New York motorcycle laws are designed to protect motorcyclists. These laws, along with wider public awareness of riders' vulnerability, can encourage safer driving behavior from other motorists.
Motorcyclists deserve respect and caution from those driving cars, trucks, and other larger vehicles. Still, many crashes happen when drivers fail to see or appropriately react to a motorcycle.
Riding a motorcycle can bring a sense of freedom and connection to the road that few other experiences match. But for those who have suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, that same road can feel like a harsh and unforgiving place. When a person is hit by a car or truck while riding, the aftermath involves pain, uncertainty, and confusion about how to move forward.
Table of contents
- Legal Advocacy
- The Protective Nature of New York Motorcycle Laws
- Motorcycle Accidents in New York: Common Scenarios
- Why Motorcycle Riders Face Higher Injury Risks and Wrongful Death
- Liability in New York Motorcycle Accidents
- Comparative Negligence in New York
- The Role of Bias in Motorcycle Accident Claims
- The Role of a New York Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
- The Human Side of Motorcycle Crashes
- Contact William Mattar Law Offices in New York
Legal Advocacy
Legal recourse is available for those dealing with injuries or the tragic loss of a loved one as a result of a motorcycle wreck. A lawyer who understands why motorcycle crashes occur and how liability is determined in New York can help guide injured riders and their families.
A New York motorcycle accident lawyer from William Mattar Law Firm can help navigate a confusing system, especially when insurance companies undervalue claims or rely on stereotypes about motorcycle riders. We’re here to help you.
The Protective Nature of New York Motorcycle Laws
New York’s set of motorcycle-related laws does not exist to restrict the joy of riding. These laws seek to protect riders’ health, financial stability, and overall well-being. The legal framework encourages safer conditions for motorcyclists and sets standards of care that others on the road must follow.
Road Sharing and Right of Way
New York traffic laws require all motorists to exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. Motorcycles have the same rights and responsibilities as any other vehicle on the road, and drivers who fail to yield the right of way to a motorcycle can be held liable.
For example, when a car turns left across oncoming traffic, the driver must check carefully for motorcycles approaching from the opposite direction. This is not a suggestion; it is a legal obligation that exists to protect riders.
Illegal Maneuvers by Other Drivers
Certain dangerous driving behaviors—distracted driving, aggressive lane changes, tailgating—violate New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL). These rules apply equally when the other vehicle is a motorcycle. By holding all drivers to the same standard, New York laws protect motorcyclists by deterring unsafe driving that could cause serious harm.
The Onus on Drivers of Cars and Trucks
While riders must follow motorcycle laws and operate their vehicles with care, the larger burden often falls on car and truck drivers. A motorcycle is significantly smaller and less visible than a car. Laws that hold drivers accountable for unsafe behavior underscore the obligation that those in larger vehicles have to be aware of and respectful toward smaller vehicles on the road.
Drivers must maintain a safe following distance, signal turns and lane changes, and carefully look in mirrors and blind spots. Failing to do so can lead to devastating crashes. Given the vulnerability of those on two wheels, legal and moral responsibility often shifts to the driver of the larger vehicle to prevent collisions.
This is not about blaming car or truck drivers categorically but about recognizing that one careless moment from a person operating a multi-ton vehicle can cause catastrophic harm.
Motorcycle Accidents in New York: Common Scenarios
Certain scenarios recur frequently in New York. Understanding these common patterns provides insight into how liability arises and why it rests on the drivers who fail to respect motorcyclists’ presence.
Left-Turn Accidents
One of the most frequent types of motorcycle crashes occurs when a car making a left turn at an intersection fails to yield to an oncoming motorcycle. The driver may have never seen the rider or misjudged the motorcycle’s speed. Under the law, the turning driver must ensure the path is clear before proceeding. Failing to do so places them at fault.
Rear-End Collisions
Motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars due to their lighter weight and better maneuverability, but drivers of cars and trucks often follow too closely. When they fail to leave adequate space, a sudden motorcycle stop can lead to a rear-end collision. These crashes can eject the rider or cause them to slam into the vehicle in front.
Lane-Change and Blind Spot Collisions
Another common problem is changing lanes without checking blind spots. Motorists who drift into the next lane without using signals or properly checking mirrors risk hitting a motorcycle that is already occupying that space. New York laws require drivers to signal lane changes and ensure that the adjacent lane is clear before moving over.
Distracted Driving Crashes
Texting, eating, adjusting the stereo, or engaging in any other form of distraction can lead a driver to fail to see a motorcycle. Even a brief lapse can cause a catastrophic collision. This type of negligence leaves drivers exposed to liability.
Why Motorcycle Riders Face Higher Injury Risks and Wrongful Death
In any collision between a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle, the rider is more exposed and vulnerable. Motorcycles lack the protective steel frame, airbags, and other safety features that passenger cars provide.
Even at moderate speeds, the impact can send a rider tumbling onto the pavement, into a guardrail, or under another vehicle. This physical vulnerability means that injuries suffered by motorcyclists and their passengers can be severe: traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, road rash, broken bones, and internal injuries.
When a negligent driver collides with a motorcycle, the consequences can be life-altering. Besides the physical harm, there are financial consequences, such as lost wages, medical bills, and the costs of long-term rehabilitation. Emotional trauma often follows these injuries and can influence mental well-being.
Wrongful Death Claims
If a motorcyclist or passenger does not survive the crash, their family can pursue a wrongful death claim. This involves showing that the other driver’s negligence caused the fatal collision. It can provide financial recovery for funeral costs, lost financial support, and the loss of companionship.
In wrongful death cases, family members are left grieving a loss that could have been prevented if the other driver had simply looked for and recognized the motorcycle on the road. Holding a negligent driver accountable can bring some measure of justice to families coping with unimaginable loss.
Liability in New York Motorcycle Accidents
Many misconceptions exist about motorcycle crashes. Some people assume the motorcyclist was speeding or weaving through traffic. While riders must follow traffic laws, the reality is that many collisions happen because the driver of a car or truck fails to yield or notice the motorcycle.
New York law allows injured parties to pursue compensation from a negligent driver. If the driver’s careless or reckless behavior led to the crash, they may be liable for damages. This includes economic losses (medical bills, lost income, rehabilitation costs) and non-economic losses (pain and suffering, emotional distress, reduced quality of life).
Proving Negligence
An injured motorcyclist must show that another driver was negligent to hold the driver liable. Negligence occurs when a person fails to act as a reasonable driver would under similar conditions.
For example, if the driver turned left in front of a motorcycle without checking the intersection carefully, drove aggressively, or was distracted by a phone, these actions could form the basis of a negligence claim. Evidence from the scene, witness statements, and traffic camera footage can help build a strong case.
Comparative Negligence in New York
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning an injured person can recover damages even if they are partially at fault. Their recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault.
However, just because this rule exists does not mean the rider is automatically at fault. Motorcycle operators have the same right to use the road as other drivers, and the law reflects that. The focus is on the driver who failed to uphold their obligation to be aware and cautious.
The Role of Bias in Motorcycle Accident Claims
Many insurance companies undervalue motorcycle accident claims due to biases and stereotypes about riders. Motorcyclists may be unfairly assumed to be reckless or risk-takers, which can influence how claims are evaluated.
Even a rider who follows every traffic law and wears all proper protective gear may face an uphill battle in getting fair compensation.
Undervaluation of Damages
Insurance adjusters often start with lower settlement offers, expecting that injured motorcyclists, who may already be in a vulnerable state, will simply accept. They might dispute medical treatments, question the necessity of surgeries or therapies, or downplay the severity of long-term injuries. This can lead to settlements that fail to cover the full extent of the harm.
Detailed medical records, photographs of injuries, witness statements, and expert testimony can all paint a clear picture of what happened and why compensation is warranted.
Persistence in negotiation and a willingness to push back against low offers can lead to more equitable outcomes.
The Role of a New York Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
While the rider focuses on healing, gathering this evidence and dealing with insurance companies can feel overwhelming. A lawyer familiar with motorcycle accident claims in New York can handle the legal strategy, deadlines, and communication.
That support can level the playing field, countering unfair treatment or insurance company tactics.
- Investigating the Cause of the Crash: A lawyer can gather and preserve evidence to determine how the crash happened. This may involve reviewing police reports, interviewing witnesses, and working with accident reconstruction experts. A thorough investigation can show that the other driver’s negligence caused the collision.
- Challenging Insurance Company Biases: Insurance adjusters who undervalue motorcycle claims rely on the rider’s lack of legal knowledge. A lawyer can hold them accountable by negotiating from a position of strength, using evidence and legal arguments to challenge lowball offers. Instead of accepting the insurance company’s first settlement proposal, a lawyer can push for a fair number.
- Evaluating Damages: Understanding the full scope of damages is necessary. A lawyer can calculate not only immediate medical expenses but also the long-term costs of therapy, medication, prosthetics, or home modifications. By compiling a thorough list of damages, a more accurate settlement demand can be made.
- Filing Lawsuits and Litigation: If the insurance company refuses to negotiate fairly, a lawyer can file a lawsuit and move the case toward trial. Even if the case does not reach trial, the willingness to litigate can motivate insurers to offer better settlements.
- Providing Guidance and Support: Recovering from a motorcycle accident involves physical pain, emotional stress, and financial strain. While a lawyer cannot erase the trauma, having guidance through the legal system can make it more manageable. The rider can focus on healing, knowing that their case is being handled by someone who understands the challenges.
The Human Side of Motorcycle Crashes
Legal frameworks and research are vital to understanding motorcycle crashes, but it all boils down to human lives. Real people ride these motorcycles—parents, siblings, friends, neighbors—each with their own life story. When an accident happens, the ripple effect touches many others who care about them.
In New York, the legal system attempts to restore some measure of what was lost through financial compensation and by holding negligent drivers accountable. While money cannot reverse physical injuries or bring back loved ones, it can help ease the financial burdens and ensure that responsible parties face consequences for their actions.
Contact William Mattar Law Offices in New York
The road can be a source of freedom and discovery for motorcycle riders, but it can also pose serious risks when other drivers fail to notice and respect them.
If you were harmed in a motorcycle accident, consider seeking legal guidance. A New York motorcycle accident attorney can guide you through the legal system and counter any biases in insurance negotiations. While the journey to recovery may feel long, support and legal resources are available.
Call our main office in Williamsville, NY, at (716) 444-4444 or contact us online anytime, 24/7. We also have offices in Syracuse, and Rochester, and our personal injury lawyers can serve clients throughout New York, including Albany, Long Island, Binghamton, Watertown, Plattsburgh, and New York City.