New York City Bicycle Accident Attorney

Helping Injured Cyclists Get the Compensation They Deserve

Bicycle accidents aren’t just a matter of “scraping yourself off the pavement.” They can result in serious injuries and even death. Fortunately, injured cyclists have the right to file claims against the parties responsible for their injuries and losses.

At Irwin Law Firm, we are proud to stand up for the rights of injured cyclists. If you or someone you love was hurt in a bicycle accident, our New York City bicycle accident lawyer can help you understand your legal options and fight for the compensation you deserve. We have helped countless clients recover the full, fair value of their damages, and we are prepared to do the same for you.

To find out how our firm can help you, call us at (212) 203-4529 or contact us online today. We offer free initial consultations and contingency fees.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

If you are involved in a bicycle accident, it’s important that you take the right steps to protect your health and your rights. The moments, days, and weeks following a crash can be overwhelming, but there are a few things you should try to do as soon as possible.

After a bicycle accident, try to:

• Call 911: If you are able, call 911 to report the accident and request an ambulance. You should also try to get the name and badge number of the responding officer.
• Seek medical attention: Even if you don’t think you were hurt, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible after a bicycle accident. Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries and internal organ damage, may not be immediately apparent. Additionally, seeing a doctor right away can help you establish a link between the accident and your injuries, which can be important if you choose to file a personal injury claim.
• Get the driver’s information: If a driver was involved in the accident, ask for their name, phone number, and insurance information. You should also get the name and contact information of any witnesses to the crash.
• Take pictures: If you can, take pictures of your injuries, the accident scene, any property damage, and anything else you think may be relevant. You should also take pictures of the weather, traffic signs/signals, and anything else that may have contributed to the accident.
• Don’t apologize: Do not apologize to anyone after a bicycle accident, as this could be construed as an admission of fault.
• Keep records: Be sure to keep all records of your accident-related expenses, including medical bills, receipts for bike repairs, and any other documents that may be relevant to your case.
• Call a lawyer: An attorney can help you navigate the claims process and protect your right to pursue compensation. Remember, you should never talk to the insurance company before speaking to your lawyer.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Unfortunately, many bicycle accidents are the result of driver negligence. When drivers fail to uphold their duty of care to others on the road, they can be held liable for any resulting injuries and losses.

Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:

• Speeding: When drivers exceed the speed limit or drive too fast for the current road and weather conditions, they have less time to react to hazards and are more likely to lose control of their vehicles. This can make it difficult for drivers to avoid colliding with bicyclists.
• Distracted driving: Texting while driving is a major problem, but there are many other ways in which a driver can be distracted. When drivers are not fully focused on the road, they can easily fail to see bicyclists and other road users.
• Drunk driving: Consuming alcohol or using drugs before getting behind the wheel can significantly impair a driver’s ability to safely operate their vehicle. Drunk drivers may struggle to see bicyclists, follow traffic signs/signals, and/or maintain their lane of travel.
• Failing to yield: Motorists are required to yield the right of way to bicyclists when appropriate. Failing to do so is a common cause of bicycle-vehicle accidents.
• Opening car doors into traffic: Drivers and passengers need to be careful when opening their car doors, as they can easily hit bicyclists who are passing by. When a car door opens into traffic without warning, it can cause a bicyclist to crash into the door and/or be thrown into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
• Unsafe lane changes: Motorists must use their mirrors and check their blind spots before changing lanes. When drivers fail to do so, they can collide with bicyclists who are traveling in the adjacent lane.
• Unsafe turns: Drivers must always signal their turns and check for bicyclists and other road users before making a turn. When drivers fail to do so, they can cause serious accidents and injuries.
• Poor road conditions: Road hazards, such as potholes, debris, and uneven pavement, can cause bicyclists to lose control and crash. In some cases, local government entities can be held liable for failing to maintain safe roadways.
• Defective bicycles or bike parts: In some cases, bicycle accidents are caused by defective bicycles or bike parts. When a bicycle is defective, the manufacturer and/or distributor can be held liable for any resulting injuries.

These are just a few examples of the many ways in which bicycle accidents can occur. If someone else’s negligence caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Types of Bicycle Accident Compensation

After a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to various types of compensation, depending on the details of your case. This may include compensation for:

• Medical bills and expenses
• Lost wages and income
• Lost or reduced earning capacity
• Property damage
• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and emotional distress
• Disability and disfigurement
• Reduced quality of life
• Loss of consortium/companionship
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Funeral expenses and burial costs (in wrongful death cases)
• Loss of financial support (in wrongful death cases)
• Punitive damages (in cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct)

Keep in mind that New York’s no-fault insurance laws may affect your right to recover certain types of damages. Generally speaking, no-fault insurance allows you to recover compensation for your medical bills and expenses, lost wages (up to a certain amount), and other economic damages from your own insurance provider, regardless of fault. However, you may only be entitled to recover non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, if you have suffered a “serious injury” as defined by New York law.

Our NYC bicycle accident lawyer can help you understand how New York’s no-fault insurance laws may affect your case and what types of compensation you may be eligible to pursue.

How Our Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You

At Irwin Law Firm, we understand how overwhelming and stressful the aftermath of a bicycle accident can be. That’s why we are here to help you through each stage of the legal process. When you choose our firm, you can expect to receive personalized legal services and compassionate support from our entire team. We are always available to answer your questions and address your concerns, and we are prepared to fight for the maximum compensation you are owed.

When you choose our firm, you can expect us to:

• Conduct a thorough investigation of your accident: We will work to gather all available evidence, including the police report, pictures/videos of the accident scene, witness statements, and more. Our NYC bicycle accident attorney can also work with accident reconstruction experts and other specialists to help determine the cause of your crash and who is liable for your damages.
• Handle all communication with the insurance company: After a bicycle accident, the insurance company may try to contact you and get you to provide a recorded statement. They may also try to get you to accept a lowball settlement offer. We strongly recommend that you do not speak to the insurance company before consulting with an attorney. Our firm can handle all communication with the insurance company on your behalf and fight for a fair settlement or, if necessary, take your case to court.
• Ensure your claim is filed on time: In New York, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is three years from the date of the accident. If you fail to file your claim within this time frame, you will likely lose your right to recover compensation. Our firm can help ensure your claim is filed on time and that all other important deadlines are met.
• Calculate the full value of your damages: We can work with experts and specialists to help determine the full, fair value of your past and future damages. Our firm can then help you pursue the maximum compensation you are owed.
• Aggressively represent you at trial: While most personal injury claims settle out of court, we are not afraid to take your case to trial if necessary. Our firm is known for our aggressive approach to litigation and our ability to secure favorable verdicts for our clients.

Our New York City bicycle accident lawyer can help you navigate the claims process and fight for the maximum compensation you are owed. We are prepared to take on the insurance company and fight for justice on your behalf. And because we work on a contingency fee basis, you won’t owe any attorneys’ fees unless/until we recover compensation for you.

Discuss Your Case with Our NYC Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you were hurt or if your loved one was killed in a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. At Irwin Law Firm, we help injured cyclists and their families recover the compensation they deserve.

Call us at (212) 203-4529 or contact us online to learn more during a free, no-obligation consultation with our bicycle accident attorney in NYC.