1. Faraci Lange, LLP
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death claims arising from motorcycle collisions
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car accidents, motorcycle versus truck accidents, intersection accidents, lane change accidents, left-turn accidents, accidents caused by driver negligence, fatal motorcycle accidents, accidents involving traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, road rash, broken bones
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence gathering, liability determination, medical resource coordination, insurance claim handling, settlement negotiations, third-party claims against at-fault drivers, litigation, trial representation
Background: The firm has been handling motorcycle accident cases since its founding in 1968. Attorneys have more than 55 years of experience focused purely on personal injury law. Multiple attorneys are recognized by Upstate New York Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America. The firm prioritizes client communication and personalized legal support.
Location: Rochester, NY
Contact: (888) 997-4110 | https://www.faraci.com
Consultation: Free and confidential consultation
2. The Kantor Gullo Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions caused by driver negligence, intersection accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, hit-and-run accidents, accidents involving serious bodily injury, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Case review and analysis, evidence gathering including photographs and medical reports, witness contact information collection, legal strategy development, New York motorcycle law guidance, insurance claim handling, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation
Background: The firm has a proven track record of securing substantial settlements and judgments in motorcycle accident cases across New York State. Attorneys have deep understanding of New York motorcycle law and provide strategic approaches to each case. Free initial consultations include thorough case review.
Location: Rochester, NY
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.kantorgullolaw.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation
3. DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions on West Ridge Road, East Main Street, and the Inner Loop, left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, accidents caused by distracted drivers, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence gathering, liability determination, well-documented case building, insurance company negotiations, counter-tactics against unfair settlement offers, litigation, trial representation
Background: The firm has experienced trial lawyers including Jeff DeFrancisco, Charles Falgiatano, Anna Badalian, James Donigan, and Lisa Robinson. The firm serves clients in Rochester, Syracuse, and throughout Upstate New York. Attorneys understand the unique challenges motorcycle riders face in accident claims.
Location: Primary office in Syracuse with service to Rochester; multiple locations throughout Upstate New York
Contact: 833-200-2000 | https://www.defranciscolaw.com
Consultation: Free and confidential consultation
4. John Wright Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, truck accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle accidents caused by negligent drivers, intersection accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, accidents involving wage loss, medical bills recovery, pain and suffering claims, loss of enjoyment of life claims
Legal Services: Evidence gathering, liability determination, economic damages calculation, non-economic damages assessment, insurance company negotiations, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation
Background: Attorney John K. Wright is a nationally recognized personal injury trial lawyer with over 20 years of experience. He is also a motorcycle rider himself. The firm has recovered over $100 million in settlements and verdicts. The firm handles motorcycle accident cases throughout Rochester and the surrounding areas.
Location: Rochester, NY
Contact: (585) 632-2222 | https://www.johnwrightlawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation, no attorney fee unless case is won
5. Horn Wright, LLP
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle accidents caused by negligent drivers, distracted driving accidents, drunk driving accidents, speeding accidents, failure to yield accidents, rear-end collisions, accidents involving all liable parties
Legal Services: Thorough accident investigation, evidence gathering, liability identification, police report collection, medical record gathering, witness statement collection, insurance company negotiations, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation
Background: The firm’s Rochester motorcycle accident lawyers have been representing severely injured accident victims for decades. Attorneys know how to determine liability and prove it in court. The firm handles cases on contingency with no fees unless compensation is recovered.
Location: Rochester, NY
Contact: (855) 465-4622 | https://www.hornwright.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in New York
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Three years from the date of the motorcycle accident
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Two years from the date of death
Statute of Limitations for Claims Against Government Entities: 90 days to file a notice of claim in some circumstances
Fault System: New York is a fault-based state for motorcycle accidents. Unlike car accidents, motorcycles are NOT covered by New York’s no-fault insurance system.
No-Fault Insurance Exception: Motorcyclists in New York are NOT subject to the state’s no-fault insurance rules. Medical bills and lost wage benefits are NOT paid by no-fault insurance. Motorcyclists must pursue compensation through third-party claims against at-fault drivers or through their own health insurance.
Negligence Rules: New York follows pure comparative negligence. Injured motorcyclists can recover damages even if partially at fault, but recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: Liability coverage is required. Motorcyclists can elect to carry uninsured motorist (UM), underinsured motorist (UIM), or supplemental underinsurance motorist (SUM) coverage.
Helmet Law: New York requires all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear helmets that meet Department of Transportation (DOT) safety standards.
Eye Protection Requirements: Eye protection is required for motorcycle operators unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen
Lane Splitting/Lane Filtering: Not explicitly addressed in New York law but generally considered unsafe and may affect liability determination
Motorcycle Licensing Requirements: Motorcycle license (Class M) or motorcycle learner permit required. Skills and knowledge tests required for endorsement.
Serious Injury Threshold: Unlike car accident claims in New York, motorcyclists do NOT need to meet the “serious injury” threshold to bring a claim against an at-fault driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are motorcycle accidents covered by New York’s no-fault insurance system?
A: No. This is a critical distinction in New York. Motorcycles are specifically excluded from New York’s no-fault insurance laws. This means that if you are injured in a motorcycle accident, you cannot receive no-fault benefits such as medical bill coverage and lost wage reimbursement from your own insurance policy the way car accident victims can. Instead, you must pay medical bills through your own health insurance or out-of-pocket, and then pursue compensation from the at-fault driver through a third-party claim or lawsuit.
Q: What is the deadline for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in New York?
A: In New York, you generally have three years from the date of your motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is two years from the date of death. However, if your claim involves a government entity, you may need to file a notice of claim within 90 days of the accident. Missing these deadlines can result in losing your right to pursue compensation.
Q: Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for my motorcycle accident?
A: Yes. New York follows a pure comparative fault rule, which allows injured motorcyclists to recover compensation even if they share some responsibility for the accident. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 25% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $75,000. Insurance companies often try to assign more blame to motorcyclists, so having an experienced attorney is important.
Q: Can I pursue compensation if I was not wearing a helmet at the time of my motorcycle accident?
A: Yes, you can still pursue compensation even if you were not wearing a helmet. However, the at-fault driver’s attorneys may argue that your injuries, particularly head and neck injuries, were more severe because you were not wearing a helmet. This could potentially reduce the amount of compensation you receive for those specific injuries. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help counter these arguments.
Q: What types of compensation can I recover after a motorcycle accident in Rochester?
A: Motorcycle accident victims in New York can recover compensation for economic damages including medical bills (past and future), lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage to the motorcycle. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. In cases of extreme negligence, punitive damages may also be available. Unlike car accident cases, motorcyclists do not need to meet the “serious injury” threshold to pursue these damages.