1. The Perecman Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, construction accidents, wrongful death claims arising from motorcycle collisions, catastrophic injuries from motorcycle crashes, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
Case Types Handled: Left-turn collisions at intersections, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, dooring accidents, accidents caused by road hazards and potholes, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims, motorcycle passenger injury claims
Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence gathering, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expert consultation, accident reconstruction, future medical care cost projection, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Founded over 40 years ago. Zachary Perecman serves as a motorcycle accident attorney. The firm has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and Super Lawyers. The firm maintains offices in Manhattan and serves clients throughout New York City boroughs, Long Island, and Westchester County.
Location: 250 W 57th Street, Suite 401, New York, NY 10107
Contact: (212) 977-7033 | https://www.perecman.com/motorcycle-accidents/
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee arrangement (no fees unless the firm wins the case)
2. Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, moped accidents, automobile accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, construction accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions caused by negligent drivers, left-turn accidents, accidents caused by road defects and potholes, accidents involving uninsured and underinsured motorists, product liability claims involving defective motorcycle parts, wrongful death claims from fatal motorcycle crashes
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, witness interviews, insurance claim negotiation, litigation in state and federal courts, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: Founded in 1919 in New York City. Ben B. Rubinowitz serves as managing partner. The firm has recovered over $5 billion on behalf of clients, including 600+ settlements and 60 jury verdicts over $1 million. Notable motorcycle settlements include $7,250,000 for a NYC Corrections Officer and $1,200,000 for a Staten Island motorcyclist. Ten partners listed in Best Lawyers in America. AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Location: 80 Pine Street, 34th Floor, New York, NY 10005
Contact: (212) 943-1090 | https://www.gairgair.com/motorcycle-accidents.html
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee arrangement
3. Finz & Finz, P.C.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, automobile accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions with cars and trucks, hit-and-run accidents, accidents caused by defective motorcycle parts, claims against government entities for road defects, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims, wrongful death claims
Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence preservation, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expert consultation, future care needs assessment, lost wage calculation, pain and suffering claims
Background: Founded by Leonard L. Finz, former New York State Supreme Court Justice (1924-2023). Stuart L. Finz and Brandon S. Finz continue the practice. The firm has recovered over $1 billion for clients. Over 40 years of experience. Selected among Top 18 out of 6,588 Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in New York by Expertise.com. Four former judges serve as of counsel attorneys. AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Member of Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Location: 450 7th Avenue, Suite 1408, New York, NY 10123 (Manhattan Office)
Contact: (212) 513-1000 | (855) 867-3476 (Toll Free) | https://finzfirm.com/new-york-city-motorcycle-accident-lawyer/
Consultation: Free case evaluation available, contingency fee arrangement
4. Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, LLP
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, automobile accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, premises liability, construction accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on motorcycle collisions, single-vehicle motorcycle accidents, accidents caused by road hazards, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence gathering, police report analysis, traffic camera footage review, witness interviews, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery
Background: Over 95 years of combined legal experience among partners Matthew Sakkas, Adam D. Cahn, and Mitchel E. Weiss. The firm has recovered over $700 million for clients. Serves all five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, and Westchester.
Location: New York, NY (multiple office locations)
Contact: https://sakkascahn.com/nyc/motorcycle-accident-lawyer
Consultation: Free case evaluation available
5. Leav & Steinberg LLP
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, automobile accidents, truck accidents, bus accidents, pedestrian accidents, construction accidents, premises liability, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions with other vehicles, accidents involving uninsured and underinsured motorists, accidents caused by road conditions, left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, hit-and-run accidents
Legal Services: Accident investigation, insurance claim filing, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, no-fault insurance claim assistance, uninsured motorist claim handling
Background: The firm serves New York City including Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, as well as Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Westchester County. Experienced in New York motorcycle insurance and liability laws. The attorneys understand that motorcycles are exempt from New York’s no-fault insurance system.
Location: New York, NY (serving Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island)
Contact: https://www.nyaccidentlawyer.com/practice-areas/transportation-accidents/motorcycles/
Consultation: Free consultation available
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in New York
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (New York Civil Practice Laws & Rules Section 214)
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Two years from the date of death
Statute of Limitations for Claims Against Government Entities: Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the injury. Lawsuit must be filed within one year and 90 days.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Three years from the date of the accident
Insurance State Status: New York is a no-fault insurance state for automobiles, but motorcycles are exempt from no-fault coverage. Motorcyclists must pursue claims directly against at-fault drivers.
Comparative Negligence Rules: New York follows pure comparative negligence. An injured motorcyclist can recover damages even if partially at fault, with compensation reduced by their percentage of fault.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements:
- $25,000 bodily injury per person
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
- $50,000 death benefit per person
- $100,000 death benefit per accident
- $10,000 property damage per accident
Helmet Law: Universal helmet law. All motorcycle operators and passengers must wear DOT-approved helmets meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218, regardless of age or experience (New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 381(6)).
Eye Protection Requirements: Required for all riders. Must wear goggles or face shield meeting American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Z87.1 standards unless motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen.
Lane Splitting/Lane Filtering: Prohibited. Lane splitting (riding between lanes of traffic) is illegal in New York (New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1252).
Motorcycle Licensing Requirements: Class M or MJ (junior) operator’s license or learner’s permit required. Written test and road test required for full license.
Motorcycle Equipment Requirements:
- Headlight must be used at all times (including daytime)
- Taillight, brake light, and license plate lamp required
- At least one red rear reflector required
- Horn or warning device required
- At least one rearview mirror required
- Brakes on both wheels required (motorcycles manufactured after 1971)
- Turn signals required (motorcycles manufactured after 1985)
- Speedometer required (motorcycles manufactured after 1980)
- Muffler required (no louder than 82 decibels)
Annual Inspection: Motorcycles must be inspected annually with registration renewal.
Passenger Requirements: Passengers allowed only on motorcycles with specially designed passenger seats and footrests. No age restrictions for passengers.
Riding Restrictions: Maximum of 2 motorcycles can share the same lane (riding side by side). Motorcyclists cannot share a lane with a motor vehicle.
No-Fault Insurance Exemption: Motorcyclists are not covered under New York’s no-fault insurance provisions. However, motorcyclists are not subject to the “serious injury” threshold and can bring claims for even minor injuries against at-fault drivers.
Helmet Non-Compliance Impact: Failure to wear a helmet may result in fines up to $100 and potential jail time. Helmet violations may add points to driving record and impact insurance claims through comparative negligence.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Available to motorcyclists who purchase it as part of their insurance policy.
Damage Caps: New York does not cap compensatory damages in personal injury cases. Punitive damages are not capped but are awarded only in cases of egregious misconduct.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in New York?
A: In New York, motorcyclists have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the accident results in death, the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is two years from the date of death. Claims against government entities have shorter deadlines: a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days, and the lawsuit must be filed within one year and 90 days.
Q: How does New York’s no-fault insurance system affect motorcycle accident claims?
A: Motorcycles are exempt from New York’s no-fault insurance system. This means motorcyclists cannot receive Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits from their own insurance for medical expenses and lost wages. However, this exemption allows motorcyclists to file claims directly against at-fault drivers without meeting the “serious injury” threshold required for car accident victims to step outside no-fault coverage.
Q: Is lane splitting legal in New York, and how does it affect liability?
A: Lane splitting is illegal in New York under Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1252. Motorcyclists cannot ride between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic. If a motorcyclist is injured while lane splitting, the insurance company may argue contributory negligence, potentially reducing the compensation award under New York’s pure comparative negligence system.
Q: What happens if I was not wearing a helmet during a motorcycle accident in New York?
A: New York has a universal helmet law requiring all riders to wear DOT-approved helmets. If you were not wearing a helmet and suffered head injuries, the defense may argue your injuries were worsened by your failure to comply with the law. Under pure comparative negligence, your compensation could be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you, though you may still recover damages if another party was also negligent.
Q: What compensation can I recover in a New York motorcycle accident case?
A: Motorcycle accident victims in New York may recover economic damages including medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. If a family member died in the accident, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death damages including funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.