Your personal health insurance can pay for medical bills after a motorcycle accident. But in New York, motorcycles are excluded from the no-fault (PIP) system that covers car accident victims automatically. Injured motorcyclists must turn to their own health plan, the at-fault driver's liability insurance, or a personal injury claim to get their bills paid.
That distinction matters more than most riders realize. Car accident victims in New York get automatic medical coverage through their auto insurer's Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefit — no matter who caused the crash. Motorcyclists get none of that. Knowing where coverage actually comes from can prevent surprise bills and protect your right to full compensation.
Does Health Insurance Cover Motorcycle Injuries? What New York Law Says
New York is a no-fault state for car accidents. Under that system, your own car insurer pays medical expenses up to $50,000 per person after a crash — regardless of fault. That benefit is called Personal Injury Protection, or PIP.
Motorcycles are excluded from this system by law. New York Insurance Law § 5103 defines who qualifies for first-party (no-fault) benefits, and motorcycle operators and passengers are not on that list. The statute defines "motor vehicle" in a way that leaves motorcycles out.
In practice: if you are hurt in a motorcycle accident, you cannot file a no-fault claim with your bike's insurer to cover hospital bills. Your motorcycle insurance policy — which New York requires you to carry under Vehicle & Traffic Law § 311 — provides liability coverage for damage you cause to others. It does not provide medical coverage for you.
This is the most common mistake injured riders make. Many assume a motorcycle policy works the same way a car policy does for medical bills. It does not.
Who Pays Medical Bills After a Motorcycle Accident in New York?
Because no-fault does not apply, injured motorcyclists have several other places to look for coverage. They generally work in this order.
Your Own Health Insurance Comes First
Your personal health insurance — through an employer, a marketplace plan, or a government program — is usually your first and most important resource for motorcycle accident medical bills. Major health plans cover emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, and follow-up treatment for accident injuries, including motorcycle crashes.
Your plan's normal rules still apply: deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and network requirements. If you get emergency care from an out-of-network provider, federal and state surprise billing laws may limit what you pay out of pocket.
One thing to know: your health insurer may have a subrogation right. If your plan pays for your care and you later recover money from the at-fault driver, the insurer may seek reimbursement for what it paid. That's called a lien on your recovery. An experienced attorney can often negotiate this lien down, which puts more money in your pocket at the end.
The At-Fault Driver's Liability Insurance
If another driver caused the crash, their bodily injury liability insurance is responsible for your damages — medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. You recover those damages through a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
Here is an important advantage motorcyclists have: unlike car accident victims in New York, injured riders are not required to meet a "serious injury" threshold before they can sue. You can file a personal injury lawsuit for the full range of damages from the start.
New York follows a comparative fault rule under CPLR § 1411. If you were partly at fault — say, you were speeding — your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. If you were 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you collect $80,000. Partial fault does not bar your claim.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
If the driver who hit you had no insurance, or not enough to cover your damages, your own motorcycle policy's uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may help — but only if you bought it.
UM/UIM is optional in New York, not required. Given how many uninsured and underinsured drivers are on the road, many motorcycle injury attorneys recommend adding it. If you do not have it and the at-fault driver is uninsured, the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) may provide limited relief.
Medical Payments (MedPay) Coverage
Some motorcycle insurance policies include an optional Medical Payments (MedPay) endorsement. Unlike PIP, which is not available for motorcycle riders, MedPay is an optional add-on that pays your medical bills regardless of fault — usually up to $1,000–$10,000 depending on your policy. Check your declarations page to see if you have it.
Government Health Coverage
Medicaid and Medicare also cover motorcycle accident injuries for eligible recipients. If Medicaid is your primary health coverage, it pays for accident-related care. Like private health insurers, it also has subrogation rights and may seek repayment from any personal injury recovery you receive.
What If You Have No Health Insurance?
If you are uninsured, covering emergency care after a serious motorcycle crash can feel out of reach. A few options are available.
Hospital financial assistance. Many hospitals offer charity care or income-based payment plans. Ask the billing department about financial assistance before agreeing to any standard payment arrangement.
Medical liens. Some providers — especially those experienced with personal injury cases — will treat you and defer billing until your case settles, placing a lien on your recovery. An attorney can often help set this up if you have a viable claim against an at-fault driver.
NY marketplace coverage. A qualifying life event may allow enrollment outside of open enrollment, but this would not cover care you already received.
Does Your Motorcycle Insurance Pay for Your Own Injuries?
In most cases, no — not automatically. A standard New York motorcycle policy includes:
- Liability coverage — pays for injury and property damage you cause to others (required by law)
- Collision and comprehensive — covers repair or replacement of your bike, not your body
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist — optional; protects you if the other driver has no coverage
- MedPay — optional add-on that covers your own medical bills regardless of fault
What a motorcycle policy does NOT include is the mandatory PIP coverage that car policies carry. That exclusion comes from New York law, not from your insurer's choice.
If you are not sure what your policy covers, read your declarations page or call your insurer directly.
Medical Bills as Part of a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
If you file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver, past and future medical costs are a central part of your damages. A successful settlement or verdict can include hospital bills, specialist fees, physical therapy, future care, and prescription costs.
Because motorcyclists are outside the no-fault system, they can go straight to a personal injury lawsuit without any threshold requirement. This gives injured riders full access to economic and non-economic damages from the start.
As one example of what these cases can recover: The Orlow Firm obtained $650,000 for a motorcycle passenger struck by a police car who needed jaw surgery. That result reflected the full scope of losses — medical costs, pain, and everything else. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Common Questions About Health Insurance and Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Does motorcycle insurance cover the rider's injuries?
Generally not for medical bills, unless you added optional MedPay to your policy. Standard New York motorcycle insurance covers liability for harm you cause to others. Your own health insurance is your main resource for health insurance coverage after a motorcycle accident.
Is New York a no-fault state for motorcycle accidents?
No. New York's no-fault system excludes motorcycles under Insurance Law § 5103. Injured riders cannot use PIP to pay their medical bills. They must rely on their own health insurance and, where another driver is at fault, that driver's liability coverage.
Can I sue for medical bills after a motorcycle accident in New York?
Yes. Motorcyclists are not subject to the "serious injury" threshold that limits car accident lawsuits in New York. You can bring a personal injury lawsuit for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages against the at-fault driver.
What if the other driver is uninsured after a motorcycle crash?
Check your own motorcycle policy for uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. If you have it, it covers your damages when the at-fault driver has no insurance. If you have no UM coverage, you may qualify for compensation through the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC), which was created to help victims of uninsured drivers in New York.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in New York?
Three years from the date of the accident, under CPLR § 214. Missing that deadline almost always bars your claim entirely. Acting sooner matters because evidence — witness memories, camera footage, accident scene conditions — does not stay fresh.
Sources & Official Resources
New York Laws Cited
- NY Insurance Law § 5103 — No-Fault Benefits; Motorcycle Exclusion
- NY Insurance Law § 5102 — No-Fault Definitions; $50,000 Basic Economic Loss
- NY Vehicle & Traffic Law § 311 — Required Motorcycle Insurance
- CPLR § 1411 — Comparative Negligence
- CPLR § 214 — Three-Year Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury
Helpful Resources 6. NYDMV — Vehicle Insurance Requirements 7. Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC)
Contact The Orlow Firm
Dealing with medical bills and insurance questions after a motorcycle accident is stressful. The attorneys at The Orlow Firm have spent over 40 years helping injured New Yorkers understand their coverage options and recover what they are owed. If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash, our Queens motorcycle accident lawyers offer a free initial consultation with no fees unless we win.
Call (646) 647-3398 today, or reach out online. Se Habla Español.
