Brooklyn Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group is a personal injury law firm that represents injured cyclists and bicyclists across Brooklyn, including Williamsburg, Park Slope, Downtown Brooklyn, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick, and Crown Heights. Our clients have recovered over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts nationwide. We handle bicycle, e-bike, and e-scooter collisions exclusively.

If you were doored along a Flatbush Avenue bike lane, cut off by a left-turning motorist on Atlantic Avenue, or sideswiped by a delivery truck in Williamsburg, we have seen your crash pattern before and know how to build the case. Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group handles bike accident cases across Brooklyn and the five boroughs.

New York law is on your side. Every cyclist has the same legal right to use the road as any other operator under the Traffic Law. Motor vehicles must share the road with bicycles. Under the state’s comparative negligence standard (CPLR 1411), you can still recover damages even if you share partial responsibility.

Call 888-521-6377 for a free consultation with a Brooklyn bicycle accident lawyer. Zero upfront costs, and no fee unless we win.

Why Choose Our Brooklyn Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Brooklyn recorded more bicycle fatalities than any other New York City borough in 2024, and cycling fatalities continue to increase. Over 20,000 riders cross certain Brooklyn corridors on a single day, yet protected infrastructure remains incomplete. Atlantic Avenue, Flatbush Avenue, Bedford Avenue, Fourth Avenue, and the approaches to the Williamsburg and Manhattan Bridges are where our clients keep getting hit.

Bicycle accidents on these corridors leave bicyclists with brain trauma, spinal damage, fractures, and severe road rash. Before you leave the emergency room, insurance companies are already building a file to minimize what they pay. Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group has experience handling motor vehicle and cycling collisions exclusively, and we recognize every tactic adjusters use.

Over $1 billion recovered for injured cyclists, pedestrian accident victims, and family members affected by fatal collisions. Each client speaks with a bike crash lawyer who returns calls, not a paralegal.

Were you struck in traffic or doored in a bike lane? Call 888-521-6377 or fill out our contact form for a free case review.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Brooklyn

Insurance companies will try to shift blame onto you. Our experienced Brooklyn bicycle accident attorneys investigate every cause below because each one changes who is liable and how much you recover.

• Distracted drivers. Texting, scrolling, talking on the phone. The motorist never looked before turning or changing lanes. Distraction is the leading cause of bicycle accidents across New York City.
• Failure to yield. Left-turning drivers account for a disproportionate share of fatal collisions in NYC. The motorist enters the intersection, misjudges the cyclist’s speed, and strikes them mid-turn.
• Dooring. A parked motorist or passenger opens their car door without checking for approaching riders. In a borough where double-parking is constant, dooring collisions are both common and dangerous.
• Right-hook crashes. A car passes a cyclist and immediately turns right, cutting across the bike lane. This happens repeatedly on Brooklyn’s commercial corridors near delivery zones and bus stops.
• Unsafe lane changes. A motorist merges without checking the blind spot and clips a bicyclist. Narrow Brooklyn streets and heavy congestion make these collisions more frequent than in suburban areas.
• Commercial and truck collisions. Box trucks, tractor-trailers, and bus operators create severe blind-spot risks for bicyclists. Brooklyn’s industrial zones in Sunset Park, East New York, and the Navy Yard corridor put cyclists and large motor vehicles in close proximity daily.
• Rideshare collisions. Uber and Lyft drivers stopping abruptly, pulling into bike lanes without signaling, and making sudden U-turns create hazards for Brooklyn cyclists.
• Dangerous conditions. Potholes, broken pavement, faded lane markings, missing signage, and construction debris. When municipal neglect contributes to your crash, the City of New York or the responsible transportation agency can be held liable.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries We Help Recover Compensation For

A bicyclist hit by a car or truck has nothing between their body and the impact. The injuries from bicycle accidents are often severe, and losses build fast. If someone else caused your collision, you deserve fair compensation for medical expenses and lost income.

New York Bicycle Accident Laws That Protect You

If you were partially at fault, you can still recover compensation. New York follows a pure comparative fault rule (CPLR 1411), which means there is no threshold that bars your claim. A cyclist found 40 percent responsible still recovers 60 percent of total losses.

Insurers lean on three arguments in Brooklyn cycling disputes: you were not wearing a helmet, you were riding outside a bike lane, or you were taking the lane in traffic. New York law addresses all three.

• Vehicle and Traffic Law 1231. Bicyclists on bicycles have the same rights and responsibilities as any operator on New York roads.
• No adult helmet law. New York requires helmets only for riders under 14. Choosing not to wear a helmet does not bar your personal injury claim.
• Bike lane use is not mandatory. Under VTL 1234, cyclists must use bike lanes when provided and usable, but the law contains exceptions for safety, turning, and obstruction. A rider who leaves a blocked lane is not at fault.
• Safe passing requirement. New York law requires motorists to maintain a safe distance when passing bicycles. A motorist who clips a rider has breached that duty.

Filing Deadlines for a Brooklyn Bicycle Accident Claim

New York gives you three years from the crash date to file a personal injury lawsuit under CPLR 214. Miss that deadline and you lose the right to pursue accident claims for compensation.

• Personal injury: 3 years from the date of the accident.
• Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of the death (EPTL 5-4.1).
• Minor child: Tolled until the child turns 18.
• Government claims (NYC, MTA, NYCDOT): File a Notice of Claim within 90 days under General Municipal Law 50-e, then file suit within one year and 90 days.

The 90-day deadline is critical when your crash involves a city bus or any bus operated by a government transportation agency. Failing to file on time can permanently bar your case. We track every deadline from the day you hire our firm and move to preserve your personal injury claims before any window closes.

E-Bike and E-Scooter Laws in Brooklyn

New York classifies e-bikes into three categories under VTL 102-c:

1. Class 1: pedal-assist only, no throttle, max 20 mph.
2. Class 2: throttle-equipped, max 20 mph.
3. Class 3: pedal-assist, max 25 mph.

All three classes are legal on New York City streets. Brooklyn has one of the highest concentrations of e-bike riders in the country. Delivery riders face particular challenges because their employment classification, the platform’s insurance coverage, and the e-bike’s class all affect which policies respond after a crash. Our law firm handles all e-bike and e-scooter collisions and understands the insurance layers that apply.

Who Is Liable for a Bicycle Accident in Brooklyn?

In most Brooklyn bicycle accident cases, there are multiple defendants, multiple insurance policies, and higher total recovery for the client.

More defendants means more leverage in negotiations and a stronger position if the case goes to trial in Kings County Supreme Court.

How We Prove Negligence in a Brooklyn Bicycle Accident Case

Proving your case requires four elements, and we build each one before the insurer sees our demand.

1. Duty of care. Every motorist and commercial operator on Brooklyn’s roads owes a legal duty to watch for cyclists, yield where required, and maintain a safe passing distance.
2. Breach. A driver who texts behind the wheel, runs a red light, or opens a car door into a cycling lane has breached that duty. We prove it with police reports, camera footage, dashcam video, and cellphone records.
3. Causation. We connect the breach directly to your injuries using medical records and accident reconstruction experts.
4. Damages. We document every loss: emergency treatment, surgery, physical therapy, future care, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and bicycle replacement.

Our Recent Settlements and Verdicts

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Brooklyn

Your claim starts at the crash scene. Here is what our bicycle injury lawyers recommend.

• Step 1: Call 911

  Move to safety if you can. The police report becomes the foundation of your case.

• Step 2: Get medical attention

  Go to the emergency room even if you feel fine. Concussions and internal bleeding can take hours to present symptoms.

• Step 3: Document the scene

  Photograph your injuries, the vehicles involved, your damaged bicycle, and any hazards. Collect the at-fault party’s name, insurance information, and plate number.

• Step 4: Contact a bike injury lawyer before you speak with the insurer

  The adjuster will request a recorded statement designed to reduce what they owe. Decline the statement and reject any early offer. Call 888-521-6377 so our accident attorney can handle the insurance company from day one.

When Should You Contact a Brooklyn Bicycle Accident Attorney?

• Your injuries are serious or your losses are substantial. Surgery, hospitalization, or spinal cord damage all increase the value of your case. The more serious the harm from cycling collisions, the harder insurance companies work to minimize your compensation.
• The insurer is delaying or disputing liability. Low settlement offers or arguments that you caused the collision are signs the adjuster is not evaluating your accident claim fairly. A bike accident attorney can help.
• Complex liability. Crashes involving construction zones, MTA bus routes, multiple motorists, or municipal negligence require a personal injury lawyer who can identify every liable defendant and pursue each source of compensation.
• Hit-and-run or uninsured motorist. UM/UIM coverage through your own auto policy may be the only path to compensation. A personal injury attorney from our firm can identify which policies apply and file bike accident claims.
• Delivery rider on the job. E-bike delivery riders face challenges involving the platform’s commercial policy, personal coverage, and workers’ compensation classification. A bicycle accident attorney who handles cases involving delivery riders can maximize your recovery.

How Your Case Works

1. Free case review. Call 888-521-6377 or fill out the form. A bike accident lawyer from our team calls you back the same day.
2. Investigation. We reconstruct the collision using scene photos, camera footage, witness statements, and medical records.
3. Demand and negotiation. Every claim is supported by documented damages, expert analysis, and a clear liability framework.
4. Trial if necessary. If the insurer refuses a fair settlement, we file suit in Kings County Supreme Court. Our bicycle injury attorneys have tried cycling cases across New York and know how to present these to a jury and secure a verdict.

Each client speaks directly with their attorney throughout the process.

Can I File a Bicycle Accident Claim in Brooklyn as an Immigrant?

Yes. In Brooklyn and throughout New York, any person can file a bicycle accident claim and recover full compensation regardless of immigration status. New York law protects the rights of all injured parties to pursue damages for medical bills, pain, and property damage. Our clients include immigrant families, working families, and commuters from every background. Contact us for a free case review.

How to Obtain Traffic Camera Footage After a Brooklyn Bicycle Accident

Surveillance footage can strengthen your case, but you need to act quickly. Most video is stored for only 30 to 90 days before it is overwritten.

One of the first things we do after you hire us is send preservation letters to every entity that may hold evidence of your crash.

Contact Our Brooklyn Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Whether your collision was on a protected lane or a congested avenue, our experienced Brooklyn bicycle accident lawyers will pursue the full compensation you are owed. An experienced personal injury attorney from our Brooklyn team will get back to you. Call for a free consultation. Zero upfront costs, and no fees unless we win your New York bicycle accident case.