Manhattan Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Trusted Bicycle Accident Lawyers In Manhattan, NY
Biking is an excellent mode of transportation in Manhattan, particularly during rush hour when traffic can be heavy. Bikes are eco-friendly and provide a healthy alternative to sitting in traffic. Delivery people and messengers can utilize bikes for faster transportation than cars. Additionally, riding a bike is a fantastic way for people of all ages to exercise and appreciate the outdoors.
If you were in a bicycle accident in a busy city, caused by a careless motorist sharing the road, you may be eligible for compensation in civil court in New York. The Manhattan bicycle accident lawyers at Rosenberg & Rodriguez can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to discuss the circumstances of your bicycle accident, the injuries you sustained, and how it has affected your life.
Most Common Bicycle Accident Injuries In Manhattan
Bicycles are widely used in New York for transportation, recreation, and exercise. It is important to note that bicyclists are vulnerable to injuries on the road, as bicycles do not offer enough protection. As a result, when accidents happen, they often result in severe and catastrophic injuries. Sadly, a significant number of children are among those injured in bicycle accidents. The most common injuries sustained in these accidents include:
- Head injuries often result in skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries
- Facial injuries resulting in facial fractures such as jaw fractures or broken bones
- Broken bones in the legs, arms, shoulders, and the neck
- Chest trauma such as rib fractures or abdomen injuries such as rupture of the spleen, pancreatic trauma, or other internal injuries.
Common Causes Of Bicycle Accidents In Brooklyn
Accidents involving bicyclists are often caused by drivers who aren’t being careful. Drivers have a responsibility to take care not only of themselves but also of others on the road, including cyclists, motorists, passengers, and pedestrians. If a driver causes an accident that results in injuries or damages due to careless driving, they may be held responsible for the incident. Contributing factors to accidents caused by negligent drivers include:
- Driver fails to yield to a bicyclist at an intersection
- Motor vehicle turns left or right directly in front of a bicyclist
- Distracted or reckless driving near a bicyclist
- Motorist tailgates a bicyclist
- Motorist fails to properly share the road with bicyclists
- Motorist opening a door into the path of an oncoming bicyclist
- Motorist driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Time Is Of The Essence After A Bicycle Accident In Manhattan, NY
If you want to file a personal injury lawsuit in NYC, remember that the statute of limitations allows you three years to do so. However, keep in mind that there are stricter time limits for filing a claim against the NYC transportation authorities or for certain no-fault insurance claims. For instance, you must submit a formal notice to the city within 90 days to file a claim against the transportation authorities, and some no-fault insurance claims require you to file a claim within as little as 30 days to get coverage for your medical bills. Therefore, it’s best to take action promptly after an accident.
Remember that street conditions in New York can change rapidly. Delaying action could result in losing crucial evidence regarding the crash’s cause. Even if you’re still in recovery from your injuries, an attorney can assist you. Contact our Manhattan bicycle accident lawyers today, and we’ll begin investigating your case without delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Most Common Bicycle Accident Lawsuits In New York?
The majority of bicycle accident cases in New York involve:
- Contact with a motor vehicle that failed to yield the right-of-way at an intersection
- Collision with a vehicle that unexpectedly turned into the path of a cyclist, often making left turns in the path of an oncoming cyclist
- Motorists overtaking a bicyclist, often by misjudging the space needed to safely pass.
- Motorists, including trucks and buses, cause bicycle accidents by failing to share the road, forcing cyclists off the road or into a collision
- Negligent motorist opening a car door directly into a cyclist’s path, an all-too-common scenario in New York
Bicycle accidents can also happen because of specific factors that are related to riding a bicycle. These factors may include environmental conditions, such as:
- Defective roadway design or maintenance,
- Impaired visibility
- Poor road and path conditions, including potholes, road debris, maintenance problems, and even dog attacks.
Are There Specific Laws Regulating Bicyclists In New York City?
According to New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1231, bicyclists have the same rights and must follow the same rules as other vehicle operators on the road. However, the No-Fault Law in New York considers bicyclists as pedestrians and they qualify for No-Fault coverage in most situations.
New York has helmet laws for bicyclists outlined in Vehicle and Traffic Law §1238. Children under one year old cannot be passengers on a bicycle. Anyone under 14 years old, including both passengers and operators, must wear a helmet. Bicyclists who are 14 years or older are not required to wear a helmet.
What Type Of Bicycle Accident Injuries Can Be Prevented by Wearing a Helmet?
To fully understand the protection offered by a bicycle helmet, it’s important to know its limitations. A bicycle helmet may not prevent serious head or brain injury in impacts exceeding 15-20 miles per hour. US safety standards test helmets in 2-meter drops at a speed of around 14 miles per hour (22.5 kph) on a flat surface. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that people who wore helmets had an 85% lower risk of head injury and an 88% lower risk of brain injury.
To prevent minor head injuries, it’s important to reduce and distribute the force of the impact caused by linear acceleration of the skull hitting another object. Wearing bicycle helmets can help with this. However, more serious injuries often occur due to angular or rotational acceleration, which can cause diffuse axonal injury (DAI) and subdural hematoma (SDH). These are the most common brain injuries that result in chronic intellectual disability or even death in road crash victims. Bicycle helmets are not designed to mitigate rotational injuries, and research has not shown them to be effective in doing so.
Contact Our Manhattan Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today
Insurance companies may falsely accuse cyclists of causing an accident to minimize their own payout amounts. It’s important to stand up for your rights and not be intimidated by the insurance company. Our seasoned Manhattan bicycle accident lawyers at Rosenberg & Rodriguez can assist you in receiving the complete compensation you deserve. Contact our office at (718) 509-4960 for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.