Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Manhattan

Legally Reviewed by Mark Gray on June 8, 2026 Manhattan’s dense, fast-moving traffic leaves motorcyclists exposed in ways drivers never face. A rider sitting in a car’s blind spot, a driver who opens a door without looking, or a left-turning vehicle that fails to see an oncoming bike can cause a catastrophic crash in an instant. This puts them at risk of getting hit or overlooked when in a vehicle’s blind spot. Motorcycle accident victims suffer from serious injuries that can make life difficult. If you recently experienced a motorcycle crash, you can benefit from speaking to an NYC motorcycle accident lawyer. They will make sure that your injuries don’t get ignored and represent you. Struggling alone can be difficult, especially while recovering from your injuries.

Gray Injury Law has represented injury victims across Manhattan and New York City since 1996. Motorcycle cases carry a critical difference from ordinary car crashes: under New York law, motorcyclists are excluded from no-fault insurance, which changes how you recover compensation and makes early legal guidance especially important. If a negligent driver caused your crash, we can pursue the at-fault party for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Why Are Motorcyclists Prone to Severe Injury in Collisions?

Motorcycle riders are particularly vulnerable in an accident because they lack the protection that cars and other vehicles provide. According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists were 14% of all traffic fatalities in 2018, even though motorcycles were only 3% of registered vehicles on the road.

The physical vulnerability of motorcyclists during an NYC motorcycle accident is due to the lack of protection, such as airbags and seatbelts that are in most cars. Motorcyclists lack any kind of external protection when riding, so they are more vulnerable to the force and energy of an impact. Additionally, even if wearing a helmet, the rider still faces a high risk of serious injury. The most common of these injuries include head and neck trauma, road rash, broken bones, paralysis, and even death. 

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcycle accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor scrapes and cuts to serious bodily harm. Common motorcycle accident injuries include:

Head, Neck, And Traumatic Brain Injury

The most common type of head and neck injuries are caused by the lack of protection a helmet offers. A TBI can cause serious physical and mental damage, depending on the severity of the injury.

Road Rash

This is one of the most common motorcycle accident injuries. It occurs when a rider’s skin scrapes along asphalt or concrete. It can cause painful abrasions, infections, and scarring.

Broken Bones

Motorcycle accidents can cause broken or fractured bones due to the force of impact. These injuries can be particularly serious if they occur in the spinal cord area.
Paralysis

A severe motorcycle accident can cause paralysis due to the damaging force of impact. Depending on the severity and location of the injury, it can be life-threatening. Paralysis is a serious consequence of severe motorcycle accidents and can be caused by spinal cord injuries. This type of injury can lead to permanent disability or even death.

Wrongful Death

Tragically, many motorcycle accidents result in death due to the lack of protection available to riders. Surviving family members can be eligible to receive compensation for the loss of their loved one.

Internal Organ Damage

Severe motorcycle accidents can cause damage to internal organs, including ruptured spleens and livers, contusions, and bruising.

Emotional Pain And Trauma

Even when physical injuries are not present, a motorcycle accident can cause emotional trauma. This can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety.

Treatment, Recovery, and Personal Injury Claims

Recovering from a severe motorcycle accident can be an uphill battle, as the physical and emotional pain of the injury can linger for years. Furthermore, medical costs associated with a serious injury can become financially draining.  You can work with our NYC motorcycle accident law firm to help you. Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer who knows how to help motorcyclists pursue financial compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company.

Your NYC motorcycle accident lawyer understands the long road to recovery caused by a severe injury, and strives to ensure you receive the most compensation possible from insurance companies and negligent parties. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will pursue the maximum damage award for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more.

Cost of Recovery and Time Limits for Filing in New York

The cost of recovering from a motorcycle injury can vary widely depending on severity. Treatment, surgery, physical therapy, rehabilitation, medical equipment, and lost wages can add up quickly. Because motorcyclists are excluded from no-fault benefits, these costs are typically pursued from the at-fault driver rather than your own policy, which makes building a thorough, well-documented claim especially important. New York gives you three years from the date of your motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the crash caused the death of a loved one, a wrongful death claim must generally be filed within two years of the date of death. If a government vehicle or a dangerous road condition maintained by a public agency contributed to the crash, a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the accident, with a much shorter window to bring suit. You can review New York’s deadlines through the New York City Bar Association. Missing any of these deadlines may permanently bar your claim, so it is important to speak with an attorney promptly.

Motorcycle Crashes and Insurance in New York

If you were injured in an NYC motorcycle accident, our Manhattan motorcycle accident attorneys can help you recover the financial compensation you deserve. Motorcycle insurance works differently in New York than most riders expect. Under Section 5103 of the New York Insurance Law, motorcycles are excluded from the state’s no-fault system. This means you generally cannot turn to your own policy for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits to cover your medical bills and lost wages the way a car occupant can. Instead, you pursue compensation directly from the at-fault driver.

Our dedicated Manhattan motorcycle accident lawyers can review the details of your accident, assess fault, and determine what kind of insurance coverage you are entitled to receive. We will then work to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation for any damages or losses resulting from the accident.

This exclusion carries one significant advantage. Because motorcyclists fall outside the no-fault system, you do not have to meet New York’s “serious injury” threshold under Section 5102(d) before suing for pain and suffering. Other coverage may also come into play, including the at-fault driver’s liability policy and your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage if the at-fault driver has little or no insurance.

New York Motorcycle Laws

New York has many laws to protect motorcyclists on the road. It is important to be aware of these laws and abide by them at all times to prevent accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Some of the motorcycle laws in New York include:

Wearing Helmets

In New York, all motorcyclists must wear a helmet that is approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Additionally, protective eyewear such as goggles or glasses with shatterproof lenses must be worn at all times.

License Plates

Motorcycles must have front and rear license plates. All motorcycles registered in New York need to have both license plates visible at all times.

Valid License

Riders must have a valid motorcycle license to operate a motorcycle on public roads.

Obey Traffic Laws

Motorcyclists must obey the same traffic laws as all other drivers, including posted speed limits and stop signs.

Working Lights and Indicators

All motorcycles must have functioning headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals to be legal on public roads.

Proving Negligence After a Motorcycle Accident in New York

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, the attorneys at our law firm can help you prove negligence and pursue financial compensation for your injuries. Proving negligence after a motorcycle accident is not an easy task, but our experienced lawyers will work to establish liability and build a strong case on your behalf.

To prove negligence, it must be established that the negligent individual or party breached their duty of care to you. This means that they acted in a way that did not meet the expected legal standard of care, and as a result, you were injured. To prove negligence, we will need to show:

The Other Party Owed You A Duty Of Care 

This means that they had a legal obligation to act in a reasonable way to keep everyone safe from harm.

The Other Party Breached Their Duty Of Care 

This means that the defendant failed to meet the expected standard of care, resulting in your injury.

You Suffered Damages As A Result Of Their Negligence

This means that you sustained some kind of injury or loss due to the defendant’s negligence.

Contact a New York City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Your attorney strives to prove your case using evidence, as well as demonstrate the extent and severity of your damages. Our attorneys understand New York law and are dedicated to pursuing the justice and compensation you deserve.

 Settlement Negotiation

Our attorneys can negotiate a fair and reasonable settlement with the negligent party’s insurance company. We understand the tactics and strategies that insurers often use to minimize or deny claims, so we will fight hard to get you the compensation you deserve.

Representation 

If a settlement cannot be reached, our attorneys will represent you in court and advocate for you every step of the way. We have decades of experience handling motorcycle accident cases and will do everything in our power to protect your rights.

Investigate Your Accident

Our attorneys can investigate the accident to determine what caused it, who is liable, and how much compensation you may be entitled to receive for your injuries. We will review medical records, witness statements, and other pertinent evidence to build your case. Motorcycle attorneys are dedicated to helping victims obtain the compensation they need and deserve for their medical bills, lost wages, and other costs associated with the accident.

Frequently Asked Questions About Manhattan Motorcycle Accidents

Do I have a valid motorcycle accident case in Manhattan?

You may have a valid case if another party’s negligence caused your crash, such as a driver who failed to yield, changed lanes unsafely, or opened a door into your path. Evidence like the police report, photos, witness statements, and surveillance or dashcam footage helps establish fault. An attorney can review your situation and advise you on the strength of your claim.

What is the deadline to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in New York?

New York generally gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wrongful death claims must generally be filed within two years of the date of death. If a government vehicle or dangerous road condition was involved, a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days. Missing these deadlines may permanently bar your claim.

Does no-fault insurance cover my motorcycle accident injuries?

Generally no. Under Section 5103 of the New York Insurance Law, motorcyclists are excluded from no-fault coverage, so you typically cannot claim PIP benefits from your own policy. You pursue compensation directly from the at-fault driver. One upside is that you do not have to meet the state’s serious injury threshold before suing for pain and suffering.

How much does it cost to hire a Manhattan motorcycle accident lawyer?

Gray Injury Law works on a contingency-fee basis. You pay no upfront costs and owe nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict, agreed upon before we begin working on your case.

Can family members file a claim if someone died in a motorcycle accident?

Yes. Under New York law, the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate may file a wrongful death lawsuit. Surviving family members may recover compensation for funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, and loss of guidance and companionship.