New York Bicycle Accident Lawyer

The most common causes of bicycle accidents in New York include: 

• Speeding 
• Running a stop sign 
• Being distracted while driving 
• Being drunk while driving 
• Taking an unsafe turn 
• Opening a car door in the way of a cyclist 
• Failure to leave enough distance between the vehicle and the bicycle 
• Failure to yield the right of way 
• Crossing an intersection at a yellow light 
• Cycling against the traffic 
• Cycling at night 
• Road defects 
• Missing bike infrastructure, such as bike lanes or barriers 

The most common types of bicycle accident cases in New York include: 

• Bike lane accidents 
• Hit-and-run accidents 
• Citi-Bike accidents 
• Bus accidents 
• Truck accidents 
• Motor vehicle accidents 
• Pedestrian accidents 
• Dooring accidents 

A dooring accident, also known as car dooring or simply dooring, occurs when a driver or a passenger opens the door of a motor vehicle and hits a cyclist. 

The most common injuries in a bicycle accident include: 

• Fractures 
• Back and neck injuries 
• Chest injuries 
• Head injuries and concussions 
• Traumatic brain injuries 
• Spinal cord injuries 
• Soft tissue injuries 
• Organ damage 
• Amputations 
• Paralysis 
• Wrongful death 

After a bicycle accident injury, you can claim compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation
• Physical therapy
• Household services expenses
• Temporary or permanent disability
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Property damage

Bike insurance can keep you covered against theft of or damage to your bike or bike equipment. However, in most cases this insurance policy does not cover the physical injuries you may suffer as a result of an accident with a motor vehicle or another cyclist. 

Talk to our experienced bicycle attorneys at Spar & Bernstein to determine what compensation you can claim under: 

• Your auto insurance 
• Your homeowner’s policy 
• Your additional bike insurance 

After a bicycle accident in New York: 

• Call 911 to seek medical attention 
• Unless you need to be urgently transported to the hospital, do not leave the accident area until the police arrive 
• If your condition allows, take pictures and videos of the accident scene, your injuries, the damage to the property and the position of the vehicles  
• Collect information about the precinct and the police officers on the scene and make sure you get a copy of the accident report 
• Collect the insurance details of the parties involved in the accident 
• Write down the contact details of witnesses 
• Refrain from posting information about the accident on social media, as this can harm your case 
• Speak to a knowledgeable bicycle attorney 

According to the New York Department of Transportation: 

• Adults are not mandated to wear a helmet when cycling 
• Riders and bike passengers under the age of 14 must wear safety certified bicycle helmets  

• Children between 1 and 4 years of age must be transported in child safety seats specifically designed for bicycles and wear a helmet 
• Children under 1 year of age must not be transported by bike 

Parents or guardians who break these laws risk a fine of $50. 

Note that certain New York communities require all cyclists, regardless of their age, to wear a helmet. 

If you suffered injuries on a bike in a hit-and-run accident: 

• Write down the license plate number of the vehicle that hit you 
• Call 911 and provide as much information as you are able to remember, including details about the accident location, the driver and the vehicle  
• Check whether you have Uninsured Motorist (UM) liability coverage to cover your medical bills if police are unable to locate or identify the driver responsible for the accident 
• Contact the knowledgeable bicycle accident attorneys at Spar & Bernstein 

It is up to you to decide if you want to file a lawsuit. Typically, the majority of bicycle accidents claims are resolved without the need for a trial, with your personal injury attorney negotiating fair compensation with the insurance company of the other party. 

Contact our bicycle attorneys at Spar & Bernstein to schedule a free initial consultation and discuss your case.  

To file a lawsuit against the municipality or a government agency after a bicycle accident in New York, you must: 

• Submit a Notice of Claim within 90 days after the accident 
• File a lawsuit within one year and 90 days after the accident 

If you were a minor when your bicycle accident occurred, the statute of limitations applies only after you turn 18. 

With 773,000 New Yorkers riding a bike several times a month, 530,000 cycling trips daily and 1,375 lane miles of bike lanes, bicycle accidents are quite common in the city. In 2018 alone, there were 18,718 bicycle accidents in New York. 

To minimize the chance of a bicycle accident while riding your bike: 

• Ensure your bicycle is the right size for your height 
• Check your brakes 
• Use lights during the day and a headlight during the night 
• Wear a helmet regardless of whether the law allows you to ride a bike without one 
• Hold the handlebars with both hands 
• Don’t speed 
• Don’t wear headphones that may impact your perception of traffic noise, approaching vehicles, sirens, traffic horns or people yelling