Motorcyclists traveling the busy roadways of the Bronx, from the Cross Bronx Expressway to the Major Deegan and the Grand Concourse, face serious risks from negligent drivers. A motorcycle accident can leave you with severe injuries, extensive medical treatment, and significant financial pressure for you and your family.
If you were injured because another driver acted carelessly, a Bronx motorcycle accident lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you need to move forward. Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. can protect your rights, investigate the crash, and fight for the full compensation available.
Call our team at (212) 543-1600 today or complete our online contact form for a free, no-obligation consultation with our team.
Why Choose Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. for Your Bronx Motorcycle Accident Claim
Our award-winning attorneys have a proven track record of securing multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. We understand the unique challenges motorcyclists face, from the severity of the injuries to the unfair biases riders often encounter, and we’re prepared to counter those biases with facts, evidence, and expert testimony.
A Team Approach
When you choose Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, you’re not just hiring a lawyer; you’re gaining a dedicated team of more than 100 years of combined experience committed to your case. You get the full force of our firm behind you, collaborating to build the strongest possible case.
No-Fee Promise
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe us nothing unless we win your case. We don’t bill by the hour; our payment depends on securing justice for you.
Proven Results
Insurance companies respect our trial skills and aggressive representation. One recent result includes a $2,000,000 recovery for a motorcyclist struck by a box truck making an improper left turn.
Unmatched Dedication
We take the time to learn about you, your family, and how this accident has changed every part of your life, so we can tell your unique story. We’re in this together. From the initial investigation to the final settlement or verdict, we’ll be your guide, advocate, and support system.
Contact our team at (212) 543-1600 or fill out our online form to get your free, no-obligation consultation.
I wanted to make sure that you were aware of my extreme gratitude to Chris DiGirolamo, and his law firm, for the work done on my behalf.
As a 33 year licensed motorcyclist in the state of NJ, I have seen a lot of friends/family go through the process of a personal injury suit, and many times the outcome is less than favorable. Let’s face it, there is a lot of bias against bikers out there… So when it was my turn to experience the process first hand, I didn’t hold a lot of hope that I would recover any of what I lost.
Chris DiGirolamo not only got me enough of a settlement to recover what was lost, he got the max available, allowing me to have a little piece of mind for the future as well.
He was patient when I sent endless emails full of questions and kind and understanding with regard to my case. I will ALWAYS refer my friends to this firm, and use them again myself, if the situation ever arises…
Thank you again for all your hard work!
Should You Take the Insurance Company’s First Offer?
While a fast check can be tempting, especially when bills are piling up, proceed with extreme caution and never accept an initial settlement offer without first speaking to an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.
After an accident, an insurance adjuster from the at-fault party’s insurance company will likely contact you. They may seem friendly and concerned, and they might even make a quick offer to settle your claim.
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their primary responsibility is to their shareholders, not to you, and their goal is to resolve your claim for the lowest possible amount. The first offer is almost always a lowball figure that fails to account for the full and future costs of your injuries.
Here’s what the initial offer likely doesn’t cover:
- Future Medical Expenses: Many serious injuries require ongoing care, such as physical therapy, future surgeries, prescription medications, or home modifications, and a quick settlement won’t account for these long-term costs.
- Lost Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or working at all, you may be able to recover compensation for your reduced ability to earn a living in the future.
- Full Pain and Suffering: The physical pain, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by an accident are significant damages that a quick offer rarely reflects.
Once you accept a settlement, you give up your right to seek any further compensation for your injuries, even if your condition worsens or you discover you need more treatment down the road.
The insurance adjuster knows this. They’re counting on your financial stress and unfamiliarity with the legal process to pressure you into a decision that benefits them, not you. Before you sign any documents or provide a recorded statement, call Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C.
Let one of our Bronx motorcycle accident lawyers handle the communications with the insurance company. We’ll protect you from their tactics and accurately calculate the value of your claim so you don’t leave money on the table.
Compensation Available in a Bronx Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
A Bronx motorcycle accident lawsuit may allow you to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses related to the crash.
The value of your claim will depend on the severity of your injuries and how the accident has affected your life.’
Compensation may include:
- All Past and Future Medical Expenses: This covers everything from the initial emergency room visit and hospital stay to surgeries, rehabilitation, physical therapy, prescription drugs, and necessary medical equipment.
- Lost Wages or Income: You may pursue compensation for the income you have already lost while unable to work during your recovery.
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If your injuries have permanently affected your ability to work or forced you into a lower-paying job, we will pursue compensation for this loss of future income.
- Property Damage: You may recover funds to cover the cost to repair or replace your motorcycle and any other damaged personal property, such as your helmet, riding gear, or phone.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: This includes costs like transportation to medical appointments or necessary modifications to your home or vehicle.
- Pain and Suffering: You may be eligible for compensation for the physical pain and discomfort you have endured and will continue to endure.
- Emotional Distress: This covers the mental anguish, fear, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from the crash.
What if the Driver Who Hit You Has No Insurance?
Depending on the circumstances, Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage or other sources of recovery may be available when the at-fault driver has no insurance or cannot be identified.
In some situations, New York’s Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) may provide compensation for eligible injured riders.
Both paths carry strict, early deadlines and detailed notice requirements. We identify every available source of coverage and file the right paperwork on time, so an uninsured or hit-and-run driver doesn’t leave you without a recovery.
Does New York’s Helmet Law Affect Your Motorcycle Accident Claim?
New York requires every motorcycle rider and passenger to wear an approved helmet under Vehicle and Traffic Law §381. Riders must wear a helmet that meets federal safety standards, and the law also requires approved eye protection.
The insurance company may try to use the helmet law against you. If you were not wearing a helmet, the other side may argue that your own choice added to your injuries, especially head and neck injuries. This doesn’t bar your claim, but it can become part of an argument that lowers your recovery.
Your Bronx motorcycle accident lawyer can counter this tactic with medical and physical evidence. We work with experts to separate the injuries the crash caused from any that the defense tries to pin on a helmet, and we keep the focus on the negligent driver who hit you.
Common Types of Bronx Motorcycle Collisions
Motorcycle accidents in the Bronx often involve left-turn crashes, unsafe lane changes, and distracted drivers. Understanding how the collision occurred can help identify who was responsible and what compensation may be available.
The collisions we see most often in the Bronx include:
- Left-Turn Crashes: A driver turning left across traffic misjudges a rider’s speed or never sees the motorcycle, causing one of the deadliest and most common motorcycle collisions.
- Unsafe Lane Changes: A driver merges or changes lanes without checking blind spots and moves directly into a rider traveling lawfully beside them. These accidents frequently lead to catastrophic injuries.
- Dooring Accidents: A parked motorist opens a door into the path of an oncoming motorcycle, leaving the rider no time to react on a busy street.
- Distracted Driving Crashes: Looking at a phone, a navigation system, or other distractions often causes drivers to fail to notice a motorcycle until it’s too late to avoid a collision.
- Drunk Driving Accidents: Impaired drivers often have slower reaction times, poor judgment, and difficulty recognizing motorcycles on the road, increasing the risk of devastating crashes.
- Road Hazards: Potholes, loose gravel, debris, and poorly marked construction zones throw riders from their bikes, and a government agency may share fault for failing to maintain the road.
Who Is Responsible After a Bronx Motorcycle Crash?
While the driver of the other vehicle is the most obvious at-fault party, a thorough investigation often reveals that other individuals or entities may also share responsibility for the accident. At Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, we investigate thoroughly to identify every potentially liable party.
Holding all responsible parties accountable is crucial to maximizing your financial recovery because it can open up additional sources of insurance coverage.
Depending on the specific circumstances of your crash in the Bronx, potential liable parties may include:
- The Other Driver: The most common defendant, whose negligence, such as distraction, speeding, or impairment, caused the collision.
- The Driver’s Employer: If the at-fault driver was operating a commercial vehicle like a delivery van, taxi, or semi-truck and was on the job at the time of the crash, their employer can often be held vicariously liable for their employee’s negligence.
- A Government Agency: A state, city, or municipal entity can be held liable if dangerous road conditions contributed to the accident, such as poorly maintained roads with large potholes, debris left in the roadway, malfunctioning traffic signals, or a dangerously designed intersection or on-ramp.
- Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers: If a defect in your motorcycle, the other vehicle, or a component part, such as faulty brakes, defective tires, or a flawed steering system, caused or contributed to the crash, the manufacturer can be held liable under product liability laws.
- A Mechanic or Repair Shop: If a repair shop performed negligent work on either vehicle, such as faulty brake repairs, and that negligence led to the accident, the shop may be held responsible.
Our experienced legal team has the resources to conduct a comprehensive investigation, determine the true cause of your accident, and identify every party whose negligence played a role.
FAQ Bronx Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Can I Still Get Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault for My Accident?
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, so you can still recover damages even if you were partially to blame for the crash. Your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault, so if you’re found 20% at fault, your final award drops by 20%.
Insurance companies often try to exploit this rule by unfairly shifting blame onto the motorcyclist, and we fight back to protect your right to fair compensation.
How Long Do I Have To File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in New York?
In New York, the statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit is generally three years from the date of the accident. While that may seem like a long time, it’s crucial to act quickly; important evidence can disappear, and witnesses’ memories can fade.
Can I Still Recover if I Wasn't Wearing a Helmet?
You can still recover even if you were not wearing a helmet. New York’s helmet law may allow the defense to argue that going without one increases the risk of certain injuries, which can reduce your award under comparative negligence, but it doesn’t erase the other driver’s fault.
How Does a Bronx Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Overcome Rider Bias?
Our Bronx motorcycle accident lawyers fight the unfair assumption that riders are reckless with facts and evidence, not arguments. Our team uses detailed analysis of the physical evidence, witness testimony, and traffic camera footage to build an evidence-based account of what really happened.
Will I Have To Repay My Health Insurer Out of My Settlement?
You may have to reimburse your health insurer for accident-related medical expenses paid on your behalf. Many insurers and benefit plans have subrogation rights that allow them to seek repayment from a settlement or verdict.
Our Bronx motorcycle injury attorneys work to identify, challenge, and negotiate these liens to help maximize the amount you take home.
Contact Our Trusted Bronx Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, the attorneys at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. are ready to protect your rights, pursue the compensation you deserve, and guide you through every stage of the legal process.
Conveniently located at 930 Grand Concourse, Suite 1A, Bronx, NY 10451, our firm proudly serves injured riders throughout the Bronx and surrounding communities.
Call (212) 543-1600 today or complete our online contact form for a free, confidential consultation with a Bronx motorcycle accident lawyer.
