet when riding, regardless of age or experience. Additionally, motorcyclists must have a class M license and all equipment must be in working order. When driving, motorcyclists are forbidden from splitting lanes, sharing lanes with other motor vehicles, and overtaking other vehicles in the same lane.
Hear from Our Williamsville Clients
“Personally, I'm not one to leave reviews. Of course you have you have your good and your bad. The English language doesn't provide the right words to explain the time I spent with Mike. My lawyer was beyond spectacular. He was patient and aggressive. I learned a lot throughout the process. If you’re in need of any type of legal assistance, there isn't any other choice. 5 stars isn't enough, if I ever have any legal matters I absolutely wouldn't go anywhere else. Thank you Mike. I sincerely appreciate you.”
The Deadline for Williamsville Motorcycle Accident Claims
In New York, personal injury cases like motorcycle accidents have a statute of limitations of three years, meaning you must file your case within three years of the date of the accident. If you don’t file your case before that deadline arrives, you may lose your right to recover compensation for your injuries. It’s important to file early in order to gather as much evidence as possible, as some evidence disappears over time—Richmond Vona can handle the legal legwork of timely evidence collection so you can focus on your recovery.
Richmond Vona Can Help
At Richmond Vona, we believe in the power of justice and the relentless pursuit of our clients’ rights. Our team of skilled Williamsville attorneys brings a wealth of experience, unwavering dedication, and a client-centric approach to every case we undertake. We have the experience and skill to go to bat against large corporations and insurance companies and win.
Our diverse range of practice areas reflects our versatility and ability to handle a wide spectrum of legal matters, whether it be motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, or slip and fall accidents. With a policy of open, honest communication, Richmond Vona attorneys treat clients with the dignity they deserve.
When the unexpected happens, expect Richmond Vona. Contact us online or call (716) 500-5678 to schedule a free consultation.
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This law firm goes above and beyond to fight for you. Their entire team treats you with respect and truly cares about your well-being. Look no further if you need a personal injury lawyer.
John Richmond and the team at Richmond Vona did an incredible job with my complicated personal injury case. They made sure no stone was unturned and got me the settlement I deserved for my situation. They treat you well, explain everything you need to know and more so you are always in the loop about the status of your case. John was easy to get in touch with anytime during the process and made signing paperwork easy and understandable. Their entire staff is professional and helpful throughout the process These guys are fair, trustworthy, and will stand up for you!
This firm’s attention to detail is second to none. It’s evident that they are true professionals and really care about their injured clients. This is the firm to call if you have been seriously injured due to someone else’s negligence.
