Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Motorcycles are a convenient mode of transportation because they’re less expensive than cars and easier to maneuver through New York City’s crowded streets. However, with the city’s traffic volume, the risk of accidents is high. When crashes occur, they often cause severe injuries to bikers and their passengers due to a motorcycle’s instability and the lack of an external frame to act as a protective barrier.
If you or someone you love has suffered injuries from a motorbike crash, the dedicated team at Shulman & Hill can assess your case and pursue the compensation you deserve. With over a decade of experience, our New York City motorcycle accident lawyers are committed to protecting bikers’ rights through top-notch legal representation.
You Can Trust Shulman & Hill for Your Motorcycle Accident Case
We have fought for injury victims for over a decade and have recovered over $700 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients. Our client-focused law firm works hard to provide exemplary service through open communication, attention to detail, regular case updates, and vigorous representation.
We also have strategically located satellite offices throughout New York City, including in Harlem and Inwood. If you’re too injured to travel to our offices, we also can hold virtual meetings for seamless communication. Our diverse legal team speaks multiple languages, including Spanish and Russian.
Our attorneys who will handle your case have earned various awards for their exemplary legal services. Partner Alex Shulman has been selected as a New York Super Lawyer since 2017. Only five percent of attorneys in each state receive this honor. When you contact us, you can trust that your case will be handled by some of the top motorcycle accident attorneys in New York City.
Shulman and Hill team was great. They give me updates when needed. When I reached out, they were very helpful as well. They gathered all the information at the beginning and followed up with my therapy, treatment and exams progress that will help the case. I’ve seen other law firms handle accidents cases and this team is the team to hire. Very effective and efficient.
Loretta Cheng
Getting Fair Compensation for Your NYC Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle riders are more likely to suffer severe injuries after an accident than other motor vehicle occupants. Such injuries can be costly, and you might be unable to return to work. Your compensation should cover all your losses.
A motorcycle accident victim may typically pursue the following types of damages:
- Economic damages: These compensate for the expenses you’ve incurred from the accident. They include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and rehabilitative care costs.
- Non-economic damages: These damages cover the accident’s subjective impacts on your life. Examples include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
In rare cases, a court may also award accident victims punitive damages to punish the defendant for malicious or gross misconduct and deter such behavior in the future.
Comparative Fault
An insurance company will likely try to pin some fault on the victim to reduce the settlement or convince them to forfeit their compensation altogether. We have experience defending against such accusations and will apply the law and present strong evidence in your favor.
New York’s comparative fault law allows you to collect compensation even if you’re partially at fault for the motorbike accident. However, the amount you receive will be reduced in proportion to your share of the blame.
NYC’s No-Fault Law
New York’s no-fault insurance laws do not apply to motorcycle riders and passengers. Unlike automobile drivers and occupants, motorcyclists are not covered by a no-fault insurance policy. Instead, they must file claims against the parties at fault for the crash.
We are skilled in negotiating with insurance companies to obtain fair compensation and are prepared to go to trial if necessary.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accident Claims in NYC?
The statute of limitations sets the deadline for filing a lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, although there are some exceptions, cases filed after a certain time limit are otherwise barred, preventing injury victims from recovering damages.
The statute of limitations for motorcycle accident claims in NYC is three years from the accident date. However, the deadline for filing a claim for a loved one who died in a bike crash is only two years from the date of death.
If you’re filing a claim against the city or a government agency, such as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, you must file a notice of claim within 90 days after the accident.
Given these time limits, it’s important to promptly seek legal guidance after a motorcycle wreck. Acting quickly will give your attorney enough time to gather evidence and build a solid case to obtain the justice you deserve. Considering how hectic New York City can be, you risk losing valuable evidence and information at the accident scene if you wait too long to take legal action.
How a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help
After a Manhattan motorcycle accident, you need as much time as possible to heal physically and mentally. Litigation and insurance claims are the last things you need to be dealing with during this stressful period. Let Shulman & Hill handle all the legal details. We’ll deal with insurance adjusters and pursue the compensation you deserve. We can also help schedule doctor’s appointments and assist with transportation so you can focus on getting your life back on track.
Our Manhattan motorcycle accident lawyers will navigate the complex legal process and do the following:
- We offer a free initial case consultation, during which we’ll listen to your account of events and provide legal guidance on the best path forward.
- Investigate and gather evidence to build the strongest case.
- Calculate your total damages to determine the amount of compensation you’re owed.
- Timely file all insurance paperwork and legal documents.
- Negotiate with the insurance company for a fair and just settlement
- File a lawsuit and fight for you in court if the defendant is unwilling to settle for an amount fully covering your damages.
What Are the Costs of Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Our law firm works on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay us unless we recover compensation for you. Our fee is a pre-agreed amount that will be deducted from your settlement or verdict.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. No case is too significant, challenging, or complex for our skilled lawyers. We handle all types of claims with the same dedication and respect for our clients, regardless of whether a case is worth $1,000 or $1,000,000.
