No, New York’s mandatory no-fault insurance laws don’t cover motorcycle accidents. As a rider, you aren’t eligible for coverage under your auto policy. To recover damages, you must pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.

Additionally, motorcyclists and their passengers are exempt from New York’s "serious injury" threshold; if you’re involved in a motorcycle accident, you can sue the other driver without proving you sustained a serious injury.

According to the New York statute of limitations, you have three years from the accident date to file a personal injury claim. If you’re filing a wrongful death claim, it’s two years from the date of the deceased’s death.

Motorcyclists lack the physical protection of passenger vehicles, making them vulnerable to severe injuries in collisions. Common injuries in NYC motorcycle crashes include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord damage and paralysis
• Amputations
• Severe burns and "road rash"
• Broken bones and internal organ damage
• Degloving injuries

These types of injuries often need extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care.

Motorcycle accident victims may be entitled to recover the following types of damages:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disfigurement or disability

The specific damages depend on the severity and long-term impact of your injuries.

The short answer is yes. New York follows the rule of comparative negligence, which means the injured party can receive compensation even if they’re partly at fault for the accident. For example, if a jury finds you 20% at fault for an accident, the other driver would only have to pay 80% of your damages.