Manhattan’s Top Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Being the most densely populated of New York’s five boroughs, Manhattan’s infamous for its traffic congestion—so much so that the term ‘gridlock’ was coined here. With hours lost in traffic, being able to weave through traffic on motorcycles becomes an attractive proposition. However, this same traffic density, together with reckless drivers and unpredictable road conditions make motorcycle accidents alarmingly common. With little to no protection, motorcyclists often suffer serious, life-altering injuries. Unfortunately, insurance rarely covers costs, compelling victims to navigate complex legal claims. It is during these difficult times where the experience of a Manhattan motorcycle accident lawyer becomes essential for guiding you through the legal process and securing the compensation you deserve.

The Role of a Manhattan Motorcycle Accident Attorney

At the Law Office of Eli Shmulik, we understand that our Manhattan motorcycle accident lawyers will play a key role in helping clients navigate and overcome complex insurance and legal battles. Our team is equipped with the knowledge and expertise to tackle any matter, and we have a proven track record of helping our clients recover millions in motorcycle and other accident cases. As part of our aggressive and effective representation in protecting rights and maximizing your compensation, we will—

• Offer the initial consultation with us for free.
• Work on a contingency basis, with no hidden costs
• Conduct a comprehensive investigation on motorcycle accidents and determine their cause.
• Gather any and all necessary evidence to build a strong case for any insurance claim or lawsuit that fully accounts for all tangible and non-tangible losses.
• Handle all the paperwork and procedural requirements in a timely manner.
• Negotiate with insurance companies and defense attorneys to achieve fair and just compensation.
• Stand ready and willing to represent you in court and advocate fiercely for your rights and compensation.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Manhattan

As we’ve mentioned above, the traffic and road hazards of Manhattan make it a challenging place to ride motorcycles, and when a motorcycle accident does occur, our first instinct would be to blame the motorcyclists. However, despite popular belief, most motorcycle accidents are not the motorcyclist’s fault. A large number of these accidents can be attributed to:

• Distracted drivers
• Dooring incidents
• Sudden and unsafe lane changes
• Driving under the influence
• Tailgating
• Road rage
• Poor road conditions
• Inclement weather

Injuries Sustained in Motorcycle Accidents

Compared to other vehicles, motorcycles offer little to no protection, making the likelihood of the motorcyclists and any passenger suffering injuries extremely high. As Manhattan motorcycle accident lawyers, the most common injuries we've come across in cases of motorcycle accidents are:

• Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Broken bones
• Amputations
• Road Rash
• Damage to internal organs
• Neck and whiplash injuries
• Spinal injuries and paralysis
• Catastrophic Injuries
• Death

Things To Do and Not To Do in the Aftermath of a Motorcycle Accident (Heading 04)

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Manhattan, the strength of any subsequent insurance claim or legal action largely depends on your conduct in the aftermath of the accident. When taking steps to protect your health, legal rights, and the ability to seek compensation, we advise you to do and not do the following:

• Call 911 to report the incident to the authorities and seek immediate medical attention.
• Inform your insurance provider about the accident as soon as possible.
• Contact a Manhattan motorcycle accident lawyer to get an understanding of your rights and liabilities.
• Do not admit fault or apologize for the incident.
• Do not post any details of the accident on social media.
• Do not make any official statements without prior legal consultation.
• Do not accept the first settlement offers presented by insurance companies.    

Types of Legal Action in Motorcycle Accident Cases (

When attempting to claim compensation for the injuries you or your loved one has sustained, the first order of business would be to file an insurance claim. Since New York’s No-Fault Insurance does not cover motorcycle accidents, the success of an insurance claim is not guaranteed.

Thus, injured riders must pursue alternative legal avenues such as lawsuits. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, an attorney can help distinguish between the types of lawsuits that can be filed.

Personal Injury

These are filed when the injuries were the result of the negligence of another. The injured party must prove that the other party owed you a duty of care (all drivers owe a duty of care to pedestrians and other drivers), their actions breached the duty of care, the breach caused the accident, and you suffered injuries as a result. These can include:

• Product Liability  - If the accident was the result of a defect in the motorbike, actions can be brought against the manufacturers, distributors, or retailers of the product. Since product liability cases come under strict liability, proving the elements of the case guarantees compensation.
• Premises Liability  - If the accident was due to poorly maintained roads with potholes, uneven pavements, and missing or obscured traffic signs, a claim can be brought against the relevant local and federal government organizations.

Wrongful Death

If the accident caused the motorcyclist’s death, the executor of his estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit against those responsible for the benefit of the surviving family members.

Types of Damages Available For Motorcycle Accident Victims

For Manhattan motorcycle accidents, parties can use the types of lawsuits mentioned above and request the court for economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. The economic damages will account for burdens such as medical expenses, temporary or permanent disability, and loss of wages.

On the other hand, non-economic damages address damages that do not have a determinate value, such as mental anguish, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. Furthermore, the court may award punitive damages as a means for punishing the at-fault party and as a warning against similar actions in the future.

‍