If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, you need an experienced New York motorcycle accident lawyer who understands the unique laws that apply to riders. Motorcycle accident claims in New York are very different from car accident cases.
Unlike car or truck drivers, motorcyclists are excluded from the state’s no-fault insurance system, meaning you cannot rely on your own insurance company to automatically cover your medical expenses, lost wages, or other losses.
That difference matters.
At William Mattar, P.C., our New York motorcycle accident attorneys represent injured riders across New York State. We understand how insurance companies attempt to shift blame onto motorcyclists, and we move quickly to protect your rights.
From the moment we take your case, we act to preserve vital evidence, secure video footage, speak with eyewitnesses, and consult with accident reconstruction experts when needed. We anticipate and counter insurance company tactics while thoroughly proving the true impact of your injuries and financial losses.
Motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, and road rash. Insurance companies know these cases can involve significant compensation. That’s why it’s critical to have a New York motorcycle accident lawyer who knows how to build a strong claim and negotiate aggressively.
We handle the legal process so you can focus on your recovery, and your calls are answered 24/7.
Table of contents
- Why Choose William Mattar, P.C. for Your New York Motorcycle Accident Case?
- Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in New York
- New York's No-Fault Exclusion for Motorcycles
- Injuries Common in New York Motorcycle Crashes
- Damages Available in New York Motorcycle Accident Cases
- What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in New York
- FAQ for New York Motorcycle Accident Claims
- Contact William Mattar, P.C. About Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
Why Choose William Mattar, P.C. for Your New York Motorcycle Accident Case?
| Topic | Key Information |
| No-Fault Insurance | Motorcyclists in New York are excluded from no-fault coverage, meaning they must pursue claims against the at-fault party to recover damages. |
| Common Causes of Accidents | Left-turn collisions, unsafe lane changes, distracted driving, and road hazards are among the leading causes. |
| Common Injuries | Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, road rash, and internal injuries are frequently reported. |
| Available Compensation | Victims may recover medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and loss of earning capacity. |
| Evidence in Claims | Strong cases rely on accident reconstruction, medical records, witness statements, and traffic or surveillance footage. |
| Legal Deadline | The statute of limitations in New York is generally 3 years from the date of the accident. |
| Comparative Fault Rule | New York follows pure comparative negligence, allowing recovery even if the victim is partially at fault. |
| Insurance Challenges | Insurance companies often attempt to shift blame onto motorcyclists, requiring strong legal representation. |
Motorcycle crashes differ from car accidents in ways that directly affect your claim's value and success. The physics of a collision between a 4,000-pound vehicle and a 500-pound motorcycle with an unprotected rider create severe injury patterns, like fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and extensive road rash that require immediate aggressive medical treatment.
Unfortunately, insurance adjusters may approach motorcycle claims with built-in bias. They assume riders are reckless, that you were speeding or weaving through traffic, that you somehow caused your own injuries. Overcoming this bias requires evidence we work to gather and preserve:
- Accident reconstruction analysis when needed — Expert testimony proving the other driver's fault through collision dynamics, sight lines, and vehicle damage patterns
- Medical documentation — Comprehensive records establishing injury severity, treatment necessity, and long-term prognosis
- Witness testimony — Statements from people at the scene who contradict the "I didn't see them" defense drivers use reflexively
- Traffic and surveillance footage — Video evidence showing exactly how the crash occurred and who violated traffic laws
Our attorneys focus on motor vehicle accident cases throughout New York State. We understand New York's exclusion of motorcycles from no-fault insurance and the immediate financial pressure this creates. When warranted, we work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and economic analysts to build comprehensive claims that address both immediate and long-term losses.
With offices across New York, we provide representation backed by more than 30 years of experience. Every case begins with a free case evaluation, and we operate on a contingency fee basis.
Call us at (844) 444-4444 to speak with a New York motorcycle accident attorney. Phones are answered 24/7.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in New York
Understanding how motorcycle crashes typically occur helps identify liable parties and build proof of negligence. Certain collision patterns appear repeatedly in New York motorcycle cases.
Left-Turn Collisions
A driver turning left across traffic fails to yield to an oncoming motorcyclist who has the right of way. The driver either didn't look, looked but misjudged the motorcycle's speed and distance, or simply didn't register the motorcycle as a threat requiring them to wait. These crashes often occur at intersections and typically result in severe injuries because the motorcycle strikes the vehicle's side at or near full speed.
New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1141 requires drivers to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic when making left turns. Violation of this statute may establish negligence in motorcycle accident cases.
Unsafe Lane Changes and Merge Crashes
Drivers change lanes or merge onto highways without checking blind spots properly. Motorcycles occupy less visual space than cars, making them easier to miss in side mirrors. The driver moves into the motorcycle's lane, forcing the rider to brake hard, swerve, or collide with the vehicle. These crashes happen most often on highways, parkways, and multi-lane city streets throughout New York.
Failure to Maintain Safe Following Distance
Rear-end collisions occur when drivers follow motorcycles too closely and can't stop in time when the rider brakes. Motorcycles can decelerate faster than cars, and drivers who don't maintain proper following distance cause crashes when normal braking occurs.
Dooring Accidents in Urban Areas
A parked car's door opens into the path of a passing motorcyclist, leaving no time to avoid collision. These crashes are common in New York City and other urban areas where street parking lines travel lanes. The rider either strikes the door directly or swerves into traffic to avoid it, causing additional collisions.
Distracted Driving
Texting, phone calls, eating, adjusting navigation systems, and other distractions prevent drivers from seeing motorcycles or reacting appropriately to changing traffic conditions. Distracted drivers drift into other lanes, run red lights and stop signs, or fail to yield right of way, behaviors that cause serious motorcycle crashes.
Road Hazards and Dangerous Conditions
Potholes, uneven pavement, debris in roadways, oil slicks, gravel, and poorly maintained surfaces create hazards that affect motorcycles more severely than cars. What a car rolls over without issue can cause a motorcycle to lose traction and crash. Municipalities responsible for road maintenance may be liable when dangerous conditions cause accidents.
New York's No-Fault Exclusion for Motorcycles
New York Insurance Law § 5103(a)(1) specifically excludes motorcycles from the no-fault insurance system. This exclusion has immediate practical consequences for injured riders seeking compensation.
Who Pays Medical Bills and Lost Wages?
In car accidents, each driver's own insurance provides Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage that pays medical bills and 80% of lost wages up to $50,000, regardless of who caused the crash.
Motorcyclists receive no PIP coverage. You must rely on your personal health insurance to cover medical treatment, subject to deductibles and coverage limits that may not address the full scope of treatment needed. Lost wages accumulate with no immediate insurance mechanism to replace income.
To recover these economic losses, you must file a claim against the at-fault driver's liability insurance. This requires proving the other driver's negligence caused the crash. There's no automatic payment while fault gets determined.
Pain and Suffering Damages
The no-fault exclusion also affects when you can sue for pain and suffering. In car accidents, New York's "serious injury threshold" restricts pain and suffering lawsuits to cases involving death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, fractures, permanent loss of use, or other specified serious injuries.
Motorcyclists aren't subject to this threshold. Any injury, regardless of severity, allows you to pursue compensation for pain and suffering along with economic damages.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Hit-and-run crashes and collisions with uninsured drivers eliminate the normal recovery path. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own motorcycle insurance policy provides compensation when the at-fault driver has no insurance, and may apply in hit-and-run cases if it meets specific requirements. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver's liability limits are insufficient to cover your damages.
Injuries Common in New York Motorcycle Crashes
Motorcycle collision physics determine injury patterns. Riders have no protective shell absorbing impact forces. The body takes the full brunt of collision, resulting in injuries that require extensive treatment and often cause permanent disability.
- Fractures and broken bones — Arms, legs, wrists, ankles, collarbones, and ribs break frequently in motorcycle crashes. Compound fractures where bone pierces skin, comminuted fractures where bone shatters into multiple pieces, and fractures requiring surgical hardware create long recovery periods and permanent limitations.
- Traumatic brain injuries — Even with helmet use, the force of impact can cause concussions, contusions, and more severe brain injuries. TBIs affect cognitive function, memory, personality, and physical abilities. Severe cases result in permanent disability requiring lifetime care.
- Spinal cord injuries — Damage to the spinal cord causes partial or complete paralysis below the injury site. Incomplete spinal cord injuries may allow some recovery of function. Complete injuries result in permanent paralysis—paraplegia or quadriplegia depending on injury location.
- Road rash — Sliding across pavement strips away skin and underlying tissue. Severe road rash requires skin grafts, causes permanent scarring, and creates high infection risk. The visual disfigurement affects victims' quality of life beyond the physical healing process.
- Internal injuries — Blunt force trauma causes internal bleeding, organ damage, and internal injuries that may not be immediately apparent after the crash. Delayed diagnosis of internal injuries increases mortality risk.
These injuries require immediate emergency care, often including surgery, followed by extended rehabilitation, physical therapy, and ongoing medical treatment. The financial cost compounds quickly into hundreds of thousands of dollars for severe injuries.
Damages Available in New York Motorcycle Accident Cases
Compensation in motorcycle accident cases addresses both economic losses and non-economic harm. Building a complete damage claim requires documenting every category of loss.
- Medical expenses — Past and future costs of emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, medical equipment, and ongoing care needs
- Lost income and earning capacity — Wages lost during recovery, reduced earning capacity if injuries prevent returning to previous work, and loss of future earning potential when permanent disabilities limit career options
- Property damage — Cost to repair or replace your motorcycle, damaged riding gear, and personal property destroyed in the crash
- Pain and suffering — Physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium — Damages spouses may recover for loss of companionship, affection, and intimacy when injuries permanently affect the marital relationship
The value of a claim is fact-specific. A motorcycle accident lawyer in New York can calculate the damages and build a claim that supports a fair recovery.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in New York
You're home from the hospital or emergency room. The adrenaline has worn off. The pain is setting in. Insurance adjusters are calling. Medical bills are arriving. You're searching for answers about what happens next and how to protect your legal rights while dealing with injuries that may prevent you from working for weeks or months.
Seek Follow-Up Medical Care and Document Everything
Emergency room treatment addresses life-threatening injuries but doesn't provide the comprehensive care most motorcycle crash victims need.
Schedule follow-up appointments with specialists based on your injury pattern. Follow all treatment recommendations and attend every appointment. Gaps in medical treatment give insurance companies ammunition to argue your injuries weren't serious.
Gather and organize everything related to the crash: police reports, photos and videos from the scene, medical records, insurance correspondence, financial records tracking accident-related expenses, and witness contact information. This documentation becomes the foundation of your claim.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Early
Early legal representation can protect evidence and your rights from day one. Our attorneys preserve crash scene evidence by obtaining traffic camera footage before systems overwrite it, interviewing witnesses while memories remain fresh, and documenting road conditions before repairs or weather eliminates critical details.
We handle the insurance company communications, protecting you from recorded statements that undermine claims and settlement offers that don't reflect your losses. Our team negotiates with insurance companies for fair compensation, and when insurers refuse reasonable settlements, we prepare cases for trial.
FAQ for New York Motorcycle Accident Claims
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in New York?
New York's statute of limitations for personal injury claims provides three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit under CPLR § 214. Claims against government entities for dangerous road conditions require serving a notice of claim within 90 days under General Municipal Law § 50-e, followed by filing the lawsuit within the time limits specified by statute.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for my motorcycle accident?
Yes. New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule under CPLR § 1411, which means you can recover damages even if you share fault for the accident, but your recovery is reduced proportionally. Insurance companies may aggressively argue comparative fault to reduce their exposure and countering comparative fault arguments requires evidence establishing what actually happened and proving the other driver's negligence was the primary cause of the crash.
What if I wasn't wearing a helmet? Can I still recover damages in New York?
Yes. New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 381 requires all motorcyclists to wear helmets, but a violation doesn't automatically bar injury claims. However, insurance companies may argue your injuries would have been less severe with a helmet, seeking to reduce damages based on comparative fault. Medical evidence and expert testimony can become critical to establishing what injuries the helmet would or wouldn't have prevented.
Does lane splitting affect fault in New York motorcycle accidents?
Lane splitting is generally prohibited in New York. Insurance companies may argue that lane splitting constitutes reckless driving and attempt to assign you significant comparative fault. Whether lane splitting occurred, whether it was safe under the circumstances, and whether it contributed to the crash all require case-specific analysis based on evidence and witness testimony.
What if the driver says they "didn't see" me?
Drivers have a legal duty to look for all vehicles, including motorcycles, before turning, changing lanes, or entering traffic. "I didn't see them" is an admission of negligence, not a defense. New York courts consistently hold that failure to see what should have been seen through proper observation constitutes negligence.
How much is my motorcycle accident case worth in New York?
Case value depends on injury severity, medical treatment costs, permanence of disabilities, lost income, pain and suffering duration, and available insurance coverage. Each case requires individualized evaluation based on medical evidence, economic analysis, and comparable case results in similar circumstances.
Contact William Mattar, P.C. About Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
Motorcycle accident claims require immediate investigation while the evidence still exists. Traffic camera systems overwrite footage within short timeframes. Witnesses forget details. Road conditions change. Insurance companies conduct their own investigations immediately, documenting everything in ways that support denying or minimizing your claim.
Our motorcycle accident attorneys handle cases throughout New York State. We preserve crash scene evidence, establish liability through thorough investigation, work with medical and accident reconstruction experts as needed, and pursue fair compensation for your injuries.
Hurt in a motorcycle crash? Call William Mattar, P.C. Contact us 24/7 at (844) 444-4444 for a free case evaluation.
Past performance does not guarantee future results, including financial results or client satisfaction.