Bicycle accidents are rising in NYC. We help injured cyclists navigate complex legal claims.
Bicycle accidents are rising in NYC. We help injured cyclists navigate complex legal claims. With deep knowledge of causes like driver negligence and unsafe roads, our attorneys fight for your rights and fair compensation. Trust a leading New York bicycle accident attorney to stand by your side.
Bicycles have gained popularity among all types of people around the City. With more cyclists on the road, accidents are unfortunately on the rise. It is important to secure the legal services of an adept New York bicycle accident attorney. This guide covers everything you need to know about bicycle accidents. Including the causes, and what we do to help you bring a claim.
In New York City, it seems like bicycle accidents are on everyone’s lips. Cycling in New York City carries real risk. The Department of Transportation publishes a Bicycle Crash Data Report each year under Local Law 13, drawing on police crash reports, and it records both cyclist deaths and several thousand injuries citywide annually. Knowing what the most common causes of these accidents are will help you identify some of the risks that you might come across on the streets.
Cyclists face the greatest risk from driver negligence. Distracted drivers, including those talking and texting, exacerbate the problem. Drivers under the influence of drugs greatly increase the risk for cyclists.
The streets of New York City are covered with potholes, cracks, broken surfaces, and debris that pose danger to cyclists. Even small defects on the roads can lead to cyclists losing control of their bikes, which in turn can lead to serious accidents.
In New York City, many areas do not have designated bike lanes. For that reason, bike riders need to share the road with motor vehicles. Due to high levels of traffic makes unfortunate accidents are more likely to occur.
Not all cyclists comply to enforce cycling laws for their private reasons. Where some drivers are free to cooperate by keeping a safe distance. There will always be some people who want to take up all the space that their car takes up. Moreover, drivers who decide to make turns without indicating them harm cyclists.
Bicycle accidents can come with their own set of problems. Experts in bicycle accident law stand out in solving these burdens, paying off bills, and even recovering lost wages. We outline how legal representatives provide aid to individuals in a crash:
Gathering information about the accident for building a strong case. The lawyer is going to collect the following documents:
This information could be very useful to help prove fault and obtain the payment to which you are entitled.
Insurance firms are well known for attempting to lowball and underpay accident victims. An attorney who specializes in your particular case will take all phone calls and conversations with the insurance company. Your attorney will fight to ensure that you receive every dollar needed for medical expenses, property and vehicle injuries, and wages that have not been paid.
Cases involving bicycle accidents tend to be multi-faceted and involve numerous other layers of legal paperwork. Let’s say that the accident resulted from a mixture of a driver who is not paying attention to the road and bad conditions on the road. Your lawyer will be the one dealing with all these matters.
Claims for bicycle accidents can be detailed from a legal perspective. Take the scenario of others, involving a distracted driver and bad weather that may cloud the road. Your attorney fights with these problems so that you can cherish all faults mortgaged, and you can enjoy the compensation you deserve.
People involved in bicycle accidents face a wide range of injuries. These can be as simple as cuts and bruises to more severe, life-changing conditions. Some of the most common injuries that are sustained during a bicycle accident are listed below:
Cyclists are prone to concussions and TBIs. Even with a helmet, a cyclist's head is always vulnerable. These long-term injuries can also result in not only cognitive impairment, but also memory loss.
These types of injuries, when suffered by cyclists, are some of the most severe and dangerous. An injury to the spinal cord results in partial or total paralysis.
Most cyclists tend to break their arms, legs, and even collarbones when falling off their bicycles. For some, these fractures can be surgically fixed, and with proper medication. Not treating these issues on time can increase the chances of permanent disability.
Concerning bicycle accidents, soft tissue injuries can be defined as sprains, strains, and ligament tears. All of these are common injuries that are prone to accidents. These injuries can increase pain and a longer recovery time.
Friction burns are injuries seen in cyclists when they fall off their bicycles and slide on the road. Like many other injuries, these burns need treatment quickly because they can get infected very easily.
Severe accidents have the potential to cause damage to a cyclist's internal organs, such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys. Such injuries may require a fair amount of immediate medical assistance, also a risk to the individual's life.
If you were involved in a bicycle accident, then it’s essential to take some steps to ensure your health and legal rights. So here’s what you need to do right after the incident:
Always visit a doctor immediately after any accidents. Make an appointment with a medical professional, as some injuries may not visibly appear right away.
Calling the police for an official record is invaluable in pursuit of the claim.
Try to capture photos of the accident, your injuries, and your bike or other vehicles that were involved. Most importantly, capture contact details of any witnesses so that they can be interviewed later.
At the scene, even if you think you contributed to the accident, do not accept any blame. Leave that to the experts, like police and insurance representatives.
As the next step after ensuring your safety, contact a lawyer who specializes in bicycle accidents so that they can help you with the claims process.
Sustaining injuries from a bicycle accident provides the individual the option to claim compensation for many damages. An attorney will work around the clock to make sure you get what you deserve:
This section covers all the expenses that fall under the negligence of your doctor, such as:
Gaining compensation for lost income is also an option for individuals forced to take time off from work due to medical injuries. Under this, an employee can even be compensated for expected income if they are unable to work due to injury for a longer duration of time.
This injury category concerns the psychological and physical trauma resulting from your injuries. Evaluating the worth of your pain and suffering can be done through an attorney, who’ll consider the extent of your injuries and the impact on your life.
You can receive compensation for repairing the property if your bicycle as well as any personal items were damaged in the incident.
Post-accident anxiety, depression, and PTSD are not uncommon for cyclists involved in accidents. If you suffer from these effects, you may be eligible for damages related to emotional distress.
We all know that accidents are unpredictable. There are ways to reduce the chances of accidents:
Bicycle accidents can be life-changing, but you don’t have to face the effects alone.
We are committed to fighting for your rights and securing the compensation you deserve. Our experienced New York attorneys will guide you through every step of the legal process.
You focus on recovery and we handle the rest. We work on a contingency fee, so the fee comes out of a recovery and there is no fee if there is no recovery.
This article is general information about New York law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case turns on its own facts. For advice about your situation, call (718) 878-1177 or contact us.
After a bicycle accident, seek medical attention, report the incident to the police, gather evidence, and contact an attorney to guide you through the legal process.
Yes, New York follows comparative negligence laws. So you can still recover compensation even if you’re partially at fault for the accident.
Bicycle accident claims are generally handled on a contingency fee. We work on a contingency fee, so the fee comes out of a recovery and there is no fee if there is no recovery.
You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and emotional distress.
In New York, most personal injury lawsuits must be started within three years of the date of the injury (CPLR 214(5)). If a city, public authority, or other public entity is involved, the deadlines are much shorter: a written notice of claim is generally due within 90 days of the incident (General Municipal Law 50-e), and the lawsuit must be started within one year and 90 days (General Municipal Law 50-i). Which deadline applies depends on who is responsible, so confirm it early rather than assuming the three-year figure covers your case.
A free consultation is the fastest way to find out where you stand and what your options actually are.
