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Motorcycle Helmet Laws in New York City and Recovery for Your Injuries

New Yorkers and Helmet Laws for Motorcyclists

Every state has different regulations and laws about motorcycle helmet gear and how that can affect a settlement against an insurance claim after a motorcycle accident. Some have zero tolerance for motorcyclists who fail to be compliant with helmet laws, while others are more lenient. In New York City, they are very strict about motorcycle helmet laws, and compensation is rare if a helmet wasn’t worn by an injured rider.

Regardless of your helmet situation, the lawyers at Proner & Proner in NYC can help you with your motorcycle accident case. Call or email us now for a free consultation.

New York Law Regarding Helmets and Motorcycle Operation

Under New York state law, “It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless he wears a protective helmet of a type which meets the requirements set forth in section 571.218 of the federal motor vehicle safety standards.”

It is important to understand what constitutes proper helmet wear. Make sure to do your research and make sure that your helmet complies with state regulations. You must also be sure that the way you position and wear your helmet aligns with the clear directions set forth by the manufacturers of the helmet for proper use.

Improper use is even addressed in some places of the New York motorcycle laws. For instance, one section states, “Wearing motorcycle helmet ‘cowboy style,’ i.e., sitting on back of head and resting on top of defendant’s shoulders, did not constitute compliance with motorcycle helmet law.” If you were involved in a motorcycle accident in New York City, Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn, or anywhere else in NY, it is imperative that you speak with a qualified attorney who can explain the relevant motorcycle helmet laws and their impact on your motorcycle accident claim.

Not Wearing a Helmet vs. Wearing a Helmet for Your NYC Motorcycle Accident Claim

Not complying with helmet laws usually results in your motorcycle accident injury claim getting tossed in the trash in New York City. Officials will likely consider you as non-compliant and irresponsible, making you more liable for the injuries you sustained. It is, of course, possible at times to prove that based on the severity of your head or neck injury, there still would have been serious damage even if a helmet was worn. This can result in some compensation, but usually the failure to follow proper safety procedures will adversely affect a settlement offer for an injured motorcyclist. By contrast, if you were wearing your helmet, you can expect a much better settlement offer as long as you were not liable for the accident.

Contact a Professional NY Motorcycle Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation About Your Case

Wearing a helmet can be uncomfortable, and sometimes we simply forget to put on the helmet before hitting the road. But wearing a helmet can also can drastically improve your settlement offer after a motorcycle accident in New York City. Even if you weren’t wearing your helmet, Proner & Proner can sometimes increase your potential compensation by proving that your injuries would have been sustained regardless of helmet wear. Motorcycle accidents can be very traumatic, and not getting compensation because of a small mistake can be devastating. Our experienced legal team will do the best we can as your legal advisors to get you compensated for your NYC motorcycle accident injuries.

We offer free consultations so that you can find out what your case might be worth and learn what your chances of getting a proper settlement might be.

Click here to contact Proner & Proner about your NYC motorcycle accident injury claim!

Practice Areas

Motorcycle Accident Verdicts & Settlements

We understand motorcyclists because we ride. And we understand that when things go wrong on a motorcycle, often it’s not the motorcyclist’s fault. Here are some of our successes in getting compensation for riders.

$1,100,000.00
Female, 35: Motorcyclist hit by oncoming traffic
Our client was riding on the back of a motorcycle going south when the defendant heading north made a left hand turn in front of the client, causing the accident.
Injuries: Fractured left leg which required surgery
$1,400,000.00
Male, 47: Motorcyclist hit by vehicle
Our client was hit by a car pulling into the roadway.
Injuries: Two broken legs
$930,000.00
Male, 52: Wrongful death
Our client was killed in an intersection accident.
Injuries: Wrongful death
$930,000.00
Male, 23: Motorcyclist hit by vehicle
Our client was hit by a right turning car.
Injuries: Broken wrist
$900,000.00
Male: Motorcyclist hit by vehicle
The defendant made a left turn into the path of our client, who was riding a motorcycle
Injuries: Broken ankle
$821,000.00
Male, 36: Motorcyclist hit by vehicle
The defendant’s vehicle collided with our client’s motorcycle.
Injuries: Surgery to the client’s leg, 20 stitches on his right foot
$325,000.00
Male, 48: Motorcyclist loss of control
Our client was driving his motorcycle on the BQE and crashed into a HOV lane divider that did not have adequate warnings in front of it.
Injuries: Intracranial skull fracture; multiple facial fractures, multiple rib fractures
$280,000.00
Male, 32: Motorcyclist hit by vehicle
Our client was riding his motorcycle when he was cut off by a car making a left hand turn.
Injuries: Fractured right ankle, road rash
$250,000.00
Female, 40: Motorcyclist hit by vehicle
Our client was on a motorcycle, about to overtake legally, when a car made a U-turn and stuck the client.
Injuries: Mild traumatic brain injury, compression fracture in spine, permanent scarring
$250,000.00
Male, 26: Motorcyclist loss of control
Our client was on his motorcycle where he went over a metal plate which had dirt and gravel on it - causing his bike to slip out from under him.
Injuries: Fractured left ankle requiring surgery
$250,000.00
Male, 24: Motorcyclist hit by vehicle
Our client was going straight on through a green light on his motorcycle when he was struck by a car coming from the opposite side making a left turn.
Injuries: Fractured right femur, ruptured testicle that had to be removed
$200,000.00
Male, 34: Motorcyclist hit by vehicle
Our client was side swiped by 81-year-old defendant driver.
Injuries: Surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome
$100,000.00
Male, 24: Motorcyclist loss of control
Our client laid down his motorcycle after he claimed the car being driven by the defendant went through a stop sign.
Injuries: Shoulder injury

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Road Rage Incident

Mitchell Proner spoke in support of NYC motorcycle riders and called on NY lawmakers and police not to overreact to a highly publicized road rage incident or to let that incident cast all motorcyclists in a bad light.

Hit and Run

Attorney Mitchell Proner was on hand when the motorist accused of hitting a female jogger on a road in Central Islip appeared in a New York courtroom to answer charges of leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

Ferry Disaster

Attorney Mitchell Proner, an expert on maritime law, spoke about the similarities between the Costa Concordia ferry disaster and the recent Indonesian ferry accident that killed at least 24 people.

Mitchell Proner is an amazing and very experienced trial lawyer, who takes care of his clients. He represented me in a car accident case, kept me very informed during the lengthy legal process and got me the settlement that I expected. His friendly office staff was always willing to assist and answer any questions I had. I recommend Mitchell Proner to all my friends and family!

Besides being well versed and very knowledgeable about all aspects of my case it was simply a pleasure dealing with Mr. Proner and his colleagues at Proner and Proner. In a time of hardship Mr. Proner and the staff at Proner and Proner made it very easy for us to cope with all of the legal processes which we are not accustom to. I couldn't recommend a better group of people let alone an attorney as Mitchell Proner and the staff at Proner and Proner. Thank you again for all of your assistance.

Awesome experience, excellent service, very professional and fast resolving my case. My number one attorney - definitely recommended more than once. Thank you!