Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Serving New York & New Jersey

If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident in New York or New Jersey, the injuries you are dealing with are likely more severe than what a car driver would have sustained in the same collision, and the insurance company is probably already looking for ways to minimize what they owe or blame you entirely. Motorcyclists face a unique combination of physical vulnerability on the road and bias from adjusters who assume riders were being reckless, even when the evidence clearly shows otherwise.

At Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C., our New York and New Jersey motorcycle accident lawyer has been representing injured riders and their families since 1975. We understand the specific legal and insurance issues that arise in motorcycle cases, and we refuse to let adjusters treat riders unfairly. Contact us for a free consultation.

Trusted motorcycle accident lawyers with over 51 years of experience.

What makes motorcycle accident claims different from other vehicle crash cases?

Motorcycle accidents produce more severe injuries than car crashes because riders lack the structural protection of an enclosed vehicle, meaning there are no airbags, no crumple zones, and no seatbelt to prevent ejection. When a car makes a left turn into the path of an oncoming motorcycle or changes lanes without checking a blind spot, the rider absorbs the full force of impact. Insurance companies understand this, and their adjusters in motorcycle cases frequently argue that the rider was speeding, weaving through traffic, or otherwise riding recklessly even when the evidence does not support those claims. According to NHTSA motorcycle safety data, motorcyclists are significantly overrepresented in traffic fatalities relative to other vehicle operators, which underscores both the physical risks riders face and the importance of holding negligent drivers accountable.

An important legal distinction applies in both states. New York’s no-fault insurance law does not cover motorcycles, which means riders cannot access PIP benefits and must pursue claims directly against the at-fault driver’s liability policy from the outset. In New Jersey, motorcycle riders are also excluded from PIP coverage.

Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases We Handle in New York and New Jersey

Our firm handles motorcycle accident claims involving a wide range of collision types and injury patterns across both New York, NY and New Jersey, NJ.

• Left-turn collisions. The most common motorcycle accident scenario involves a car or truck turning left at an intersection and striking an oncoming motorcycle, and drivers who claim they did not see the rider are admitting to a failure of observation that itself constitutes negligence.
• Lane-change crashes. Drivers who fail to check blind spots before changing lanes or who drift into a motorcyclist’s lane cause serious accidents that can send the rider sliding across pavement at highway speed, resulting in road rash, fractures, and traumatic brain injuries.
• Rear-end collisions. A motorcycle struck from behind by a car or truck often sends the rider over the handlebars, and even moderate-speed rear-end impacts can cause spinal injuries, broken bones, and internal organ damage.
• Road hazard accidents. Potholes, gravel, uneven pavement, oil spills, and debris on the roadway pose far greater danger to motorcyclists than to car drivers because even a small obstruction can destabilize a two-wheeled vehicle, and municipal liability may apply when road defects that should have been repaired cause a crash.
• Drunk and distracted driver crashes. Impaired and inattentive drivers are responsible for a disproportionate share of motorcycle fatalities in both states, and cell phone records and blood alcohol testing often provide the critical evidence needed to establish that the driver was not paying attention or was too impaired to operate a vehicle safely.
• Hit-and-run accidents. When the driver who caused the accident flees the scene, injured riders may need to pursue claims through their own uninsured motorist coverage, and our attorneys help identify responsible drivers whenever possible using traffic cameras, witness accounts, and police investigations.
• Defective motorcycle or parts. Brake failures, tire defects, and faulty throttle mechanisms can cause or worsen crashes, and in these cases the manufacturer may be liable under product liability law for placing a dangerous product on the market.

Why Choose Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. for Motorcycle Accident Cases in New York and New Jersey?

Proven Recoveries for Injured Riders

Our firm secured an $836,000 settlement for a motorcyclist hit by a car and has recovered millions of dollars in personal injury verdicts and settlements for clients across both states. Insurance companies in motorcycle claims are particularly aggressive in denying or undervaluing injuries, which is why we prepare every case for trial from the beginning.

Barry S. Kantrowitz has been practicing law for over 40 years and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He has been named a Super Lawyer in New York and is licensed in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Barry earned his J.D. from Boston University School of Law and is a member of The National Trial Lawyers.

Kate Carballo focuses on personal injury litigation and is a Certified Civil Trial Attorney recognized by the New Jersey Supreme Court. She is a member of the American Association for Justice and was named to the Super Lawyers list from 2024 through 2026.

Our personal injury lawyer in New York and New Jersey understands the bias riders face from insurers and juries and know how to counter it with evidence and effective advocacy.

“I recommend Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, & Graidman without hesitation! Barry Kantrowitz is a premier NY/NY personal injury lawyer and the firm is top notch. I am based out of South Florida and often have clients based in the NY/NJ area with auto negligence, medical malpractice, and injury cases. I have the highest conviction to refer cases and clients to Barry and his firm. Five stars all the way.” — Eli Stiers

Understanding Motorcycle Accident Cases

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Cases

The cost of a motorcycle accident is almost always higher than what you would see in a comparable car crash, and the reason is straightforward. Without the protection of an enclosed vehicle, riders absorb injuries that car occupants rarely sustain. Road rash that covers 15% of your body requires skin grafts and months of wound care. A fractured pelvis means you are not working for three to six months. A traumatic brain injury can change everything permanently.

Your claim can include every dollar you spend on medical care from the ER visit through the last physical therapy session, every paycheck you miss while recovering, and the difference between what you were earning before and what you can earn now if the injuries permanently reduce your capacity to work. You can also recover for the pain itself, the scarring, the anxiety that follows you onto every road, and in the worst cases, the loss of activities and relationships that defined your life before the crash.

New York’s pure comparative negligence standard means a rider who was 20% at fault still recovers 80% of their damages. New Jersey’s modified rule is less forgiving and bars recovery entirely when the rider’s fault exceeds 50%. Insurance coverage adds another wrinkle. Because New York’s no-fault system does not apply to motorcycles, there is no automatic PIP coverage to pay your initial medical bills. You have to go after the other driver’s liability policy from day one. New Jersey similarly excludes motorcycle riders from PIP coverage.

Important Aspects in Your Motorcycle Accident Case

In our experience, the biggest obstacle in motorcycle accident claims is not proving what happened. It is overcoming the assumption that the rider was at fault. Adjusters and defense attorneys know that some jurors carry a bias against motorcyclists, and they exploit it. They will argue you were going too fast even if you were under the speed limit. They will suggest you were weaving even if you were in your lane. Independent witnesses who can corroborate your version of events are enormously valuable in countering this, and their names and contact information should be collected at the scene whenever possible.

Helmet use is a factor in both states because New York and New Jersey both require riders to wear helmets. If you were not wearing one and sustained a head injury, the defense will argue that the helmet would have prevented or reduced the injury. This does not bar your claim, but it can reduce the amount a jury awards. If you were wearing a helmet, preserve it. The damage pattern on the helmet tells an accident reconstruction specialist a great deal about the angle and force of the impact.

The same goes for your jacket, gloves, and boots. Road rash damage on protective gear, cracked armor inserts, and abrasion marks on leather or textile all serve as physical evidence of how your body hit the pavement. Once that gear is thrown away or cleaned, that evidence is gone.

Motorcycle Accident Case Timeline

Motorcycle cases in New York, NY and New Jersey, NJ generally follow this progression, though timelines vary based on injury severity and the complexity of liability.

• Emergency medical care and stabilization is the first priority, followed by ongoing treatment and rehabilitation that may last months depending on the nature of the injuries.
• Investigation includes police reports, witness interviews, surveillance footage, and in complex cases an accident reconstruction specialist.
• Your attorney files a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer or files a lawsuit within the statute of limitations, which is three years in New York and two years in New Jersey.
• Discovery, depositions, and medical evaluations follow, and the case moves toward settlement negotiations or trial.

What to Bring to Your Motorcycle Accident Consultation

To help us evaluate your case, bring the following materials to your first meeting with our attorneys.

• The police accident report from the crash
• Medical records and bills from all treatment since the accident
• Photos of the accident scene, motorcycle damage, and your injuries
• Insurance information for both you and the at-fault driver
• Contact information for any witnesses who saw the collision

The consultation is free and carries no obligation.

New York and New Jersey Legal Resources for Motorcycle Accidents

New York

These resources can help you research New York laws governing motorcycle accident claims and rider requirements:

• New York State Unified Court System provides information on civil court filing deadlines and procedures for personal injury claims
• NYS DMV Motorcycle Page provides information on motorcycle licensing, helmet requirements, and safety courses available in the state
• NHTSA Motorcycle Safety publishes national crash data and safety research specific to motorcyclists

New Jersey

These resources cover New Jersey motorcycle accident law and rider safety:

• New Jersey Courts provides guidance on statutes of limitations and civil filing procedures for motorcycle injury claims
• New Jersey What is the statute of limitations for the claim in my case? | NJ CourtsMotor Vehicle Commission provides motorcycle licensing, insurance, and safety information for riders across the state
• New Jersey Legislature maintains searchable access to statutes governing motor vehicle insurance and personal injury claims

Reach Out to Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. to Schedule a Consultation

If you were injured in a motorcycle crash in New York or New Jersey, Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. is ready to fight for you and your recovery. Contact us for a free consultation.