Motorcycle Accident Lawyer New York County, NY
Motorcycle accidents on the streets of Manhattan and throughout New York County can cause severe injuries, leaving riders and their families facing medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty about the path forward. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Concentrates its practice on representing injured motorcyclists in personal injury claims against at‑fault drivers, government entities, and other responsible parties. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of the firm, and his Of Counsel team bring over 120 years of combined legal experience and have achieved 4,739+ documented firm-wide results in motorcycle accident cases. Results may vary. Our Buffalo location serves clients in New York County and across the state. To request a consultation, call (888) 437‑7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Advocacy Without Borders.
What Motorcycle Accident Claims Involve in New York County
New York law treats motorcycle accidents differently from most auto‑accident claims. Under New York’s No‑Fault insurance system, covered vehicles must carry Personal Injury Protection benefits, and injured motorists usually must meet a “serious injury” threshold before they can sue for pain and suffering. Motorcycles, however, are excluded from the No‑Fault law. This means a motorcyclist injured in New York County does not need to prove a serious injury to bring a claim for non‑economic damages. Instead, the rider may pursue a full personal‑injury action against the at‑fault driver immediately, seeking compensation for all categories of harm, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Personal injury claims arising from motorcycle accidents are filed in the New York County Supreme Court, located at 60 Centre Street in Manhattan. The Supreme Court has unlimited jurisdiction over civil tort cases. New York follows a pure comparative‑fault rule: even if the injured motorcyclist is found to be partially at‑fault, recovery is simply reduced by that percentage of fault. There are no statutory caps on compensatory damages in a motorcycle accident case. The firm’s legal team evaluates liability, gathers accident‑scene evidence, and works to prove the full extent of the rider’s damages under New York’s substantive tort law, including CPLR Article 14‑A.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Motorcycle Accident Cases
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel approach each motorcycle accident matter by first investigating the facts—reviewing police reports, witness statements, traffic‑camera footage, and the physical damage to the motorcycle and other vehicles. Because motorcycles are excluded from No‑Fault, the focus from the outset is on building a third‑party liability case against the driver, the driver’s employer, or any government entity that may have contributed to the crash through dangerous roadway design, missing signage, or inadequate maintenance.
The legal team handles all phases of the civil litigation process in New York County Supreme Court: preparing and filing the summons and complaint, engaging in discovery (interrogatories, document requests, depositions), and retaining accident‑reconstruction and medical experts where appropriate. Negotiation with insurance carriers is a central part of the practice, but when a fair settlement cannot be reached, the firm is prepared to place the case on the trial calendar by filing a Note of Issue and presenting the claim at trial. Throughout the process, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel work to achieve a favorable outcome; every case is resolved on its own facts, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has been practicing law since 1997. He is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). His background as a former prosecutor gives him insight into the adversary system, which he applies to civil litigation on behalf of injured motorcyclists. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience and have achieved 4,739+ documented firm-wide results in motorcycle accident matters. Results may vary.
The Of Counsel attorneys who work with Mr. Sris are experienced litigators who handle personal injury cases in New York. Every attorney on the team is Of Counsel; the firm has no associates or partners. Our Buffalo location, at 50 Fountain Plaza, Suite 1400, Office No. 142, Buffalo, NY 14202, serves clients in New York County and across New York State. Appointments are by appointment only; call (888) 437‑7747 to schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim in New York County?
In New York, a personal-injury claim arising from a motorcycle accident generally must be filed within three years from the date of the crash. N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5) sets the three‑year limitations period. If the accident causes a fatality, a wrongful‑death action must be filed within two years from the date of death under E.P.T.L. § 5‑4.1. The clock ordinarily starts when the injury occurs. Waiting to investigate can weaken evidence, and missing the deadline will likely bar the claim entirely. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437‑7747.
Is New York a no‑fault state for motorcycle accidents?
New York’s No‑Fault insurance law does not apply to motorcycles, so an injured motorcyclist is not required to meet the “serious injury” threshold before suing for pain and suffering. Cars and trucks covered by the No‑Fault system must provide Personal Injury Protection benefits, and an injured occupant must show a serious injury to recover non‑economic damages. Motorcycles are excluded from the definition of a covered vehicle under Insurance Law § 5102. Therefore, a motorcyclist can bring a full personal‑injury lawsuit against the at‑fault driver without proving a serious injury. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437‑7747.
What damages can I recover in a New York motorcycle accident case?
In a New York motorcycle accident case, you may recover economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages, as well as non‑economic damages for pain and suffering. New York does not cap compensatory damages in personal injury actions. If the defendant’s conduct was especially reckless or egregious, punitive damages may also be sought, though their availability depends on the specific facts. The pure comparative‑fault rule reduces your recovery by your percentage of fault, if any. Every claim is fact‑specific, and the value of a case depends on the severity of the injuries, the clarity of liability, and the available insurance coverage. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437‑7747.
What should I do immediately after a motorcycle accident in Manhattan?
After a motorcycle accident in Manhattan, your first priority should be to seek medical attention, even if you think your injuries are minor. Then, if you are able, report the accident to the police and obtain a copy of the police report. Try to collect the other driver’s license, insurance, and registration information. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact details. Take photographs of the scene, the position of the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Do not make statements about fault to insurers before consulting an attorney. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437‑7747.
How does New York’s pure comparative fault rule affect a motorcycle accident claim?
Under New York’s pure comparative fault rule, an injured motorcyclist’s financial recovery is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to him or her, but recovery is not barred even if the rider is mostly at fault. For example, if a motorcyclist is found 30% at fault for the accident and the total damages are $100,000, the rider would recover $70,000 after reduction. This rule is codified in CPLR Article 14‑A. Because insurance carriers often try to shift greater blame onto the motorcyclist, working with experienced counsel can help ensure fault is fairly apportioned. Results may vary. Every case turns on its own evidence. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437‑7747.
For more information about personal injury representation in other New York localities, visit our pages for Kings County (Brooklyn) personal injury lawyer, Queens County (Queens) personal injury lawyer, Richmond County (Staten Island) personal injury lawyer, Nassau County (Long Island) personal injury lawyer, and Suffolk County (Long Island) personal injury lawyer.
New York statutes and court information: New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) · New York County Supreme Court · New York Insurance Law
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.