The early stage: claims and evidence
In the first weeks the work is mostly gathering facts and notifying insurers. That includes the other driver's liability carrier and your own motorcycle policy, since New York's no-fault system generally does not cover people injured on a motorcycle and medical bills may need another source. We request the police report, identify witnesses, and look for video from nearby businesses or traffic cameras before it is recorded over. The bike itself is evidence and should be kept until it has been documented. Meanwhile your job is to get treatment and follow it, because the medical record becomes the backbone of the claim.
The middle stage: demand or lawsuit
Once treatment reaches a point where doctors can describe the injury and its likely course, the claim can be presented to the insurer with supporting records. Some matters resolve through negotiation at that point. Others move to a lawsuit, either because the insurer disputes fault, because the offer does not reflect the injury, or because a filing deadline is approaching. A filed case goes through discovery, where each side exchanges documents, the parties give sworn testimony, and the defense may ask for a medical examination by a doctor it chooses. Settlement discussions often continue throughout, and many courts encourage mediation.
Choices you make along the way
Several decisions in a motorcycle accident case belong to you, not to us. You decide whether to accept an offer, whether to file suit, and whether to go to trial if the case reaches that point. Our role is to explain what each path likely involves, including time, cost, and the questions you may face at a deposition about your riding. We also keep you informed when the defense raises something new, such as a claim about speed or lane position. At the first meeting, we review where things stand, tell you which stage your matter is in, and outline what the next few steps would look like.
