A motorcyclist was killed in a collision with an SUV at Route 303 and Campbell Avenue in Tappan, New York. The crash happened on Sunday, July 26, 2026, and remains under investigation by the Orangetown Police Department Accident Investigation Team.
According to police, a 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling south on Route 303 and attempting to turn left onto Campbell Avenue. The Jeep then struck a 2025 Harley Davidson motorcycle traveling north on Route 303. The motorcyclist suffered serious injuries and was taken to Montefiore Nyack Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Tappan Fire Department, South Orangetown Ambulance Corps, Rockland County Paramedics, and the Rockland County Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation assisted at the scene.
Too often people are biased against motorcyclists, thinking that they assume the risk of serious injury merely by operating a motorcycle. This is fundamentally wrong because motorcycle operators are fully entitled to ride their motorcycles on all roadways with the expectation that other drivers will obey traffic laws, yield the right of way, and operate their vehicles safely.
Motorcycle operators have the legal right to hold negligent drivers accountable under New York law for the injuries and losses caused by careless driving. That is why it is important to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer who understands motorcycle accident cases and has a proven track record. For more than forty years, the attorneys at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. have represented injured motorcycle operators, passengers, and their families. We can explain your rights, guide you through the claim, and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Proven Results in Motorcycle Accident Cases
Attorneys who ride motorcycles understand that these cases must be investigated with a real knowledge of how motorcycles handle, how quickly road conditions can change, and why a collision that looks simple on paper may be far more complicated. The New York motorcycle accident lawyers at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. combine their legal experience with the firsthand perspective of motorcycle enthusiasts, giving them a valuable edge when fighting for riders who have been seriously injured by another person’s negligence.
Some of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.’s largest motorcycle accident settlements include:
- $5.7 million settlement for a motorcycle rider seriously injured in a collision with a commercial bus.
- $4.5 million settlement for a motorcyclist struck by an ambulance that entered an intersection against a red light.
- $2.1 million settlement for a motorcyclist who lost a leg after a collision with a police vehicle.
Every motorcycle accident claim is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. These cases show why a complete investigation matters, especially when a driver turns into a motorcyclist’s path or fails to yield the right of way.
Why Left Turn Crashes Are So Dangerous for Motorcyclists
Left turn crashes are among the deadliest accidents for motorcyclists. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 44 percent of motorcycles involved in fatal two vehicle crashes in 2022 were struck while the other vehicle was turning left and the motorcycle was traveling straight, passing, or overtaking.
These crashes often happen because a driver does not see the motorcycle, misjudges its speed, or turns without enough time to clear its path. Since motorcycles offer little protection, the result can be a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, broken bones, lacerations, burns, or death.
New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1141 requires a driver making a left turn to yield to oncoming traffic that is already in the intersection or close enough to create an immediate hazard. Section 1163 also prohibits a driver from turning unless the movement can be made safely and with the proper signal. These laws apply equally when the oncoming vehicle is a motorcycle, and they provide a clear legal standard for determining whether a driver’s unsafe turn caused the crash.
When a driver ignores these rules and causes a crash, the violation may help establish negligence and support the motorcyclist’s injury claim. A New York motorcycle accident attorney can review video footage, witness statements, vehicle positions, traffic signals, and physical evidence to show whether the turning driver broke the law and should be held responsible.
Motorcycle Wrongful Death Claims in New York
When a motorcyclist is killed because of another person’s negligence, the estate’s personal representative may file a New York wrongful death claim for the benefit of surviving family members. Under New York Estates, Powers and Trusts Law Section 5-4.1, the claim generally must be filed within two years of the person’s death. However, every case is different, and other deadlines may apply depending on who was involved and which claims are being pursued. A New York wrongful death attorney can determine which deadlines apply, identify available sources of compensation, and take the necessary steps to protect the family’s rights.
A New York wrongful death claim may seek compensation for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical expenses related to the fatal injuries
- Lost income and financial support
- Lost household services
- Loss of parental care and guidance
A separate survival claim may also seek compensation for the pain and suffering the motorcyclist experienced before death. Families should not have to investigate a fatal crash, deal with insurance companies, or make difficult legal decisions on their own. A trusted New York wrongful death attorney can protect the family’s rights, find the answers they deserve, and make sure the family’s voice is heard after a devastating loss.
Marc C. Saperstein Leads the Firm’s New York Personal Injury Practice
Founding Partner of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., Marc C. Saperstein, Esq., is an active member of the New York Bar and leads the firm’s New York Personal Injury Practice Group. He has earned Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent rating for legal skill and ethics and the New Jersey Association for Justice Gold Medal for Distinguished Service. These honors come from fellow attorneys who know his work firsthand, the highest form of recognition a trial lawyer can earn.
This standing comes from decades of results in serious New York injury and wrongful death cases, including a $20 million verdict for a construction worker severely injured on the job and a $9 million settlement for a young man who lost both legs on a dangerous New York City subway platform, along with many other multimillion dollar recoveries for injured New Yorkers.
That experience makes a real difference in a New York motorcycle accident or wrongful death case. Marc knows how to secure the evidence that matters, build a strong case with the right experts, and prove the full value of a family’s loss. He will not let an insurance company decide what a life or a future is worth, and injured riders and grieving families continue to trust him to fight for the justice they deserve.
What Should You Do After a New York Motorcycle Accident?
After a serious or fatal motorcycle accident, the first priority is getting medical care and making sure the crash is reported to the police. A police investigation may provide important information about a fatal motorcycle crash, but it may not collect every piece of evidence needed to prove a New York wrongful death claim. Families should then preserve any photographs, videos, insurance information, medical records, and witness contact details they already have.
It is also important to contact a New York motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can begin investigating before video is erased, vehicles are repaired, or witnesses become harder to find. This investigation can uncover the cause of the crash, identify every party that may be responsible, and document how the loss will affect the family in the long-term.
A New York motorcycle accident attorney can:
- Obtain police reports, photographs, and crash scene diagrams
- Preserve surveillance video, dashboard camera footage, and electronic vehicle data
- Inspect the motorcycle and other vehicles before they are repaired or destroyed
- Interview witnesses and consult accident reconstruction experts when needed
- Handle insurance company communications and protect the family from unfair pressure
- Document the family’s losses and identify every available source of insurance coverage
Families should avoid giving a recorded statement or signing insurance documents before speaking with an attorney. What is said early in the process may later be used to dispute the claim, and accepting a settlement usually ends the right to seek more compensation.
These cases are not only about proving fault. They are about helping injured riders and grieving families find answers, protect their futures, and receive the care, respect, and compensation they deserve.
Need an Experienced New York Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
If you or a family member has been seriously injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, an experienced New York motorcycle accident lawyer can explain your legal options and protect your family from missed deadlines or lost evidence. For more than forty years, Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. has represented injured people and their families, recovering more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for over 40,000 clients.
No financial recovery can replace a person who has been lost. A wrongful death claim can, however, provide answers, hold a negligent driver accountable, and protect the financial future the person worked to build for their family. The New York wrongful death attorneys at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. approach that responsibility with the preparation, compassion, and respect every family deserves.
Contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. at 1-800-LAW-2000 or by email at info@dsslaw.com. The firm offers free, confidential, and no obligation consultations and second opinions. Cases are handled on a contingency basis, which means clients pay no legal fee unless the firm obtains a recovery.
