The best motorcycle accident lawyers are the ones who understand how differently the law treats riders, move quickly on evidence, and are prepared to take a case to trial when an insurer will not pay fairly. Finz & Finz, P.C., a personal injury firm based in Mineola on Long Island, is often mentioned by New York riders for exactly those reasons. This guide explains what sets a strong motorcycle accident practice apart, how New York law shapes these claims, and what you should expect from any firm you hire.
If you or a family member has been hurt, you can get help from Finz & Finz, P.C., after a motorcycle crash, but it helps to know what good representation looks like before you pick up the phone.
Why Motorcycle Accident Cases Are Different
A motorcycle crash is not simply a car crash with fewer wheels. Riders have almost no physical protection, so injuries tend to be more serious: fractures, road rash that needs skin grafts, spinal injuries and traumatic brain injuries are common. Those injuries drive up medical costs and lost income, which raises the stakes for everyone involved, including the insurance company on the other side.
Riders also face a problem that car occupants rarely do: bias. Adjusters and sometimes jurors assume a motorcyclist was speeding or weaving through traffic. A lawyer who handles these cases regularly expects that assumption and builds the evidence to answer it from day one.
New York rules that affect riders
New York law adds several twists that a motorcycle accident firm needs to handle well:
- No-fault does not cover riders in the usual way. Car occupants in New York generally turn to their own no-fault (PIP) coverage first for medical bills and lost wages. Motorcyclists are generally excluded from those no-fault benefits, so a rider’s medical bills often have to be handled through health insurance, optional coverage, or the claim against the at-fault driver.
- The serious injury threshold may not apply the same way. Because riders are usually outside the no-fault system, the “serious injury” threshold that limits many car accident lawsuits is generally not a barrier for a motorcyclist suing a negligent driver. This is a technical point that an experienced lawyer should explain for your specific situation.
- Pure comparative fault. New York lets an injured person recover even if they were partly to blame, with the award reduced by their share of fault. Insurers therefore work hard to push as much blame as possible onto the rider.
- Helmet law. New York requires all riders and passengers to wear an approved helmet. Not wearing one does not bar a claim, but the defense may argue it made head injuries worse.
If you are worried that your own actions played a part, this overview of whether you can still file a claim if you were partly at fault explains how shared blame usually works.
What Makes Finz & Finz, P.C. Stand Out
Many firms advertise motorcycle accident work. The qualities below are what riders and their families should look for, and they are the areas where Finz & Finz, P.C. focuses its practice.
Trial experience, not just settlement experience
Most injury claims settle, but insurers track which firms actually go to court. A firm with trial-tested attorneys negotiates from a stronger position because the insurer knows a lowball offer may end up in front of a jury. Finz & Finz, P.C. presents itself as a trial firm, and that willingness to litigate is one of the main reasons riders seek it out.
A focus on how motorcycle crashes actually happen
Common motorcycle crash patterns include a car turning left across the rider’s path, a driver changing lanes without checking a blind spot, a door opened into traffic, and road defects such as potholes or uneven pavement that a car would barely notice. A focused firm knows how to prove each of these, using accident reconstruction, scene measurements, vehicle damage analysis and witness statements to show what really happened instead of what the insurer assumes.
Local knowledge of Long Island and New York City
Based in Mineola, the Nassau County seat, Finz & Finz, P.C. works on roads that are among the busiest in the state, from the Long Island Expressway and Northern State Parkway to dense city streets. Knowing local courts, local traffic patterns and where crashes tend to cluster helps a legal team find cameras, witnesses and prior complaints faster, and helps it value a case realistically for the venue where it will be heard.
A full support team behind each lawyer
Strong injury cases are built by teams. Every lawyer, paralegal, and investigator plays a part: gathering medical records, tracking bills, chasing police reports and keeping the client informed. A good sign when you call any firm is whether you are told who will handle your file day to day and how often you will hear from them.
Pushing back on insurance company tactics
Insurers commonly try to shift blame to the rider, argue that injuries were pre-existing, or request a recorded statement early and use the rider’s words against them later. An experienced motorcycle accident firm steps in before that happens, handles communication with the insurer, and backs every demand with documentation.
How a Motorcycle Accident Claim Works in New York
Every case is different, but most follow a similar path:
- Free consultation. The firm reviews what happened, your injuries and the insurance involved, and tells you whether it can take the case.
- Investigation. The team collects the police report, photos, video footage, witness details, and your medical records. Surveillance footage from shops and traffic cameras can be overwritten within days or weeks, so speed matters.
- Medical treatment and documentation. Your lawyer will usually wait until your condition is clearer before valuing the claim, so future care is not left out.
- Demand and negotiation. The firm sends a detailed demand to the insurer and negotiates.
- Lawsuit, if needed. If the insurer will not pay a fair amount, the firm files suit. Discovery, depositions and possibly mediation follow before any trial.
Deadlines you should know
Missing a deadline can end a claim no matter how strong it is. The table below shows the general New York time limits; exceptions exist, so confirm your own dates with a lawyer.
| Type of claim | General deadline in New York |
|---|---|
| Personal injury against a private driver | Usually 3 years from the crash |
| Wrongful death | Usually 2 years from the date of death |
| Claim involving a city, county or other public body (for example a dangerous road or a government vehicle) | A notice of claim is usually due within 90 days, with a lawsuit generally due within 1 year and 90 days |
The 90-day notice rule for public bodies catches many riders out, especially when a pothole or road defect caused the crash. That alone is a good reason to speak to a lawyer early.
What Compensation May Cover
Depending on the facts, a motorcycle accident claim can include:
- Past and future medical costs, including surgery, rehabilitation and assistive equipment
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, including scarring and loss of enjoyment of life
- Damage to the motorcycle and riding gear
- In fatal cases, certain losses suffered by the family through a wrongful death claim
One practical limit is insurance. New York’s minimum liability coverage for drivers is low compared with the cost of a serious injury, so a good firm also looks at your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and any other responsible parties. This guide on what happens if the at-fault party has little or no insurance covers those options in more detail.
What to Do in the Days After a Motorcycle Crash
- Get medical care right away, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, including brain injuries, show up later.
- Report the crash to the police and get the report number.
- Keep your gear and bike as they are. A damaged helmet, jacket or motorcycle can be important evidence.
- Photograph everything: the scene, vehicles, road surface and your injuries over time.
- Avoid recorded statements to the other driver’s insurer until you have advice.
- Stay off social media about the crash or your recovery.
Many of the problems that weaken claims are avoidable. Our piece on Mistakes to Avoid During a Personal Injury Claim lists the most common ones.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
- How many motorcycle cases has the firm handled, and how many went to trial?
- Who will actually work on my case, and how will you keep me updated?
- What is your fee percentage, and how are case costs handled if we win or lose?
- What insurance sources do you see in my case?
- What deadlines apply to me?
Most injury firms in New York, including motorcycle accident practices, work on a contingency fee, meaning you pay nothing upfront and the fee comes out of any recovery. A one-third fee is common for personal injury cases in the state, but always get the agreement in writing. For a wider look at fee structures, see understanding different types of legal fees and their implications.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Finz & Finz, P.C. located?
Finz & Finz, P.C. is based in Mineola, New York, in Nassau County, and handles motorcycle accident cases across Long Island and New York City.
Do motorcyclists get no-fault benefits in New York?
Generally no. Motorcyclists are usually excluded from New York no-fault (PIP) benefits, so medical bills are often paid through health insurance, optional coverage, or a claim against the at-fault driver.
Can I still recover if I was not wearing a helmet?
Usually yes. Not wearing a helmet does not automatically bar a claim, but the defense may argue it made head injuries worse and seek to reduce the award.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in New York?
Usually three years for a personal injury claim against a private driver, but claims against a public body typically need a notice of claim within 90 days.
How much does a motorcycle accident lawyer cost?
Most work on a contingency fee, often around one-third of the recovery in New York personal injury cases, with nothing paid upfront. Confirm the exact terms in a written agreement.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Speak to a licensed New York attorney about your specific situation.
