NYC Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, Meirowitz & Wasserberg’s New York City motorcycle accident lawyers can help. Contact us today or visit our office in Manhattan for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options for pursuing justice and compensation.
Expertise
Samuel Meirowitz is “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and an accomplished personal injury lawyer, trial attorney and relentless advocate for his clients. Previously, he served the State of New York for four years as a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s office. Mr. Meirowitz is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida State Courts.
Content written by Samuel Meirowitz
Samuel Meirowitz is “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and an accomplished personal injury lawyer, trial attorney and relentless advocate for his clients. Previously, he served the State of New York for four years as a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s office. Mr. Meirowitz is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida State Courts.
Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
Motorcyclists are twice as likely to be killed in a motor vehicle accident in New York City as they are in the rest of the state. Between 2023 and 2024, motorcyclist injuries in the city increased by 33 percent, according to data from the New York City Department of Transportation. Most of these crashes occur on city streets rather than highways, and most involve other drivers.
In a collision between a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle, motorcyclists almost always suffer the most serious injuries because motorcycles don’t provide the same physical protective barrier to riders as passenger cars. Though passenger vehicles are often at fault, multiple parties may be liable for your injuries after a motorcycle crash. An experienced New York City motorcycle accident lawyer can help you identify all potential liable parties to maximize your compensation.
Quick Links
- Why Should I Hire an NYC Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
- Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Victims in New York
- Proving Liability in an NYC Motorcycle Accident Case
- Statute of Limitations to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in New York
- Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
- Contributing Factors to Serious or Deadly Motorcycle Accidents in NYC
- Contact Our NYC Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
- Our NYC Personal Injury Attorneys
Why Should I Hire an NYC Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
After being seriously injured in a New York motorcycle accident, you may feel overwhelmed at the thought of taking legal action. You’re likely already dealing with intense physical pain, mounting medical bills, and having to take time off work.
That’s where Meirowitz & Wasserberg comes in. Our team of attorneys and legal staff will work diligently to gather all available evidence, file the necessary paperwork for your case on time, speak with witnesses, and more to ensure your case’s success. We’ll handle the legal process so you can focus on healing.
“I had a complicated accident. A woman hit me with her car while I was on my motorcycle. And I contacted with lawyer Fejir, and she took my case and fought for me, and I had an excellent result. All my friends told me it’s a hopeless case, but my lawyer told me, ‘Don’t worry, we will win that case,’ and they did what they said. Absolutely I recommend everyone to work with them. Communication- professionalism -result – excellent. Thanks for everything, first for my lawyer, Fejir, and her team.” Ismail Sayik
Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Victims in New York
New York follows a no-fault rule for accidents. This means after a crash, an injured victim files an insurance claim against his or her own policy. If your injuries constitute a “severe injury” in the eyes of the court, you may be able to pursue a liability claim against the at-fault driver. The most common types of injuries that would allow you to do so include:
- Bone fractures
- Any injury resulting in full disability for 90 consecutive days or more
- Permanent limitation in use of a part of the body
- Significant limitation of use of any bodily function or bodily system
- Permanent disfigurement
Most motorcycle accidents result in catastrophic injuries. As a motorcyclist, you likely have grounds for a liability claim and should consult a motorcycle accident lawyer in New York City. Remember that New York also follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Even if it is determined that you share some fault in your accident, you can still recover damages.
Under New York’s comparative negligence law, as long as the plaintiff’s fault percentage is less than the defendant’s, the plaintiff will receive compensation for his or her damages. However, the court will reduce his or her award by his or her fault percentage. For example, in a $100,000 case in which the plaintiff is 20 percent at fault, the plaintiff would lose 20 percent of the case award for a net total of $80,000.
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses: This does not simply mean your hospital bills after an accident. It includes all out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of the accident.
- Lost income: If an accident causes a victim to miss work during recovery, he or she can claim the wages lost during that time as economic damages. The plaintiff will need to provide pay stubs or any other documentation so the court can award an appropriate amount.
- Property damage: You can recover the cost to repair or replace personal property damaged in the accident, such as a vehicle, phone, or other belongings. This may include repair bills, replacement value, or rental car expenses. Documentation like receipts or insurance estimates is typically required.
Non-economic Damages
Non-economic damages are a bit more difficult to define. They cover damages that are harder to assign a monetary value. These include things like:
- Mental trauma
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disfigurement or disability
- Diminished ability to work
Punitive Damages
In some cases, the court will also award punitive damages. These damages are an attempt to dissuade a defendant from repeating his or her negligent behavior in the future. Unlike other damages, punitive damages do not aim to compensate the victim. Punitive damages may apply to:
- Gross negligence
- Intentionally harmful actions
- Dangerously reckless behavior
The amount of punitive damages a court will award typically depends on the defendant’s financial status. A wealthy defendant will stand to lose far more in punitive damages than a defendant with limited financial assets.
Proving Liability in an NYC Motorcycle Accident Case
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident in New York City, an experienced personal injury lawyer, such as the attorneys at Meirowitz & Wasserberg, can help prove liability in your case.
If any elements of negligence support your case, your attorney will assist you in obtaining and documenting all necessary evidence.
Whether through the manual process of digging up documentation related to your case or hiring an expert who can assist with obtaining the required proof, your lawyer will gather the information needed to determine liability.
Finally, depending on the circumstances surrounding your motorcycle accident, you may be able to sue other liable parties who contributed to the accident. An experienced attorney will help determine who was responsible for your accident and in what proportion.
What if I'm partially to blame for the accident?
If you’re partially to blame for the accident, New York’s contributory negligence laws still allow you to recover damages reduced proportionately to your contribution. For example, if you are found to be 50 percent responsible for the accident, the amount of damages you can recover will be reduced by half.
Statute of Limitations to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in New York
Based on the New York statute of limitations, you have up to three years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit.
That said, contact an attorney immediately after you’ve received medical treatment and are physically able to do so. An experienced NYC personal injury lawyer will be able to dive into the details of your accident and help you put together a strong case. The more time they have to establish your case, the better.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
A motorcyclist has very little protection in the event of a crash. Drivers and passengers of enclosed vehicles have some shielding from the impact of a crash. Motorcycles do not have these safety features. Safety equipment available to motorcyclists generally only serves to mitigate injuries, not prevent them. Some of the most common types of motorcycle injuries include:
- Contusions or severe bruising
- Broken Bones
- Lacerations and deep cuts
- Internal organ injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burn injuries and road rash
Many of these injuries will require long-term medical care like physical therapy, rehabilitation, and occupational therapy. If another person or party caused your motorcycle accident, you can claim these medical expenses as damages in a lawsuit.
Contributing Factors to Serious or Deadly Motorcycle Accidents in NYC
In 2023 alone, New York City saw 55 motorcyclists die in crashes—an all-time high for the city. Of those fatalities, only a quarter had the proper license to operate a motorcycle, and just over a third involved properly registered motorcycles. The statistics are clear: operating your motorcycle safely, legally, and in alignment with all state and local laws makes your ride safer.
Aside from unlicensed riders, several factors frequently contribute to many motorcycle accidents in NYC. Most commonly, poor decision-making by the motorcyclist can result in severe consequences. Some common motorcycle accident-inducing factors include:
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Aggressive driving and road rage
- Failure to yield to other vehicles on the road
- Drowsy driving, as well as any distracted driving
- Following too closely and not being able to brake in time
- Improperly passing or changing lanes
- Speeding and traveling above the speed limit
- Making improper turns and catching other vehicles off guard
- Failing to follow traffic signals
Contact Our NYC Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
As a motorcycle accident victim, you likely sustained serious injuries. You may have had to stay in the hospital, undergo tests, and receive surgeries or other treatments. Meanwhile, you’re missing work and income. The accident may have totaled your motorcycle or caused thousands of dollars in repairs. Who will pay for these losses? If you weren’t entirely at fault for the incident, there could be one or more parties legally responsible for compensating you. It’s up to you to take the right steps and obtain the money you need to move forward.
Retain our lawyers to help with insurance company settlement negotiations or personal injury claims in NYC. We can make the most out of your claim with high-quality legal representation—partner with Meirowitz & Wasserberg to learn as much as possible about your motorcycle accident. To speak with an attorney during a no-cost case evaluation in New York City, contact us online.
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- New York Personal Injury
- New York Car Accidents
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