Long Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Motorcycle accidents on Long Island are among the most devastating crashes on New York roads. Unlike drivers in passenger vehicles, motorcyclists have almost no physical protection between themselves and the road — no airbags, no crumple zones, no steel frame absorbing the impact. When another driver's negligence causes a crash, the results are catastrophic: traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, severe burns, and wrongful death.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are approximately 24 times more likely to die in a crash per mile traveled than occupants of passenger vehicles. On Long Island, where high-speed parkways, crowded intersections, and heavy commercial traffic create dangerous conditions every day, that risk is real and constant.
If you or someone you love was injured in a motorcycle accident in Nassau County, Suffolk County, or anywhere on Long Island, the attorneys at Alonso Krangle LLP are ready to fight for you. We handle motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call 800-403-6191 for a free consultation.
Why Motorcycle Accidents Are Different From Car Accidents
Motorcycle accident cases are not simply car accident cases involving a different vehicle. They involve a distinct set of legal, medical, and practical challenges that require attorneys with specific experience handling them.
The injuries are more severe. Because motorcyclists have no structural protection, even a relatively low-speed collision can cause injuries that would be minor in a passenger vehicle. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and road rash requiring skin grafts are common outcomes of crashes that leave the other driver walking away unharmed.
The physics work against motorcyclists. A motorcycle weighs approximately 400–700 pounds. A typical passenger SUV weighs 4,000–6,000 pounds. When they collide, the motorcyclist absorbs the overwhelming majority of the force. Commercial trucks and tractor-trailers — common on Long Island's Route 110, the Long Island Expressway, and the Southern State Parkway — can weigh up to 80,000 pounds.
Insurance companies treat motorcyclists differently. Despite having the same legal rights as any other driver on New York roads, motorcyclists frequently face bias from insurance adjusters who assume they were riding recklessly or speeding. Insurers use this bias aggressively to deny or minimize claims. Having experienced legal representation from the moment you file your claim is essential to countering these tactics.
Multiple parties are often liable. Depending on the facts of your crash, liability may extend beyond the at-fault driver to include employers, vehicle manufacturers, cargo companies, or government entities responsible for road maintenance. Identifying all liable parties requires a thorough investigation that must begin as soon as possible after the crash — before evidence disappears.
New York's No-Fault Exclusion for Motorcycles
This is one of the most important legal facts every motorcyclist in New York must understand: motorcycles are excluded from New York's no-fault insurance system.
Under New York Insurance Law § 5102, the no-fault system — which requires drivers to seek medical expenses and lost wages from their own insurer regardless of fault — applies only to motor vehicles as defined under the statute. Motorcycles are explicitly excluded from this definition.
What this means for injured motorcyclists:
You cannot file a no-fault (PIP) claim with your own insurance company for your medical bills and lost wages after a crash — even if you have auto insurance on another vehicle.
You are not restricted by the serious injury threshold. The threshold that car accident victims must meet before they can sue for pain and suffering does not apply to motorcycle accident victims. This means you can pursue a full personal injury claim against the at-fault driver regardless of injury severity.
You can file directly against the at-fault party's liability insurance for all of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage, from the outset.
You may be able to access uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage through your motorcycle insurance policy if the at-fault driver carried insufficient coverage — but only if your own policy includes this protection.
The exclusion from no-fault actually gives injured motorcyclists stronger legal standing in certain respects. But it also means you have no guaranteed safety net for immediate medical costs — which makes building a strong liability case against the at-fault party from day one critically important.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents on Long Island
The majority of motorcycle accidents on Long Island are caused by the negligence of other drivers, not the motorcyclist. Understanding the most common causes helps establish liability and build a strong claim.
Left-Turn Accidents
The single most common type of motorcycle accident occurs when a car or truck makes a left turn directly into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist. Drivers misjudge the speed of an approaching motorcycle, fail to see it entirely, or simply fail to yield. Left-turn accidents frequently occur at the intersections of major Long Island corridors including Jericho Turnpike, Route 25A, Merrick Road, and Sunrise Highway.
Distracted Driving
Texting, phone use, in-vehicle navigation systems, and other distractions prevent drivers from detecting motorcycles that are already in their field of vision. A driver glancing at a phone for just two seconds at 45 mph travels the length of a football field without watching the road. Distracted driving is the single leading contributing factor in New York traffic crashes.
Failure to Yield
Many drivers fail to check mirrors and blind spots adequately before changing lanes or merging — and motorcycles, with a much smaller visual profile than passenger vehicles, are particularly vulnerable to this negligence. Failure-to-yield crashes are especially common on the Long Island Expressway and the Southern State Parkway.
Impaired Driving
Alcohol and drug impairment dramatically reduces a driver's ability to detect and react to motorcycles. According to the NHTSA, approximately one in three fatal crashes in New York involves a driver with a BAC above the legal limit. When impaired driving causes a motorcycle accident, it significantly strengthens the injured rider's civil claim.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Speeding reduces reaction time and increases crash severity exponentially. Tailgating, sudden lane changes, and aggressive driving on Long Island's congested roadways create conditions in which motorcycle accidents are not just likely — they are nearly inevitable.
Dangerous Road Conditions
Potholes, uneven pavement, crumbling road edges, missing signage, and debris in travel lanes create hazards that a car driver might navigate without incident but that can cause a motorcyclist to lose control entirely. When dangerous road conditions are caused by government negligence — such as a failure to repair known potholes on a county or state road — the responsible government entity may be held liable.
Dooring
In urban and suburban areas, motorcyclists are at risk from parked vehicle occupants who open car doors directly into the travel lane without checking for approaching traffic. Dooring accidents can throw a motorcyclist to the ground or into oncoming traffic.
Defective Vehicle Components
Brake failures, tire blowouts, throttle malfunctions, and other equipment defects can cause a motorcycle accident even when both drivers are operating their vehicles responsibly. When a defect causes a crash, the motorcycle or parts manufacturer may be liable under product liability law.
Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases We Handle
The motorcycle accident lawyers at Alonso Krangle LLP handle every type of motorcycle crash that occurs on Long Island, including:
Left-Turn and Intersection Accidents — the most common and frequently most deadly category of motorcycle crashes
Rear-End Collisions — often caused by distracted or tailgating drivers failing to detect a slowing or stopped motorcycle
Head-On Collisions — typically caused by wrong-way driving, improper passing, or crossing the center line; among the most likely to cause fatal injuries
Sideswipe and Lane-Change Crashes — caused by drivers who fail to check blind spots before merging or changing lanes
Commercial Truck and Motorcycle Accidents — involving tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, box trucks, delivery vehicles, and other commercial vehicles; governed by additional federal regulations
Hit-and-Run Motorcycle Accidents — where the at-fault driver flees the scene; compensation may still be available through uninsured motorist coverage
Multi-Vehicle Motorcycle Accidents — involving three or more vehicles, requiring investigation of multiple liability sources
Road Hazard Accidents — caused by potholes, debris, uneven pavement, or construction zone defects
Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Defective Parts — where a manufacturing or design defect contributes to the crash
Wrongful Death Motorcycle Accidents — where a rider is killed and surviving family members pursue a wrongful death claim under New York EPTL § 5-4.1
Common Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents
The injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents are frequently catastrophic and life-altering. Unlike occupants of enclosed vehicles, motorcyclists who are thrown from their bikes — or struck while on them — have no protection beyond their riding gear and helmet.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Even helmeted riders can sustain traumatic brain injuries when the force of impact exceeds what the helmet is designed to absorb. TBIs range from concussions — which can cause lasting cognitive and emotional effects — to severe brain damage resulting in permanent disability, personality changes, memory loss, and inability to work. The CDC identifies TBI as a leading cause of death and disability in the United States.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The spine is highly vulnerable in a motorcycle crash. Compression, fracture, or severing of the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis. Even injuries that do not cause paralysis — herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, nerve damage — can produce chronic pain, reduced mobility, and permanent disability requiring ongoing medical care.
Road Rash
When a motorcyclist is thrown from a bike and slides across asphalt, the resulting abrasions — known as road rash — can penetrate through multiple layers of skin and tissue. Severe road rash requires skin grafting, carries a high risk of infection, and can result in permanent scarring and disfigurement.
Bone Fractures
Broken bones are among the most common motorcycle accident injuries. Wrist and hand fractures are frequent (from instinctive impact bracing), as are leg fractures, rib fractures, and pelvic fractures. Complex fractures often require surgery, hardware implantation, and extensive physical rehabilitation.
Burn Injuries
Fuel system damage in a crash can result in fire, causing severe thermal burns. Motorcyclists can also suffer chemical burns or friction burns from prolonged road contact. Severe burn injuries require specialized treatment, multiple surgeries, and often result in permanent disfigurement.
Amputations
Crush injuries sustained when a motorcycle falls on the rider, or when the rider is pinned between the motorcycle and another vehicle, can cause traumatic amputations or require surgical amputation. Limb loss permanently affects quality of life, earning capacity, and the ability to perform daily activities.
Wrongful Death
When a motorcycle accident causes death, surviving spouses, children, and parents may bring a wrongful death action under New York Estates, Powers & Trusts Law § 5-4.1. Recoverable damages include funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of parental guidance, and loss of companionship.
Who May Be Liable for a Motorcycle Accident
Determining liability in a motorcycle accident case requires a careful investigation into all parties whose negligence may have contributed to the crash. Liability does not always rest solely with the driver who struck the motorcyclist.
The At-Fault Driver — any driver whose negligence — speeding, distraction, impairment, failure to yield, illegal lane change — caused or contributed to the crash
The Driver's Employer — when the at-fault driver was operating a vehicle in the course of employment, the employer may be vicariously liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior; this frequently applies in delivery driver, commercial truck driver, and rideshare driver crashes
Trucking Companies — commercial carriers have obligations under federal FMCSA regulations governing driver hours, vehicle maintenance, cargo loading, and driver qualification; violations of these regulations establish negligence
Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers — when a defective motorcycle component, tire, brake system, or other part causes or contributes to a crash, the manufacturer may be liable under product liability law
Government Entities — Nassau County, Suffolk County, the Town of Huntington, the New York State DOT, and other government entities have a duty to maintain public roads in reasonably safe condition; when potholes, damaged signage, malfunctioning traffic signals, or construction zone hazards cause a crash, a claim may be filed against the responsible agency — subject to strict notice requirements
Property Owners — in dooring or parking lot accidents where conditions on private property contribute to the crash
Evidence That Can Strengthen Your Case
The strength of a motorcycle accident claim depends on the quality and completeness of the evidence gathered. Evidence begins to disappear from the moment of the crash — skid marks fade, surveillance footage is overwritten, witnesses become difficult to locate. This is why it is critical to engage an attorney as soon as possible.
Evidence that may be critical to your case includes:
- Police accident report — the official record of the crash, including officer observations, witness information, and any citations issued
- Photographs and video — scene photos, vehicle damage photos, injury documentation, traffic camera footage, dashcam footage, and nearby surveillance camera footage
- Witness statements — independent eyewitness accounts can be decisive in disputed-liability cases
- Medical records — documentation of injuries, treatment, and prognosis from the emergency room forward; gaps in treatment can be used against you
- Electronic data — cell phone records (to establish distraction), vehicle black box data (speed, braking, throttle position), and commercial truck electronic logging device (ELD) data
- Expert analysis — accident reconstruction experts who can establish speed, point of impact, and sequence of events from physical evidence
- Employment and wage records — to document lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Road condition documentation — photographs, municipal maintenance records, and prior complaint histories for road hazards caused by government negligence
Filing Deadlines for Motorcycle Accident Claims
New York imposes strict deadlines for motorcycle accident claims. Missing any of these deadlines can permanently bar your right to recover compensation.
| Claim Type | Deadline | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Personal injury lawsuit | 3 years from date of accident | CPLR § 214 |
| Wrongful death lawsuit | 2 years from date of death | EPTL § 5-4.1 |
| Claim against a government entity (Notice of Claim) | 90 days from accident | GML § 50-e |
| Lawsuit against a government entity | 1 year and 90 days | GML § 50-i |
Government Entity Deadline — Critical: If your crash was caused in whole or in part by a dangerous road condition maintained by a government entity — Nassau County, Suffolk County, the Town of Huntington, the State of New York, or any other public body — you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident. This deadline is absolute and strictly enforced. Missing it eliminates your claim against that government entity, even if the road defect clearly caused your crash.
Do not wait to consult with an attorney. The sooner you call, the more time we have to preserve evidence, identify all liable parties, and meet every applicable deadline.
Compensation Available to Motorcycle Accident Victims
Because motorcycles are excluded from New York's no-fault system, injured motorcyclists can pursue a full personal injury claim against all liable parties from the outset — without first meeting a serious injury threshold. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to recover:
Medical Expenses — all past and future costs of treatment, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapy, prescription medications, assistive devices, home modifications, and long-term nursing care
Lost Wages — income lost during recovery, including salary, tips, self-employment income, and other earnings
Loss of Earning Capacity — if your injuries permanently reduce your ability to work in the same capacity, you may recover the difference between what you would have earned and what you are now able to earn
Pain and Suffering — compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life that result from your injuries; in serious injury cases, this is frequently the largest component of recovery
Property Damage — the cost to repair or replace your motorcycle and any other personal property damaged in the crash
Loss of Consortium — compensation for the impact your injuries have had on your relationship with your spouse
Wrongful Death Damages — for surviving family members: funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of parental guidance, and loss of companionship under EPTL § 5-4.1
In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct — such as a driver with a known history of impaired driving — punitive damages may also be available.
What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident on Long Island
The actions you take in the hours and days following a motorcycle accident directly affect both your health and the strength of your legal claim. Follow these steps:
Report the accident and request emergency medical services. A police response creates an official record of the crash. New York law requires reporting any accident involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000.
Even if you feel fine, seek immediate care. Serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and spinal damage may not show symptoms right away. Delayed treatment can harm both your health and your legal claim.
If possible, take photos of vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signals, weather, signage, and injuries. Collect witness contact information before they leave.
Avoid apologizing or discussing fault at the scene. Only provide necessary information to law enforcement.
Get the other driver’s name, license number, insurance details, vehicle registration, and employer information if they were working at the time of the crash.
Do not give recorded statements to any insurer before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters may use your statements to reduce or deny your claim.
Attend all appointments and follow your doctor’s instructions. Gaps in treatment can be used to argue your injuries are not serious.
Do not repair or discard your motorcycle, helmet, or riding gear. These items may be important evidence in your case.
Evidence disappears quickly after a crash. Early legal involvement helps preserve footage, secure witnesses, and build a stronger case on your behalf.
Areas We Serve
The motorcycle accident lawyers at Alonso Krangle LLP represent injured riders throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties, including:
Huntington — our office is located in the heart of Huntington at 44 Elm Street. We represent motorcyclists injured on Route 110, Jericho Turnpike, Route 25A, New York Avenue, and throughout the Town of Huntington. Learn more about our Huntington Motorcycle Accident Lawyers.
Melville — we handle motorcycle accident cases for riders injured on the Long Island Expressway, Route 110, and throughout the Melville area. Learn more about our Melville Motorcycle Accident Lawyers.
Huntington Station — we represent injured motorcyclists throughout Huntington Station and the surrounding communities. Learn more about Huntington Station Accident Lawyers.
Dix Hills — we handle motorcycle accident cases throughout Dix Hills and the Half Hollow Hills area.
Commack, Kings Park, Smithtown, and Hauppauge — we serve injured riders throughout central Suffolk County.
Deer Park, Babylon, West Islip, Bay Shore, and Islip — we represent motorcyclists injured on the Southern State Parkway and throughout southwestern Suffolk County.
Hicksville, Syosset, Woodbury, and Plainview — we serve injured motorcyclists throughout Nassau County's central corridor.
Nassau County and Suffolk County — we represent motorcycle accident victims in every community across Long Island.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident anywhere on Long Island, call 800-403-6191 for a free case evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
Huntington Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Injured on Route 110, Jericho Turnpike, or anywhere in the Town of Huntington? Learn about your rights and legal options.
Melville Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
We represent motorcyclists injured in Melville and throughout the Half Hollow Hills corridor.
What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident in New York
A step-by-step guide to protecting your health and your legal claim after a crash.
Long Island Car Accident Lawyers
Information about car accident claims, no-fault insurance, and the serious injury threshold.
Long Island Truck Accident Lawyers
When a commercial truck causes a motorcycle accident, additional federal regulations and liable parties may apply.
Injured in a Motorcycle Accident on Long Island? Call 800-403-6191.
The motorcycle accident lawyers at Alonso Krangle LLP have been fighting for injured riders and their families for over 20 years. Our offices are in Huntington, and we serve clients in every community across Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
You pay nothing unless we win. Call 800-403-6191 today for a free, confidential case evaluation.
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