Left Turn Motorcycle Accidents in New York

Failing to see a motorcycle does not automatically excuse a driver from responsibility. In New York, drivers turning left at an intersection are required by law to yield to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction when that vehicle is already in the intersection or close enough to create an immediate hazard. That protection includes motorcycles. 

Left-turning motorcycle accidents are one of the most dangerous types of crashes for riders in New York. For injured riders on Long Island, in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and throughout New York City, these cases often involve serious injuries, disputed liability, and aggressive insurance company tactics.

At The Bongiorno Law Firm, we know how quickly insurers try to blame motorcyclists, and we know how to fight back with evidence. 

Why Left Turn Motorcycle Accidents Are So Serious 

A left turn crash can happen as a driver waits at an intersection, driveway, parking lot entrance, side street, or commercial roadway. A motorcycle approaches from the opposite direction. Instead of waiting for the rider to pass, the driver turns left and cuts directly across the rider’s lane. 

For people inside cars, a crash may be softened by airbags, seat belts, and the frame of the vehicle. For a motorcyclist, there is no steel cage. The rider often takes the full force of the impact. 

Left turn motorcycle accidents can cause: 

• Traumatic brain injuries 
• Spinal cord injuries 
• Broken legs, arms, ribs, and pelvis injuries 
• Severe road rash 
• Permanent scarring 
• Internal bleeding 
• Shoulder, knee, and ankle injuries 
• Amputations 
• Wrongful death 

Motorcyclists remain highly vulnerable on American roads. NHTSA reported that 6,228 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes in 2024, accounting for roughly 16% of all traffic fatalities. NHTSA also reported that motorcycle riders remain overrepresented in fatal crashes. 

Left Turn Motorcycle Accidents on Long Island and in NYC 

Left turn motorcycle crashes can happen anywhere, but they are especially common in busy areas where drivers are distracted, impatient, or trying to beat traffic. 

On Long Island, these accidents often happen on major roads and high traffic corridors, including: 

• Hempstead Turnpike 
• Jericho Turnpike 
• Sunrise Highway 
• Northern Boulevard 
• Merrick Road 
• Route 110 
• Veterans Memorial Highway 
• Middle Country Road 
• Montauk Highway 
• Old Country Road 

In New York City, left turn motorcycle accidents frequently occur at intersections, commercial corridors, and congested roadways in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. 

These crashes may happen when a driver turns left into: 

• An intersection 
• A driveway 
• A shopping center 
• A gas station 
• A parking lot 
• A side street 
• A private road 
• An apartment complex 
• A construction entrance 
• A restaurant or retail parking lot 

The location matters because nearby surveillance footage, traffic cameras, witness statements, road design, and traffic signal timing can all become important evidence. 

Who Is Usually Liable in a Left Turn Motorcycle Accident? 

In many New York left-turn motorcycle accident cases, the turning driver that hits the rider is primarily at fault. A motorcycle has the same right to use the roadway as any other vehicle. If the rider is approaching from the opposite direction and is close enough to create a hazard, the turning driver must wait. 

A driver may be negligent if they: 

• Failed to yield the right of way 
• Turned left when it was unsafe 
• Misjudged the motorcycle’s speed or distance 
• Failed to look carefully before turning 
• Was distracted by a phone, GPS, passenger, or traffic signal 
• Tried to beat oncoming traffic 
• Turned from the wrong lane 
• Failed to signal 
• Ignored a traffic control device 
• Cut across the rider’s path 
• Claimed they did not see the motorcycle 

New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1141 places a clear duty on left turning drivers to yield to oncoming vehicles that are in the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard. 

“I Didn’t See the Motorcycle” Is Not Enough 

After a left turn motorcycle crash, drivers often say the same thing: “I didn’t see the motorcycle.” 

That statement may explain what happened, but it does not automatically excuse the driver’s conduct. Drivers are required to keep a proper lookout, pay attention to the roadway, and see what is there to be seen. Motorcycles are smaller than cars, but they are not invisible. A driver cannot safely turn left across oncoming traffic without carefully checking for approaching vehicles, including motorcycles. 

This is where motorcycle accident cases often become heavily contested. Insurance companies may try to shift attention away from the driver’s unsafe turn and focus instead on the rider. They may suggest the motorcyclist was speeding, hard to see, riding aggressively, or somehow responsible for the crash. 

That is why these cases need a strong investigation from the beginning. 

The Evidence That Can Make or Break a Left Turn Motorcycle Case 

In a serious motorcycle accident case, evidence can disappear quickly. Skid marks fade. Damaged vehicles are repaired. Businesses erase surveillance footage. Witnesses become harder to locate. The insurance company may begin building its defense almost immediately. 

Important evidence may include: 

• Police accident reports 
• 911 call records 
• Witness statements 
• Photos of the crash scene 
• Photos of vehicle damage 
• Photos of the motorcycle 
• Traffic camera footage 
• Nearby business surveillance footage 
• Dashcam video 
• Intersection layout 
• Traffic light timing records 
• Cell phone records 
• Vehicle data 
• Accident reconstruction analysis 
• Medical records 
• Helmet and riding gear condition

The earlier this evidence is preserved, the stronger the case may become. 

For more steps to protect yourself after a crash, read our guide: What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash on Long Island, NY. 

Can the Motorcyclist Be Blamed? 

Yes. Insurance companies often try to blame injured riders, even when a driver made an unsafe left turn. They may argue the rider was speeding, failed to brake, changed lanes, or should have avoided the crash. 

But those arguments must be supported by evidence. 

New York follows comparative negligence under CPLR § 1411. This means an injured person is not automatically barred from recovery just because they are found partially at fault. Instead, the amount recovered may be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to that person. 

For example, if a driver is mostly responsible for turning left in front of a motorcycle, but the rider is found partially responsible, the rider may still be able to recover compensation. The value of the case will depend on the liability evidence, injuries, insurance coverage, medical treatment, lost income, and long term impact of the crash. 

Why Left Turn Motorcycle Cases Are Different From Regular Car Accident Cases 

Motorcycle accident cases require a different strategy than standard car accident claims. Riders often suffer more serious injuries, face more bias from insurance companies, and encounter more aggressive defense arguments. 

The insurance company may try to focus on the rider’s speed, helmet, motorcycle type, riding experience, or clothing. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer knows how to bring the case back to the central issue: 

Did the driver make a left turn when it was unsafe to do so? 

At The Bongiorno Law Firm’s motorcycle injury practice, we understand how to investigate these crashes, challenge unfair blame, and build strong claims for injured riders across Long Island and New York City. 

Other Motorcycle Crash Risks in New York 

Left turn accidents are one of the most common and dangerous motorcycle crash scenarios, but they are not the only threat riders face. 

Motorcyclists in New York may also be injured by: 

• Unsafe lane changes 
• Distracted drivers 
• Speeding vehicles 
• Aggressive drivers 
• Road defects 
• Poorly maintained streets 
• Dooring accidents 
• Intersection crashes 
• Commercial vehicle collisions 

In dense areas like Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and other parts of NYC, motorcycle dooring accidents are especially dangerous. These happen when a driver or passenger opens a vehicle door into the path of a rider. Learn more in our blog: Liability for Motorcycle Dooring Accidents in NYC. 

What Compensation May Be Available After a Left Turn Motorcycle Accident? 

A serious motorcycle crash can affect every part of a person’s life. The rider may be unable to work, care for family, walk without pain, return to normal activities, or ride again. Some injuries require surgery, rehabilitation, long term treatment, or permanent lifestyle changes. 

Depending on the facts of the case, compensation may include: 

• Emergency medical care 
• Hospital bills 
• Surgery 
• Physical therapy 
• Future medical treatment 
• Lost wages 
• Loss of earning capacity 
• Pain and suffering 
• Emotional distress 
• Scarring and disfigurement 
• Permanent limitations 
• Out of pocket expenses 
• Loss of enjoyment of life 
• Wrongful death damages, when applicable 

Insurance companies may try to settle quickly before the full extent of the injuries is known. That can be a costly mistake for the injured rider. The value of a motorcycle accident case should account for both the immediate harm and the long term impact. 

What Should You Do After a Left Turn Motorcycle Crash? 

After a left turn motorcycle accident, take these steps if you are able: 

• Call 911 
• Request medical help 
• Wait for the police to document the crash 
• Take photos and videos of the scene 
• Photograph the vehicles, roadway, traffic lights, and visible injuries 
• Get witness names and contact information 
• Do not admit fault 
• Do not give a recorded statement without legal guidance 
• Preserve your helmet, motorcycle, and damaged gear 
• Get medical treatment right away 
• Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible 

Even if you believe the driver was clearly at fault, the insurance company may still try to dispute liability. Protecting the evidence early can make a major difference. 

Looking for a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer on Long Island or in NYC? 

If you are searching for a motorcycle accident lawyer on Long Island or in New York City after a left turn crash, it is important to choose a firm that understands both the law and the local roads where these crashes happen. 

From Nassau and Suffolk County intersections to Queens and Brooklyn traffic corridors, left turn motorcycle accidents require fast investigation, strong evidence preservation, and a legal team prepared to challenge insurance company blame tactics. 

The Bongiorno Law Firm represents injured motorcyclists on Long Island, in New York City, and throughout New York. We investigate the crash, preserve key evidence, identify all responsible parties, and fight for the compensation our clients deserve. 

Contact The Bongiorno Law Firm for a free case review today. 

We Care. We Fight. You Win. 

FAQ: Left Turn Motorcycle Accidents in New York 

Who is usually at fault when a car turns left in front of a motorcycle?

The driver making the left turn is often at fault if the motorcycle was approaching from the opposite direction and was close enough to create an immediate hazard. New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1141 requires left turning drivers to yield to oncoming vehicles in that situation. 

Does a motorcycle have the same right of way as a car in New York? 

Yes. Motorcycles have the same right to use the roadway as other vehicles. A driver cannot turn left across the path of an oncoming motorcycle simply because the motorcycle is smaller or harder to notice. 

What if the driver says they did not see the motorcycle? 

A driver’s claim that they did not see the motorcycle does not automatically excuse the crash. Drivers are expected to keep a proper lookout and make sure a left turn can be completed safely before crossing oncoming traffic. 

Can I still recover compensation if I am accused of speeding?  

Possibly. Under New York’s comparative negligence law, you may still recover compensation even if you are found partially at fault. However, your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault.

 

What evidence is important in a left turn motorcycle accident case? 

Important evidence may include the police report, witness statements, photos, video footage, traffic camera footage, surveillance footage, vehicle damage, medical records, and accident reconstruction analysis. 

Should I talk to the insurance company after a motorcycle crash? 

Be careful. Insurance companies may ask questions designed to limit your claim or shift blame onto you. Before giving a recorded statement or accepting any offer, speak with a New York attorney who handles motorcycle accident cases. 

How soon should I contact a lawyer after a left turn motorcycle accident? 

You should contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Surveillance footage may be erased, witnesses may become harder to find, and physical evidence can disappear quickly. 

Legal Disclaimer 

This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney client relationship. Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney Advertising.