Queens Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Representing Motorcycle Accident Victims in New York City

If you were injured or if someone you love died in a motorcycle accident in Queens, the Bronx, or any of the surrounding areas, contact the Harris Firm, LLC right away for a free consultation. You have the right to seek fair financial compensation for your damages, but your time—and ability—to file a claim may be limited. The sooner you act, the better.

Since 2003, our Queens motorcycle accident attorneys have been aggressively and successfully advocating for the rights of injured motorcyclists and their families. Our Queens motorcycle accident attorneys bring more than 28 years of experience to their practice of personal injury law, as well as a long, proven record of success. We understand the unique issues involved in these types of accident claims and are prepared to protect your right to a fair recovery.

Although any motor vehicle accident can result in catastrophic or even fatal injuries, motorcycle collisions tend to be especially devastating. Motorcycles lack the basic protective features of most standard automobiles, meaning motorcycle operators and passengers are at a higher risk of severe bodily injury and death. Unfortunately, injured motorcyclists in New York City also face significant challenges when it comes to recovering compensation after an accident.

Call (718) 487-8669 or contact us online to request a free initial consultation. We can assist you in Spanish, Russian, French, or another language you are most comfortable with.

Motorcyclists Are Not Covered by No-Fault Insurance in New York

The state of New York follows a no-fault system when it comes to most motor vehicle accidents. However, unlike standard car accidents, motorcycle accidents in New York are not covered by no-fault insurance. Instead, injured riders and passengers must file claims against the at-fault party’s insurance company or sue the liable driver for damages to be compensated for their losses.

To have a motorcycle accident claim, you must be able to prove the following:

• You were injured and/or suffered damages (including losses associated with the wrongful death of a loved one)
• Another person or party, known as the “defendant,” breached the implied duty of care motorists and others owe to fellow drivers and passengers on the road
• The defendant’s negligent, reckless, careless, or wrongful conduct was the cause of your injuries and resulting damages

Under the state’s pure comparative negligence rule, you may recover compensation for an accident in which you were partially at fault. However, the total amount you can recover, either as a settlement or verdict, will be reduced by your degree of fault. For example, if you are found to have been 25% to blame for the crash that caused your injuries, your total recovery would be reduced by 25%. This means you would only be able to recover up to 75% of the total amount of your damages.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Although many people—including insurance adjusters, judges, and juries—believe motorcycle operators to be dangerous, risk-taking drivers, the vast majority of motorcycle accidents occur as a result of someone else’s negligence.

This negligence takes many forms, including but not limited to:

• Distracted driving, including texting while driving
• Drunk driving
• Fatigued driving/falling asleep at the wheel
• Speeding
• Aggressive or reckless driving
• Tailgating/following too closely
• Failing to check for motorcyclists in vehicles’ blind spots
• Opening car doors into motorcyclists
• Making dangerous turns and other unsafe driving maneuvers
• Merging into or directly in front of motorcyclists
• Passing motorcyclists and other vehicles illegally
• Failing to obey traffic control devices, such as red lights and stop signs
• Failing to properly maintain roadways
• Designing or constructing defective or dangerous roadways
• Manufacturing defective vehicles/vehicle parts

At the Harris Firm, LLC, we know that most motorcyclists are highly skilled, cautious drivers. Our attorneys work tirelessly to uncover all available evidence and develop personalized legal strategies that clearly demonstrate the other party’s negligence.

Common Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents

• Road rash
• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord Injuries
• Broken bones/ fractures
• Internal injuries

Damages in Motorcycle Accident Cases

Because motorcyclists are virtually unprotected, they are at a high risk of sustaining catastrophic injuries when they are involved in accidents with other vehicles and objects along the roadway. Common motorcycle accident injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, broken bones, road rash, soft tissue injuries, internal bleeding, and loss of limb.

The cost of treating these types of injuries is immense, with victims facing weeks, months, or even years of medical care and rehabilitation, time off work, and other hardships.

At the Harris Firm, LLC, we help our clients seek maximum compensation for their losses, including but not limited to:

• Emergency transportation and care
• Hospital and ambulance fees
• Surgeries and other treatments
• Medications and medical equipment
• Rehabilitation
• Physical therapy
• Future medical care costs
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder
• Counseling
• Lost income, wages, and employment benefits
• Loss of earning ability
• Loss of future expected earnings
• Diminished quality of life
• Disfigurement

When an individual dies due to a motorcycle accident, our firm assists surviving family members in seeking wrongful death damages, such as funeral/burial expenses, the value of services and support provided by the deceased, and loss of love, companionship, comfort, guidance, and counsel.

Why You Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycle accident claims are not like standard car accident cases. They are not subject to the state’s no-fault system, meaning you will need to prove fault and establish liability to recover compensation. Additionally, because these cases tend to be high in overall value, insurance companies will often do everything they can to dispute or deny them.

When you work with a Queens motorcycle accident attorney from the Harris Firm, LLC, you have a powerful legal ally by your side. Our attorneys are well-versed in New York City statutes, as well as state laws, regarding motorcycle accidents, and we are highly experienced in going up against major insurance providers. We are aggressive advocates for our clients, known for making insurance companies pay every last cent they owe to the injured.

Contact Us Now for a Free Consultation

There is no risk and no obligation in talking to a member of our team about your legal rights and options. If you or a loved one was involved in a recent motorcycle accident in Queens or any of New York City’s five boroughs, reach out to the Harris Firm, LLC to learn how we can help.

We have multiple offices, each with an open-door policy. We can also travel to your home or meet you in the hospital if your injuries prevent you from coming to us.

To make an appointment or to discuss your potential case with one of our motorcycle accident attorneys in Queens, call (718) 487-8669 or submit a free online case evaluation form.