- Who Are Our New York City Bicycle Accident Attorneys?
- 2024 New York City Bicycle Accident Statistics
- What Are the Typical Causes of Bicycle Accidents in New York City?
- What Are the Most Common Bicycle Accident Injuries in New York City Bicycle Accidents?
- Main Types of Damages to Claim in a New York City Bicycle Accident
- Our Case Settlements
- Whom You Can Hold Liable for a Bicycle Accident in New York City?
- What Should a Cyclist Do After a Bicycle Accident?
- Bicycle Laws in New York City
- Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accident Claims in New York City
- Do You Need to Hire a New York Bicycle Accident Attorney?
- Contact Our New York City bicycle accident lawyers today!
- Get a FREE case evaluation today
Cycling is a popular activity and a functional means of transportation in large cities such as New York. Almost two million people ride a bike on a regular basis. However, despite the evident effort that the local authorities have put into the development of safe bicycling infrastructure, many people have suffered serious, in some cases, fatal injuries in bicycle accidents over the recent years.
Considering the odds, if you are an active bicyclist, you should be well aware of common dangers and risks lurking on the streets of your city. Moreover, you must know where to seek professional legal assistance if something happens.
Who Are Our New York City Bicycle Accident Attorneys?
One of the main things to know about every lawyer on our team is that each of them is a trained expert with years of personal injury legal practice. On top of that, we are committed truth-seekers and supportive advocates for the rights of those injured because of someone else’s negligence.
Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group is more than a law firm. We are avid safety activists, aiming to make the streets of New York as secure and bicyclist-friendly as possible. Lastly, we refuse to believe in failures. Our successful verdict record and contingency fee cooperation basis speak for themselves!
2024 New York City Bicycle Accident Statistics
Over 600K people go for a ride in New York on a daily basis. That is an over 64% spike over the past 10 years. Such impressive quantities of bicyclists in the city inspired the local authorities to invest in cyclist-friendly infrastructure significantly. In fact, over 80 miles of protected bike lanes were installed over the past few years.
However, no matter the amount of safety measures and interest in enhancing the biking community of New York, many people get killed on the streets while riding their bicycles, and even more get seriously injured. Back in 2023, there were thousands of bicycle accidents reported, with 29 people suffering fatal injuries and over 5K suffering significant injuries.
2024 proved to be even worse for the New York community since, over the first six months, 127 people were fatally injured in traffic accidents — 12 of them were bicyclists.
According to a recent bicycle crash report from the NYC Department of Transportation, Brooklyn borough is the most dangerous of all — 1882 cyclists were injured in the area, 9 of them sustained fatal traumas.
3 top causes of bicycle accidents in 2023:
- Driver inattention
- Failure to yield
- Pedestrian/cyclists error
What Are the Typical Causes of Bicycle Accidents in New York City?
Sharing the road with larger and better-protected vehicles poses serious risks. Among the most common causes of bicycle accidents in New York are the following:
- Driver negligence: In one-third of all cases, a collision with a motor vehicle happens because the driver is distracted. Whether it is texting, speeding, driving under the influence, or being tired, the lack of alertness and proper reaction can lead to serious crashes.
- Suddenly opened doors: A bicyclist sent off their vehicle by the car door can suffer catastrophic if not fatal traumas, flying right under the wheels of approaching automobiles. Moreover, in the majority of cases, only a professional dooring accident lawyer can help obtain fair compensation.
- Hazardous road conditions: Potholes and debris can impact the cyclist’s balance, making them sway into the upcoming traffic. The same is true with missing sewer grates and improper or unavailable lanes.
- Road rage: Not all vehicle drivers are equally happy about sharing the lanes with bike riders. Some people may behave aggressively by gesturing, screaming, or straight-up tailgating bicyclists to the point when they get into an accident.
What Are the Most Common Bicycle Accident Injuries in New York City Bicycle Accidents?
Along with the versatility of conditions that lead to a bicycle comes a wide variety of traumas that a bike rider can sustain. It is impossible to predict them all, but the most typical cyclist injuries are the following:
- Head traumas: Some of the most severe head injuries include traumatic brain injuries, fractures, and concussions. Yet, even the mildest head trauma can have a lasting and life-altering effect and trigger neurological complications.
- Back injuries: It is typical for a bike rider to sustain a spinal injury after a bicycle accident due to the lack of protection in the area. Such conditions as herniated discs, spine fractures, or paralysis, have a profound impact on the person’s mobility and overall quality of life.
- Fractures: When a rider falls off their bike, the force of the collision often results in broken bones, which take time to heal and, in some cases, require lengthy and quite painful rehabilitation.
- Road rash: After being thrust off the vehicle and sliding on the concrete, a cyclist almost inevitably ends up with scratches and abrasions. While these injuries aren’t deadly, per se, the wounds may get infected and take time to heal fully.
Main Types of Damages to Claim in a New York City Bicycle Accident
The severity of the incident and the underlying consequences are the main factors that define the types of damages a victim can recover. However, in the majority of cases, you can claim the following types of losses:
Economic Damages
The monetary losses an injured party can recover include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Medical expenses: All the costs of your medical treatment can be recovered. A qualified New York bicycle accident lawyer can help you obtain fair compensation for past expenses along with future medical bills.
- Lost wages: The temporary or permanent loss of income, as well as a potential decrease in your earning capacity inflicted by the accident, must be settled in full.
- Property damage: If any of your valuable personal belongings are destroyed or require repairs as a result of the crash, you can claim their settlement, too.
Non-Economic Damages
Some losses sustained in an accident are counted as intangible. The intangible damages, such as personal pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of joy in life, disability, and other similar conditions, can also be recovered with the assistance of a skilled bicycle accident attorney.
Our Case Settlements
Whom You Can Hold Liable for a Bicycle Accident in New York City?
There are a few potentially liable parties to hold responsible for your injuries and losses in a bicycle accident case. They are the following:
- Negligent motorists: If a driver violated any traffic rules or misbehaved in any way that caused an accident, you can hold them, or rather their insurance company, accountable.
- The City of New York: Some authorities may not be as attentive when it comes to local infrastructure maintenance. So, in case an accident occurs because of potholes in the road or a missing or malfunctioning signature, you can file the claim against the municipality.
- Bicycle rental company: Usually, rental companies bear limited responsibility for any accident involving their vehicles. Unless you can prove that the bike they rented was defective and its malfunction has led to a crash.
- Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC): Sometimes, none of the involved parties possess active insurance to cover the inflicted damages, or it is a hit-and-run accident. In these instances, you can file a claim against MVAIC.
It is important to determine the primary liable party, but it is pretty challenging without proper background in the field. So, it is always a good idea to consult an experienced New York bicycle accident lawyer to know which direction to follow.
What Should a Cyclist Do After a Bicycle Accident?
Not only does your well-being depend on the steps you take after an accident, but also the validity of your future claim and its consequent settlement. This is a recommended course of action to take after a bike crash:
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Get away from the danger
The fact that the incident is over does not mean that you are no longer in harm’s way. If your injuries allow it, you should get away from the busy lane.
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Call the emergency services
Don’t underestimate your seemingly minor traumas and damages. Call 911 and ask for medical assistance and police unit dispatch. While the former checks for any signs of hidden injuries, the latter will document the accident.
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Exchange contact information with other parties
If the involved driver does not seem overly agitated and straight-off unfriendly, you can approach them and ask for their contact details. Write down their full name, address, policy information, driver’s license number, and phone contact.
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Contact a reliable bicycle accident law firm
A competent legal assistant will primarily evaluate the case and instruct you on what to do to claim maximum compensation for the sustained injuries and losses.
Bicycle Laws in New York City
The State of New York grants bicyclists the same rights as other motor vehicle operators. However, that also implies that cyclists in the area abide by similar laws in addition to specific regulations. For instance:
- Bike rides must follow all the statewide traffic rules without exceptions.
- You can’t ride a bike on a sidewalk unless there’s a special sign allowing it. Children under 12 years are the exception to the law.
- All children under 14 years old must wear a protective helmet.
- Cyclists are required to report any accident that involves property damage and injuries to the local police.
- Bicycles must be well-equipped and fully functional before being ridden in the street.
- Biker riders must use hand signals to alert other road users about lane changes, turns, and other maneuvers.
- Bicycles are prohibited in park zones that are not specifically designed for cycling.
- Bicyclists can’t wear more than a single earphone while riding.
- Cyclists have to ride in a designated lane or stick to the furthest right side of the road.
- Riding with the traffic, not against it, is mandatory.
If you violate any of these laws and create a dangerous road situation that leads to property damage and injuries, your compensation may be reduced or altogether denied.
Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accident Claims in New York City
Most bicycle accident cases have an expiry date after which you can’t request a settlement for the sustained losses. Generally, the state of New York abides by a three-year deadline for any personal injury deriving from other people’s negligence. However, on top of various state-approved exceptions, driver’s insurance companies may have their timeframes to stick to. That is why consulting a field-savvy New York bicycle accident lawyer is the best thing to do to ensure that you obtain the maximum financial compensation.
Do You Need to Hire a New York Bicycle Accident Attorney?
There isn’t a mandatory requirement to cooperate with a bicycle accident law firm when seeking compensation after a crash. However, professional bike accident lawyers have multiple benefits to offer. For example:
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Claim evaluation
A well-versed legal advisor will calculate your past and future losses to request a maximum settlement offer.
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Case investigation
A local personal injury lawyer may have unobstructed access to critical evidence that a victim can’t gather. Moreover, they will involve industry experts if necessary to prove the at-fault party’s negligence and liability.
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Insurance negotiations
Insurance providers are often interested in providing compensation that barely covers your financial losses. Trained legal experts know how to avoid lowball offer pitfalls and usually pursue a fair reimbursement the client deserves.
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Contingency fee basis
A committed personal injury law firm like Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group does not need upfront payments to prove their dedication and expertise. A contingency fee means that you cover legal expenses only after the case is successfully settled.
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Court representation
In case your initial claim is denied, a qualified legal assistant will help you file a corresponding personal injury lawsuit and defend your rights in court.
Contact Our New York City bicycle accident lawyers today!
Every bicycle accident is an overwhelming mixture of pain and frustration, topped with endless legal intricacies. If you or your loved one have suffered injuries in a cycling incident in New York, you don’t have to face the upcoming challenges on your own. You deserve peace of mind and fair compensation for a speedy recovery, and our law firm can provide that. All you have to do is contact our team for a free legal consultation today!
Share the details of your situation with us so we can begin advocating on your behalf. We customize our approach to fit the unique needs of each client.
