Motorcycle accident
Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in New York, New York
The firms in this guide
- The Perecman Firm Call The Perecman Firm: (212) 977-7033
- Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf Call Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf: (212) 943-1090
- Finz & Finz, P.C. Call Finz & Finz, P.C.: (212) 513-1000
- Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, LLP
- Leav & Steinberg LLP
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
Helmet Rules, City Claims and Wrongful Death Actions for New York City Motorcycle Crashes
A New York City motorcycle crash claim can raise New York’s helmet and goggle rules, the notice of claim and filing deadlines for a suit against the city, and the liability minimums the other driver had to carry. When a rider dies, New York sets who sues, when, and what the recovery includes.
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, with a police permit exception for 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.
A City Vehicle or City Street
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, or, in a wrongful death action, within ninety days after a representative of the estate is appointed. 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.
The Other Driver’s Liability Minimums
Under Vehicle and Traffic Law 311(4), an owner’s policy must cover at least $25,000 for bodily injury to and $50,000 for death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to and $100,000 for death of two or more persons, and $10,000 for property damage in one accident.
When a Rider Dies
Under EPTL 5-4.1, the personal representative of a decedent survived by distributees brings the action within two years after the death, with at least one year from the termination of a criminal action against the same defendant. Under 5-4.3, the recovery is fair and just compensation for the pecuniary injuries to the beneficiaries, plus reasonable medical, nursing and funeral expenses and interest from the date of death.
New York City Motorcycle Accident Questions
How long do I have to sue the driver?
Three years for personal injury under CPLR 214(5), except as provided in the sections it lists, and three years for injury to property under 214(4).
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, reduced by your share. Under CPLR 1411(a), damages are diminished in proportion to the claimant’s culpable conduct, and under 1411(b), added in 2026, a claimant in an action subject to Insurance Law article 51 is barred only if the claimant’s conduct is greater than the defendants’. For example, imagine $120,000 in damages and 35 percent of the culpable conduct on the rider: the recovery would be $78,000. The 2026 subsection took effect May 26, 2026, and its reach to earlier crashes is a question for counsel.
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.