New York City Bicycle Accidents
New York City Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Were you hit on your bicycle in New York City? You are probably shaken up and could have cuts, scrapes, and more severe injuries. You may receive financial compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Getting the most compensation requires the assistance of an experienced New York bicycle accident lawyer.
At Gray Injury Law, we dedicate all of our legal and financial resources to the best outcome in every client’s case. Our bicycle accident lawyers have a strong success record with many six- and seven-figure settlements. For a complimentary legal consultation, call (212) 537-7000.
New York Law For Bike And Auto Accidents
The first thing to know about New York auto and bike accident laws is this is a no-fault state. If you are hurt in a motor vehicle or bicycle accident, you usually file the claim under your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP covers your initial medical expenses and partially lost wages, regardless of fault. PIP in New York typically covers your “reasonable and necessary” accident-related medical costs.
It also pays 80% of your lost earnings, up to $2,000 monthly, for up to three years. You may also receive $25 per day for any “reasonable and necessary” expenses related to the accident, such as hiring a housekeeper. PIP, however, does not cover the damages of pain and suffering.
Additionally, if you have severe injuries that surpass your PIP coverage, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. According to New York state law, the bike accident injuries you suffered must be ‘serious’. This means, that because of the bike accident caused by someone else, you have:
- Bone fractures
- Permanent limits to the use of a body part or organ
- Major limitations to a body system or function
- Full disability for 90 days
If you have any of these injuries, you could be eligible to file a claim against the driver. You could sue them or work with their insurance company to get the damages you are entitled to.
You could, for example, need extensive medical care and rehabilitation that PIP doesn’t cover. A seriously injured cyclist also could be out of work for months and have significant pain and suffering related to injuries and treatments. An experienced New York personal injury attorney reviews your case to determine if you qualify to step outside the New York no-fault system.
Common Types Of Bicycle Accident Claims In New York City
Several kinds of bicycle accident cases are expected in bustling New York City. If you were hurt in one of these accidents, call the police immediately and take photos of the accident scene, vehicle positions, damages, and injuries. This information could be critical to your personal injury attorney proving your case:
- A car hit the bicyclist when the motorist didn’t yield the right of way at an intersection.
- A car unexpectedly turned left in front of the bicyclist.
- A car overtakes a bicyclist on a street and misjudges the distance to pass without hitting them.
- A motor vehicle, including a truck or bus, doesn’t share the road as required, forcing the bicyclist off the road.
- A negligent driver opened their vehicle door into the path of a bicyclist.
If the driver caused your bicycle accident and you are seriously injured, you may be able to file a claim or lawsuit against them. Talk to New York bike accident attorneys to find out the legal possibilities.
Where Do The Most Bicycling Accidents Happen In New York City?
Anyone who visits New York City knows how busy the traffic can be. It’s essential to always use caution when biking in the Big Apple. But accidents happen daily, with mishaps especially common at these congested New York City intersections:
- 6th Ave. & W. 23rd St., Manhattan
- Jay St. & Tillary St., Downtown Brooklyn
- 3rd Ave. & E. 14th St., East Village Manhattan
- Chrystie St. & Delancey St, Lower East Side, Manhattan
- St. Nicholas Ave. & W. 141st St., Harlem, Manhattan
Common Types Of Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bicycles are a common way of getting around in busy New York City. While bikes offer an affordable and healthy way to travel, they offer no protection from motorists and other hazards. This fact often leads to severe and sometimes fatal bicycle accidents. Some of the most common injuries bicycle accident victims have are:
- Head trauma can cause skull fractures, concussions, brain bleeding, and sometimes brain damage. Anyone with a severe head injury in a bicycle accident needs a skilled personal injury attorney at Gray Injury Law to fight for their rights and maximum compensation.
- Spine and back injuries: A cyclist could be tossed from their bike and slam into the car or ground, possibly fracturing the spine or causing paralysis.
- Facial injuries, such as jaw, orbital, or nose fractures. Severe cuts and scrapes to the face also are common.
- Broken bones in the arms, legs, neck, and shoulders. Many bike accident victims are thrown over the handlebars, slam into the vehicle or ground, and shatter their collarbone. This is an excruciating injury that is difficult to treat.
- Chest injuries, such as fractured ribs and abdominal injuries to the major organs. Internal bleeding is possible, so anyone in a bike accident in New York should be checked by a doctor immediately.
Many bicycle accident injuries are severe, and getting the most compensation is imperative. That’s why you should always have a bike accident case reviewed by a bicycle accident attorney at Gray Injury Law. If you have a strong case, we may recommend filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver or their insurance company.
New York City Bicycle Accident Statistics
Many New Yorkers enjoy moving about in the city on bicycle, but doing so has become increasingly hazardous in recent years. Some sobering New York City bicycle accident statistics include:
- There were 18,510 crashes involving cyclists in New York City in 2019, leading to 18,494 injuries and 16 bicycle accident fatalities.
- In 2020, 12,422 cyclists were injured in accidents, and 28 died.
- In 2022, 50 cyclists were killed in accidents across New York state.
- In 2023, 30 cyclists were killed in the city, the most since 1999.
Some bicycle accident injuries are exacerbated by cyclists not wearing their helmets. Make sure you wear a DOT-approved helmet whenever you get on your bicycle. While adults are not required to wear a helmet, doing so can significantly reduce your chances of being hurt in a car accident, then you need a New York car accident lawyer.
How An Attorney Can Help With A Bicycle Accident Injury Case
People injured in a New York City bike accident often face daunting pain, injury, and medical bills. Instead of wrangling with an insurance company over what they deserve, many injury victims retain a skilled personal injury lawyer from day 1 to fight for them. Here’s how a New York bike accident attorney may help your case:
- Review the bicycle accident details: Your attorney will review the accident, including where it happened and how and who else was involved. They should be able to tell you in the initial consultation if there is a potential for compensation.
- Investigate the bike accident: If you hire an attorney, they will likely go back to the crash scene, take videos and photos of the scene and your injuries, and interview eyewitnesses. They will also obtain your medical records and the police report and accurately value your damages.
- Collect evidence: Your lawyer will collect all evidence that proves your losses, including medical treatment expenses, lost earnings, prescription drugs, property damage, pain and suffering, mental trauma, and lost earning capacity. Bike accident damages are often substantial, but many victims without a lawyer vastly underestimate their case value.
- Send the demand letter: After the accident investigation, your lawyer may send a demand letter to the insurance company, if you have serious enough injuries to step outside the no-fault system. The letter will state your damages and what you want in compensation.
- Negotiate with the insurance company: Now your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company for the most compensation. Most injury victims don’t know how to negotiate with insurance companies effectively and could say something that damages their case.
- Go to court: Most bike accident cases end in a settlement. But if the insurance company balks, your attorney may recommend taking the case to a jury. Whether to settle or go to court is a complex decision. Your attorney will offer their recommendation, but the final decision will be yours.
Contact Our New York City Bicycle Accident Lawyers Now
No one wants to be hit on their bicycle in New York City. It’s scary, stressful, painful, and frustrating. However, accidents happen even if you bike defensively in this busy city.
Don’t try to handle your case alone when you have significant injuries, medical bills, and are out of work. Speak to one of our New York City bicycle accident attorneys for immediate legal assistance. We don’t charge legal fees unless we win your case. Call (212) 537-7000 today or contact our New York bicycle accident attorneys on our website. Our personal injury law firm has many successful settlements and jury verdicts. Gray Injury Law’s dedicated bike accident lawyers will fight tirelessly for justice in your bike accident case.