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Left Turn Crash Kills Tappan Motorcyclist

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Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C.

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Written/Reviewed By:

Barry S. Kantrowitz, Esq.

Last Updated: Sep 29, 2026

Read Time: 3 mins

A fatal motorcycle crash leaves a family with questions no one prepares for. The collision on Route 303 in Tappan this summer followed a pattern riders in the Hudson Valley know well. Knowing how these claims are investigated can help a family decide what to do in the weeks that follow.

What Orangetown Police Reported

A motorcyclist traveling north on Route 303 was killed at the intersection with Campbell Avenue. Orangetown police said a 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee heading south attempted a left turn onto Campbell Avenue and struck the northbound 2025 Harley-Davidson.

The rider was pronounced dead at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. A third vehicle sat stopped at the intersection at the time. No one else was injured.

The department’s Accident Investigation Team took over the case, according to Mid-Hudson News.

Why Left Turns Are So Dangerous for Riders

Drivers routinely misjudge how fast an oncoming motorcycle is closing. A narrow headlight against a busy background gives the brain very little to work with, and a turning driver often commits before the gap is real.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 6,228 motorcyclists were killed in 2024, accounting for 16 percent of all traffic deaths, and notes that most multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes happen because another driver simply did not see the rider.

Evidence That Matters in a Fatal Crash Case

Intersection cases turn on timing, sightlines, and speed. Several things help establish those facts:

The full police accident reconstruction file, including scene measurements and diagrams
Statements from the driver of the third vehicle stopped at the intersection
Signal timing records and traffic camera footage from nearby businesses
Event data recorder information from the SUV
Roadway design records for the Route 303 approach

Much of this disappears within weeks. Footage gets overwritten. Vehicles get repaired or scrapped.

How New York Handles These Claims

Two points surprise most families. First, New York’s no-fault benefits do not extend to motorcyclists, so a rider’s medical costs are not covered the way a car occupant’s would be. Second, a wrongful death action must be brought by the personal representative of the estate, and EPTL § 5-4.1 requires that it be commenced within two years of the death.

New York also applies pure comparative negligence. If an insurer argues the rider was speeding, that argument reduces recovery rather than eliminating it. Insurers know this and often lean on rider stereotypes early in the process.

An experienced Rockland County, NY motorcycle accident lawyer riders rely on can move quickly to preserve evidence while the investigation is still open.

If your family lost someone in a motorcycle collision, the attorneys at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. can review the police findings and explain your options. Reach out to KGG Law to discuss what happened.

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   LWelsh 
 9 days ago
 
 
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   Kenny Perlow 
 30 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. KGG Law, and Barry Kantrowitz in particular, set the bar high for what a thorough, practical, strategic, compassionate and smart lawyer can be. Everything about Barry's advice and representation was exemplary and the stress mitigation that resulted was invaluable. On top of that, the ultimate result Barry achieved was beyond what was reasonable to expect and we are forever grateful. Often, people say that you hire a lawyer to prevent a problem. Sometimes, unfortunately, you need an attorney to solve a problem and I could not recommend Barry and his firm any more highly in that regard.
  
 
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   Aliza Ali 
 94 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My dad had a great experience with this law firm. From the very beginning, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and always willing to answer our questions. They kept us informed throughout the entire process and made what could have been a very stressful situation much easier to handle. We truly appreciated their dedication, honesty, and hard work. Thanks to their support, my dad felt confident every step of the way. We are very grateful for everything they did and would highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for reliable legal representation.
  
 
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 97 days ago
 
 
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   Mike Sakmann 
 103 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I sought legal advice regarding an employment matter and had an excellent experience working with Sam Smith, Esq. at KGG Law. Sam was thorough, attentive, and took the time to listen carefully to my concerns before providing clear, thoughtful guidance. I appreciated the professionalism and care shown throughout the process, and I would confidently recommend KGG Law to anyone in need of legal assistance.
  
 
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   Liz Hecker 
 109 days ago
 
 
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 132 days ago
 
 
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   Mike Greenspan 
 145 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate Carballo is a dedicated, passionate, and creative attorney whom I had the pleasure to lecture with at a state trial lawyer's conference. Kate's lecture demonstrated how she uses her innovative and "out-of-the-box thinking" to achieve outstanding results for her injured clients. That Kate is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney is a testament to her skills, experience and commitment to excellence.
  
 
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   Jonathan Sampson 
 152 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Was referred to KGG law by a friend and could not have asked for better legal representation. They walked me through every step of the process after my accident and began every call with “ how are you feeling” which was just one example of how much they care about their clients. They handled my case very efficiently, professionally and courteously. My attorney Kate Carballo was a rock star! So clearly experienced, she consistently made me feel at ease with the process. Highly recommend
  
 
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   Vinnie Kung 
 155 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great experience with the team at KGG Law. While it was a traumatic time for our family, they made it very easy for us and explained all of our options. They even performed due diligence to make sure that after our settlement, there would be no further issues which I think is even more important than the settlement itself. Thank you!

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Left Turn Crash Kills Tappan Motorcyclist

What Orangetown Police Reported

Why Left Turns Are So Dangerous for Riders

Evidence That Matters in a Fatal Crash Case

How New York Handles These Claims

Why Trust Us?

Rockland County, New York

Bergen County, New Jersey