Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Buffalo, New York

1. Dietrich Law Firm P.C.

Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, construction accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, personal injury

Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn accidents, failure to yield accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, highway accidents, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver accidents

Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, depositions, witness interviews, expert witness coordination (economics, vocational rehabilitation, orthopedic surgery), police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims

Background: Jed Dietrich, Esq. is recognized as a Best Lawyer of America and New York Super Lawyer. The firm has settled over $250,000,000 on behalf of clients. Notable results include a $750,000 settlement for a 52-year-old man injured in a motorcycle accident where a vehicle failed to yield the right-of-way. Jed Dietrich’s approach includes taking depositions of witnesses, hiring economic experts, vocational rehabilitation experts, and consulting with orthopedic surgery specialists. The firm has represented numerous injured motorcyclists in Buffalo and Western New York.

Location: Buffalo, New York (serves Erie County and Western New York)

Contact: (716) 839-3939 | https://www.calljed.com

Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7, no fee until they win, attorneys will travel to meet clients

2. O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers

Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, personal injury, government liability claims

Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, moped accidents, left-turn accidents, failure to yield accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, highway accidents, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver accidents, accidents caused by road defects

Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence gathering, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims

Background: O’Brien & Ford has over 84 years of combined experience and has recovered over $100 million for clients. The firm has helped change the lives of injured riders and grieving families in Buffalo, forcing insurance companies, government bodies, and other powerful defendants to pay millions in settlements and jury awards. Their accomplished trial attorneys are known for smart, client-driven legal strategies. When insurance companies see their team handling a case, they know the client won’t hesitate to reject low offers and bring the case to a jury.

Location: Buffalo, New York (serves Erie County and surrounding areas)

Contact: (716) 222-2222 | https://obrienandford.com

Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis (no out-of-pocket costs)

3. Feroleto Law

Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, personal injury

Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn accidents, failure to yield accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, highway accidents, accidents caused by distracted drivers, accidents caused by negligent drivers

Legal Services: Negligence investigation, evidence gathering, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims

Background: Attorney John Feroleto is known in the community and by his peers for his willingness to work and go the extra mile for clients. Other lawyers often ask John to handle their trial matters to maximize clients’ recovery. He was named Trial Attorney of the Year in 2012 by the Western New York Affiliate of New York State Trial Lawyers Association. The firm understands that New York insurance coverage laws for motorcycles differ from those covering other vehicles, and they are familiar with the prejudice against motorcyclists that can be prevalent with insurance companies, judges, and juries. They educate everyone involved to have a tremendous impact on case outcomes.

Location: Buffalo, New York (Buffalo Niagara Region)

Contact: (716) 854-0700 | https://yourbuffalolawyer.com

Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee basis (legal fees only charged if case is won or settled)

4. The Nicotra Law Firm, PC

Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, personal injury

Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn accidents, failure to yield accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, highway accidents, accidents caused by distracted drivers, accidents caused by negligent drivers, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims

Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence gathering, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims

Background: Attorney Rick Nicotra is a motorcycle rider himself, having started riding minibikes at age 12 and currently riding a 2007 Road King and a 1972 Shovel Head. With over 25 years of experience representing injured bikers and being well-versed in motorcycle accident law, the firm uses personal investigators and accident reconstruction experts to handle any motorcycle accident case. Rick’s personal riding experience gives him unique perspective and understanding of motorcycle accident cases that other attorneys may lack.

Location: Buffalo, New York (serves Western New York including Buffalo, Rochester, Southern Tier, and Central New York)

Contact: https://bikerlawyers.com

Consultation: Free consultation available

5. Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP

Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, workers’ compensation, personal injury, wrongful death

Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn accidents, failure to yield accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, highway accidents, accidents caused by defective motorcycle parts, accidents caused by negligent drivers

Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence gathering, witness interviews, expert witness coordination, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims

Background: Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria is ranked a Tier-1 firm for Personal Injury Litigation by U.S. News/Best Lawyers. The firm’s nationally recognized personal injury attorneys have an intricate network of nurse paralegals, expert witnesses, and other resources. Notable results include a $19,000,000 structured settlement for a young man injured in a motorcycle accident. Twenty-three attorneys from the firm have been named to New York Super Lawyers, Upstate Edition. Several attorneys hold AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell and have been named Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year. No charge to clients unless the firm wins the case.

Location: Buffalo, New York (serves Western New York)

Contact: https://www.lipsitzgreen.com

Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis

Helmet and Goggle Rules, Shared Fault and City Claims for Buffalo Motorcycle Crashes

A Buffalo motorcycle crash claim starts with New York’s helmet and goggle rules. New York law then reduces a rider’s recovery by the rider’s own share of culpable conduct, treats motorcycles separately in its no-fault law, and requires a notice of claim before a suit against the city.

Helmets and Goggles

Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law 381(6), no person may operate or ride upon a motorcycle without a protective helmet meeting 49 CFR 571.218, though city, town or village police may issue a permit exempting members of organizations conducting parades or public exhibitions while participating. Under 381(7), no person may operate a motorcycle without goggles or a face shield of a type approved by the commissioner.

Under CPLR 1411(a), a claimant’s culpable conduct does not bar recovery, and damages are diminished in proportion to it. Under 1411(b), added in 2026, in a personal injury action subject to Insurance Law article 51, the claimant’s conduct bars recovery if it is greater than that of the person or persons against whom recovery is sought. For example, imagine $80,000 in damages and 30 percent of the culpable conduct on the rider: under either subsection the recovery would be $56,000. Subsection (b) took effect May 26, 2026.

Motorcycles and the No-Fault Law

Under Insurance Law 5102(f), the no-fault article’s definition of motor vehicle does not include a motorcycle. Under 5104(a), the owner, operator or occupant of a motorcycle carrying the required financial security is not subject to an action by or on behalf of a covered person for non-economic loss, except in the case of a serious injury, or for basic economic loss.

A City Vehicle or City Road

Under General Municipal Law 50-e(1)(a), a notice of claim against a public corporation must be served within ninety days after the claim arises, and under 50-i(1) no action may proceed against a city unless the notice was served, at least 30 days have passed without adjustment, and the action is commenced within one year and ninety days after the event, or two years after the death in a wrongful death action.

Buffalo Motorcycle Accident Questions

How long do I have to sue?

Three years for personal injury under CPLR 214(5), except as provided in the sections it lists, and two years after the death for a wrongful death action brought by the personal representative under EPTL 5-4.1(1).

What does a wrongful death recovery include?

Under EPTL 5-4.3(a), fair and just compensation for the pecuniary injuries resulting from the death to the persons for whose benefit the action is brought, plus reasonable medical, nursing and funeral expenses and interest from the date of death; under (b), punitive damages if the decedent could have recovered them.

What must a driver who hits a rider do?

Under Vehicle and Traffic Law 600(2)(a), a driver who knows or has cause to know of a personal injury must stop, show a license and insurance card, and give name, residence, insurer and policy information and license number to the injured party, if practical, and to a police officer, or report the incident to the nearest police station if no officer is nearby.