Motorcyclists, bicyclists, and e-scooter riders are among the most vulnerable people on New York's streets. With little between them and the road, a collision that would dent a car can put a rider in the hospital for months. Yet riders routinely face an unfair assumption — from drivers, from police, and especially from insurers — that they must have been reckless.
That bias is a defense tactic, and it is one we know how to dismantle. For more than 30 years, Adam L. Shapiro & Associates has represented injured riders across Queens and New York City, using scene evidence, witness accounts, and the physical facts of the crash to show what actually happened.
There is also a critical insurance wrinkle in New York: motorcycles are generally not covered by the state's no-fault system the way cars are. That changes how medical bills get paid and makes early legal guidance especially important for injured motorcyclists.
Motorcycle collisions
Left-turn, lane-change, and intersection crashes.
Bicycle accidents
Cyclists struck by cars, doored, or forced off the road.
E-scooter & e-bike
Electric scooter and e-bike injury claims.
Dooring & right-hook
Common urban cycling collisions caused by drivers.
Road-hazard crashes
Potholes, poor signage, and dangerous roadway conditions.
Hit & run
Uninsured and unidentified-driver claims for riders.
Unlike car occupants, motorcyclists in New York generally cannot rely on no-fault (PIP) benefits for their medical bills after a crash. That makes the liability claim against the at-fault driver the primary path to recovery — and makes documenting the crash correctly from day one essential.
New York's pure comparative negligence rule (CPLR § 1411) is important for riders. Even if an insurer argues you were partly responsible — for lane position, speed, or gear — you can still recover, with your award reduced by your share of fault. Do not let an adjuster talk you out of a claim by assigning you blame.
No-fault usually doesn't apply
Motorcyclists typically cannot use PIP benefits, so the claim against the at-fault driver carries the medical costs. Early legal help matters.
3-year deadline
Most rider injury lawsuits must be filed within three years, but a public-entity defendant can shorten that to a 90-day notice window.
Beating the "reckless rider" myth
We use scene evidence and witnesses to counter the automatic assumption that the rider was at fault.
Medical & surgical care
Emergency treatment, orthopedic surgery, and long rehabilitation common to rider injuries.
Lost wages & earning capacity
Time off work during recovery and reduced future earning ability.
Pain and suffering
The significant physical and emotional toll of serious rider injuries.
Road rash & scarring
Compensation for permanent scarring and disfigurement.
Permanent disability
Long-term or lifelong limitations from catastrophic injuries.
Get medical attention immediately
Rider injuries are frequently serious and sometimes internal. Get evaluated and keep every record.
Preserve your gear and bike
Do not repair or discard your motorcycle, bicycle, or helmet — they are evidence of impact and speed.
Call before you talk to insurers
Because no-fault often does not apply, the liability claim is everything. Speak with us before giving any statement.
Free case review
We assess liability, insurance coverage, and the medical picture at no cost.
Scene & crash reconstruction
We gather footage, witness statements, and physical evidence to prove what happened.
Demand & negotiation
We present a documented demand and negotiate hard against the insurer's bias narrative.
Litigation if needed
If the offer is unfair, we file suit and prepare the case for trial.
Does no-fault cover my motorcycle accident?
Usually not. New York generally excludes motorcyclists from no-fault (PIP) benefits, which is why the claim against the at-fault driver is so important and why early legal help matters.
The driver says I was riding recklessly. Does that end my claim?
No. Under New York's comparative negligence rule you can still recover even if you were partly at fault. We work to prove the driver's responsibility with real evidence.
Should I fix my bike before the case is resolved?
No. Your motorcycle or bicycle is physical evidence. Preserve it until we have documented everything the crash can tell us.
What does it cost to hire the firm?
Nothing up front. We work on contingency — no fee unless we win your case.