A motorcycle crash can change everything in seconds. The noise, the pain, the confusion—it all hits at once. In those first moments, decisions matter. Our Long Island motorcycle accident lawyers guide riders through these critical steps. From the scene of the crash to the courtroom, we stand by your side.
What to do after a motorcycle accident includes reporting the incident, getting medical attention, documenting the crash scene, and consulting an experienced lawyer. The actions you take now can protect your health, your rights, and your future.
Why You Need a Long Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Right Away
Motorcyclists have less protection than drivers. That means more severe injuries and bigger medical bills. Unfortunately, insurance companies see that as an opportunity to offer less, not more.
A Long Island personal injury lawyer pushes back. We investigate the crash scene, gather records, and build a claim that shows exactly how much this accident changed your life. You deserve more than a basic payout. Our team works to recover:
- Emergency medical care and hospital bills
- Physical therapy and long-term treatment
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage (your bike, gear, phone, and more)
No insurer will offer that without a fight. We start preparing your case from day one.
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident
Even if the crash feels like a blur, these steps make a big difference. Whether you’re still at the scene or already home recovering, take action now.
- Call the police: Always file a report, even if you think injuries are minor. A police report creates a neutral, third-party record of the incident.
- Get medical treatment: Go to the ER or see a doctor as soon as possible. Document every injury, even if it feels small.
- Take photos or ask someone to take them: Get shots of your bike, your injuries, the crash site, weather conditions, and any damage to the other vehicle.
- Get contact info for witnesses: Names, phone numbers, and email addresses can help support your version of events.
- Avoid talking to insurance reps: Let your Long Island motorcycle accident attorney speak on your behalf. Insurance companies look for ways to twist your words.
- Save your gear: Keep your helmet, jacket, gloves, and anything else damaged in the crash. These may become evidence later.
Even small details make a difference later. The more documentation you gather early on, the harder it becomes for the other side to deny what happened or downplay your injuries.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Long Island
Drivers often blame motorcyclists. However, in most cases we handle, the rider did everything right, and the driver didn’t. Some of the most frequent causes include:
- Left turns across a rider’s path
- Lane changes without checking blind spots
- Distracted driving
- Speeding or aggressive driving
- Failure to yield at intersections
- Dooring incidents in urban areas
We hold negligent drivers accountable. When needed, our lawyers also bring in accident reconstruction experts to show exactly how the crash unfolded.
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How New York Law Protects Riders
New York follows a no-fault insurance system, but it doesn’t always apply the same way for motorcyclists. Riders are generally not covered under no-fault personal injury protection (PIP). That makes filing a liability claim even more important.
To sue the at-fault driver, you must meet the “serious injury” threshold defined by New York Insurance Law § 5102(d). Qualifying injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Permanent loss of a body part or function
- Significant disfigurement
- Long-term disability
Most motorcycle injuries meet this threshold. Our Long Island motorcycle accident attorneys use medical records, expert testimony, and your own story to prove it.
What if You Were Partly at Fault?
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule. That means you can still recover damages even if you share some blame for the accident. Your percentage of fault reduces your compensation. For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 but found 20% at fault, you receive $80,000.
Insurance companies often love to shift blame. They may say you were speeding or weaving through traffic. Our lawyers investigate every claim with care. We challenge unfair accusations and fight to keep your percentage of fault as low as possible.
When to Call a Long Island Motorcycle Accident Attorney
There’s no benefit to waiting. The longer you wait, the more evidence disappears. Traffic camera footage gets deleted. Witnesses forget details. Injuries can heal without documentation. Our attorneys get involved early so you don’t lose key evidence. We can do the following to further your case:
- Interview witnesses
- Pull video from traffic and business cameras
- Request 911 call records
- Work with crash reconstruction specialists
- Review cell phone data, dashcams, and more
We also help you document how your life has changed. Pain, loss of mobility, anxiety, or PTSD may not show up on a scan, but they deserve to be part of your claim.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
In New York, you typically have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. That deadline comes from New York CPLR § 214(5). But some cases have shorter deadlines. You only have:
- One year if the injury involved an intentional act
- 90 days to file a Notice of Claim if a public agency was involved (like if a city bus hit you)
Missing those deadlines means the court will likely dismiss your case. We move fast to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Let Our Long Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Stand With You
After a serious motorcycle crash, you deserve clear answers and real support. Our team at Levine And Wiss has over 100 years of combined experience helping riders get the care and compensation they need. We fight for your rights when insurance companies try to shift blame or offer less than your case is worth.
Our Long Island motorcycle accident lawyers have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. We understand how fast your life can change.
We listen. We investigate. We stay in touch. And we never stop pushing for a result that reflects what you’ve lost—physically, financially, and emotionally.
You can text us, call us, or schedule a virtual appointment. We’ll walk you through your legal options and stay with you every step of the way.
