Bicycle accidents are among the most potentially devastating types of traffic incidents. If a car crashes into you while you are on a bike, you have very little protection to keep you from suffering a truly catastrophic injury.
In the minutes, hours and days after such an accident, you might constantly ask yourself if you need a bicycle accident attorney and when the right time is to make the call. At Cellino Law, our team is waiting by the phones ready to answer your questions about how to secure the best outcome for your personal injury claim.
How Can a Bicycle Accident Attorney Help Me?
There are many unique factors to consider in a bicycle accident case that set them apart from a typical car accident. These complexities can make it difficult for you to navigate the ins and outs of an insurance claim on your own, especially when you should be focusing on recovery after receiving a catastrophic injury. Your bicycle accident lawyer will bear the legal burdens for you while you work toward a return to normalcy.
The personal injury lawyers at Cellino Law can support you by:
- Investigating the cause of your bicycle accident
- Collecting evidence and witness statements to establish who is at fault
- Handling paperwork and other tasks regarding your accident claim
- Negotiating with the insurance company and other lawyers
- Advocating for a fair settlement in court if necessary
The right time to get a bicycle accident attorney is immediately after a collision happens. This ensures that you have the guidance you need every step of the way, and our lawyers can even help you file your initial claim correctly.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents often occur due to negligence or a lack of care exhibited by at-fault motorists. Personal injury cases are rarely as simple as just saying that a driver was negligent, though, so it is important to understand the root causes of a driver’s recklessness so that your legal team can more clearly establish fault.
If you experience a bicycle accident due to any of these causes, you likely have a strong claim to compensation:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Failing to yield
- Aggressive or unsafe driving
- Motorists using or blocking the bike lane
After any of these types of accidents, a bicycle accident attorney can help you secure what is rightfully yours. Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive, so it is always best to contact a bicycle accident lawyer to discuss whether or not you have a case.
What Are the Bicycle Laws in New York?
Bicyclists share many of the same rights and responsibilities as anyone operating a motor vehicle on the roads of New York. Bicycles are free to use the road and other vehicles must allow them full use of a lane. However, this means that bicyclists must obey traffic signs and signals to the same extent as drivers. Other drivers must respect these rights and boundaries, being mindful of any bicycles that are on the road, checking blind spots for bikes that are hard to see and doing their due diligence to keep everyone safe.
New York bicycle law also encourages, but does not enforce, that bicyclists should wear a helmet, use the road rather than the sidewalk and use a bike lane wherever possible. New York law does, however, prohibit having a passenger above the age of 1 on your bicycle. Violating any laws that apply to bicyclists can have a negative impact on your personal injury claim, so be sure to consult with your bicycle accident attorney to make sure that you were on the right side of the law at the time of the collision.
What Else Should I Do After a Bicycle Accident?
In addition to contacting your bicycle accident attorney as soon as reasonably possible after sustaining an injury, there are a few other steps you should follow to ensure your safety and well-being. These not only benefit your health but also serve to get your personal injury claim started on the right note so that you have the best chance at a favorable settlement down the line.
A few things you should prioritize in the minutes and hours after a bicycle accident include:
- Contact the police and wait for officers to arrive at the scene
- Seeking immediate medical attention, even if you do not notice pain or symptoms
- Exchange information with the driver
- Document the accident if it is safe for you to do so
- Start the insurance claim process
When it comes to documenting your accident, collecting evidence from the scene, talking to witnesses and maintaining medical records related to your injuries, a bicycle accident attorney can be a valuable source of support every step of the way.
What Do I Need To Know About Bicycle Insurance?
When you suffer injuries or property damage in a bicycle accident, it goes without saying that receiving financial compensation is important for helping you recover from the monetary blow and getting you back to a state of normalcy. If a motorist is directly responsible for the accident, then you can expect to receive a settlement from their own insurance company. However, you might also wonder how your own insurance policy can help you.
Bicycle insurance commonly covers medical payments, replacement costs and certain other expenses you incur as a result of an accident that happens while you are riding a bike. You might already have bicycle insurance as part of a homeowners or renters insurance policy. Otherwise, it may be worthwhile to explore your bicycle insurance options if you are a frequent rider.
When Should I Contact a Bicycle Accident Attorney?
It is in your best interest to hire a bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible after an accident, regardless of who is at fault. Every case is unique, though, and your circumstances might not seem so cut and dry when it comes to deciding whether or not hiring a lawyer is the right course of action. With that in mind, it is best to keep in mind a few scenarios when having a bicycle accident lawyer on your side can make the most difference:
- When you sustain a major injury that necessitates significant compensation
- When the insurance company denies your claim
- When the insurance company tries to lowball you or reduce your settlement
- When you need help establishing fault for the accident
- When you have any questions regarding your accident or your claim
If you are struggling to determine if you need help dealing with the aftermath of a bicycle accident, carefully consider the above situations. If any of them resemble what you are going through, then you are going through a time when you need a bicycle accident lawyer.
Contact a Manhattan Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
Bicycles are a popular mode of transportation all across New York State, but especially on the streets of Manhattan. When city drivers let aggression and recklessness take over, it can have catastrophic implications for exposed bicyclists. At Cellino Law, our bicycle accident attorneys are there for you when you need legal help the most. Contact us today by calling (888) 888-8888 and learn more about how we can help you achieve the best possible outcome for your claim.