New York City Bicycle Accident Lawyers
A bicycle crash can leave you with serious injuries, lost income, medical bills and stress about the future. If you need a New York City bicycle accident lawyer, Silver & Kelmachter, LLP, can help you and your family seek compensation after a serious crash. Our attorneys handle cases involving negligent drivers, unsafe turns, blocked bike lanes, vehicle doors and dangerous road conditions. We bring hundreds of years of combined experience to bicycle injury claims, and we know how to build strong cases and guide families through each step.
Understanding Bicycle Accident Claims In New York
New York law generally gives bicyclists the same rights and duties as motor vehicle drivers, subject to bicycle-specific rules. Drivers must take reasonable steps to avoid collisions with bicyclists, including when turning, passing, changing lanes or opening vehicle doors. A driver who turns across a cyclist’s path, blocks a bike lane, opens a car door into traffic or drives carelessly may face liability for resulting injuries.
New York also uses comparative fault. If evidence shows that a cyclist contributed to a crash, a court can reduce the cyclist’s damages based on that share of fault. An experienced lawyer can investigate the crash, review traffic camera footage, identify witnesses, examine vehicle and bicycle damage, gather medical records, and address claims that shift blame to the cyclist.
The process usually starts with investigating the collision and documenting the cyclist’s injuries and losses. Your lawyer may then pursue an insurance claim, negotiate with the insurer and file a personal injury lawsuit when the parties cannot reach a fair resolution.
Cyclists Often Suffer Severe Injuries In New York Bicycle Accidents
Unlike people inside cars, cyclists have little protection when a bike accident occurs. A collision can throw a rider onto pavement or into another vehicle, causing injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
- Shoulder, knee and other joint injuries
- Road rash and serious skin damage
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Facial injuries and dental damage
- Permanent nerve, muscle or mobility problems
Severe injuries may require surgery, months of rehabilitation, assistive equipment or long-term care. A claim should account for current medical needs as well as the future physical, personal and financial effects of the injury.
Most Common Reasons For Bike Accidents In New York City
New York City traffic creates risks for cyclists at intersections, along busy avenues and around parked vehicles. Common causes include:
- Distracted driving: Drivers looking at phones, navigation systems or other distractions may fail to see cyclists.
- Dooring: A driver or passenger can open a parked vehicle door directly into a cyclist’s path.
- Unsafe turns: Drivers may turn across a bike lane or fail to yield to a cyclist at an intersection.
- Bike lane interference: Parked, stopped or moving vehicles can block designated bicycle space.
- Speeding: Higher speeds give drivers less time to see and avoid cyclists.
- Failure to check blind spots: Trucks and buses can strike cyclists when drivers turn or change lanes.
- Poor road conditions: Potholes, uneven pavement, construction and debris can cause crashes or force cyclists into traffic.
The specific cause of a cyclist accident can affect who may bear legal responsibility for the resulting injuries. Our lawyers can investigate driver conduct, roadway conditions, vehicle damage and available evidence to determine how the collision occurred.
Where Do Bicycle Accidents Occur In New York City?
Bicycle crashes can happen throughout New York City, especially where cyclists interact with heavy vehicle traffic, pedestrians, parked cars and complex intersections. Areas that see substantial bicycle traffic include:
- Queens Boulevard, including sections through Sunnyside and Long Island City
- Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn
- Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn
- First, Second and Third Avenues in Manhattan
- Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas) in Manhattan
- Central Park and surrounding roadways
- College Point Boulevard in Queens
- Bridge approaches and bicycle routes, including those near the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges
The location of a crash can provide important evidence about traffic controls, lane design, roadway conditions, visibility and other factors. Our attorneys can examine these conditions and determine whether they contributed to the collision.
What Rights Do Bicyclists Have On New York Roads?
Bicyclists generally have the same rights and duties as drivers under New York traffic law, subject to bicycle-specific rules. Cyclists can use public roads, must follow traffic signals and signs, and generally must use a bicycle lane when one is available. Drivers must respect a cyclist’s right to travel on the road and take reasonable care when passing, turning, parking, changing lanes or opening a vehicle door.
These rules can become important evidence after a crash. A driver’s traffic violation may support a negligence claim, while an alleged violation by the cyclist may become part of a comparative fault defense.
Speak To A New York City Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
A serious bicycle crash can affect your health, work, finances and family. You may schedule a consultation by calling our office at 212-661-8400 or sending us an email. Our attorneys can help discuss your accident, help you explore your legal options and begin gathering the evidence you may need to pursue compensation.