Were you hurt in a motorcycle accident in New York, New York? Did you lose a loved one in a tragic New York motorcycle accident? If so, a knowledgeable New York motorcycle accident lawyer from Levine & Slavit PLLC can demand the compensation you are due after someone else’s negligence causes an accident that injures you.
You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Our New York motorcycle accident attorneys can fight for every dollar you deserve. We have over 115 years of experience that we will put to use to fight for the best possible outcome in your case.
Call us today at (212) 687 2777 for a free, no-obligation consultation after a motorcycle crash in New York, NY.
How Our NYC Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover Damages After a Crash
Motorcycle riders often face bias from insurance companies and other motorists. They may be blamed for accidents even when they are not at fault in any way. It’s important to work with an experienced New York motorcycle accident lawyer who will work tirelessly to protect your rights.
Since 1957, Levine & Slavit PLLC has helped accident victims throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and The Bronx. We provide compassionate, quality legal representation. We have also received the Director’s Award from the Nassau County Bar Association for outstanding service as the chair of the Community Relations and Public Education Committee and Man of the Year by the New York Metropolitan Region Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs Shelter Rock Jewish Center.
When you hire our firm, you can count on our New York personal injury attorneys to:
- Investigate the accident
- Work on contingency so you pay no upfront costs
- Identify all at-fault parties
- Collect evidence to support your claim
- Interview witnesses
- Communicate with insurance companies and defense lawyers
- Compile evidence of your damages
- Negotiate for fair compensation
Our law firm has obtained tens of millions of dollars in compensation for deserving clients just like you. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in New York, New York, contact us today to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Compensation You Can Recover In a Motorcycle Accident Case
While most car accidents in New York fall under Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, this insurance does not apply in motorcycle accident cases. Therefore, you are free to pursue the full amount of compensation you are due from the at-fault party. This might include compensation for your:
Medical Expenses
Motorcycle crashes tend to result in more serious injuries than other types of motor vehicle accidents due to the lack of protection afforded to motorcycle riders.
Motorcycle accident victims may incur expensive bills associated with their medical treatment, including:
- Emergency treatment – This includes the medical bills you incurred immediately after the accident, such as ambulance rides, emergency room visits, and diagnostic tests.
- Long-term treatment – Many motorcycle accidents result in catastrophic injuries and permanent disabilities. You may be charged for hospital stays, surgeries, ongoing care, and specialist visits.
- Physical rehabilitation – You may need to undergo physical therapy to relearn basic skills or adapt to your motorcycle accident injuries. This can become a recurring expense that you are not equipped to handle.
- Life-long care – Some motorcycle accident injuries cannot be cured. You or your loved one may require round-the-clock care.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you deserve to be fairly compensated for the medical expenses you have incurred because of your injuries.
Lost Income
While you are recovering from your injuries, you may be losing income, including:
- Hourly or salary pay
- Overtime pay
- Tips
- Commissions
- Bonuses
You may also be using your sick time, PTO, and other employment benefits. You can recover compensation for these lost wages and benefits.
Additionally, you can seek compensation for the reduction in your long-term earnings that result because of your injuries.
Property Damage
You can recover compensation for the cost of your bike. If the cost to repair the bike is more than its fair market value, you can also receive compensation for the replacement cost of the bike.
Non-Economic Damages
Unlike the other damages identified above, non-economic damages are not tied to a direct economic loss. Instead, they are subjective and different for each claimant.
Examples of non-economic damages for which you might be entitled to compensation are:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical impairments
- Inconvenience
- Loss of enjoyment of life
An experienced New York City motorcycle accident lawyer can carefully review the details of your case to determine the compensation you may be entitled to.
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for My Motorcycle Accident?
You can still recover compensation, even if you’re partly at fault for your motorcycle crash. New York is a pure comparative negligence state. This means that while you can still receive damages, the amount of compensation you receive will be reduced in proportion to your share of fault.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents In New York City?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5,932 people were killed in motorcycle accidents in 2021. This represented 14% of all traffic fatalities in the United States that year and the highest number of motorcyclists killed since 1975. Motorcyclist riders are 24 times more likely to die and four times more likely to be injured in a motor vehicle accident compared to occupants in passenger vehicles, according to vehicle miles traveled in 2021.
According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, 204 people were killed in motorcycle accidents in 2021. In some counties in New York, fatal motorcycle accidents were up 50 percent in 2021. There were 311 motorcycles involved in crashes in New York City in December 2023 alone.
Why NYC Motorcyclists Are More Prone To Injuries
Some reasons why motorcycle riders may be at an increased risk of being in an accident in New York include:
Lack of Protection
Accidents involving motorcyclists tend to involve more serious injuries than a typical car accident. This is because motorcyclists do not have the benefit of a metal frame or safety features like seat belts and airbags. Motorcyclists can be thrown from their bikes onto the hard ground, leading to serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and amputation.
Heavy Traffic
NYC is the biggest city in the United States. It is constantly crowded with traffic, increasing the risk of motorcycle and other motor vehicle accidents.
Lack of Helmet Use
New York State was the first state to mandate wearing a helmet. Still, many motorcyclists don’t wear helmets, increasing the risk of a serious head injury if they are involved in an accident.
Lack of Visibility
Other NYC motorists may not see motorcyclists as easily because they are smaller, causing them to veer into their lane or turn in front of them. This can result in serious injuries.
Poor Road Conditions
New York City has notoriously bad road conditions that can pose a danger to motorcyclists. Motorcyclists are more prone to injury from road hazards caused by potholes, drainage, debris, and uneven road surfaces.
Having a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer on your side who is familiar with these factors is crucial to securing the compensation you deserve.
Motorcycle Accident Victims Suffer Serious Injuries
For the reasons stated above, motorcyclists may suffer serious injuries, such as:
- Amputations
- Traumatic brain injuries and other head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Facial injuries and disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Degloving injuries
- Arm and glove injuries
- Organ damage
- Burn injuries
Motorcycle accident victims often suffer catastrophic injuries that lead to the need for long-term care. If another party caused your injuries, you can seek compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim. Levine & Slavit PLLC can help pursue the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of NYC Motorcycle Crashes
Motorcyclists may make poor decisions that put their passengers at risk. Other motorists may also make mistakes that contribute to motorcycle accidents. Common causes of NYC motorcycle accidents include:
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Aggressive and reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Following too closely
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Improper lane changes or passing
- Distractions
- Impaired driving
- Inexperienced driving
- Dooring accidents
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can review your accident and the available evidence to determine how your accident happened and who is at fault for it.
Who Is Responsible For My Motorcycle Accident?
Most motorcycle accident claims are made against the motorcyclist or the other motorist because driver error is often responsible for these accidents. However, some accidents are due to product defects that cause or contribute to the accident, such as tire blowouts, steering issues, or defective brakes. In these cases, you may have a claim against the manufacturer of the defective product.
If unsafe roads caused your accident, you would file your claim with the entity responsible for maintaining the road or causing the road hazard.
How Long Do I Have To File a Personal Injury Case In New York?
New York’s statute of limitations gives motorcycle accident victims three years to file a lawsuit against the party responsible for their injuries. If this deadline passes and the victim has not filed their case, they can be barred from bringing a case in the future. An experienced personal injury lawyer can ensure you take timely action with your claim.
Contact a New York City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Review
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. An experienced New York motorcycle accident lawyer at Levine & Slavit PLLC can review your case and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation after a motorcycle accident in New York, NY.