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24/7/365 Emergency Hotline: 631-348-1702

If you have been arrested, or in case of an emergency, our attorneys can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 631-348-1702.

Motorcycle Accidents in New York

With clear skies and sunshine, the summer months are sure to be the peak time for New York motorcyclists to head out on the open road. Due partly to rising gas prices, more people are using motorcycles than in recent years. In 2015, there were 8.6 million private and commercial motorcycles on the road. With more cyclists on the streets, there is a greater likelihood for a serious motorcycle accident to occur. According to the National Highway and Safety Administration (NHTSA), fatal motorcycle accidents occur 27 times more frequently than fatalities for other motor vehicles. A number of various factors contribute to these serious accidents, including errors by motor vehicle drivers and distracted driving. Since New York’s no-fault laws generally do not apply to motorcycles, these types of accident cases are handled differently from other motor vehicle accidents.

With clear skies and sunshine, the summer months are sure to be the peak time for New York motorcyclists to head out on the open road. Due partly to rising gas prices, more people are using motorcycles than in recent years. In 2015, there were 8.6 million private and commercial motorcycles on the road. With more cyclists on the streets, there is a greater likelihood for a serious motorcycle accident to occur. According to the National Highway and Safety Administration (NHTSA), fatal motorcycle accidents occur 27 times more frequently than fatalities for other motor vehicles. A number of various factors contribute to these serious accidents, including errors by motor vehicle drivers and distracted driving. Since New York’s no-fault laws generally do not apply to motorcycles, these types of accident cases are handled differently from other motor vehicle accidents.

Errors by motorcycle drivers and other motorists are prominent factors that contribute to catastrophic motorcycle accidents. One of the single most dangerous situations for motorcyclists are when drivers of other vehicles make a left-hand turn, or left-hand lane change, and then crash into the bike. These situations account for 42 percent of all motorcycle accidents that involve a car. The car usually strikes the motorcycle when the motorcycle is moving straight through an intersection, passing the car, or trying to overtake the car. These accidents are common between two cars, but the smaller size of the bike makes it even less visible to the turning vehicles. In most cases, a vehicle that strikes another vehicle while making a left-hand turn will be held at fault for the accident. However, if the motorcyclist contributed to the accident by being in the wrong lane or speeding, he or she may be held partly liable.

Drivers who are distracted while driving pose danger to other motorists on the road, especially motorcyclists. One of the most common forms of distracted driving is cell phone use. Just as alcohol and drug use inhibits a driver’s ability to be aware of their surroundings, so does using a phone while driving. It is important for drivers to stay off their phone and keep an eye out for motorcycles as some may be hard to spot due to their smaller size. The failure of motorists to recognize motorcycles on the roadways is a predominant factor in motorcycle accidents.

Motorcycles are not covered under New York’s no-fault laws and are generally excluded from its coverage for medical and lost wages. However, motorcyclists who are injured in accidents do not have to succumb to New York’s serious injury threshold limitations and may file a claim against a negligent driver for injuries within those restrictions. New York motorcycle accident lawsuits may provide compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, future medical costs, loss of earning capacity, and loss of consortium. A plaintiff may bring a lawsuit against a driver, a motorcycle manufacturer or part manufacturer, or a municipality whose negligent actions resulted or contributed to the crash. In these cases, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant owed them a duty of care, breached this duty, the breach of duty resulted in the motorcyclist’s injuries and the cyclist was in fact injured.

Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important to seek the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney. The New York accident lawyers at McGuire & Peláez P.C. handle various personal injury matters, including serious motorcycle accidents. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact our Long Island motorcycle accident law office at (631) 348-1702.

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Reviews

They were a big help with a case I had that had been prolonged by NYC. With their help I avoided 8 points & an increase on my insurance. Can't recommend them enough, well worth the money.
Me fue bien. Trabajan muy bien. Son recomendados
Response from the owner:Thank you very much for your positive review, Orlando. We appreciate you coming to us for legal assistance, and hope you consider us if you need any further help.
Mi experiencia con los los Abogados en Mcguirre, Peláez son muy profesionales le recomendaría a mucha de mis amigos hispanos
Response from the owner:Thank you very much for your review, Joel. We are glad we could be of assistance. Please let us know if there are any future legal issues you need help with.
I can’t recommend Brett Bennett — or really, anyone at McGuire, Peláez & Bennett — highly enough. Hiring Brett was hands-down one of the best decisions I’ve made (and trust me, given why I needed a lawyer, I’ve made some questionable ones).

From the start, Brett made the whole process so much less stressful. He’s approachable, sharp, and always available to chat — no legal jargon, no intimidation, just solid, straightforward guidance. My case wasn’t exactly simple, but Brett’s expertise and understanding of the law turned what felt like a mess into a remarkably favorable outcome. Way beyond what I expected.

Also, special shoutout to the receptionist — she was an absolute gem. Every time I called, she was kind, helpful, and somehow managed to make the whole experience feel a little less daunting.

Bottom line: Brett was affordable, worth every penny, and then some. If you’re reading reviews wondering who to trust with your legal headache — take it from me, this is your guy.
Response from the owner:Maeve, we greatly appreciate you leaving your review. We are happy to have been of service, and hope we can help you again if you ever need any assistance with a future legal matter.
Los abogados son expertos en lo que hacen. Me an ayudado anteriormente y hicieron un buen trabajo. Las muchas de frente son muy buena gente.
Response from the owner:Gracias. Thank you Juan.
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