A bicycle accident can change your life in seconds. One moment, you may be riding to work, traveling through a bike lane, or enjoying a ride through New York City. The next, you may be facing painful injuries, medical treatment, time away from work, and uncertainty about what comes next.
At Goidel & Siegel, our New York City bicycle injury lawyers represent cyclists who have been seriously injured because of another person’s negligence. We understand that bicycle accidents are not simply “minor traffic accidents.” Because bicyclists have little protection from the force of a car, truck, or other vehicle, a collision can result in devastating and life-changing injuries.
If you or someone you love was injured in a bicycle accident in New York City, you may have the right to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. Our attorneys can investigate the accident, identify the responsible parties, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Cyclists share New York City’s streets with cars, trucks, buses, pedestrians, and other road users, yet they have none of the protective features available to occupants of motor vehicles. There is no seatbelt, airbag, or metal frame surrounding a bicyclist during a collision.
Even a crash at a relatively low speed can cause serious injuries when a cyclist is thrown from a bicycle or struck by a much larger vehicle.
New York law generally recognizes bicyclists as legitimate users of the roadway. Cyclists have rights and responsibilities under the rules of the road, and drivers must take reasonable care to avoid causing them harm. The New York State Department of Transportation and NYC DOT both emphasize that traffic laws apply to and protect bicyclists.
Unfortunately, drivers do not always give cyclists the attention and space they need to travel safely.
Bicycle accidents can happen almost anywhere in New York City, including busy intersections, residential streets, bike lanes, parking areas, and near construction zones. Some of the most common causes include:
The moments immediately before a bicycle accident often provide important evidence about what happened. Traffic camera footage, surveillance video, vehicle damage, witness statements, police reports, and physical evidence may all help establish how the collision occurred and who was responsible.
Intersections can be particularly dangerous for cyclists. Drivers may focus on other cars and pedestrians while failing to notice a bicyclist traveling alongside them or approaching from a bike lane.
A driver making a right or left turn may cross directly into a cyclist’s path. In other cases, a motorist may fail to yield, run a traffic signal, or make an unsafe maneuver without checking for nearby bicycles.
NYC DOT notes that a significant portion of serious cycling injuries occur at intersections, making careful investigation of intersection crashes especially important.
After a serious bicycle accident, determining who had the right-of-way and whether a driver violated a traffic rule can be critical to a personal injury claim.
The human body is vulnerable when a cyclist collides with a motor vehicle or is thrown onto the pavement. Bicycle accident injuries may require emergency medical treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
Common injuries include:
Some injuries may not immediately appear serious. Symptoms of a head, neck, or internal injury can develop or worsen over time. Seeking prompt medical attention after a bicycle accident can protect your health and create important documentation of your injuries.
Every bicycle accident is different. Depending on the circumstances, one or more parties may be legally responsible for a cyclist’s injuries.
Potentially liable parties may include:
A driver who was speeding, distracted, impaired, or otherwise driving carelessly may be responsible for the harm caused by a collision.
Accidents involving delivery trucks, commercial vehicles, and other business-owned vehicles can raise additional questions about employer responsibility and corporate insurance coverage.
Dangerous road conditions, defective infrastructure, or unsafe street design may contribute to some bicycle accidents. Claims involving a government entity can involve special rules and strict deadlines, making it important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Construction activity, debris, unsafe access areas, or other hazards may sometimes contribute to a bicycle crash. An investigation can determine whether a property owner, contractor, or another party failed to maintain a reasonably safe environment.
Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto an injured cyclist. They may argue that the cyclist was traveling too quickly, was not visible enough, or should have taken action to avoid the collision.
However, being accused of contributing to an accident does not necessarily prevent an injured person from recovering compensation. New York’s comparative negligence rules may allow an injured person to pursue damages even when they are found partially responsible for an accident.
An experienced bicycle injury lawyer can examine the complete circumstances rather than accepting an insurance company’s version of events.
A serious bicycle accident can create financial and personal losses that extend far beyond the initial emergency room visit. Depending on the circumstances of the case, compensation may be available for:
The value of a claim depends on many factors, including the severity of the injuries, available insurance coverage, the evidence of negligence, and the long-term impact the accident has had on the injured person’s life.
Your actions after a crash can be important to both your health and your potential legal claim.
If possible, you should:
New York has specific reporting requirements for certain bicycle crashes, including crashes involving serious injury or death. Official state guidance also provides important rules regarding bicycle operation and accident reporting.
After a serious accident, you should be able to focus on your physical recovery instead of fighting with insurance companies. A bicycle accident lawyer can handle the legal process and work to protect important evidence before it disappears.
At Goidel & Siegel, our attorneys can:
We approach every case with the understanding that the consequences of a serious injury can affect an entire family. Our goal is to provide clear guidance while aggressively pursuing accountability from those responsible.
Insurance issues after a bicycle accident can be complicated. The available coverage may depend on how the crash occurred, the type of vehicle involved, and the insurance policies available to the parties.
An insurance company may contact you soon after an accident and attempt to resolve your claim before the full extent of your injuries is known. Accepting an early settlement may prevent you from seeking additional compensation later.
Before agreeing to a settlement or signing documents related to your accident, it is important to understand your rights and the potential long-term consequences of your injuries.
Bicycling is an important part of life in New York City. People ride bicycles to commute, exercise, visit friends and family, and navigate the five boroughs. NYC DOT continues to recognize cyclists as roadway users with the same general rights and responsibilities applicable to other traffic.
When another person’s negligence causes a serious bicycle accident, injured cyclists deserve to have their case taken seriously.
Goidel & Siegel represents injured individuals and families throughout New York City, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
A bicycle accident can leave you with questions about your injuries, your finances, and your future. You do not have to navigate the legal process alone.
The New York City bicycle injury lawyers at Goidel & Siegel are prepared to evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and fight for the compensation you may be entitled to recover.
Contact Goidel & Siegel today for a consultation and learn how our experienced personal injury attorneys can help after a serious bicycle accident in New York City.
You may have a personal injury claim if the driver’s negligence caused your accident and injuries. The specific facts of the collision, available evidence, and applicable insurance coverage will determine your legal options.
A collision in a bike lane does not automatically establish liability, but it can be important evidence. An attorney can investigate whether the driver violated traffic laws or failed to exercise reasonable care.
The answer depends on the circumstances of the case and the injuries involved. New York’s helmet requirements vary by age and situation. The absence of a helmet does not automatically mean a cyclist was responsible for causing an accident.
The deadline depends on the type of claim and who may be responsible. Claims involving government entities can have significantly shorter notice requirements. Because deadlines can affect your right to recover compensation, it is important to speak with an attorney promptly.
There is no standard value for a bicycle accident case. Compensation depends on the nature and severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, long-term consequences, liability, and available insurance coverage.
Not every accident requires legal representation, but speaking with an experienced attorney can be especially important when an accident causes serious injuries, liability is disputed, or an insurance company is pressuring you to settle.
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