Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in New York City
NYC Motorcycle Accident Lawyer – How Greenstein & Pittari, LLP Protects Injured Riders Across NYC
Serving All Five Boroughs:
Manhattan · Brooklyn · Queens · The Bronx · Staten Island
Motorcycle riding in New York City offers freedom you can’t find in a car – but NYC’s congested streets, aggressive drivers, construction zones, and unpredictable traffic also create one of the most dangerous environments in the country for motorcyclists.
At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, we represent injured riders and families throughout New York City. We understand the unique hazards of NYC motorcycle traffic, the bias motorcyclists face from insurers, and how to build powerful cases that win.
Whether your motorcycle accident happened on the FDR Drive, BQE, LIE, Cross Bronx Expressway, Belt Parkway, West Side Highway, or a busy Manhattan intersection, our attorneys are ready to help you fight for full compensation.
Free Consultation – No Fee Unless We Win
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) today.
Why Motorcycle Accidents Are So Deadly in New York City
Motorcyclists account for a disproportionate number of NYC traffic fatalities each year. The combination of:
- Dense traffic
- High vehicle volume
- Distracted driving
- Constant road construction
- Blind corners and double-parked vehicles
makes riding in NYC uniquely dangerous.
Unlike people in cars, riders have no airbags, frame protection, or seatbelts. Motorcycle riders absorb the full impact of a collision, which is why NYC motorcycle crashes often result in:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries & paralysis
- Multiple fractures
- Severe road rash & disfigurement
- Organ damage & internal bleeding
- Wrongful death
Another complication for NYC riders:
Motorcyclists Are Excluded from New York No-Fault Insurance
Unlike car occupants, injured riders typically must file a fault-based claim against the at-fault driver, city agency, or other responsible parties.
This makes identifying the exact cause of the crash critical.
Top Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in New York City
Motorcycle crashes in NYC often involve multiple contributing factors. Below are the most common causes, optimized for the search terms New Yorkers use most frequently.
1. NYC Drivers Who “Don’t See” Motorcycles (Distracted Driving)
Primary Keywords: NYC distracted driver motorcycle accident, New York motorcycle crash caused by a texting driver
The #1 cause of motorcycle accidents in NYC:
“I didn’t see the motorcycle.”
Why drivers miss motorcycles:
- Texting or scrolling
- GPS and rideshare apps
- Eating or multitasking
- Talking to passengers
- Rushing through intersections
Common crash locations:
- Midtown Manhattan
- Flatbush Avenue
- Queens Boulevard
- Fordham Road
- Atlantic Avenue
Legal angle:
Driver inattention is negligence. We use surveillance footage, dashcam/helmetcam, and cell phone data to prove it.
2. Left-Turn Motorcycle Accidents in NYC Intersections
Left-turn collisions are among the deadliest types of NYC motorcycle accidents.
Typical NYC scenario:
- Rider going straight
- Driver turns left across the rider’s path
- The driver misjudges speed or never looks
High-risk locations:
- Times Square/42nd Street
- Houston Street
- Astoria/Steinway intersections
- Grand Concourse
- Flatbush Junction
NY law: The left-turning vehicle must yield the right-of-way. If they cut you off, they are typically at fault.
3. Unsafe Lane Changes & Blind-Spot Crashes
Common on:
- FDR Drive
- BQE
- Cross Bronx Expressway
- Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and Queensboro bridge approaches
Drivers often:
- Change lanes without signaling
- Fail to check blind spots
- Drift while distracted
- Merge aggressively into motorcycles
Even if the rider was lane-filtering in traffic, NYC’s comparative negligence law still allows financial recovery.
4. NYC Rear-End Motorcycle Accidents & Tailgating
A minor car fender-bender can be deadly for riders.
NYC drivers frequently follow motorcycles far too closely, especially in:
- Midtown
- The Bronx’s Grand Concourse
- Downtown Brooklyn
- Lower Manhattan deliveries
Rear-end motorcycle accidents often throw the rider into traffic or through the intersection – especially dangerous in NYC congestion.
5. “Dooring” Accidents on NYC Streets
One of the most common NYC motorcycle injuries occurs when:
- A parked car or Uber passenger opens a door
- The rider collides or swerves into traffic
High-risk areas:
- Manhattan bike lanes
- Brooklyn brownstone blocks
- Queens’ shopping districts
- Anywhere rideshares drop off passengers
New York law requires occupants to check before opening a door – failing to do so is negligence.
6. Speeding & Aggressive NYC Drivers
NYC speeding often occurs:
- At night on the FDR
- On the BQE and Belt Parkway
- On long, straight avenues in Manhattan and Brooklyn
Aggressive driving behaviors include:
- Tailgating
- Sudden lane-switching
- Running yellow/red lights
- Cutting off motorcycles
We reconstruct vehicle movement using video, metadata, and impact evidence.
7. Drunk or Drug-Impaired Drivers in NYC
Impaired NYC drivers are hazardous because they:
- Misjudge distances
- Drift into bike lanes
- Run red lights
- Fail to react to stopped motorcycles
Areas with high DWI-related crashes:
- Lower East Side
- East Village
- Williamsburg
- Astoria
- Midtown nightlife corridors
A drunk driver may also expose themselves to punitive damages.
8. Dangerous NYC Road Conditions
Examples:
- Potholes
- Steel plates
- Utility cuts
- Loose gravel
- Oil slicks
- Poor drainage
- Unmarked construction zones
- Sunken maintenance hole covers
These are especially common in:
- Harlem
- Bushwick
- The Bronx
- Jackson Heights
- Staten Island service roads
Claims involving NYC DOT or city contractors require a Notice of Claim within 90 days.
9. Inexperienced Riders and Rider Error
NYC traffic demands advanced riding skills:
- Avoiding taxis cutting across lanes
- Braking for pedestrians stepping into traffic
- Navigating potholes and construction lanes
Even if rider error played a role, you can still recover under NYC comparative negligence law.
Common Injuries in NYC Motorcycle Accidents
We frequently handle cases involving:
- Broken bones & complex fractures
- Road rash & degloving
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries & paralysis
- Internal bleeding
- Facial trauma & dental injuries
- Permanent scarring
- Fatal injuries
Your Legal Rights After a Motorcycle Accident in NYC
Motorcyclists Are Excluded From New York No-Fault Insurance
You generally must file a fault-based personal injury claim against:
- The at-fault driver
- Employers (for commercial/rideshare vehicles)
- NYC agencies (for dangerous road conditions)
- Product manufacturers or repair shops
NYC Comparative Negligence Law
Even if you were partially at fault, you can recover compensation.
Example: $500,000 damages × 20% rider fault = $400,000 recovery.
What You Can Recover
- Medical bills (past & future)
- Lost wages & reduced earning ability
- Pain & suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Long-term disability
- Wrongful death damages
What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident in NYC
1. Call 911
2. Get medical care
3. Take photos & videos
4. Get license & insurance info
5. Identify businesses with cameras
6. Do not admit fault
7. Call Greenstein & Pittari, LLP before speaking with insurance
How Greenstein & Pittari, LLP Helps NYC Riders
- We Investigate Your Crash
- We Identify Every Liable Party
- We Handle Insurance for You
- We Prove All Your Damages
- We Prepare for Trial If Needed
- You Pay No Fee Unless We Win
Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari for Your NYC Motorcycle Accident Case?
- Harlem-based firm with seven NY offices
- Hundreds of 5-star client reviews
- Bilingual services available
- Named to Best Lawyers & Super Lawyers
- Our motto: “Don’t Be a Victim Twice.”
- Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462)
Talk to a New York City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you were injured in a motorcycle crash in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island, you deserve a law firm that understands how NYC traffic works – and how to overcome the bias riders face.
Free Consultation
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462)
No Fee Unless We Win
You focus on healing.
We’ll handle the insurance companies and fight for the compensation you deserve.