Key Takeaways
- Left-turning vehicles cause the most common and deadly motorcycle collisions in New York.
- Lane splitting between traffic lanes is illegal under the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law.
- High-visibility gear improves rider visibility, while a DOT-approved helmet helps reduce the risk of serious head injuries.
- New York’s comparative negligence law may allow injured riders to recover damages depending on each party’s share of fault.
- A Long Island motorcycle accident lawyer can help riders pursue compensation after a crash.
Long Island roads combine heavy commuter traffic, distracted drivers, and blind spots that leave motorcyclists more exposed than any other vehicle on the road, and each of those hazards has a direct role in the crashes riders experience every year. Recognizing them early is the first step toward learning how to prevent motorcycle accidents, and it starts with riding as though any one of those dangers could appear at any moment.
That means expecting the unexpected: anticipating left-turning vehicles, keeping a four-second following distance, staying sober, obeying posted speed limits, and wearing high-visibility, DOT-approved gear on every trip. Even a rider who does everything right can still be hurt by someone else’s negligence, and when that happens, our Long Island motorcycle accident lawyer at Law Office Of Cohen & Jaffe helps injured riders seek the fair compensation they deserve.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Near You
Important Riding Tips to Avoid Motorcycle Crashes
Riders reduce their exposure considerably once a handful of defensive habits become second nature. The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee notes that combining directional lights with hand signals lets nearby drivers know a rider’s intentions before a gap closes dangerously.
Important tips can include the following:
- Watch for Left-Turning Vehicles: The most common, often fatal collision happens when an oncoming vehicle turns left into a motorcycle’s path.
- Never Lane Split: Riding between two lanes of moving traffic is illegal under New York law and risky in congested Long Island and Queens traffic. New York’s lane splitting laws prohibit the practice statewide, making it both a legal and safety hazard.
- Scan the Road Surface: Potholes, metal plates, and debris can appear on local streets, so scanning ahead gives a rider time to brake or swerve safely.
- Protect Your Riding Space: Keep a generous cushion between vehicles and stay out of the blind spots of trucks and SUVs.
- Wear High-Visibility Gear and a DOT-Approved Helmet: Bright, reflective clothing paired with a certified full-face helmet improves visibility and crash protection. Many novelty helmets do not meet DOT standards and do not satisfy New York law.
A Shared Responsibility: How Motorists Can Help Prevent Motorcycle Collisions
Motorcyclists cannot eliminate crash risk on their own. Drivers sharing the road have an equal duty to watch for riders, especially at intersections and before changing lanes. A motorcycle’s narrow profile makes it easy to miss in a mirror check, which is why a second glance over the shoulder matters so much.
Motorists who slow down before turning left, check blind spots twice, and give motorcycles a full following distance help prevent motorcycle accidents from the driver’s side. Distracted driving compounds every one of these risks, since even a brief glance at a phone can erase the time a driver needs to spot an approaching motorcycle.
Traffic Laws Motorcyclists Need to Follow in New York City
New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1252 grants every motorcycle full use of a traffic lane, meaning other vehicles cannot legally squeeze a rider out of that space, while also prohibiting riders from operating between lanes or rows of vehicles statewide. Knowing these rules is part of learning how to avoid motorcycle accidents caused by unpredictable lane changes.
Riders also carry personal legal obligations. A valid motorcycle endorsement must appear on a New York driver’s license, and riding under the influence of alcohol or impairing medication remains strictly prohibited.
Legal Considerations After a Motorcycle Accident in NYC
Even the most cautious rider cannot control another driver’s negligence. Under New York Civil Practice Law and Rules § 1411, an injured rider’s share of fault may affect whether the rider can recover damages and the amount that may ultimately be recovered.
That said, the law changed recently. As of May 2026, riders in motor vehicle-related crashes can lose their right to recover entirely if their share of fault turns out to be greater than the other driver’s. Having a clear, well-documented account of how the crash happened matters more than ever under this new rule.
Contact a Long Island Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
Learning how to prevent motorcycle accidents reduces risk, but it cannot guarantee safety on roads shared with distracted drivers. When a collision happens, a Long Island motorcycle accident lawyer at the Law Office Of Cohen & Jaffe can help injured riders through every step that follows. Contact us today at (516) 358-6900 for a free consultation.