Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Brooklyn, NY
Motorcycle riders face dangers that drivers of enclosed vehicles never have to consider. When a negligent driver, a poorly maintained road, or a defective vehicle part puts you on the ground, the injuries are often devastating and the bills pile up fast. Insurance companies routinely blame riders to reduce or deny claims. You need an attorney who knows how to fight back.
Our Brooklyn attorneys have been standing up for injured motorcycle riders since 2008. We investigate every angle of your crash, deal directly with the insurance companies, and pursue every dollar you are owed. You pay nothing unless we win.
$45M+
RECOVERED FOR CLIENTS
2008
ESTABLISHED IN BROOKLYN
$0
FEE UNLESS WE WIN
After the Accident
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Brooklyn
What you do immediately after a crash can make or break your claim. Follow these steps to protect your health and your legal rights.
Call 911 and Get Medical Attention
Even if you feel you can walk away, call 911 immediately. Internal injuries, concussions, and soft tissue damage may not be obvious at the scene. A same-day medical evaluation creates essential documentation for your case.
Do Not Remove Your Gear
Your helmet, jacket, and other protective gear may contain evidence of the impact. Do not discard or alter any riding equipment before an attorney or investigator has a chance to examine it.
Document the Scene
Photograph every vehicle involved, skid marks, road conditions, traffic controls, your injuries, and any property damage. Get the names, contact details, and insurance information of all drivers involved.
Get Witness Information
Bystander accounts are powerful evidence. Collect names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the crash before they leave the scene.
Do Not Speak to the Other Driver’s Insurance
Adjusters will contact you quickly and may ask for a recorded statement. Do not provide one and do not accept any settlement offer before consulting with our team.
Common Causes
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Brooklyn
Brooklyn’s congested streets, aggressive drivers, and aging road infrastructure create serious dangers for motorcyclists every day.
Drivers Failing to Yield
The most common cause of motorcycle crashes. Drivers making left turns or pulling into intersections frequently fail to see or judge the speed of an oncoming motorcycle.
Distracted Driving
Texting, phone use, and inattention behind the wheel give drivers no time to react to a motorcyclist sharing the road, resulting in devastating side and rear collisions.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Drivers who change lanes without checking blind spots or signaling are a constant threat to motorcycle riders traveling alongside them.
Dooring Accidents
Parked vehicle occupants opening their doors into traffic without checking for oncoming motorcycles cause serious crashes, particularly on Brooklyn’s busy commercial streets.
Dangerous Road Conditions
Potholes, uneven pavement, loose gravel, wet surfaces, and missing signage are hazardous for all vehicles but can be fatal for motorcycle riders.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Drivers who speed or drive aggressively give motorcyclists little time to respond, and the force of impact at high speeds dramatically increases the severity of injuries.
Drunk and Impaired Driving
Alcohol and drug-impaired drivers cause some of the most catastrophic motorcycle accidents, often resulting in permanent disability or wrongful death.
Injuries We Handle
Motorcycle Accident Injuries We Represent
Motorcycle riders have no structural protection in a crash. The injuries our clients sustain are among the most severe we handle at our firm.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Spinal Cord Injuries & Paralysis
- Road Rash and Severe Skin Abrasions
- Broken Bones & Fractures
- Leg, Knee, and Hip Injuries
- Shoulder and Rotator Cuff Damage
- Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage
- Facial Injuries and Scarring
- Nerve Damage and Chronic Pain
- Amputations and Limb Loss
- Soft Tissue and Ligament Injuries
- Wrongful Death of a Family Member
Your Recovery
What Compensation Can You Recover?
New York is a no-fault insurance state, but motorcycle riders are excluded from standard no-fault PIP coverage. This means injured motorcyclists must pursue compensation directly through the at-fault driver’s liability insurance or their own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. If your injuries meet New York’s serious injury threshold, you have the right to sue the at-fault party for the full value of your damages.
- All past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Motorcycle repair or replacement costs
- Rehabilitation and ongoing care costs
- Out-of-pocket injury-related expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium for your family
Why Cherny & Podolsky
Brooklyn's Trusted Motorcycle Accident Law Firm Since 2008
We Fight the Bias Against Riders
Insurance companies routinely blame motorcyclists to reduce payouts. Our attorneys know these tactics and build cases that counter the bias head-on with evidence, expert testimony, and thorough investigation.
Over $45 Million Recovered
Our track record speaks for itself. We have secured millions in settlements and verdicts for motorcycle accident victims throughout Brooklyn and the greater New York area.
Locally Rooted in Brooklyn
We are not a national call center. We are a Brooklyn law firm at 2681 East 14th Street with attorneys who know the local courts, traffic patterns, and road conditions inside and out.
Multilingual Legal Team
Our staff serves clients in English, Russian, Spanish, and more. Every client deserves to fully understand their rights and their case, and we make sure they do.
No Fee Unless We Win
We handle all motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay absolutely nothing upfront. Our fee comes only from the compensation we recover for you.
Direct Attorney Access
You will work directly with your attorney from the first call to the final settlement. No paralegals, no case managers, no runaround.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Are motorcycle riders covered by New York no-fault insurance?
No. New York’s no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage does not apply to motorcycle riders. This means you cannot file a no-fault claim with your own insurer after a crash. Instead, you must pursue compensation through the at-fault driver’s liability policy or your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Our attorneys will identify every available source of recovery for your injuries.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in New York?
In New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally three years from the date of the accident. If a government vehicle or poorly maintained public road contributed to your crash, you may have as little as 90 days to file a Notice of Claim. Do not wait. Contact us as soon as possible to protect your rights.
What if the driver who hit me says I was at fault?
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you are found partially responsible for the accident. Your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you are not barred from recovery. Insurance companies frequently try to shift blame onto riders. Our attorneys will build the strongest possible case to counter that narrative.
What if the driver who hit me had no insurance?
If the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to recover through your own uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. We will review all available insurance policies and pursue every possible avenue to ensure you are not left without compensation due to another driver’s lack of coverage.
Can I recover if a road defect caused my motorcycle accident?
Yes. If a pothole, damaged road surface, missing signage, or other hazardous condition caused or contributed to your crash, you may have a claim against the city or municipality responsible for maintaining that road. These cases require filing a Notice of Claim within 90 days, which makes acting quickly essential.
How much is my motorcycle accident case worth?
The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, your lost income, the extent of permanent disability, and the insurance coverage available. Motorcycle accident cases often result in higher recoveries than standard car accident claims due to the severity of injuries involved. We offer free consultations to give you an honest and thorough evaluation.
Injured in a Brooklyn Motorcycle Accident?
Do not let an insurance company miniAmize what happened to you. Evidence disappears, witnesses move on, and deadlines can permanently close the door on your recovery. The sooner our team gets involved, the stronger your case will be.
Call us today for a free consultation. We will review your crash, answer every question you have, and walk you through your options with no pressure and no upfront cost.
