New York City Bicycle Accident attorney
Representing victims of New York City bicycle accidents
Bicycle accidents can end with terrible results. Bicycles are hard to see, follow, operate silently, and offer the rider no protection if struck by a motor vehicle. If you were to get hit by a vehicle while riding a bicycle, you could suffer from serious injuries, including concussion, spinal cord injury, broken bones, dental injuries, and more. Obviously, this list is not exclusive. In most cases, immediately after the accident, your medical bills and lost wages should be covered under the motor vehicle driver’s no-fault insurance policy known as PIP. If your injuries meet the serious injury threshold as defined in the New York State Insurance Law, you may bring a lawsuit against the driver and owner of the motor vehicle that caused your accident. Additionally, you may bring a lawsuit against the appropriate municipality, or private landowner, if the road conditions were responsible for your accident. If your injuries meet the serious injury threshold, you may recover damages for pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages and for the impact your injuries will have on your quality of life. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a bicycle accident, you should seek counsel from an experienced New York personal injury attorney. Contact the Law Offices of Jonathan D. Sands today for a free consultation.
Dangerous drivers and bicycle accidents
Other drivers are a major hazard to cyclists who navigate the same streets. Everyone is supposed to follow the same rules of the road and when drivers don’t share the road or take the necessary precautions, the cyclist is often the one to suffer from injuries after a collision. Some of the many dangerous actions by drivers include:
- Careless speeding
- Reckless maneuvers
- Driving under the influence
- Using electronic devices
- Opening a car door directly in the path of the cyclist
Perhaps the greatest contributing factor to bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles is the rise of technology. New York State has recognized this and has some of the harshest laws against using technology while operating a vehicle. Nevertheless, many drivers use their cell phones to make calls, send and receive texts, send and receive email, and even to access the internet. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving is 6 times more dangerous than driving under the influence.
NYC Road conditions and bicycle accidents
Road conditions are a major cause of bicycle accidents. Unfortunately, not all cycling surfaces are maintained well. Cycling lanes and roadways can have many dangerous conditions and hazards that put cyclists at risk. Some of the many hazards include:
- Potholes
- Cracked surfaces
- Obstacles that obscure vision
- Obstacles that block cycling lanes
- Standing water
- Debris
If your accident was caused by the negligence of a municipality, you will need to bring a lawsuit against that municipality to recover damages to compensate you for your injuries. The time within which lawsuits against municipalities must be commenced is much shorter than the time for a suit against a private entity. Additionally, you must satisfy the requirements of the General Municipal Law before you can sue a municipality. Given the procedural hurdles and short time frame, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney as quickly as possible after this type of accident.
Contact a Westchester County bicycle collision attorney
Bicycle accidents can have devastating results. If you were injured while cycling, your injuries may be severe and the quality of your life greatly diminished. For nearly 20 years, the Law Offices of Jonathan D. Sands has aggressively fought to pursue full compensation for its injured clients. Contact our office today for an appointment to discuss your case.