When a car strikes a cyclist, the injuries are severe. Broken bones. Head trauma. Road rash that requires skin grafts. Spinal cord damage. And while you’re dealing with surgeries and rehabilitation, the driver’s insurance company is already working to minimize what they pay.
Our Brooklyn, NY bicycle accident lawyer fights for injured cyclists. At Rosenberg & Rodriguez Personal Injury Lawyers, we recovered $275,000 for a cyclist who suffered head injuries after being struck by a vehicle. We’ve secured an $875,000 settlement in a difficult liability case, jury verdicts of $815,000 and $760,000, and millions of dollars for accident victims throughout New York.
Why Choose Rosenberg & Rodriguez Personal Injury Lawyers for Bicycle Accident Cases in Brooklyn, NY?
We’ve Won for Injured Cyclists
Insurance companies often blame cyclists for their own injuries. They claim you weren’t wearing a helmet. They argue you were riding outside the bike lane. They say you should have seen the car door opening. We know how to fight back against these arguments.
Our firm recovered $275,000 for a cyclist who suffered a head injury when struck by a vehicle. We’ve also secured:
• $875,000 settlement in a high-risk liability case
• $815,000 jury verdict
• $760,000 jury verdict
• $550,000 rear-end accident settlement
• $250,000 jury verdict for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle
• $225,000 settlement for a woman who tripped on a raised sidewalk
These results come from thorough preparation, aggressive negotiation, and the willingness to take cases to trial. If you need a personal injury attorney in Brooklyn, NY, our track record speaks for itself.
Attorneys Who Understand Cycling Cases
Laura Rosenberg has been licensed in New York and New Jersey since 2001. Super Lawyers has recognized her every year from 2019 through 2026, placing her among the top 5% of attorneys. She is a member of the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the New York State Trial Lawyers Association.
Ivan Rodriguez has practiced personal injury law in New York for 25 years. He has tried cases in both State and Federal Courts and understands the unique challenges cyclists face when pursuing injury claims. Bicycle accidents require knowledge of traffic laws, right-of-way rules, and the tactics insurance companies use against riders.
We Handle the Insurance Battle
After a bicycle accident, you should focus on healing. We handle everything else. We communicate with insurance adjusters. We gather police reports, witness statements, and medical records. We calculate the full value of your claim and fight to recover every dollar you deserve.
Contingency Fee Representation
You pay nothing upfront. We advance all costs and only collect a fee if we win your case. This arrangement puts experienced lawyers in your corner without adding financial stress during your recovery.
What Our Clients Say
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I was so stressed after my accident and didn’t know where to turn. Rosenberg & Rodriguez Personal Injury Lawyers took over and handled everything. They kept me updated, answered all my questions, and got me a settlement that helped me move forward. I’m so grateful I found them.” – Sherdina Ross
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Bicycle Accident Cases We Handle in Brooklyn, NY
Cyclists face unique dangers on Brooklyn streets. We handle all types of bicycle collision claims.
Dooring accidents. Drivers and passengers opening car doors into bike lanes cause devastating crashes. Cyclists have no time to react when a door suddenly appears in their path. We wrote about dooring accident lawsuits and your legal options.
Right-hook collisions. Drivers making right turns across bike lanes strike cyclists riding straight. These crashes often occur at intersections where motorists fail to check for bikes.
Left-turn accidents. Drivers turning left across oncoming traffic misjudge cyclist speed and cause head-on collisions.
Rear-end crashes. Distracted or speeding drivers strike cyclists from behind, causing the rider to be thrown from the bike.
Sideswipe accidents. Vehicles passing too closely clip cyclists, sending them crashing to the pavement or into parked cars.
Truck and bus accidents. Large commercial vehicles have significant blind spots. Cyclists struck by trucks suffer catastrophic injuries due to the size difference.
Rideshare accidents. Uber and Lyft drivers stopping suddenly for pickups or pulling into bike lanes create hazards for cyclists throughout Brooklyn.
Hit and run crashes. When drivers flee after striking cyclists, we work with police reports and surveillance footage to identify them and pursue claims.
E-bike and electric scooter accidents. Electric-assist bicycles and scooters are increasingly common in Brooklyn. Collisions involving these vehicles follow similar legal principles.
Each case requires investigation into how the accident happened and who bears responsibility.
New York Legal Requirements for Bicycle Accident Cases
New York has specific rules that protect bicycle riders and affect injury claims.
Cyclists Have Equal Road Rights
Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, bicycles are considered vehicles. Cyclists have the same rights to use roadways as motorists. Drivers must treat cyclists with the same respect they would give another car.
The law requires motorists to pass cyclists at a safe distance. Drivers cannot harass, crowd, or threaten cyclists on the road.
Protected Bike Lane Laws
New York City has expanded protected bike lanes throughout Brooklyn. The NYC Department of Transportation maintains these lanes as part of the city’s cycling infrastructure. Drivers who block bike lanes or drive in them violate traffic laws.
Vision Zero Initiative
New York City’s Vision Zero program aims to eliminate traffic deaths. The initiative has led to reduced speed limits, expanded bike lanes, and increased enforcement against dangerous driving. When drivers violate Vision Zero-related rules, their negligence strengthens your injury claim.
No-Fault Insurance and Cyclists
New York’s no-fault insurance system applies differently to cyclists. If you’re struck by a car, the driver’s no-fault insurance covers your medical bills and lost wages up to $50,000, regardless of fault.
To sue for additional damages, you must meet the “serious injury” threshold under New York Insurance Law Section 5102(d). Qualifying injuries include fractures, significant disfigurement, permanent limitation of a body organ or member, and injuries preventing normal activities for 90 days within 180 days of the accident.
Statute of Limitations
New York’s statute of limitations gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, evidence disappears quickly. Witness memories fade. Surveillance footage gets deleted. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your claim.
Comparative Fault
New York follows pure comparative negligence rules. You can recover damages even if you share some fault for the accident. Your recovery gets reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
Insurance companies aggressively argue that cyclists caused their own injuries. They blame you for not wearing a helmet, riding outside the bike lane, or failing to signal. An experienced attorney counters these arguments with evidence.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Brooklyn, NY Bicycle Accident?
Bicycle accidents often cause severe injuries because cyclists have no protection from impact. Compensation in these cases can be substantial.
Economic Damages
These cover your measurable financial losses:
• Emergency room visits, surgeries, and hospitalization
• Ongoing rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Future medical treatment for permanent injuries
• Lost wages while you recover
• Reduced earning capacity if injuries affect your ability to work
• Bicycle replacement or repair
• Adaptive equipment if needed
• Transportation costs during recovery
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, hundreds of cyclists die in traffic crashes annually, and thousands more suffer serious injuries. The CDC injury data confirms that bicycle accidents cause significant trauma requiring extensive medical care.
Non-Economic Damages
New York allows compensation for pain and suffering, including:
• Physical pain from injuries and medical treatment
• Emotional distress and anxiety about riding again
• Loss of enjoyment of cycling and other activities
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement from road rash
• Loss of consortium affecting your relationship with your spouse
Bicycle accidents frequently cause brain injuries when cyclists strike the pavement. Even with a helmet, the force of impact can cause concussions or more severe trauma. Soft tissue injuries, back injuries, and neck injuries are also common.
Punitive Damages
When a driver’s conduct is particularly egregious, such as road rage or drunk driving, New York courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer.
Contact Rosenberg & Rodriguez Personal Injury Lawyers
If you were injured in a bicycle accident in Brooklyn, our firm can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
We offer free consultations to accident victims. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and answer your questions. No obligation. No pressure.
Our contingency fee arrangement means you pay nothing unless we win. We advance all costs and only collect a fee when you recover compensation.
With over 100 combined years of experience, our attorneys understand the unique challenges cyclists face when pursuing injury claims. We know how to counter insurance company tactics and maximize your recovery.
Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation. Evening and weekend appointments are available.
Bicycle Accident Statistics in Brooklyn
In 2024, 1,485 bicyclists were injured and 8 were killed on Brooklyn streets, the highest totals of any borough, according to the NYC DOT crash data report. Cyclist fatalities accounted for over 15% of all traffic deaths in Brooklyn that year. Areas like Downtown Brooklyn, Williamsburg, Bushwick, East Flatbush, and Sunset Park have been identified as hot spots for bike crashes. Nationally, the NHTSA bicycle safety data reported 1,103 cyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2024 and over 52,000 injured. The majority of fatal crashes occurred in urban areas, and over half happened in dark conditions. NYC ended 2025 with its lowest traffic fatalities in recorded history following expanded protected bike lane construction, but Brooklyn still leads the city in cyclist injuries. Riding in Brooklyn carries serious risk, and cyclists who are injured by negligent drivers need attorneys who know how to fight back.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Brooklyn
Not every bike crash happens the same way. The cause of the accident affects who is liable, what evidence matters, and how the insurance company responds. At Rosenberg & Rodriguez Personal Injury Lawyers, we have represented injured cyclists in Brooklyn, NY across every type of collision on this list. Our firm recovered $275,000 for a cyclist who sustained a head injury after being struck by a vehicle.
Distracted driving. This is the leading cause of bicycle accidents in Brooklyn and across New York City. Drivers who are texting, scrolling through apps, eating, or adjusting GPS lose sight of cyclists in their path. A driver looking at a phone screen for five seconds at 25 mph covers the length of a football field without watching the road. Cyclists in bike lanes and at intersections are the ones who pay the price.
Failure to yield. Drivers making turns at intersections frequently fail to yield to cyclists who have the right of way. Left-turning drivers focus on oncoming vehicle traffic and don’t see the rider coming straight through the intersection. Right-turning drivers cut across bike lanes without checking. Both situations cause violent collisions that produce serious injuries.
Dooring. When a parked driver or passenger opens a car door directly into a cyclist’s path, the rider has no time to react. These crashes throw cyclists into the door, onto the pavement, or into oncoming traffic. Dooring accidents are extremely common in Brooklyn’s denser neighborhoods where parked cars line every street.
Speeding. The faster a vehicle is moving, the less time the driver has to react to a cyclist and the more severe the impact. Speed-related crashes are more likely to cause traumatic brain injuries, back injuries, and fatalities.
Unsafe lane changes. Drivers who change lanes without checking mirrors or blind spots sideswipe cyclists riding in adjacent lanes or bike lanes. These collisions send riders crashing into parked cars, curbs, or the pavement at speed.
Blocked bike lanes. Delivery trucks, rideshare vehicles, and double-parked cars force cyclists out of protected bike lanes and into general traffic. When a cyclist has to swerve around an obstruction, the risk of being struck by a passing vehicle increases dramatically. The NYC DOT has expanded protected lanes, but enforcement of parking violations in those lanes remains inconsistent.
Drunk and impaired driving. Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs have impaired reaction times, reduced peripheral vision, and poor judgment. Cyclists struck by drunk drivers often suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries.
Poor road conditions. Potholes, broken pavement, missing manhole covers, and crumbling bike lanes cause cyclists to lose control or swerve into vehicle traffic. When a road defect causes a crash, the City of New York or the property owner responsible for the road surface may bear liability.
Brooklyn Bicycle Accident Lawyer FAQs
How much does it cost to hire Rosenberg & Rodriguez Personal Injury Lawyers for a bicycle accident?
Nothing out of pocket. We advance all investigation and litigation costs. You pay attorney fees only when we recover compensation for you.
Do I need a helmet to file a bicycle accident claim in Brooklyn?
No. New York does not require adults to wear helmets while cycling. Not wearing a helmet does not bar you from recovering compensation. However, insurance companies may argue it contributed to a head injury. Your bicycle accident attorney in Brooklyn will counter that argument with medical evidence.
What should I do right after a bicycle accident in Brooklyn, NY?
Call 911. Get emergency medical care, even if you feel okay at first. Some injuries take days to show symptoms. Photograph the scene, your bicycle, the vehicle, and your injuries. Collect driver and witness information. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company. Contact a Brooklyn bicycle accident lawyer before speaking with an adjuster.
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in New York?
Three years from the accident date under the statute of limitations. If a city vehicle, MTA bus, or road defect caused the crash, a notice of claim must be filed within 90 days. Contact an attorney quickly.
What compensation can I recover after a bicycle accident in Brooklyn?
Medical expenses, lost wages, future treatment costs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, property damage to your bicycle and gear, and loss of enjoyment of activities. Cases involving permanent injuries, surgeries, or long-term rehabilitation result in substantially higher recoveries.
What if the driver who hit me fled the scene?
Hit-and-run bicycle crashes happen frequently in Brooklyn. You may pursue compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage or through New York’s Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation. We also work with police and surveillance evidence to identify the driver.
Can I file a claim if I was partially at fault for the bicycle accident?
Yes. New York’s comparative negligence rules allow you to recover compensation even if you share some fault. Your award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. If you were 20% at fault and damages total $150,000, you receive $120,000.
What types of injuries are common in Brooklyn bicycle accidents?
How do insurance companies fight bicycle accident claims?
Adjusters blame the cyclist. They claim you weren’t visible, were riding outside the bike lane, ran a red light, or failed to signal. They dispute the severity of your injuries and argue that treatment was unnecessary. Having a bicycle accident lawyer in Brooklyn, NY forces them to deal with someone who knows their tactics.
Does New York’s no-fault law apply to bicycle accidents?
Cyclists struck by vehicles can access no-fault PIP benefits through the driver’s insurance for initial medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of fault. To sue for pain and suffering, you must meet the “serious injury” threshold under New York Insurance Law. Fractures, permanent limitations, and injuries preventing normal activities for 90 out of 180 days all qualify.
Local Information for Brooklyn Bicycle Accident Cases
Most Dangerous Locations for Cyclists in Brooklyn
Cyclist injuries in Brooklyn concentrate in specific neighborhoods and corridors where high traffic volume intersects with inadequate cycling infrastructure.
Downtown Brooklyn (Flatbush Avenue and Atlantic Avenue). This intersection near Barclays Center is one of the most dangerous in the borough for all road users. Heavy vehicle traffic, buses, and rideshare activity create constant hazards for cyclists.
Williamsburg (Bedford Avenue and Grand Street). Dense nightlife, commercial activity, and double-parked vehicles force cyclists into traffic lanes. This neighborhood consistently records among the highest cyclist injury counts in the city.
Bushwick (Knickerbocker Avenue and Myrtle Avenue). Growing development and limited protected bike lanes put riders at risk, especially during commuting hours.
East Flatbush (Flatbush Avenue south of Clarkson). Long stretches without protected cycling infrastructure and fast-moving vehicle traffic create dangerous conditions for cyclists.
Sunset Park (Fourth Avenue). Wide, fast-moving traffic corridors with commercial truck activity and limited bike lane protection produce frequent collisions.
Park Slope to Downtown (Fourth Avenue corridor). Despite some recent improvements, this corridor remains one of Brooklyn’s most crash-prone routes for cyclists.
What Are Important Local Resources for Brooklyn Bicycle Accidents
If you’ve been injured in a cycling crash in Brooklyn, these resources may be helpful.
NYC 311 — Report road hazards, potholes, and obstructed bike lanes: 311
Rosenberg & Rodriguez Personal Injury Lawyers does not endorse any of the organizations listed above. These resources are provided for informational purposes only.
About the Attorneys
Laura Rosenberg has practiced personal injury law in New York and New Jersey since 2001. She is a member of the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer consecutively. Our firm has a Brooklyn office at 1411 President Street, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11235, and recovered $275,000 for a cyclist who suffered a head injury after being struck by a vehicle.
What Our Clients Say
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Great and professional team. Highly recommended. The para Roxanna worked overtime on my case.” — Carrie Lawrence
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Contact Rosenberg & Rodriguez Personal Injury Lawyers
If you were injured while riding a bicycle in Brooklyn, NY, our firm is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. We will explain your legal options and answer your questions. There is no cost to schedule a consultation and no legal fees unless we recover for you. Contact us today to speak with a bicycle accident lawyer at Rosenberg & Rodriguez Personal Injury Lawyers.
In 2024, 1,485 bicyclists were injured and 8 were killed on Brooklyn streets, the highest totals of any borough, according to the NYC DOT crash data report. Cyclist fatalities accounted for over 15% of all traffic deaths in Brooklyn that year. Areas like Downtown Brooklyn, Williamsburg, Bushwick, East Flatbush, and Sunset Park have been identified as hot spots for bike crashes. Nationally, the NHTSA bicycle safety data reported 1,103 cyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2024 and over 52,000 injured. The majority of fatal crashes occurred in urban areas, and over half happened in dark conditions. NYC ended 2025 with its lowest traffic fatalities in recorded history following expanded protected bike lane construction, but Brooklyn still leads the city in cyclist injuries. Riding in Brooklyn carries serious risk, and cyclists who are injured by negligent drivers need attorneys who know how to fight back.
