Our Brooklyn, NY motorcycle accident lawyer is here to help injured motorcyclists. At Rosenberg & Rodriguez Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve recovered an $875,000 settlement in a difficult liability case, jury verdicts of $815,000 and $760,000, and a $750,000 truck accident settlement. We’ve helped our clients recover millions of dollars from insurance companies that tried to blame the victim instead of paying fair compensation.
Why Choose Rosenberg & Rodriguez Personal Injury Lawyers for Motorcycle Accident Cases in Brooklyn, NY?
We Overcome the Bias Against Riders
Insurance adjusters assume motorcyclists are reckless. They argue you were speeding, weaving through traffic, or taking unnecessary risks. They use stereotypes instead of evidence.
We know how to defeat these tactics. We gather police reports, witness statements, and traffic camera footage that proves what actually happened. We work with accident reconstructionists when needed. We show juries that our clients were responsible riders injured by negligent drivers.
Our results prove we can win:
• $875,000 settlement in a high-risk liability case
• $815,000 jury verdict
• $760,000 jury verdict
• $750,000 truck accident settlement
• $550,000 rear-end accident settlement
• $500,000 auto accident settlement
If you need a personal injury attorney in Brooklyn, NY, our track record demonstrates what we accomplish for accident victims.
Ivan Rodriguez: 25 Years Fighting for the Injured
Ivan Rodriguez has practiced personal injury law in New York for 25 years. He has tried motorcycle accident cases in both State and Federal Courts, winning verdicts when insurance companies refused to offer fair settlements.
He understands the unique challenges motorcyclists face in pursuing injury claims. Insurance companies defend these cases aggressively because they know juries sometimes harbor bias against riders. Ivan knows how to select fair juries and present evidence that overcomes those prejudices.
You pay nothing upfront. We advance all costs and only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you. Motorcycle accident cases often require accident reconstruction, medical experts, and extensive investigation. We cover those expenses and only get paid when you win.
What Our Clients Say
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I was in a serious motorcycle accident and the other driver’s insurance company blamed me for everything. Rosenberg & Rodriguez Personal Injury Lawyers investigated the accident, found witnesses, and proved the other driver ran a red light. They got me a settlement that paid for my surgeries and lost wages. I couldn’t have done it without them.” – Breymy Kedesna
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases We Handle in Brooklyn, NY
Motorcycle crashes occur throughout Brooklyn’s busy streets and highways. We handle all types of motorcycle collision claims.
Left-turn accidents. Drivers turning left across traffic misjudge motorcycle speed and distance. These collisions are among the most common and most dangerous for riders.
Lane-change crashes. Drivers who fail to check blind spots or mirrors strike motorcyclists traveling in adjacent lanes.
Rear-end collisions. Distracted drivers strike motorcycles from behind at intersections and in stop-and-go traffic. Without a protective frame, riders suffer severe injuries.
Dooring accidents. Parked drivers and passengers open doors into traffic without looking. Motorcyclists have no time to react when a door suddenly appears.
Truck accidents. Commercial vehicles have massive blind spots. Motorcyclists struck by trucks suffer catastrophic injuries due to the size difference.
Uber accidents. Uber and Lyft drivers stopping suddenly, making U-turns, or pulling into traffic create constant hazards for motorcyclists.
Intersection crashes. Drivers who run red lights or fail to yield cause devastating collisions at Brooklyn intersections.
Road hazard accidents. Potholes, loose gravel, uneven pavement, and debris cause motorcyclists to lose control. When road conditions cause crashes, government entities or construction companies may be liable.
Hit and run crashes. When drivers flee after striking motorcyclists, we work with police and witnesses to identify them. We also pursue claims through uninsured motorist coverage.
New York Legal Requirements for Motorcycle Accident Cases
Motorcycle accidents involve different rules than car crashes. Understanding these laws helps protect your claim.
No-Fault Insurance Doesn’t Apply
Unlike car accidents, New York’s no-fault insurance system does not apply to motorcycles. Motorcyclists cannot purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for themselves under New York Insurance Law.
This means you can sue the at-fault driver immediately without meeting a “serious injury” threshold. However, it also means you don’t have automatic medical payment coverage. You must pursue compensation from the negligent driver’s insurance or your own health insurance.
Required Insurance Coverage
New York requires motorcycles to carry liability insurance. The New York DMV requires minimum coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage.
These minimums are dangerously low for serious motorcycle accidents. We recommend riders carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to protect themselves when at-fault drivers lack adequate insurance.
Helmet Laws
New York requires all motorcyclists and passengers to wear DOT-approved helmets. Insurance companies sometimes argue that riders who weren’t wearing helmets or were wearing non-compliant helmets contributed to their own injuries. We counter these arguments with medical evidence about the actual cause of injuries.
Statute of Limitations
New York’s statute of limitations gives you three years to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit. For claims against government entities, such as crashes caused by road defects, you must file a notice of claim within 90 days.
Comparative Fault
New York follows pure comparative negligence rules. Insurance companies frequently argue that motorcyclists were speeding, lane splitting, or riding recklessly. Even if you share some fault, you can still recover damages reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Brooklyn, NY Motorcycle Accident?
Motorcycle accidents cause severe injuries because riders have no protection from impact. Compensation in these cases can be substantial.
Economic Damages
These cover your measurable financial losses:
• Emergency room visits, trauma surgery, and ICU stays
• Multiple surgeries for fractures and internal injuries
• Skin grafts and treatment for severe road rash
• Long-term rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Future medical treatment for permanent injuries
• Lost wages while you recover
• Reduced earning capacity if injuries affect your ability to work
• Motorcycle repair or replacement
• Adaptive equipment if injuries cause disability
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to die in crashes than passenger car occupants per mile traveled. The CDC injury data confirms that motorcycle accidents cause disproportionately severe injuries.
Non-Economic Damages
New York allows compensation for pain and suffering, including:
• Physical pain from injuries and multiple surgeries
• Emotional trauma, anxiety, and PTSD
• Loss of enjoyment of riding and other activities
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Loss of consortium affecting your relationship with your spouse
Motorcycle accidents frequently cause brain injuries even when riders wear helmets. Back injuries and neck injuries result from the force of impact. Soft tissue injuries compound the damage from road rash and fractures.
Punitive Damages
When a driver’s conduct is particularly egregious, such as drunk driving, texting while driving, or road rage, New York courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer.
Contact Rosenberg & Rodriguez Personal Injury Lawyers
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Brooklyn, our firm can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
We offer free consultations to accident victims. We’ll review your case, explain your legal options, and answer your questions. No obligation. No pressure.
Our contingency fee arrangement means you pay nothing unless we win. We advance all costs and only collect a fee when you recover compensation.
With over 100 combined years of experience, our attorneys understand the unique challenges motorcyclists face. We know how to overcome insurance company bias and maximize recovery for riders.
Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation. Evening and weekend appointments are available.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Brooklyn
The NHTSA motorcycle safety data shows that motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to die in a traffic crash than passenger car occupants per mile traveled. In New York State, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee reported over 180 motorcyclist fatalities and thousands of injuries statewide in a recent year. Brooklyn’s dense traffic, narrow streets, and high volume of turning vehicles create particular dangers for riders. In 2024, the borough recorded 69 total traffic fatalities and thousands of injury crashes, according to NYC DOT data. Brooklyn ended 2025 with its lowest traffic deaths on record, but motorcycle crashes remain among the most lethal. Unlike car occupants, riders have no seatbelts, no airbags, and no steel frame absorbing the impact.
How Motorcycle Accident Cases Work in New York
A motorcycle accident case in Brooklyn, NY follows a process that most riders don’t know about until they need it. At Rosenberg & Rodriguez Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle the legal system, the insurance structure, and the timeline. Here is how it works.
No-fault insurance does not apply to motorcycles. This is one of the most important things to understand. New York’s no-fault system, which pays medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault in car accidents, does not cover motorcyclists. If you’re on a motorcycle and a car hits you, you cannot access PIP benefits through the other driver’s policy the way a car occupant would. You must pursue a fault-based claim against the negligent driver from the beginning. That’s why having a motorcycle accident attorney in Brooklyn matters from day one.
The liability investigation starts immediately. We gather the police accident report, interview witnesses, obtain traffic camera footage, and photograph the scene. Insurance companies fighting motorcycle claims often argue the rider was speeding or driving recklessly. We counter those arguments with evidence that establishes what actually happened.
Medical treatment drives the case value. Your injuries determine what your case is worth. We coordinate with your doctors to make sure everything is thoroughly documented. Emergency room records, surgical reports, rehabilitation notes, and specialist opinions all build the foundation. Injuries that appear later, including concussions and internal damage, need to be caught and documented early.
We identify all liable parties. The driver who hit you is the obvious defendant. But there may be others. If a road defect caused the crash, the city may share liability. If a vehicle had a mechanical failure, the manufacturer or maintenance provider could be responsible. We investigate every angle.
Comparative fault is always in play. New York follows comparative negligence rules. Even if the insurer argues you were partially at fault, you can still recover. Your award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Insurance companies exploit bias against motorcyclists to inflate your fault. We push back with facts.
The demand and negotiation phase. Once you’ve reached maximum medical improvement, we calculate total damages: medical bills, future treatment, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering. We send a demand to the at-fault driver’s insurer with all supporting documentation. Negotiations begin. First offers are almost always too low.
Litigation if necessary. If the insurer won’t pay fair value, we file a lawsuit in Kings County Supreme Court. Most cases settle before trial. But the insurer needs to believe you’ll actually go to a jury. Our firm has secured jury verdicts exceeding $800,000. That trial record gives us leverage.
Helmet law and its effect on your claim. New York requires motorcyclists to wear DOT-approved helmets under VTL §381. Riding without one doesn’t bar your claim, but the insurer may argue it contributed to a head injury. We counter with medical evidence establishing the full extent of your damages.
Brooklyn Motorcycle Accident Lawyer FAQs
How much does it cost to hire Rosenberg & Rodriguez Personal Injury Lawyers for a motorcycle accident?
Nothing. We charge a contingency fee, which means no recovery, no fee. We advance all case costs and collect attorney fees only when we recover compensation for you.
Does New York’s no-fault insurance apply to motorcycle accidents?
No. Motorcycles are excluded from New York’s no-fault system. You must file a fault-based claim against the negligent driver to recover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. This makes having a motorcycle accident lawyer in Brooklyn, NY critical from the start.
What compensation can I recover after a motorcycle accident in Brooklyn?
Medical expenses, lost wages, future treatment costs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, property damage to your motorcycle and gear, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. Cases involving permanent disability or wrongful death produce substantially higher recoveries.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in New York?
Three years from the date of the crash under the statute of limitations. If a government vehicle or road defect contributed to the accident, a notice of claim must be filed within 90 days.
Can I still recover damages if I was lane splitting?
Lane splitting is illegal in New York. If you were riding between lanes of traffic, the insurer will argue you contributed to the crash. Under comparative negligence, your recovery is reduced by your share of fault but not eliminated. We fight to minimize any fault attributed to the rider.
What if the driver who hit me says they didn’t see me?
That is not a defense. Drivers have a duty to watch for motorcycles and share the road safely. Failing to see a motorcycle in plain sight is negligence. We use witness statements, camera footage, and accident reconstruction to prove the driver failed to exercise reasonable care.
What types of injuries are common in Brooklyn motorcycle accidents?
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company after a motorcycle crash?
No. Insurance adjusters are trained to undervalue claims. They will look for anything to blame the rider. Let your Brooklyn motorcycle accident attorney handle all communications.
What should I do at the scene of a motorcycle accident in Brooklyn?
Call 911. Get medical attention. Photograph the scene, your motorcycle, the other vehicle, and your injuries. Collect the other driver’s information and witness contact details. Do not admit fault. Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer in Brooklyn, NY.
How do insurance companies fight motorcycle accident claims?
They exploit anti-rider bias. They argue you were speeding, riding aggressively, or weaving through traffic, even without evidence. They dispute the severity of your injuries. They claim soft tissue injuries don’t warrant significant compensation. An attorney who understands motorcycle cases knows how to counter every one of these tactics.
Local Information for Brooklyn Motorcycle Accident Cases
Most Dangerous Locations for Motorcycle Accidents in Brooklyn
Motorcycle crashes in Brooklyn concentrate along corridors where speed, traffic volume, and road conditions create elevated risk.
Belt Parkway. Speed-related motorcycle crashes are common along this coastal highway, particularly during summer months when riding activity peaks. Merging traffic and sudden speed changes cause rear-end and sideswipe collisions.
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). Tight curves, narrow lanes, and heavy truck traffic make this highway dangerous for riders, especially the section near the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
Atlantic Avenue (Bed-Stuy to Downtown Brooklyn). Wide lanes encourage speeding, and turning vehicles at intersections create blind-spot hazards for motorcyclists.
Fourth Avenue (Sunset Park to Downtown Brooklyn). Heavy traffic, commercial trucks, and limited visibility at cross streets produce frequent motorcycle collisions.
Ocean Parkway. Long straight stretches encourage higher speeds, and intersections with residential side streets create turning-vehicle hazards for riders.
Flatbush Avenue corridor. Dense traffic from Downtown Brooklyn through East Flatbush generates constant lane-change and intersection risks for motorcyclists.
What Are Important Local Resources for Brooklyn Motorcycle Accidents
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle crash in Brooklyn, these resources may help.
NYC 311 — Report road hazards, potholes, or debris: 311
Rosenberg & Rodriguez Personal Injury Lawyers does not endorse any of the organizations listed above. These resources are provided for informational purposes only.
About the Attorneys
Ivan Rodriguez has practiced personal injury law in New York for 25 years and has tried motorcycle accident cases in State and Federal Courts. He understands the bias motorcyclists face from insurance companies and knows how to overcome it with evidence. Our firm has a Brooklyn office at 1411 President Street, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11235.
What Our Clients Say
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I had the most wonderful experience with this law firm accepting my case. So professional and very dedicated to helping clients. The attorneys are very knowledgeable and helpful. If you’re looking for an attorney, I highly recommend them to help you.” — Sherdina Ross
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Contact Rosenberg & Rodriguez Personal Injury Lawyers
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Brooklyn, NY, our firm is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. We on contingency, which we only get paid if we win your case. Consultations are free and confidential. Contact us today to speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer at Rosenberg & Rodriguez Personal Injury Lawyers.