New York Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Riding a motorcycle can be a liberating and dangerous experience, especially in highly populated areas like New York. Without the typical vehicle protection, motorcyclists risk more severe injuries than other motorists. If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a motorcycle accident anywhere in New York, our experienced New York personal injury lawyers can help you pursue significant financial compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Table of Contents
- A New York Accident Law Firm With Over 70 Years of Combined Experience
- Do You Have a Car Accident Case?
- Compensation for New York Car Accident Victims
- How Can a New York Car Accident Lawyer at Lever & Ecker Help You?
- How Long Do You Have to Sue After a Car Accident in New York?
- Contact Our New York Car Accident Law Firm for a Free Case Evaluation
- New York Car Accident FAQs
A Law Firm That Stands Up for New York’s Injured Motorcyclists
At Lever & Ecker, we know firsthand the toll a motorcycle accident can have on a person and their family. One of our founding partners, David B. Lever, was in a motorcycle accident. This experience helps David and the rest of our attorneys put themselves in an injured motorcyclist’s shoes. We get their stories, and we understand what they’ve been through.
After being injured in an accident, motorcyclists face incredibly difficult struggles dealing with injuries that have lifelong effects. At Lever & Ecker, we are motivated by helping injured motorcyclists and genuinely making a difference in their lives. Our New York motorcycle accident lawyers offer top-tier legal representation and open communication throughout the legal process and provide the resources you need to make the right legal decisions and get the right medical care.
Meet Our New York Car Accident Attorneys
Over the years, Lever & Ecker has secured substantial motorcycle accident settlements for injured motorcyclists in New York. We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for victims and their families and are always prepared to go to trial if necessary. Some of our most successful motorcycle accident case results include:
Determining Liability in New York Motorcycle Accidents
In motorcycle accidents, multiple parties may share responsibility for the accident. Responsible parties may include other drivers, trucking companies, vehicle manufacturers, cities, and other motorcyclists. When filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in New York, it is important to identify the actions and parties that caused or contributed to the accident.
Under New York’s pure comparative negligence laws, injury victims may be able to recover damages after an accident, even if they were partially at fault. When a victim is partially at fault in a motorcycle accident lawsuit, their compensation is reduced by their share of fault. For example, if a motorcyclist is determined to have been 20% at fault for their accident, then the total compensation they receive will be reduced by 20%.
Why New York Motorcycle Accident Claims Are Different from Car Accident Claims
Motorcycle accidents differ from car accidents in several ways, including the level of danger the driver is in when an accident occurs. Motorcyclists and their passengers do not have the protective shell of a traditional vehicle, leaving their bodies unprotected in a collision.
Additionally, motorcycle accidents are handled differently under New York law than typical car accidents. In a standard vehicle collision, the drivers and passengers must first file claims through their personal injury protection (PIP) or New York’s no-fault insurance system to recover compensation for medical bills and lost wages. New York PIP laws do not apply to motorcyclists. The only way for motorcycle riders and passengers to recover compensation is through a personal injury lawsuit.
Insurance companies routinely blame motorcyclists for their injuries, even when the accident was not their fault. As the claimant, it will be up to you and your lawyer to prove your claim for damages by identifying the negligent parties and actions that caused the collision.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in New York
In New York, some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents that lead to serious injuries include:
- Driver Negligence: Distracted driving, failure to yield, unsafe lane changes
- Dangerous Road Conditions: Potholes, debris, lack of proper signage
- Weather-Related Accidents: Rain, ice, or fog impacting visibility and traction
- Defective Motorcycles or Parts: Brake failures, tire defects, mechanical malfunctions
Your Right to Compensation After a Motorcycle Crash
If you or a loved one were involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to file a lawsuit to recover compensation. In New York, most accident victims must first file a personal injury protection claim to cover the costs of their injuries after an accident–but motorcyclists are an exception.
Typically, accident victims can only file a lawsuit if they suffered a qualifying “serious injury” under state law. However, because motorcyclists do not receive personal injury protection insurance benefits, they can file a lawsuit against an at-fault party without meeting the serious injury requirement.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you can pursue compensation for the following types of damages via a personal injury lawsuit:
- Medical Expenses: Emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, future care
- Lost Wages & Future Earnings: Financial recovery for missed work and permanent disabilities.
- Pain & Suffering: The physical, emotional, and psychological toll of an accident
- Property Damage: Repair or replacement of your motorcycle
- Wrongful Death Claims: Justice and financial relief for families who lost a loved one
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident to Protect Your Rights
After being involved in a motorcycle accident, there are several crucial steps you should take to protect yourself and your rights, including:
- Prioritize Your Health: Seek medical attention immediately.
- Report the Accident: A police report can be key evidence.
- Gather Evidence: Photos, witness contact information, and medical records.
- Do Not Speak to Insurance Adjusters Alone: They will try to minimize your claim.
- Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Quickly: Early legal guidance can make all the difference.
Contacting a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer early can provide peace of mind and protect you from insurance adjusters who may try to contact you and minimize your claim.
How Lever & Ecker Helps Injured Motorcyclists in NY
At Lever & Ecker, we take a hands-on approach to every client’s matter, guiding them through each step of the legal process. Our motorcycle accident attorneys will:
- Conduct a thorough investigation of your case, including reconstructing the accident, consulting with medical experts, and gathering key pieces of evidence to prove the other party’s negligence.
- Fight back against insurance companies that unfairly blame motorcyclists for their injuries.
- Go to trial on your behalf when insurers refuse to offer the compensation you deserve
Our experienced attorneys care about your recovery, not just your case, and we pride ourselves on treating you like family.
Speak with a New York Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
Our award-winning New York lawyers are here to ensure accident victims achieve justice and get compensation. With offices in White Plains, the Bronx, and Queens, we serve injured clients throughout New York State, including all five boroughs of New York City, all of Westchester County, and the surrounding counties.
We make home and hospital visits, so if you are unable to come to us, we’ll come to you. We charge no upfront fees, and there are no obligations. Contact us for a free consultation today online or by calling:
- White Plains: (914) 288-9191
- Bronx: (718) 933-3632
- Queens: (347) 391-6337
Cities We Serve
- White Plains
- Yonkers
- The Bronx
- Brooklyn
- New Rochelle
- Harrison
- Mount Vernon
- Mount Pleasant
- Greenburgh
- Port Chester
- Ossining
- Riverdale
- Mott Haven
- Belmont
Counties We Serve
- Westchester County
- Bronx County
- Queens County
- Kings County
- Rockland County
- Putnam County
- Orange County
- Dutchess County
Frequently Asked Questions About New York Motorcycle Accident Claims
Can I still file a claim if I was not wearing a helmet?
New York law requires anyone operating or riding a motorcycle to wear a DOT-approved helmet. Based on the state’s comparative negligence laws, you will likely be considered partially at fault for your injuries since you were not wearing a helmet, and your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in New York?
The New York personal injury statute of limitations normally gives three years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. An attorney can help determine what exceptions apply and ensure you file on time.
What if the driver who hit me fled the scene?
Accidents involving drivers fleeing the scene are similar to those involving uninsured drivers. Since filing a claim under the at-fault driver’s policy is not an option, your remaining options are to file an uninsured motorist claim, file a third-party claim, or both. It may also be worth trying to track down the hit-and-run driver, depending on the circumstances of your case.
How do I prove the other driver was at fault and caused the motorcycle accident?
Proving the other driver was at fault in a motorcycle accident requires strong evidence. At Lever & Ecker, PLLC, we gather crucial proof such as traffic camera footage, witness statements, accident reports, and expert analyses to build a compelling case. We also anticipate and counter insurance company tactics to ensure our clients receive the compensation they deserve.
How much does it cost to hire a New York motorcycle accident lawyer?
Lever & Ecker operates on a contingency fee basis. This means you will not pay us anything unless we win your case.
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