Queens Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Should You Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for a Case in Queens?

You may want to hire a motorcycle accident attorney in Queens for your case because:

1. Motorcycle accident cases generally require substantial time and effort, which you may lack.
2. There may be significant compensation at risk in your case.
3. Motorcycle accident cases may be more complicated than other case types.
4. You are simply not comfortable handling your motorcycle accident case.
5. You want to focus on your recovery.

The Law Office Of Cohen & Jaffe – Queens Personal Injury Lawyers offers several benefits to our clients. Consider these potential benefits as you decide whether to hire a lawyer.

Why Choose Us to Represent Your Motorcycle Accident Case

Choosing the right legal team after a motorcycle accident can significantly impact your recovery. At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe – Queens Personal Injury Lawyers, we have a strong record of dedication, results, and community commitment. We focus on building trust with clients, guiding them with care, and pursuing the best possible outcomes. Here is why many in Queens choose us:

• Decades of Combined Experience – Our attorneys, Stephen M. Cohen and Richard S. Jaffe, have decades of experience representing injury victims throughout New York, achieving significant verdicts and settlements in complex cases. Mr. Cohen has secured results such as $4 million for a motorcyclist with paraplegia, $1.2 million for a child with a fractured skull, and $1.5 million for a worker injured in an elevator accident.
• Distinguished Education and Credentials – Mr. Cohen earned his B.S. from Bradley University and his J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law. Mr. Jaffe earned his B.A. from SUNY Binghamton and his J.D. from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. Fluent in Spanish, he began advocating for injury victims in 1988 as a paralegal for a personal injury law firm.
• Award-Winning Advocacy– Our firm’s accolades, recognized by respected legal organizations and professional publications, such as Martindale-Hubbell, the American Institute- Personal Injury Division, Super Lawyers, AVVO, and BBB Accredited Business, reflect a strong commitment to justice and outstanding client service.
• No Fee Promise – You pay no legal fees unless we win your case, allowing you to focus entirely on your recovery without financial stress.
• Deep Community Roots – Our community involvement includes scholarships, charitable programs, and local initiatives that underscore our dedication to families.

Trusted High-Rated Reviews

We’ve earned stellar reviews on Yelp and Google :

• Mary Beams: “I was very pleased with the service that I received. Everything was very organized. Everything was very prompt. The people were very kind and nice everyone I spoke to everything was explained proper. I was not inconvenienced once everything went very smooth. I would definitely recommend them.” Read more
• Yanu Alexandra. “My name is Yanu and I am a client of the law office of Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP. I have had a pleasant experience with both the attorneys and staff. I was impressed with their professionalism and customer service and their staff is not only friendly but also highly skilled.” Read more
• Dalivid Solano. “I felt HONORED and GRATEFULLY to have legal representation & settlement for my Injury Related case By COHEN & JAFFE. This is by far THE BEST law firm I have ever work with. The lawyers are extremely good, kind , highly professional and they were always Available I HIGHLY Recommend this Team”. Read more

Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Queens

Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries due to the limited physical protection motorcyclists have compared to car drivers. Here are some of the most common injuries riders experience:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Even with a helmet, motorcyclists can sustain concussions or contusions, leading to cognitive or psychological challenges.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: These injuries may result in partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifelong care.
• Fractures and Broken Bones: Arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones are often impacted, demanding extended recovery times. 
• Road Rash: Skin abrasions caused by direct contact with the road can range from minor scrapes to severe wounds requiring medical treatment. 
• Internal Injuries: Damage to internal organs and internal bleeding can occur without external symptoms but pose significant health risks.

Victims should seek immediate medical attention to mitigate long-term consequences. Once stabilized, consider consulting a Queens motorcycle accident lawyer to explore legal options for your recovery.

Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident in Queens 

Knowing what to do after an accident can protect your rights and strengthen your claim. Follow these steps:

• Prioritize Safety. If possible, move to a safe location and call 911 immediately for medical assistance. Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s crucial to get a thorough examination, as some issues (such as internal injuries) may not present symptoms right away.
• Contact Law Enforcement. This is an essential step. The police will create an official accident report as evidence for your claim or legal case.
• Document the Scene. Take photographs of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, road conditions, and visible injuries.
• Note down the contact information of witnesses, as well as the license plate numbers and insurance details of all parties involved.
• Avoid mistakes. According to New York legal guidelines, leaving the accident scene or admitting fault can hurt your case. Stay on the scene, document details, and avoid apologizing, which could be interpreted as an admission of fault.
• Contact a lawyer. Consult the Law Office Of Cohen & Jaffe – Queens Personal Injury Lawyers, a motorcycle accident lawyer, to help you understand your rights, gather evidence, negotiate with insurers, and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional suffering.

Does New York’s “No-Fault” Insurance Law Apply to Motorcyclists?

No, and this distinction matters enormously for your claim. Under New York Insurance Law § 5102, motorcycles are explicitly excluded from the definition of “motor vehicle” for no-fault purposes. That means injured motorcyclists cannot access Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits the way car drivers can. You cannot turn to no-fault coverage to pay your medical bills or replace lost wages after a crash.

Instead, you must pursue compensation directly through a third-party liability claim against the at-fault driver. This makes building a solid case from the outset far more important for motorcyclists than for other accident victims. If you were hurt in Queens, speaking with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Queens is the right first step, not a call to the insurance company.

Compensation You Can Recover in a Queens Motorcycle Accident Claim

Because no-fault coverage does not apply to motorcyclists in New York, injured riders generally pursue compensation through a liability claim against the at-fault party.

Compensation may include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses connected to the crash. The amount recoverable depends on several factors, including liability, available insurance coverage, and the specific facts surrounding the accident. 

Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages

Economic damages cover losses with a measurable dollar value, such as:

• Past and future medical expenses, including surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care
• Lost wages and bonuses missed during recovery
• Reduced earning capacity if injuries affect your ability to work long-term
• Costs to repair or replace your motorcycle and other damaged property
• Transportation expenses incurred while your motorcycle was out of service

Non-economic damages address harms that do not come with a receipt, including:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and anxiety
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring or permanent disfigurement

Wrongful death damages are also available to surviving family members when a motorcycle accident proves fatal, including funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.

How a Settlement or Verdict is Calculated

No single formula determines what a Queens motorcycle accident claim is worth. Insurers and courts consider the severity of your injuries, the clarity of liability, the strength of your medical documentation, and your long-term prognosis. New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule under CPLR § 1411, which means your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but not eliminated. A motorcyclist found 20 percent at fault in a crash can still recover 80 percent of proven damages. Our team at Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe – Queens Personal Injury Lawyers can present a picture of your losses and the other party’s responsibility.

• Existing medical expenses
• Future medical expenses
• Lost income, including lost wages, missed bonuses, and lost retirement contributions
• Lost earning power
• Pain and suffering, including lost quality of life, traumatic memories, and any psychological conditions caused or worsened by your accident
• Damage to your motorcycle and other personal property
• The cost of temporary transportation

Motorcycle accidents present an unusually high risk of death. If you’ve lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, we can file a wrongful death claim for you. You may get a settlement or judgment for your grief, loss of consortium, lost financial support, funeral expenses, and other damages.

Common Causes and Liability in Queens Motorcycle Accidents

We’ll investigate any at-fault motorist for liability. Speeding, drunk driving, illegal turns, and other dangerous acts may make a motorist liable for your losses.

Other parties may also be liable for your accident. We represented a motorcycle accident victim who struck a metal construction plate in the roadway. In this case, the City of New York was liable for the client’s damages. This was just one circumstance where a non-motorist was liable for a motorcycle accident.

We will conduct a thorough investigation of your crash, identifying who was responsible for your losses.

Queens traffic conditions create specific hazards for riders. The most frequent causes seen in motorcycle accident claims may include:

• Left-Turn Collisions: A driver turning left across oncoming traffic fails to yield to an approaching motorcyclist.
• Rear-End Crashes: A following driver misjudges the stopping distance and strikes a rider who is slowing or stopped.
• Unsafe Lane Changes: A motorist drifts into a motorcycle’s lane without signaling or checking mirrors.
• Dooring: A parked vehicle’s door swings open directly into a rider’s path.
• Road Hazards: Potholes, debris, metal construction plates, and deteriorated pavement maintained by the City of New York or private contractors.
• Drunk or Distracted Driving: Impaired or inattentive drivers who fail to register a motorcycle’s presence in time.

Liability can extend beyond the at-fault driver. Property owners, contractors, or the City of New York may share responsibility when road conditions contribute to a crash. 

Statute of Limitations: How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in New York?

In most Queens motorcycle accident cases, New York Civil Practice Law and Rules § 214 gives injured riders three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a loved one died in the crash, EPTL § 5-4.1 allows two years from the date of death to bring a wrongful death claim.

Claims against a government entity, such as the City of New York, for a road defect, require a Notice of Claim filed within 90 days of the incident. Missing that window can bar recovery entirely, regardless of injury severity.

Do not wait to act. Evidence fades, witnesses become harder to reach, and filing deadlines are unforgiving. A Queens motorcycle accident lawyer from Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe – Queens Personal Injury Lawyers can review your situation, preserve critical evidence, and meet every filing deadline on your behalf. 

We’ll Lead Your Motorcycle Accident Case From Start to Finish

Handling a legal claim while recovering from a serious injury is an overwhelming combination. At Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe – Queens Personal Injury Lawyers, our Queens motorcycle accident lawyer team can manage every aspect of your case so you can focus on your health, your family, and your recovery.

From the moment we open your file, our attorneys can move forward:

• Gathering witness accounts and securing video footage, photographs, and police reports
• Communicating with insurance companies on your behalf
• Documenting and calculating your losses, including medical costs, lost wages, and property damage
• Filing all necessary paperwork before the statute of limitations deadline
• Negotiating a fair settlement based on the full value of your claim
• Taking your case to trial if the opposing party refuses to offer reasonable compensation

Most cases resolve before reaching a courtroom, but we prepare every file as if it will go to trial. That preparation is often what moves insurance companies toward a fair resolution.

Contact a Queens Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

After a motorcycle crash in Queens, every decision you make in the days that follow can affect your claim. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Queens at Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe – Queens Personal Injury Lawyers can review your case, explain your options, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (516) 358-6900 for a free consultation. 

Call a lawyer:

• Motorcycle accident lawyer in Nassau County 
• Motorcycle accident lawyer in Long Island

FAQs

How much are most motorcycle accident settlements?

Settlements vary based on injury severity, liability, and insurance. A settlement is often reached as a compromise between the parties to end the dispute, agree on compensation promptly, and keep the details confidential. It’s best to consult a lawyer for a tailored estimate.

How long does a motorcycle accident settlement take?

The length of settlements depends on the complexity of the case. Simple cases can settle in a few months, but more complicated ones with severe injuries or contesting can take a year or more.

What not to do after a motorcycle accident?

Do not flee the accident scene, apologize, or forgo medical treatment. To do so can jeopardize your legal claim and your ability to recover damages.