Why Working With an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Matters
Motorcycle accident claims can be highly complex. Because motorcycles lack a protective vehicle frame, riders may suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal damage, severe road rash, and other catastrophic harm. These severe injuries can lead to exceptionally high medical bills and damage claims.
Proving liability is also challenging. Many crashes are caused by negligent drivers who speed, change lanes without checking blind spots, or turn left directly into a motorcyclist’s path. Aging infrastructure, defective bike parts, or a combination of multiple other hazards may also contribute to the crash. Due to these factors, identifying who was responsible and holding them accountable can be more complicated than other traffic accidents.
Additionally, insurance companies can have an unfair bias against motorcyclists and assume the rider was reckless. An experienced Queens motorcycle crash attorney will know how to counter this bias, determine what caused the crash, and fight for the full compensation you need to recover.
Why Choose The Sanders Law Firm for Your Queens Motorcycle Accident Case?
Founded in 1967, The Sanders Law Firm is built on decades of refined legal skill, generational leadership, and a legacy of results. We’re known for our relentless New York City grit when standing up for working families and fighting powerful institutions on their behalf. When you work with our team, we’ll protect you from lowball settlements and insurance pressure.
When other firms focus on pre-litigation settlements, we push cases forward and are not afraid to file lawsuits when insurance companies offer less than our clients deserve. Working with our expansive network of medical consultants and investigators, we have the resources and skills to take motorcycle accident cases to trial and secure meaningful outcomes.
Our multilingual team is available 24/7 to assist after a motorcycle crash. Along with free consultations, there is no upfront cost to hire us and no fee unless we win your case.
The Sanders firm is very reliable and considerate of your well being and feelings. They always kept me informed with the info I needed to know and the staff are always nice!
Wendy D.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Queens
Congested Queens roads present unique dangers for motorcyclists, but understanding these common accident causes can help you stay safe when riding:
- Left-turning vehicles: Drivers may turn left at busy intersections along Queens Boulevard or other high-traffic areas without seeing oncoming motorcycles, cutting directly into your path.
- Blind-spot lane changes: Heavy traffic often leads to sudden lane changes. Some drivers may fail to check blind spots and sideswipe riders.
- Reckless driving: Drivers who speed, tailgate, or drive aggressively may not have enough distance or time to avoid a collision.
- Neglected road hazards: Potholes, loose gravel, and uneven pavement on poorly maintained city streets can destabilize two-wheeled vehicles.
- Defective parts: Sudden brake failures or tire blowouts can cause a rider to lose control on the road.
If someone else’s negligence caused your motorcycle wreck, connect with our team to learn more about your rights and legal options.
Motorcycle Accident Liability and Compensation
Recovering compensation after a motorcycle accident involves determining who is liable or legally responsible for the crash. In New York, multiple parties can be liable if their negligence contributed to the crash, and they can be held accountable for your losses, including:
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and future treatment
- Lost wages: Income missed during recovery and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional trauma, and lost quality of life
- Permanent injuries: Lifelong scarring, disfigurement, or disability
- Wrongful death damages: Financial and emotional support for grieving families who lost a loved one
If you share some responsibility for what happened, you may still be entitled to partial compensation under New York’s modified comparative negligence rule. However, the amount awarded is proportionately reduced by the percentage of fault you share. Also, if you are more than 50% at fault, you are barred from covering any compensation.
No-Fault Insurance in Motorcycle Accidents
While New York’s no-fault insurance system applies to most injured motorists after an accident, motorcyclists are excluded from receiving Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. This means medical bills and lost income become your responsibility rather than relying on your insurance to cover them right away.
However, this law offers one significant benefit to injured riders. Because you are excluded from the no-fault system, you are exempt from the strict serious injury threshold rule. Unlike car accident victims who must first prove they suffered a serious injury before they can file a lawsuit, injured motorcyclists have the right to sue for the full value of their losses immediately, including pain and suffering.
New York’s Motorcycle Helmet Law
New York law strictly requires all riders to wear a motorcycle helmet that meets safety standards. If you were not wearing a helmet when the crash occurred, insurance companies may argue that the lack of a helmet caused or worsened your head or neck injuries to reduce your payout—but not wearing a helmet does not mean you are automatically liable.
We fiercely defend riders against unfair insurance tactics with expert witness testimony to protect your right to full recovery. Even if you did not wear a helmet, you can still seek compensation. Reach out to our team to discuss your situation and learn more about your rights.
We Have Your Back
Founded in 1967, The Sanders Law Firm has grown into a large, thriving organization of attorneys, paralegals, medical consultants, and support staff – all committed to providing the highest level of legal representation to injured New Yorkers.
New York’s Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accidents
Under New York’s statute of limitations for personal injury, injured motorcyclists generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a legal claim. Missing this deadline means permanently forfeiting your right to recover any compensation. However, there are some exceptions to the three-year deadline.
For example, a much stricter time limit applies to claims against a government entity or agency. If your motorcycle wreck involves a city vehicle, a poorly maintained municipal road, or a government property hazard, you must file a formal Notice of Claim within 90 days of the crash and initiate the lawsuit within one year and 90 days.
We know this can feel overwhelming while you try to recover, but a motorcycle lawyer in NYC can manage these deadlines for you and gather time-sensitive evidence that may support your claim.
How The Sanders Law Firm Handles Your Motorcycle Accident Case
The Sanders Law Firm stands by its clients as protectors, making sure they are represented, supported, and empowered throughout the legal process. Here’s what you can expect when you work with our motorcycle accident lawyers:
Immediate Steps
Your journey begins with a free consultation to discuss what happened and how we might assist. If you decide to move forward with our attorneys, we will immediately step in to gather scene photos, obtain the police report, and secure witness statements before evidence disappears.
Investigation Phase
Next, we’ll request your medical records and work with your doctors and in-house medical consultants to analyze the full impact of your injuries. We also consult accident reconstructionists to determine what happened, identify liable parties, and push back against the insurance company if they try to shift blame to you.
Negotiations Phase
When insurance companies make settlement offers, we’ll provide an honest assessment and guide you on how to move forward. If their offer fails to cover the true impact of your losses, we aggressively push back to demand the full value of your claim.
Litigation Phase
Our firm is litigation-driven, preparing your case for trial from the start. When insurance companies refuse to make a fair offer, we will file a lawsuit and go to court when necessary. We have the resources and determination to go the distance for you.
Contact The Sanders Law Firm Today
Your city. Your case. Our fight. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a Queens motorcycle accident, our multilingual team is available around the clock to help. Call (833) SANDERS or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We can meet over the phone, at one of our New York office locations, or anywhere that is convenient for you.