NYC Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle crash in New York City, you may have the right to pursue compensation. At The Platta Law Firm, we help injured riders take legal action and recover what they’re owed. Motorcyclists face more danger than drivers of cars and trucks on NYC roads. One careless move from another motorist can result in devastating injuries that change your life in an instant.

Slawomir Platta, Esq. Founding Partner

When that happens, we step in—holding the responsible party accountable and fighting for your financial recovery. Whether you’re facing hospital bills, time off work, or long-term rehabilitation, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Our NYC motorcycle accident lawyers are ready to stand by your side and help you get justice.

Why Choose The Platta Law Firm?

The Platta Law Firm is known for winning results and unwavering support. We’ve helped injured New Yorkers recover hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. Our reputation is built on hard work, client commitment, and relentless advocacy. Our attorneys bring over 150 years of combined legal experience to every case. We’ve earned recognition from top legal organizations and—more importantly—the trust of clients who needed strong advocates during the hardest times of their lives.

You deserve a law firm that takes your case seriously, responds to your needs, and truly understands what it takes to handle a motorcycle accident case. That’s exactly what we offer. We approach every case with a sense of urgency and a deep commitment to justice. From the moment you call us, our team begins investigating, preserving evidence, and mapping out the best path forward. We also pride ourselves on open communication. You’ll always know what’s happening in your case, and we’ll never leave you in the dark.

How Motorcycle Crash Cases Work in NYC

Unlike car accident claims, motorcycle accident cases in New York fall outside the no-fault insurance system. This means motorcyclists aren’t required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. While this may seem like a disadvantage, it actually gives injured riders more legal freedom.

You don’t have to prove that your injuries meet a “serious injury” threshold like drivers do in no-fault car accidents. Instead, you can file a direct claim against the at-fault driver or another responsible party. This allows you to seek broader compensation, including for pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and long-term disability—even in cases where the physical damage may appear less severe.

Because these claims involve multiple steps—investigations, negotiations, medical documentation, and possibly a trial—it’s essential to work with a legal team experienced in handling motorcycle crash litigation in New York.

What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents?

Most motorcycle crashes happen because someone else wasn’t driving safely. In a densely packed city like New York, the risk increases due to traffic congestion, aggressive drivers, and constant road activity. Many motorists fail to check their blind spots when changing lanes, especially for motorcycles, which are harder to see. Others make unsafe left turns or merge without signaling. In many cases, a driver will open a car door into a motorcyclist’s path—often referred to as “dooring.” Other common causes include:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Impaired driving (alcohol or drugs)
• Road hazards like potholes, uneven pavement, or construction debris
• Poor weather and low visibility conditions

Even minor errors can have catastrophic consequences for motorcyclists. Riders don’t have the same physical protections as drivers in enclosed vehicles, which makes every impact more dangerous. At The Platta Law Firm, we conduct thorough investigations to uncover what really happened. We analyze police reports, speak with witnesses, gather video footage, and consult with accident reconstruction experts when needed. Our goal is to build the strongest case possible on your behalf.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

Multiple parties may be responsible for a motorcycle accident. Our job is to identify everyone who played a role and hold them legally and financially accountable. Depending on the circumstances of your crash, you may have a claim against a driver of a car, truck, or bus who acted negligently. Rideshare drivers—such as those working for Uber or Lyft—can also be held liable if they caused the accident while transporting passengers or driving between fares.

In some cases, a bicyclist or pedestrian may have acted carelessly and contributed to the crash. If a commercial vehicle was involved, the company that employed the driver may share responsibility as well. Manufacturers of defective motorcycles or faulty parts may also face liability if a product failure played a role in the crash. Lastly, government agencies responsible for maintaining roads can be held accountable when poor road conditions, like potholes or missing signage, lead to serious accidents.

New York uses a comparative fault system. This means that liability can be shared among multiple parties—including you. If you’re found partially at fault, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of blame. For example, if you’re 20% at fault, your award would be reduced by 20%. Our lawyers know how to fight back when insurance companies try to shift blame unfairly. We focus on protecting your rights and maximizing the compensation you deserve.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

A serious motorcycle crash can derail your life in countless ways—physically, financially, and emotionally. Our goal is to recover full and fair compensation for all the harm you’ve suffered. You may be eligible to receive money for:

• Medical expenses (emergency treatment, surgeries, rehab, future care)
• Lost income due to missed work
• Reduced earning capacity if you can’t return to your old job
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and emotional distress
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Motorcycle repairs or replacement
• Funeral and burial costs, in fatal crash cases

We work with economists, medical professionals, and vocational experts to properly value your case. This ensures that your compensation reflects not only current losses but also your long-term needs. Insurance companies are known for offering lowball settlements—especially to motorcyclists. We don’t let them get away with it. Our firm builds strong, evidence-backed claims that demand every dollar you deserve.

Can You Still Get Compensation if You Share Part of the Blame?

Yes. Under New York’s pure comparative negligence rule, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident. However, the total amount you receive will be reduced based on your share of fault. For example, if a jury finds you 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would still recover $70,000. The law only bars recovery if you are more than 50% responsible.

Insurance companies often exploit this rule to reduce what they owe. They might try to claim you were speeding, weaving through traffic, or not wearing a helmet. At The Platta Law Firm, we challenge those claims and work to minimize your assigned fault.

What if You Weren’t Wearing a Helmet?

New York law requires all motorcyclists and passengers to wear helmets. Failing to do so can affect your injury claim—but it doesn’t automatically prevent you from recovering compensation.

If you suffered a head injury and weren’t wearing a helmet, the other party may argue that your injuries were worse because of your own actions. This can reduce your compensation, but it doesn’t eliminate your right to sue. Our attorneys will gather medical records, expert opinions, and other evidence to show that the other party still caused the crash—and that you deserve compensation regardless.

What Does It Cost to Hire a New York Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

You don’t need to worry about legal fees. At The Platta Law Firm, we handle motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means:

• You pay nothing upfront
• We cover all the costs of investigating and preparing your case
• We only get paid if we win compensation for you

Our fee comes out of your settlement or court award—not from your pocket. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. This approach lets you focus on your recovery, not your finances. Our team takes on the risk so you don’t have to.

How Much Time Do You Have to File a Claim?

In most motorcycle accident cases, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the crash resulted in a fatality, surviving family members have two years to bring a wrongful death claim. However, there are exceptions. If a government agency is involved—for example, if poor road maintenance contributed to your crash—you may have only 90 days to file a notice of claim.

Missing these deadlines can destroy your case. That’s why it’s so important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. The earlier you contact us, the more time we have to build a strong claim on your behalf.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in NYC

Taking the right steps after a crash can make a big difference in your case. If possible:

• Call 911 and report the accident
• Get medical attention, even if injuries seem minor
• Take photos or videos of the scene and damage
• Collect names and contact info of witnesses
• Avoid making statements to insurance companies
• Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer before signing anything

We understand that some injuries prevent you from gathering evidence or calling a lawyer right away. That’s okay. We’ll take care of everything once you’re able to reach out. Just don’t wait too long.

Talk to a Top New York City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

Motorcycle accidents often cause life-altering injuries like:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord damage and paralysis
• Fractures and broken bones
• Severe burns and road rash
• Amputations
• Chronic pain and emotional trauma

If someone else’s negligence caused your crash, you have every right to seek justice and financial recovery. The Platta Law Firm is here to fight for you. We represent injured riders throughout Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and nearby areas. Call (212) 514-5100 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation. We’re ready to help you move forward with confidence.