Trusted New York City Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of death for Americans under 30. If you or a loved one has been in an accident, finding the right lawyer to help can be hard.

A motorcycle crash is serious business and if you don't have the right motorcycle accident lawyer it could cost you dearly. A car crash can result in serious injuries such as brain damage, spinal cord injury, and paralysis. The cost of medical treatment is often astronomical and the loss of income even more so. You may require extensive rehabilitation or long-term care that could last for years.

At Raphaelson & Levine, our motorcycle accident attorneys have decades of experience helping motorcycle riders throughout all boroughs of five boroughs of New York City (The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island), Long Island, and the greater State of New York get fair compensation to cover medical treatment, property damages, and lost wages.

Our team will guide you through the personal injury claims process and will work tirelessly to ensure that all aspects of your accident claim are handled professionally, quickly, and effectively, leaving you free to concentrate on getting better while we handle everything else.

If you or a loved one have suffered motorcycle accident injuries in a crash it's important to speak with a New York motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Call 212-268-3222 or complete our free motorcycle accident case evaluation today.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in New York

New York City streets are congested, poorly designed, full of potholes, and badly maintained, which is problematic for motorcyclists. Factor in other drivers’ negligence, and it creates a recipe for disaster. According to statistics, motorcycle accidents in NYC are disproportionate compared with other types of crashes, putting bikers at high risk.

• Two percent of registered vehicles in NYC are motorcycles, yet New York City records indicate motorcyclists account for 14% of traffic fatalities
• Motorcycle crash rates in New York City are almost double the number of accidents across New York State

Motorcycle accident victims are at higher risk of injury compared to standard motor vehicle accidents because their body receives the full impact of hitting the road or other vehicles. Additionally, being a lighter, two-wheeled vehicle rather than a heavier four-wheeled one means riders are more susceptible to being tipped off-balance.

Establishing Liability Accidents Involving Injured Motorcyclists

The other driver, witnesses, and police officers often incorrectly assume that a biker should be more responsible than other motorists involved in an accident. Unfortunately, some reports indicate that motorcyclists speed, unsafely weave in traffic, or drive recklessly.

Sadly, it’s often not the biker but other motorists disobeying New York laws, which leads to crashes. In New York City, driver negligence is the top cause of motorcycle accidents. Our experienced trial lawyers know how to focus the investigation on showing that the other vehicle’s driver was at fault. Common types of driver negligence include:

• Distracted drivers. Distracted driving has been a long-term problem, but the introduction of mobile phones increased it significantly. About 3,000 people die every year in car crashes related to distracted driving.
• Speeding drivers. NYC drivers often ignore speed limits, and driving at high speeds often results in injury or death. Motorcyclists don’t have the same physical protections (e.g., car, truck) as other motorists, and their injuries are often the most severe.
• Driving under the influence. Drivers operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs put everyone’s lives in danger, and motorcyclists are often not visible to DUI drivers.
• Left-hand turns. Motorcyclists often get caught in the blind spot of other drivers, which can lead to serious accidents.
• Tailgating and aggressive driving. Impatient drivers who drive aggressively or tailgate motorcycles put bikers’ lives in danger because they’ll essentially be run over if the biker needs to stop suddenly.
• Running red lights and stop signs. Drivers running red lights and stop signs often don’t see motorcyclists in their path until it’s too late to respond.
• Changing lanes or sideswiping the bike. Drivers who don’t pay attention when changing lanes or swerve in their current lanes increase the risk of knocking a motorcyclist down.
• Pulling out or backing into traffic. Drivers abruptly backing up without taking the time to look and proceed carefully are more likely to run over a motorcyclist.

Negligent drivers in NYC can and should be held responsible for their actions. To hold them accountable, Raphaelson & Levine frequently utilize the services of accident reconstruction specialists and other professionals to gather evidence to help build a liability case. We are not afraid to invest in any personal injury cases we represent. Our law firm will stand with you and, if necessary, will go all the way to trial to secure justice for you, as our 25-year long track records illustrate.

New York Motorcycle Law

New York is specific when it comes to motorcycle laws. Drivers who fail to follow motorcycle safety regulations are penalized.

• Riders must carry either a Class M or Class MJ (junior operator) license. To qualify, drivers must pass both a written and road test.
• Motorcyclists must wear a motorcycle helmet approved by the U.S. DOT and wear appropriate eye protection.
• All motorcycles must be registered with New York State and be renewed annually on April 30.
• All motorcycles must be inspected every 12 months by a state-certified technician.

Additionally, motorcycle drivers must carry adequate liability insurance. NYS law requires them to carry $25,000 for bodily injury per person, per accident, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $10,000 per accident for property damage coverage.

How New York Motorcycle Crash Insurance Works in New York State

New York State is a “no-fault” insurance state which means a driver’s own insurance company is first required to pay for any medical bills or physical therapy, lost wages, and other costs connected with an automobile accident, regardless of who is at fault. Motorcycle drivers are treated differently because they are excluded from no-fault under Article 5102 (f) of NYS Insurance Law.

This means riders need to obtain their own private insurance because NYS no-fault insurance laws do not provide motorcyclists the same benefits as other drivers. However, due to the severe injuries bikers often suffer after an accident, their “serious injury threshold” is lower than for other drivers. Riders have more flexibility to file a lawsuit and can even sue negligent drivers for minor injuries.

Common Types of Motorcycle Crash Injuries

The motorcycle crash statistics in New York State show the reality that injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident are often much more severe than car accidents due to the rider being exposed. Injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents are often severe or fatal because a rider usually bears the brunt of any impact occurring in crashes.

Following an incident, there will often be road rash or similar type of injury that may occur when coming into contact with the pavement; in some cases, riders can even become thrown off their bike and at worst come into contact with another vehicle after crashing.

The smaller size makes it easier for motorcycles to sustain greater damage as well.

The most common types of injuries are road rash, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries (and other head injuries), spinal cord injuries, degloving (severe lacerations that require surgery), arm injuries, and leg injuries.

Riders may recover from some types of harm, but tragically, many motorcycle accident injuries are permanent and life-altering. Even those who recover may experience frequent pain and suffering as they receive medical care for their injuries.

Hiring a New York Motorcycle Accident Attorney

The motorcycle accident attorneys at Raphaelson & Levine are committed to pursuing full compensation for your accident injuries. When you hire our law firm to represent yourself or a loved one that has been seriously injured, you can rest assured knowing we will:

• Work closely with you, your family, and your medical providers to document the full extent of your serious injuries
• Build a compelling case for damages based on the injuries sustained
• Bring wrongful death claims on behalf of family members who have lost loved ones in tragic motorcycle accidents

Our law firms’ personal injury attorneys have recovered significant compensation for our clients to pay for medical expenses, medical treatment, future economic loss, and other damages sustained in our clients’ motorcycle crashes. We promise to strive to ensure you receive a similar outcome.

Schedule Your Free Consultation With the Nearby Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Raphaelson & Levine

Raphaelson & Levine is proud to serve as the “Voice of the Injured” for New Yorkers for all types of personal injury cases. If you, or a loved one, have been injured on a motorcycle as a driver or passenger, the car accident lawyers at Raphaelson & Levine are here to support you and ensure you receive proper justice.

Our motorcycle accident lawyers will tirelessly work hard on your behalf. We also support the family members left behind after a tragic accident. Our legal team knows how to overcome biases against bikers and skillfully demonstrate the impact of injuries to secure compensation for the victim to pay for injuries and losses.

To learn more about how we can build a strong motorcycle accident case, call our Manhattan office at 212-268-3222 or contact us online for a free case evaluation with an experienced NYC motorcycle accident lawyer at our firm.

You will not owe attorneys’ fees until we recover compensation for your family.