Queens Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
In New York, motorcycle accidents are significantly more dangerous than typical car accidents. The lack of a vehicle frame to protect the rider leaves them highly exposed to life-altering injuries. If you or a family member were injured in a motorcycle accident in Queens, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries and other losses. Reach out to the experienced Queens personal injury lawyers at Lever & Ecker today for a free case evaluation.
Key Takeaways
- New York No-Fault Insurance doesn’t cover motorcycle accidents
- Under New York’s pure comparative negligence law, motorcyclists can still recover compensation even if partially at fault, but their award is reduced based on their percentage of fault
- We recovered a $2.15 million for the family of a motorcyclist who passed away in a crash
Table of Contents
- Motorcycle Accident Injuries Are Often Severe & Life-Changing
- Pursuing Reimbursement Through a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Queens
- How Lever & Ecker Investigates Motorcycle Accidents in Queens
- How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Queens?
- Speak to Lever & Ecker’s Queens Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
- FAQs
At Lever & Ecker, PLLC, our Queens motorcycle accident attorneys have in-depth knowledge about motorcycle accident cases, as well as personal experience with them. One of our founding partners, David B. Lever, experienced a motorcycle accident at just 17 years old.
David B. Lever
Founding Partner
With a 99 percent case success rate, Lever & Ecker is always prepared to go to trial if necessary, though we successfully settle most motorcycle accident cases out of court. In one case, we recovered $2.15 million for the family of a motorcyclist who died in a crash. Though the defense argued the crash was the rider’s fault, the jury found otherwise after a lengthy trial and awarded the rider’s family significant compensation for their loss.
Lever & Ecker is motivated by helping injured people heal and restore their lives. Our Queens motorcycle accident lawyers take a hands-on approach to every client’s matter, guiding them through every step of the legal process. We treat each case as the most important thing in our office—to us, clients are family, not numbers. When you work with us, you can expect top-tier legal representation, an open line of communication, and a team of attorneys and staff who genuinely care about making a difference in your life.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries Are Often Severe & Life-Changing
Driving in New York City is dangerous even in a traditional vehicle, but the protections a car offers are not present on a motorcycle. Motorcyclists are far more likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries in a crash than drivers or passengers in a car. At Lever & Ecker, we understand how the serious injuries motorcycle accidents can cause can completely alter the course of a person and their family’s lives. Some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries we have seen and dealt with include:
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Degloving
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain Injuries
- Neck injuries
- Arm injuries
- Leg injuries
- Paralysis
- Death
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Queens
According to the New York City Department of Transportation, only 2 percent of registered vehicles in the city are motorcycles. Even so, between 2010 and 2014, motorcyclists accounted for 14 percent of all New York City traffic fatalities.
In Queens and across the boroughs of New York City, the majority of motorcycle fatalities occur on city streets, not highways. Additionally, the Department of Transportation has reported that motorcycle crash injuries are more likely to occur in the afternoon or evening, on weekends, and during the summer months. These crashes typically involve another vehicle, and visibility is a commonly cited issue. Some of the other common causes of motorcycle accidents in Queens include:
- Lane splitting
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield
- Road hazards
- Impaired driving
- Speeding
- Dooring accidents
- Vehicle defects
- Tailgating
- Poor weather conditions
- Traffic law violations
Pursuing Reimbursement Through a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Queens
If you file a motorcycle accident lawsuit, you may be able to recover various types of damages, including non-economic, economic, and punitive damages. Non-economic damages include non-quantifiable losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium, while economic damages include concrete financial losses like medical bills and property damage.
If the motorcyclist is killed in the crash, their family may be able to recover additional damages for wrongful death. Punitive damages are rarer and only awarded if the at-fault party’s misbehavior was egregious or intentional.
How Lever & Ecker Investigates Motorcycle Accidents in Queens
Understanding Our Clients’ Stories
At Lever & Ecker, our attorneys listen to each client’s full experience to understand the impact of their motorcycle accident on both the client and their family.
Collecting Crucial Evidence
When you work with Lever & Ecker, our attorneys will handle collecting evidence for your case so you can focus on your recovery. Some of the evidence we may gather to build you the strongest possible case includes:
- Accident reports
- Witness statements
- Photos and videos of the scene, property damage, and resulting injuries
- Expert testimony from medical professionals, accident recreationists, and forensic specialists
- Medical records
- Police reports
Evaluating Injuries and Share of Fault
To recover damages in a motorcycle accident case in New York, you must prove the negligence of another party by establishing a duty of care, a breach of that duty, that the breach caused your injuries, and that your injuries caused you financial, physical, and emotional damages. Lever & Ecker will assess your injuries and determine whether your share of fault in your motorcycle accident may impact the damages you can recover.
Building a Strong Case Through Communication and Preparation
Lever & Ecker prides itself on having an open line of communication with its clients who have been in motorcycle accidents. We are always prepared to take a case to trial if necessary.
Support Our Clients' Recovery
Outside of the legal aspects of the case, Lever & Ecker’s attorneys and staff can also assist you in finding the right care to support your recovery after a motorcycle accident.
How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Queens?
Under the New York personal injury statute of limitations, you have three years from the date of your motorcycle accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you may be unable to recover compensation for your injuries and other losses. Acting quickly after an accident is crucial to protect your legal right to compensation.
Speak to Lever & Ecker’s Queens Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
With more than 70 years of combined experience, Lever & Ecker’s award-winning New York lawyers have the skills, knowledge, and experience to successfully handle your motorcycle accident lawsuit. Our approach is simple: we listen to you, guide you, and help you with what needs to be done immediately, providing you with all the resources you need to make the right legal decisions and get the right care. If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident, reach out to Lever & Ecker today for a free consultation by calling (347) 391-6337 or filling out our online contact form.
FAQs
Are Motorcycle Accidents in Queens Covered by New York No-Fault Insurance?
New York is a no-fault car insurance state, meaning that all automobile insurance policies must cover basic economic losses for anyone injured while using a motor vehicle, regardless of fault. However, motorcyclists in New York are not covered by no-fault insurance. This means they can seek compensation from negligent parties for their losses through an auto liability insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit without first exhausting no-fault benefits.
Can Helmets and Lane Splitting Laws Impact Your Case?
New York law prohibits lane splitting—riding a motorcycle between lanes of traffic—and requires all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear helmets. However, even if you were lane splitting or not wearing a helmet when your accident occurred, you may be able to recover compensation under the New York comparative negligence law.
Can You Still Receive Compensation If You Are Partly At Fault?
Yes. Under New York’s “pure” comparative negligence law, motorcyclists who contribute to the cause of an accident can still receive compensation, but it will be reduced in proportion to their degree of fault. For instance, if a motorcyclist is found to be 20 percent at fault for an accident and sustained $1 million in damages, the court will reduce their total compensation to $800,000.
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