New York City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle accidents often involve extremely violent collisions in which motorcyclists are crushed by other vehicles or thrown from their motorcycles at high speeds causing serious or fatal injuries. It is not uncommon for injured motorcyclists to suffer broken bones, severe back or neck damage, burns, disfigurement, head trauma, or spinal cord damage.

New York City Motorcycle Crash Injuries

Tragically, many motorcycle accident victims suffer fatal injuries. Given the severe nature of injuries sustained by motorcyclists, such accident victims and their families require the best possible legal representation. In New York and New Jersey, motorcycle accident victims and their families can find the quality legal representation they require at Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo, P.C.

Our law firm has advocated passionately on behalf of thousands of accident victims. We handle more motor vehicle accident claims than any other type of claim, so we are uniquely prepared to handle any issue that might arise in your case. Regardless of whether you’ve been involved in a motorcycle crash for have experienced a serious injury after a collision with a commercial truck, we are ready to represent you.

We fight for injured motorcycle riders

Our Motorcycle accident lawyers have prosecuted personal injury claims in cases involving distracted drivers, drunk drivers, and drivers who have failed to obey traffic laws, including speeding, improper lane changes, and other traffic violations. We have extensive experience handling motorcycle accident claims and understand the unique issues that arise in such cases.

We understand the insurance laws, defenses often presented by insurance defense counsel, and other issues critical to successfully obtaining compensation for injured motorcyclists. Where necessary, we have access to investigators and expert witnesses, including accident reconstruction experts and medical experts, who can assist in the effective management of motorcycle accident claims. As a result of our thorough trial preparation and commitment to vigorously pursuing full compensation for each of our clients, we have obtained more than $2 billion on behalf of injured clients since the year 2000.

Let our New York motorcycle accident lawyers fight for your justice

Our knowledge of motorcycle accident law is expansive and owes to the wide variety of motorcycle accidents that occur in the New York City metro area each year. Since 2000, we have handled numerous motorcycle accident cases resulting in millions of dollars in settlements against other drivers, cities, and even counties in New York. The following is a select list of motorcycle cases of note we have handled over the preceding twenty years.

• Motorcyclist v. Nassau County – $19 million verdict
  Our client suffered severe injuries from a motorcycle accident in which another vehicle made a left turn in front of his motorcycle. Although the other driver accepted partial fault in the case, a jury assigned 80% of the fault to Nassau County, which failed to maintain the intersection in a safe manner. Our client received $4 million for past pain and suffering and $15 million for his future pain and suffering.
• Motorcyclist v. parked motorist – $8.8 million settlement
  Our client sustained injuries severe enough to result in paraplegia – paralysis of the lower extremities – as the result of a motorcycle accident. Our client swerved to avoid an illegally parked truck and struck an oncoming vehicle, resulting in an 8.8 million dollar settlement in his favor.
• Motorcyclist v. truck – $5.5 million settlement
  A truck struck our client and dragged him along the roadway. Our client experienced severe injuries, including traumatic crush injuries to both legs, which resulted in the amputation of one leg above the knee. He received a $5.5 million settlement for his pain, suffering, and medical bills.
• Motorcyclists v. ambulance – $1.3 million settlement
  An ambulance responding to an emergency struck a motorcycle carrying a father and his ten-year-old son. Neither survived the crash leaving behind a wife and mother. The estate received a $1.3 million settlement from the ambulance company.

Of course, each case is unique and the preceding settlements do not guarantee the outcome of your case. However, we believe the cases represent the sheer variety that occurs within a single type of personal injury law. Our firm will handle any motorcycle case no matter the circumstances – our long history of achieving fair settlements for our clients speaks for itself.

Types of Compensation for Motorcycle Crashes in NYC

When you decide to file a personal injury suit for your injuries sustained in a New York motorcycle accident, several different types of compensation become available depending on the damages suffered. We will investigate the circumstances of your accident, identify any liable parties, and work diligently to achieve a fair outcome for your case.

Based on the nature of your accident and injuries, you may receive financial compensation for:

• Medical bills and expenses. You may receive compensation for medical bills and expenses related to your accident, including emergency room fees, hospital visits, transportation costs, medical supplies, and medications. In addition, you may receive compensation for future medical care.
• Lost wages. If you were unable to return to work after your motorcycle accident due to your injuries, you may receive compensation for lost wages during that time. In addition, if your injuries prevent your return to work, you may receive compensation for future lost wages.
• Property Damage. Any motorcycle accident usually results in extensive damage to your motorcycle as well as other personal property. If the courts find the other motorist at fault, you may receive compensation for your property damages.
• Pain and Suffering. If your injuries are particularly severe, you may receive compensation for excessive pain and suffering you endured after the accident. In addition, long-lasting effects such as PTSD may affect your quality of life, resulting in further compensation.
• Loss of Consortium. Similar to pain and suffering, if your motorcycle accident diminishes your quality of life to the point where you are unable to maintain a relationship with your spouse or children, you may receive compensation for your damages.
• Wrongful death. If a loved one suffered motorcycle accident injuries severe enough to lead to death, the estate may pursue a wrongful death case against the negligent motorist who caused the accident.

After investigating your case, your attorney can inform you regarding the types of damages you may receive in a verdict or settlement. The monetary amount of your damages depends on their severity as well as any degree of fault you hold in the case. Extreme negligence on the part of another motorist may increase your damages.

Why Are Motorcyclists Prone to Injury?

Motorcycles offer relatively little protection from the environment surrounding them. Even in single-motorcycle accidents, riders are at a greater risk than drivers of traditional vehicles; in multiple vehicle accidents, the risk is even higher. As a result, motorcyclists often suffer more critical injuries, such as head injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.

Four main characteristics of motorcycle design leave riders prone to injury:

• Absence of a frame. Unlike motor vehicles, motorcycles do not have a metal frame protecting the rider from impact. As a result, motorcyclists suffer direct impact with the roadway and other vehicles.
• Instability. Motorcycles operate on two wheels instead of four, leaving them much less stable than motor vehicles. Sudden changes in traffic conditions, the roadway, or the need for sudden stops leave motorcycles prone to tipping.
• Low weight. Compared to most vehicles, motorcycles are smaller and lighter, leaving them susceptible to damages, especially during collisions with larger, heavier vehicles.
• Low visibility. Due to their size and low profile, motorcycles are much more difficult to see than other motor vehicles. As a result, other drivers may fail to yield, cut off motorcyclists, or otherwise cause an accident with a motorcycle.

What Insurance Do You Need in New York?

In order to operate a motorcycle on New York roadways, you must possess an operator’s license and either take a motorcycle road test or pass the New York Motorcycle Safety Program. You must also register and title your motorcycle in the state of New York. After you and your motorcycle receive full licensure you must have state minimum insurance.

In New York, you must have motorcycle liability coverage of at least:

• $10,000 of property damage coverage
• $25,000 of bodily injury coverage
• $50,000 of bodily injury coverage in accidents causing multiple injuries
• $50,000 of death coverage
• $100,000 of death coverage in accidents causing multiple deaths

Unfortunately, state minimum insurance coverage often falls short of the numerous damages and injuries caused by motorcycle accidents. It may not be enough to cover your injuries if your accident is severe. In many cases, a personal injury attorney can assist you in ensuring you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

Contact a New York Motorcycle Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one experienced injury in a motorcycle crash, it is essential you contact our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys as soon as possible. The legal team at Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo, P.C. will work diligently to investigate your accident and help you seek fair compensation for your injuries. Many of our cases reach favorable settlements long before the need for litigation, but our attorneys possess the knowledge and experience necessary to successfully pursue motorcycle accident litigation.

If you need to speak with one of our experienced New York City accident lawyers about a motorcycle injury, we are pleased to offer a free consultation. We are eager to offer the legal advice you need so you can get started on medical treatment and get back to your life as soon as possible.

Contact our New York City office in lower Manhattan, at (212) 732-9000. Alternatively, reach out via email, or access our contact page.