Riding a bicycle through the busy streets of New York can be stressful at the best of times. Motorists are often focused on watching other cars and may have a “blind spot” when it comes to cyclists. This is one of the main reasons New York bicycle accidents are common, placing cyclists in a vulnerable position. Bicycles are smaller and more likely to fare worse in a collision, leading to severe consequences for cyclists. Motorists frequently turn in front of bicycles or cut them off without noticing, creating dangerous situations.
Cyclists have the legal right to ride on New York streets, just as motorists do, but this right comes with significant risks. When a motorist collides with a cyclist, the motorist is typically held liable for negligence under New York’s traffic laws. At Cellino Law, our experienced New York bicycle accident lawyers are dedicated to holding negligent motorists accountable.
With decades of experience in personal injury cases, we thoroughly investigate accidents, gather evidence, and build strong claims to secure the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, contact the New York personal injury attorneys from Cellino Law at (888) 888-8888 to schedule a free case review. We’ll evaluate your case and guide you through the legal process to seek justice.
Whether you’re in New York City or elsewhere in the state, reach out today to discuss region-specific legal options and start your path to recovery.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in New York
Bicycle accidents in New York’s busy streets can stem from various causes, often tied to motorist negligence.
Failure to Yield on Turns
Motorists must ensure no traffic, including cyclists, is approaching before making a left-hand turn. Many fail to check for cyclists, focusing only on cars, which can lead to serious collisions. Right-hand turns also pose risks due to blind spots in rearview mirrors. Some drivers misjudge a cyclist’s speed or distance, cutting them off unsafely.
Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1141, motorists must yield to oncoming traffic, including cyclists, when turning. Failure to do so can establish liability in a personal injury claim.
Crossing Over a Bike Lane
Bike lanes are designated for cyclist safety, yet some drivers cross into them without caution, risking collisions and injuries.
New York City’s traffic rules mandate that drivers respect bike lanes. Crossing into a bike lane negligently can result in liability for any resulting injuries.
Failure to Stop at a Sign
Motorists who roll through stop signs may collide with cyclists who have the right of way, as cyclists often cannot stop or swerve in time to avoid a vehicle.
Violating New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1172, which requires a full stop at stop signs, can make a motorist liable for accidents caused by their failure to comply.
Failing to Look Before Opening Car Doors
“Dooring” accidents occur when motorists open car doors without checking for cyclists, causing collisions that can throw cyclists off their bikes and cause serious injuries.
New York law requires drivers to exercise caution when opening doors to avoid endangering others, and failure to do so can lead to liability under negligence principles.
Driving Very Close to a Bicycle
Motorists who tailgate cyclists risk rear-end collisions if the cyclist stops suddenly. Drivers must maintain a safe distance to allow for reaction time.
New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1129 prohibits following too closely, and violations can support a cyclist’s claim for damages.
Failure to Look Before Exiting Driveways
Motorists pulling out of driveways without checking for cyclists can cause dangerous collisions.
Drivers exiting private property must yield to all road users under New York law, and failure to do so can establish fault in an accident.
Speeding or Overly Aggressive Driving
Speeding and road rage increase accident risks, particularly for cyclists, who are more vulnerable in collisions. Aggressive driving behind a cyclist can lead to deadly outcomes.
Speeding violates New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1180, and aggressive driving can be considered reckless, strengthening a cyclist’s case.
Driving While Distracted
Distractions like phones or GPS devices contribute to accidents, as motorists fail to notice cyclists.
New York’s ban on handheld device use while driving (Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1225-c) makes distracted driving a clear basis for liability.
Driving While Intoxicated
Alcohol or drugs impair a driver’s ability to notice cyclists, slowing reaction times and increasing accident risks.
Driving under the influence violates New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1192, and intoxicated drivers are often held fully liable for resulting injuries.
At Cellino Law, we meticulously analyze the cause of your accident, using police reports, witness statements, and traffic law violations to build a robust case. Our goal is to maximize your compensation while you focus on healing.
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, call Cellino Law at (888) 888-8888 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
Don’t let a complex accident deter you from seeking justice. Contact us today to discuss your case, whether it occurred in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or elsewhere in New York. We’ll provide tailored advice to address local laws and circumstances.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
People who are involved in bike accidents often experience the following types of injury:
Head Trauma or Brain Injuries
Collisions with vehicles or the ground can cause concussions, skull fractures, or traumatic brain injuries with long-term or permanent effects.
Spinal Injuries
Spinal damage may lead to whiplash, partial, or complete paralysis.
Broken or Fractured Bones
Fractures commonly affect the collarbone, facial bones, hips, ankles, pelvis, or knees.
Sprains, Strains, and Dislocations
These injuries, while less severe, can still cause significant pain and recovery time.
Injuries to Internal Organs
Chest or abdominal impacts may damage internal organs, requiring lengthy recovery or causing permanent harm.
Cuts, Lacerations, and Other Soft Tissue Injuries
Bruises, abrasions, and lacerations are common but can still require medical attention and time off work.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, cyclists are involved in about 2% of fatal traffic accidents, with brain injuries and internal organ damage among the leading causes of death. Helmets reduce head injury risks, but brain damage can still occur.
Our attorneys at Cellino Law work with medical experts to document your injuries and their long-term impacts, ensuring your claim reflects the full extent of your damages, including future medical costs and lost earning potential.
If you’ve suffered injuries in a bicycle accident, call (888) 888-8888 to connect with our team. We’ll help you navigate New York’s legal system and pursue compensation, no matter where you are in the state.
Bicycle Laws in New York
New York’s bicycle laws aim to enhance road safety and prevent accidents by regulating cyclist and motorist behavior. Compliance with these laws can strengthen your case if you’re injured. The New York laws governing cyclists include:
Helmet Requirements
Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1238, cyclists and passengers under 14 must wear helmets. Failure to comply may reduce or bar compensation in some cases.
Locations for Cycling
New York State law requires cyclists to ride according to the flow of traffic. They must stay as close as possible to the right-hand side of the road. Cyclists can ride alongside one another if there are obstacles in the way, and in the vicinity of a left-hand turn. Cyclists are not permitted to lane split. This means they cannot ride between two lanes of traffic.
In New York, cyclists are not permitted to ride on the sidewalk unless there are signs that explicitly allow them to do this. They are also expected to stay within bike lanes if those are available.
Riding When Intoxicated
Bicycles are not classified as vehicles under New York law, so cycling while intoxicated isn’t explicitly illegal. However, unsafe riding due to intoxication can lead to citations or reduced compensation if it contributes to an accident.
New York’s comparative negligence doctrine (Civil Practice Law & Rules Section 1411) allows partially at-fault cyclists to recover damages, reduced by their percentage of fault. This makes skilled legal representation critical to minimizing your liability.
At Cellino Law, we leverage our deep understanding of New York’s bicycle laws to protect your rights. Even if you violated a traffic law, we can argue comparative negligence to secure the compensation you’re entitled to.
Unsure how New York’s laws apply to your accident? Contact Cellino Law at (888) 888-8888 for a free consultation. We’ll clarify your rights and provide region-specific guidance to strengthen your claim.
How are Faults and Damages Determined
In New York, determining fault in a bicycle accident is critical to establishing liability. While cyclists often sustain the most severe injuries, fault isn’t automatically assigned to the motorist. A thorough investigation is needed to identify the responsible party.
New York’s no-fault insurance system doesn’t apply to cyclists, meaning you can pursue a claim directly against the at-fault party for all damages, including pain and suffering, without needing to meet a serious injury threshold.
Fault may be shared if the cyclist was intoxicated, violated traffic laws, or acted negligently. In multi-party accidents, such as when a motorist swerves to avoid another negligent driver, liability can be complex.
Our attorneys conduct detailed investigations, using accident reconstruction experts, traffic camera footage, and witness testimony to prove fault and maximize your recovery.
How do New York Bicycle Accident Attorneys Prove Liability?
After an accident, it is important that there is a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to its occurrence. Contributing factors can be complex and there may be multiple parties who were at fault. If your accident was caused by more than one person, then an experienced New York bicycle accident lawyer can help you pursue each party to obtain the maximum compensation.
New York State allows bicycle accident victims to pursue compensation from all at-fault parties. Anyone who was negligent, careless or reckless can be pursued for compensation. This means you can pursue:
- Other drivers
- Other cyclists
- Pedestrians
- The manufacturers of the vehicles involved
- The employer of a commercial driver
- A government entity
- Public transportation organizations
New York’s joint and several liability rule allows you to recover full damages from any at-fault party, even if others share responsibility, ensuring you’re not shortchanged.
Our team identifies all potential defendants, from negligent drivers to government agencies, and builds a compelling case to hold them accountable. We handle every detail, from filing claims to negotiating settlements.
If your accident involved multiple parties or complex circumstances, call (888) 888-8888. We’ll assess your case and pursue every avenue for compensation, tailored to your location in New York.
What if a Claim is Made Against You?
Insurance companies or motorists may try to blame you to avoid paying compensation. These claims are often baseless, but they can complicate your case. At Cellino Law, we counter these tactics with evidence to prove the other party’s fault or minimize your liability under New York’s comparative negligence laws.
Comparative negligence ensures you can still recover damages even if partially at-fault, but the amount is reduced by your percentage of fault. Skilled legal representation is essential to limit this percentage.
We excel at reducing our clients’ share of fault, using expert testimony and detailed evidence to strengthen your claim and secure the highest possible compensation.
Facing accusations of fault? Don’t let insurance companies intimidate you. Contact Cellino Law at (888) 888-8888 for a free consultation to protect your rights, wherever you are in New York.
Contact A New York Bicycle Accident Lawyer At Cellino Law Today
Call our New York injury firm to book a no-obligation consultation and start work on disproving any attempts to attribute fault to you. We are here to help you get the compensation that you are entitled to and to ensure that the claims process goes as smoothly as possible, allowing you to focus on the most important thing – healing and getting back to normal life after your bicycle accident.
Our experienced team handles every aspect of your case, from disproving false claims to negotiating with insurance companies, so you can focus on healing. We’re committed to making the claims process smooth and stress-free.
Whether you’re in New York City, Long Island, or upstate, our bicycle accident attorneys are ready to fight for you. Reach out today to discuss your accident and learn how we can help you recover, tailored to your local legal landscape.
