When Insurance Says No After Your Motorcycle Accident in New York

Getting into a motorcycle crash is bad enough. You’re in pain, probably missing work, and stuck with medical bills and bike repairs. 

You do what you’re supposed to do. File the claim, submit the evidence, wait for that check to arrive. Instead, you’re hit with a denial. Now you’ve got a new problem and no clear direction.

The frustration is real. You did everything right, and they still said no. It feels unfair, because it is. That’s why you need a team that knows exactly how to challenge this kind of response.

Our motorcycle accident attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, help riders in New York fight back against shady denials and stubborn insurance companies. Whether you’re dealing with a lowball offer or a full-on rejection, our personal injury law firm knows how to go toe-to-toe with insurance giants. 

We know their tricks, and we know how to win. Let us handle the hard part so you can focus on what really matters: getting your life back.

Denied and Devastated? Here's What to Do Next

It’s brutal getting that letter. You open the envelope hoping for a check or at least some good news. Instead, you see the words: "Claim Denied." So... now what?

First, take a breath. This doesn’t mean your claim is over. Not even close. Insurance companies deny legitimate claims all the time. They hope you’ll just give up. But you don’t have to.

Here’s exactly what you need to do:

• Review the denial letter carefully: Look closely at the reason they gave. In New York, insurers are legally required to explain their denial within 30 days. Maybe they say you missed a deadline or provided "inconsistent statements." Whatever their excuse, write it down. It gives you a roadmap for your appeal.
• Gather every document you submitted: Grab everything. Police reports, medical bills, photos from the scene, bike repair estimates. Detailed documentation is one of the biggest reasons appeals get approved. Photos of the wreck, bruises, road conditions—all of it matters. Strong, organized evidence helps tell your side of the story more convincingly.
• Request the adjuster’s internal notes: This is a game-changer. Under New York’s Freedom of Information Law, you may be able to request notes and communications about your claim. These often reveal what they got wrong or what they didn’t bother to look at. Biases. Missed facts. Lazy conclusions. And that can become the fuel for your appeal.
• Don’t rush into accepting the denial: You absolutely have the right to appeal. In New York, you can also file a formal complaint with the New York State Department of Financial Services. Many riders win just by submitting a strong appeal with new evidence or medical statements. Don’t be afraid to speak up. This is your story. They don’t get the final word.

But we’ve seen it time and time again. When you push back, they blink. And you get what you’re owed.

Beat the Odds: How Riders Like You Win Appeals

If the denial letter made you feel hopeless, don’t worry. You’ve got options. In fact, most riders who fight back end up getting paid.

Winning your appeal is all about showing the truth. Your truth. You’ve got to make it undeniable. Here’s what insurance companies usually argue:

• You were at fault for the crash
• Your injuries aren’t from the accident
• Your treatment wasn’t "medically necessary"
• You filed late or didn’t follow procedures

And here’s how riders like you beat those excuses:

• A crash report proving the other driver ran a red light on FDR Drive
• Emergency records from NYU Langone showing your injuries started that day
• A letter from your physical therapist explaining why ongoing care matters
• Email receipts or tracking info proving your paperwork was submitted on time

It’s not just about facts. It’s about how you present them. Keep your appeal simple, direct, and backed by evidence. Sometimes, bringing in a crash expert or doctor can take your appeal from "maybe" to "approved."

And remember that insurance companies love to test your patience. They may reject your first appeal just to see if you’ll go away. But when you stand firm, they often cave.

We helped a rider from Queens who got denied because the insurer claimed “low property damage means low injury.” Total nonsense. We pulled his medical records, imaging scans, and statements from his neurologist. 

It was a textbook example of motorbike crash legal representation done right. Once we laid it all out, they changed their tune and paid up—fast.

Real Riders. Real Denials. Real Comebacks.

Behind every denied claim, there’s a real person just trying to get their life back.

And trust us. These wins aren’t rare. Every experienced motorcycle accident lawyer on our team has seen these types of denials turn into real victories. They happen all over New York, every single day.

Case 1: Staten Island, Delivery Van Disaster

A 42-year-old construction worker was riding home on Richmond Avenue when a delivery van ran a red light and slammed into his motorcycle. Broken femur. Dislocated shoulder. Devastating injuries.

The insurance company? They blamed him for speeding.

We tracked down security footage from a local shop that showed the van running the light. We backed it up with GPS data from his bike. With that proof, the insurer backed down and paid out six figures.

Case 2: Brooklyn, Blamed for Pre-Existing Pain

A nurse from Park Slope had a minor accident years ago. So when she got rear-ended on Atlantic Avenue, the insurance company claimed her neck and back injuries were "old news."

That didn’t fly. We pulled updated scans from Maimonides and got written statements from her treating doctors. They confirmed the new crash caused fresh, severe damage. She walked away with full compensation.

Case 3: Albany, Missed Deadline, But Still Won

A mechanic upstate was in the hospital for two weeks after a bad crash on Washington Ave Extension. Because of surgery and heavy sedation, he missed a filing deadline by just five days. The insurance company denied everything.

We appealed with hospital records and a note from his doctor explaining the delay. It was one of those motorcycle wreck compensation claims that insurers try to bury. But with the right approach? We brought it back to life. The insurer reversed their denial and paid for every single bill.

These aren’t outliers. These are regular people who decided to fight. Insurance companies count on silence. On fear. On confusion. But when you show up with the facts, and maybe a little legal muscle, you turn the tables.

Horn Wright, LLP: We Don’t Let Insurance Companies Win

If your motorcycle accident claim’s been denied, don’t panic and don’t walk away. 

Our motorcycle accident attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP offer legal help after setbacks like these. We know exactly how to take on the big insurers and win. We’ve assisted riders across New York in turning rejections into real money. When you hire one of the best law firms in America, that kind of outcome becomes a lot more likely.

 We’ll take care of the messy stuff - filing appeals, collecting evidence, talking to adjusters- so you can focus on healing. And we won’t stop until you get what you’re owed. If you’re ready to get started, contact our office to request your free, no-obligation consultation.