If you were hurt in a New York motorcycle crash, evaluating law firms starts with understanding how contingency fees work, which deadlines apply, and how to check a firm’s record. The short answer is to look for a firm concentrated in motor vehicle cases, with documented motorcycle results, trial experience in the county where the crash happened, a clear no-fee-unless-we-win retainer, and costs explained in writing.
At William Mattar our team has focused on motor vehicle accidents for more than 30 years, with 24 attorneys and offices and intake locations in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and on Long Island.
Key facts about finding motorcycle accident representation
- Motorcycle accident lawyers in New York typically work on contingency fee basis, typically one third of the recovery. There is no upfront cost, consultations are free, and no fee is owed unless the case recovers money.
- The search runs against deadlines. Most New York motorcycle claims must be filed within three years under CPLR 214, and a crash involving a municipal vehicle or road defect can require a notice of claim within 90 days under General Municipal Law § 50-e. Every case is unique, so you should consult an attorney for advice.
- Any New York attorney can be checked through the New York State Unified Court System’s public attorney search, which shows registration status and disciplinary history.
- Strong signals of fitness are a motor vehicle focus, documented motorcycle case results, an office in the region where the crash happened, and a record of taking cases to verdict.
A free consultation is the standard starting point for hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer in New York, and it carries no obligation.
What kind of lawyer handles a motorcycle accident in New York State?
Motorcycle cases belong to personal injury firms that concentrate on motor vehicle litigation, and that concentration is not a cosmetic detail. A motorcycle claim can involve different rules than a car claim. New York’s no-fault system excludes motorcyclists under Insurance Law Article 51, so the medical-bill safety net that cushions car accident victims is simply not there for riders. Our explainer on no-fault insurance and motorcycle accidents covers what riders can and cannot claim. Riders can also potentially face a documented bias problem with adjusters and juries, and any percentage of fault assigned to the rider reduces the recovery under CPLR 1411.
When should you contact a lawyer after a motorcycle crash?
The legal clock gives most riders three years to file under CPLR 214, two years for wrongful death under EPTL 5-4.1, and as little as 90 days to serve a notice of claim when a municipal vehicle or road defect is involved. Every case is unique. The evidence clock is less forgiving. Camera footage is routinely overwritten within days, the motorcycle’s damage pattern is evidence only until the bike goes to salvage, and witness contact details get lost. An early call costs nothing and protects what both clocks would otherwise take.
Local firm, statewide firm, or national advertiser?
The investigation happens on the ground there, and damages are valued partly against what local juries have awarded. That can favor firms with real offices and trial experience in the region of the crash. A statewide firm with regional offices and intake locations can run a case locally in any venue. A national advertiser that refers cases out often cannot tell you who will actually handle yours. Whatever the label on the firm, the questions stay the same. Who investigates, who manages the file, and who tries the case if it does not settle.
How to verify a New York law firm before hiring
Verification takes minutes and is worth doing for every firm on your shortlist.
- Run the attorney’s name through the New York State Unified Court System’s public attorney search. It confirms registration and shows any public discipline.
- Ask for motorcycle case results from the past few years.
- Ask whether the firm has taken motorcycle cases to verdict in the county where your crash happened. Insurers may price settlements against the credible threat of trial.
- Read reviews for case-type detail rather than star counts. One review describing a motorcycle case says more than a high average built on unrelated matters.
- Confirm who will run your file day to day, and who picks up when you call with questions.
What to consider bringing to a free consultation
| What to bring | Why it matters |
| Police report or incident number | Could be important evidence. |
| Photos of the motorcycle, the scene, and your injuries | Preserves fault and damages evidence that disappears as the bike is repaired and injuries heal |
| Your insurance policy declarations page | Shows whether you carry MedPay, uninsured motorist, or SUM coverage that may apply to the claim |
| Medical records and bills to date | Lets the firm assess damages, lien exposure, and what future treatment may need to be priced in |
| Letters or offers from any insurer | Shows where the claim stands and what has already been said or signed |
None of these items are required. A consultation works without paperwork, and a firm can gather all of it later. Bringing what you have simply makes the first meeting more specific.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the best motorcycle accident lawyer near me in New York?
Start from the premise that no firm can prove it is the best, because New York’s advertising rules prohibit the claim. Build a shortlist of two or three firms that focus on motor vehicle cases and keep offices in your region, check each through the state attorney search, and compare them through free consultations. William Mattar serves riders statewide from offices and intake locations in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and on Long Island.
Is a free consultation actually free, and is there any obligation?
Yes on both counts. A consultation on a motorcycle claim costs nothing and creates no obligation to hire the firm. The economics of contingency work means the firm only benefits if it takes the case and recovers money, so the consultation is also where a reputable firm will tell you a claim is not worth pursuing.
Do I need a lawyer if the insurance company already made an offer?
Have the offer reviewed before you sign anything. Early offers are usually built from bills to date and leave out future treatment, and a signed release is final. The review costs nothing and tells you whether the number reflects the whole claim.
How fast does a lawyer need to be involved after a motorcycle crash?
Cases with the shortest time deadline involve municipal vehicles or road defects, where a notice of claim can be due within 90 days under General Municipal Law § 50-e. Even without a municipal defendant, footage preservation and bike preservation reward action inside the first two weeks.
What questions should I ask before signing a retainer?
Ask how many motorcycle cases the firm has handled recently and how they resolved. Ask who investigates the crash and how quickly they can start, who manages the case day to day, and whether the firm has tried motorcycle cases to verdict in the relevant county. Then ask for the fee and expense terms in writing.
Comparing motorcycle accident law firms in New York State? The attorneys at William Mattar is available 24/7 with no fee unless your case recovers money. Call (844) 444-4444 . Offices and intake locations across New York State, including Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and Long Island.
About William Mattar
William Mattar is a New York law firm that only handles motor vehicle accident cases and has represented injured people for over 30 years. The firm’s principal office is in Williamsville, with offices and intake locations in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and on Long Island. It represents motorcycle, car, truck, bus, pedestrian, and rideshare accident victims throughout New York State, with free case reviews available 24/7 at (844) 444-4444.
Sources
- New York Insurance Law Article 51
- New York Civil Practice Law and Rules §§ 214 and 1411
- New York General Municipal Law §§ 50-e and 50-i
- New York Estates, Powers and Trusts Law § 5-4.1
- New York Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.1 (attorney advertising)
- New York State Unified Court System, attorney search and registration records
- Institute for Traffic Safety Management & Research, New York State Fact Sheet on Motorcycle Crashes (December 2024)
- William Mattar Accident Lawyers: About Us, Awards, Results, and No Fee Until We Win℠ pages (williammattar.com)
- Martindale-Hubbell attorney ratings; The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
Attorney Advertising. This article provides general information about New York law and is not legal advice for any specific situation. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Last updated June 2026.