New York City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

How a New York City Motorcycle Injury Lawyer Can Help with Your Case

You may be contacted by the insurance companies and offered a quick settlement of your motorcycle crash. Having a motorcycle accident injury attorney on your side can give you a much greater chance of recovering the maximum compensation for your claim.

At Finz & Finz, P.C., a New York City motorcycle accident attorney can help you pursue your case by:

Conducting a free evaluation of your case and answering any questions you may have about your rights to compensation and what happens in the claim process.

Thoroughly investigating your motorcycle crash.

Determining which parties bear responsibility for your serious injuries. That can include negligent drivers, a state or municipality responsible for crumbling roads, or the manufacturer of a defective part on your motorcycle.

Recording your motorcycle accident injuries and financial losses.

Using experts to maximize the strength of your case. That includes medical experts to discuss your motorcycle accident injuries, motor vehicle accident reconstructionists to explain how your crash occurred, and economic and vocational experts to document any anticipated reduction in your future earning capacity.

Aggressively negotiating a motorcycle accident settlement for full compensation and being fully prepared to take your case to trial, if necessary.

Why Choose a Motorcycle Accident Attorney from Finz & Finz, P.C.?

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident in New York City, you may decide you need an experienced NYC motorcycle accident attorney to help you. Our legal team can help seek the compensation you need for your serious injuries and other damages. But how do you know which motorcycle accident law firm is right for you?

When you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries requiring medical treatment in a motorcycle crash, contact Finz & Finz, P.C. We will fight to get you the financial recovery you need. That will let you get your life back to normal following your accident.

Two people sitting down, close up of holding hands. One of them is helping the other, that was in a motorcycle accident, through pain and suffering The motorcycle wreck attorneys at Finz & Finz, P.C., we focus exclusively on personal injury law. We are committed to helping those who have been injured through no fault of their own and in need of medical treatment. We help them secure maximum compensation for serious and common motorcycle accident injuries and damages. For 40 years, we have litigated complex, serious injury claims on behalf of the residents of New York City. In that time, we’ve compiled a track record of success, securing record-setting six- and seven-figure settlements and verdicts.

Our motorcycle injury lawyers have accomplished these results by having a hand-selected team of accomplished, dedicated litigators, including four former judges. Our legal team vigorously advocates for the rights and interests of those injured in motorcycle crashes. We are also assisted by an experienced and compassionate support staff. They are committed to providing our motorcycle crash victims with unparalleled customer service. We also work with industry-leading experts in the liability and medical fields. They help us build an effective, persuasive case on your behalf.

Choose the motorcycle wreck attorneys at Finz & Finz, P.C., to represent you in your motorcycle accident case. Our personal injury lawyer is committed to getting you the maximum compensation that you are entitled to for your injuries and damages. Our motorcycle accident law firm in New York City never settles for less than a fair and full financial recovery for you.

Demanding Maximum Compensation in a Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle wrecks can result in long-lasting injuries. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries and other damage you may have suffered.

Compensation for motorcycle accident claims typically covers these losses:

Medical costs
Pain and suffering
Loss of consortium, which compensates your spouse for the loss of your intimate companionship and society
Lost quality of life
Lost wages and lost earning potential, if you miss time from work or if you are unable to return to your old job

In addition, you may also seek compensation for property damage. That may include repairs to your motorcycle.

Why Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits Are More Complicated

The reasons for obtaining compensation for injuries and damages after a motorcycle accident are often far more complicated than in your typical car accident:

Injuries suffered by a motorcycle rider are often far more severe than those suffered by an occupant of a passenger vehicle. Motorcycle riders are not protected by the metal of a car or other vehicle. Nor do they have other safety features such as seat belts, airbags, or collision mitigation systems. Motorcycle accident victims are completely exposed when they collide with a much heavier vehicle.
Insurance coverage for motorcycles is different from coverage for cars and trucks. In New York, motorcycle riders do not benefit from no-fault coverage, which provides compensation for medical treatment and other losses regardless of the party at fault for the accident. As a result, motorcycle accident victims seeking insurance coverage must establish that another motorist or some other cause bears responsibility for the accident.
At-fault drivers and insurance companies rely on biases and stereotypes to shift blame onto injured motorcycle riders. Some people have an image of motorcycle riders as reckless outlaws. Nothing could be further from the truth, as most riders understand the risks of motorcycle accidents and take all appropriate precautions. However, some at-fault motorists may try to argue that an injured rider caused an accident, claiming that the accident victim was speeding or weaving through traffic.

What Is the Statute of Limitations on Motorcycle Accidents in NY

new york statute of limitations approaching for personal injury claim If you’ve been injured or suffered damages following a motorcycle crash in New York City, you have a limited period in which to file a lawsuit. This period is known as the statute of limitations. Under New York law, the statute of limitations for a motorcycle accident is three years, which begins from the date of the accident. If you do not file your lawsuit within the statute of limitations, the court can permanently dismiss your personal injury claim.

The statute of limitations can be extended under certain circumstances. For example, a minor who is injured in a motorcycle accident has three years from his or her 18th birthday to file a lawsuit. The court may also decide to extend, or “toll,” the statute of limitations, in certain circumstances. For example, the limitations period may be tolled if an accident victim is involved in a hit-and-run accident and cannot identify the at-fault driver.

If you have a claim against the state of New York or a municipality, you are also required to give notice within 90 days of your motorcycle crash. Although you can request leave to file a late notice, you must be able to demonstrate good cause for your delay.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes in NY

Motorcycle accidents can arise from numerous causes. Most causes relate to the negligence or recklessness of drivers. They are also caused by vehicle defects or road/traffic conditions.

Common causes of motorcycle accidents in New York City - New York City motorcycle accident lawyer

Common causes of motorcycle accidents that the attorneys at Finz & Finz, P.C., see include:

Aggressive or reckless motorists
Bad weather or low lighting
Design or manufacturing defects on the motorcycle or a part of the motorcycle
Drivers failing to give motorcycles the full lane of traffic
Drivers failing to yield the right of way
Drivers operating their vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Heavy traffic
Negligence by car, truck, and bus drivers
Poor road conditions, such as potholes, broken pavement, or objects on the road

What You Need to Know about New York Motorcycle Laws

In New York, a person can’t simply get on a motorcycle and ride off. New York laws and other requirements must be met for a person to legally operate a motorcycle in NYC. If a motorcycle rider doesn’t adhere to the laws and regulations, it can negatively affect any claim for compensation following a motorcycle accident. This is especially true if any violation is identified in the accident report.

Important New York motorcycle accident laws and regulations include:

A rider must hold a Class M or MJ license or learner’s permit. A rider who only holds a learner’s permit must be supervised by a rider with a valid motorcycle license. That rider must remain within sight of, and no more than one-quarter mile away from, the learner.
Helmets are required for all riders on motorcycles. Helmets must meet U.S. Department of Transportation safety standards. Helmet speakers may only have one earphone. Click for more information on New York helmet laws.
All riders must have eye protection that conforms to the standards established by the American National Standard Institute.
Headlights must be used in the daytime.
All passengers must have a separate seat and footrests.
Motorcycles must have a headlight, taillight, stop lamp, license plate lamp, a red rear reflector, brakes (if the motorcycle is manufactured after 1971), turn signals (if the motorcycle is manufactured after 1985), a horn or other warning device, a rearview mirror, and a muffler. Handlebars must be no higher than the operator’s shoulder height.
Motorcycles may not lane-split, although two motorcycles may operate side by side in a single lane of traffic.
Motorcycle riders must carry liability insurance whenever they operate a motorcycle. New York’s no-fault laws do not cover motorcycles. Operators must have a minimum coverage of $25,000/$50,000 for bodily injury, $10,000 for property damage, and $50,000/$100,000 for fatality coverage.

Tips From Our Motorcycle Wreck Attorneys for Protecting Your Rights After an Accident

When you are involved in a motorcycle accident, those at fault for causing your accident will move quickly to limit their liability and shift blame onto you. You can take these steps to protect your rights and maximize the compensation that you can receive in a motorcycle accident claim:

Contact the police: Police who come to a motorcycle accident scene will investigate the accident and prepare a report. The accident report will include statements from the motorists involved in the accident, as well as any eyewitnesses. The report will detail evidence found by the officer and note whether any motorists were cited for traffic violations or arrested for criminal offenses. In some instances, the report will include the officer’s opinion of how the accident occurred and who bears responsibility.
Get the contact and insurance information of the drivers involved: If the police accident report doesn’t list this information, you must obtain this information yourself. You may need to assert a claim for compensation against one or several drivers.
Take photos and/or videos of the accident scene: If possible, take photos or video of the accident scene. Show the positions of vehicles after the accident, any damage to the vehicles, any skid marks on the road, traffic lines and controls, and road/lighting/weather/traffic conditions. You should also photograph any visible injuries you suffered.
Seek medical attention: Even if you don’t feel as though you were hurt in the accident, you should still follow up with a doctor’s visit. You may not realize your serious injuries for days or even weeks after the accident. Promptly identifying your injuries will allow you to strengthen your motorcycle accident injury claim for compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions About
Motorcycle Accidents

Here are some straightforward answers to the questions our motorcycle accident law firm in New York City usually gets asked:

In the immediate aftermath of a motorcycle accident, your well-being is critical. Call 911 and seek prompt medical attention. Your life may depend on it.
Next, gather as much information as possible. Document the scene with photos and videos from multiple angles, jot down what you remember about the incident, and collect contact information and statements from potential witnesses.
Avoid discussing the incident or admitting any fault to anyone until you’ve spoken to a lawyer.
Finally, consult a motorcycle accident attorney in New York City as soon as possible. Your lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and the steps you can take to protect them.

In New York, you generally have three years to file a motorcycle accident claim against a party who was responsible for causing the accident. However, in wrongful death cases, this time period is shortened to two years following the date of death. In cases against governmental entities, such as the City of New York or a Town or County, you have 90 days after the accident to file a notice of personal injury claim.

In New York, motorcycle crashes do not qualify for “no-fault” auto insurance coverage. Accordingly, if you’ve suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, you will have to turn to your health insurance or initiate a lawsuit against the person who caused your accident in order to pay for your medical expenses.

The timeline for a motorcycle accident lawsuit is not set in stone and varies widely based on numerous factors. Some cases could conclude within a few months, while others might take several years. The timeline for your case will depend on the specifics of the case, the willingness of all parties to negotiate, the court’s schedule, and many other factors.

At Finz & Finz, P.C., we don’t charge any fees unless there is a successful recovery on your behalf. There are no upfront or retainer costs to you, and we do not bill by the hour. Instead, we charge a contingency fee based on the outcome of your case. We will advance all of the litigation expenses (such as court filing fees, investigatory fees, medical record fees, deposition fees, and more) and we will only charge a fee if we win your case.

Motorcycle crashes can occur at any time, but research suggests certain times are riskier than others. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, fatal motorcycle crashes predominantly take place during the afternoon, evening, and early morning hours. The peak time is typically between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Also, more motorcycle accidents tend to occur on weekends than weekdays, with nearly half of all motorcyclist deaths occurring on weekends in one recent year.

Yes. It’s possible to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a motorcycle accident. PTSD is a severe mental health condition that can surface after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Common PTSD symptoms include recurrent, intrusive recollections and uncontrollable thoughts of the traumatic event, nightmares, flashbacks, and severe anxiety. PTSD can cause substantial distress and interfere with nearly all aspects of personal and social functioning, so it’s important to seek professional help if you experience these symptoms.

Grass clippings, though seemingly harmless, present a significant risk to motorcyclists. When grass clippings accumulate on a road surface, they can create a slick and unstable layer on the pavement. The naturally wet grass acts like a coating of oil or ice, reducing traction between the wheels and the road. Consequently, motorcyclists are more likely to lose control and crash, especially when making turns or sudden stops.

Yes. New York requires all motorcycle owners to maintain liability insurance. The minimum amounts of coverage required by law are:

$25,000 for bodily injury per person
$50,000 for bodily injury for two or more people per accident
$50,000 for death per person
$100,000 for the death of two or more people per accident
$10,000 for property damage per accident

Liability insurance does not cover your motorcycle accident injuries or property damage. Instead, it protects you financially from claims or lawsuits brought by other parties involved in the accident.

Other drivers, pedestrians, or bicyclists could potentially be responsible for a New York motorcycle accident. Manufacturers of motorcycles or other vehicles could also be at fault if a defect in the vehicle contributed to the accident. Even government entities could be liable if poor road maintenance or design led to the accident. Proving liability requires a comprehensive investigation, solid evidence, witness testimonies, and the help of a knowledgeable legal professional.

Even if you were partially at fault for causing the accident, you may still have a valid claim. New York follows the legal doctrine of “comparative negligence.” This means that fault is apportioned among various culpable parties. For example, if you were partly at fault for causing the accident, but another motorist was also at fault, then a jury might say that you were 50% at fault and the other motorist was 50% at fault. In cases such as these, you can still recover 50% of the value of your case.

Talk to a New York City Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorney Today

A motorcycle accident can easily have catastrophic consequences for motorcycle riders. Were you involved in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault? You deserve to be compensated for your financial losses and for the physical and emotional harm that you have suffered. Don’t wait another day to reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer. Our motorcycle lawyers near you can help you seek the financial recovery that you are entitled to and that you deserve for your serious injuries.

Contact Finz & Finz, P.C., to schedule a no-obligation consultation with our motorcycle accident injury attorneys in New York City. Call our personal injury law firm today so we can explain your legal rights and options right away.

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