Your Trusted Bicycle Accidents Attorneys in NYC
The Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm our bike accident attorneys have represented thousands of people who have suffered injuries on the streets of New York – in taxis, on buses, and on bicycles, including Citibikes, motorcycles, scooters, e-scooters, and Revels.
New York has become a haven for cyclists. There are newly designed bike lanes throughout the city, providing access to safe riding in all of the five boroughs of the city. According to the New York Times, Why 250 Miles of Bike Lanes are Being Built, (Oct. 29, 2019), the City is gearing up to have a total of 250 miles of protected bike lanes available for its many riders. Why the sudden surge in protected bike lanes? As cycling has become more prevalent, we have seen an uptick in the number of bicycle accidents and injuries suffered by cyclists. According to the Times article mentioned above, 2019 has brought with it “25 cyclists killed by cars on city streets, the highest toll in two decades and 15 more than last year — [and] has led to criticism that the city is failing to protect bike riders.” That number is on the rise every week, and New York bicycle accident attorneys like the Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm have had their hands full.
The New York bicycle accident lawyers at the Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm have a great deal of experience in these personal injury and accident cases. We treat our clients like we treat our own family members and make sure that every stone is unturned and every avenue for recovery is pursued. We offer free consultations in cases of serious personal injuries, please call our office today, 212-869-3500.
Bicycle Accidents Are Common in New York City
Bicyclists face unique hazards on New York City’s hectic roadways. Drivers of passenger automobiles, MTA vehicles and buses, and large commercial trucks frequently fail to see bicyclists when they are cycling in a designated bike lane or participating in a traffic lane.
Some of the more common causes of accidents and injuries include:
• Bicycle crashes and bicyclists “doored” or struck by motorists;
• Recreational cyclists injured by roadway defects or hazards;
• Delivery and other working cyclists injured on the job; and
• Bicyclists injured by intentional acts or victims of road rage, often by a hit-and-run driver.
Bicyclists can suffer serious injuries. We have seen injured cyclists and every sort of bicycle accident injury from broken legs and arms and fingers to damaged spinal cords and broken collar bones. There have even been recent cases of wrongful deaths with respect to bicyclists.
What Are the Laws on Bicycle Law in New York City?
In New York, the law is very protective and clear as to the rights of cyclists and punishes negligent drivers.
For example, our bicycling traffic laws require:
• Cars must keep bike lanes clear at all times;
• It is against the law to park, stand, or stop within or otherwise obstruct bike lanes (RCNY § 4-08 (e)(9));
• Motor vehicles shall not drive on or across bike lanes (RCNY § 4-12(p));
• If a car door injures a biker, the vehicle occupant is liable;
• It is illegal to get out of a vehicle in a manner which endangers cyclists (often referred to as “dooring”) (RCNY § 4-12(c));
• Drivers must exercise due care to avoid colliding with any bicyclist and shall give warnings by sounding their horns when necessary (VTL § 1146).
Even with all of the protections of the law, cyclists get hurt every day, the most devastating are brain injuries. The immediate concern of every crash victim is getting timely, high-quality medical treatment. But under New York’s no-fault laws, a crash victim must rely on no-fault insurance or may wind up paying for their own medical bills — even if they use personal health insurance.
How Will a Bicycle Injury Lawyer Help Me After Bike Accident?
We work with our clients get the maximum recovery from insurance companies in addition to a recovery on their personal injury claim. Medical expenses can be high in bicycle accident cases, and if there is a way to recover these expenses, our personal injury lawyer will help you do so.
Many of our clients who have suffered a bike crash, motorcycle, and car accident injuries are unable to work while they are recovering. And many of our clients are self-employed, work freelance, or have other unconventional employment arrangements, so the loss of income is very difficult for them and their families. We work with our clients to document their lost income properly so that an appropriate recovery can be obtained that takes into account these lost earnings.
Over the past 40 years, empathy, passion, and resilience have been trademark characteristics of The Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm. As a firm, we focus on fighting for the rights of bicycle accident victims who have been placed in vulnerable positions and are in need of legal support.
Bicycle Accidents Are Common in New York City
Bicyclists face unique hazards on New York City’s hectic roadways. Drivers of passenger automobiles, MTA vehicles and buses, and large commercial trucks frequently fail to see bicyclists when they are cycling in a designated bike lane or participating in a traffic lane.
Some of the more common causes of accidents and injuries include:
• Bicycle crashes and bicyclists “doored” or struck by motorists;
• Recreational cyclists injured by roadway defects or hazards;
• Delivery and other working cyclists injured on the job; and
• Bicyclists injured by intentional acts or victims of road rage, often by a hit-and-run driver.
Bicyclists can suffer serious injuries. We have seen injured cyclists and every sort of bicycle accident injury from broken legs and arms and fingers to damaged spinal cords and broken collar bones. There have even been recent cases of wrongful deaths with respect to bicyclists.
What Are the Laws on Bicycle Law in New York City?
In New York, the law is very protective and clear as to the rights of cyclists and punishes negligent drivers.
For example, our bicycling traffic laws require:
• Cars must keep bike lanes clear at all times;
• It is against the law to park, stand, or stop within or otherwise obstruct bike lanes (RCNY § 4-08 (e)(9));
• Motor vehicles shall not drive on or across bike lanes (RCNY § 4-12(p));
• If a car door injures a biker, the vehicle occupant is liable;
• It is illegal to get out of a vehicle in a manner which endangers cyclists (often referred to as “dooring”) (RCNY § 4-12(c));
• Drivers must exercise due care to avoid colliding with any bicyclist and shall give warnings by sounding their horns when necessary (VTL § 1146).
Even with all of the protections of the law, cyclists get hurt every day, the most devastating are brain injuries. The immediate concern of every crash victim is getting timely, high-quality medical treatment. But under New York’s no-fault laws, a crash victim must rely on no-fault insurance or may wind up paying for their own medical bills — even if they use personal health insurance.
How Will a Bicycle Injury Lawyer Help Me After Bike Accident?
We work with our clients get the maximum recovery from insurance companies in addition to a recovery on their personal injury claim. Medical expenses can be high in bicycle accident cases, and if there is a way to recover these expenses, our personal injury lawyer will help you do so.
Many of our clients who have suffered a bike crash, motorcycle, and car accident injuries are unable to work while they are recovering. And many of our clients are self-employed, work freelance, or have other unconventional employment arrangements, so the loss of income is very difficult for them and their families. We work with our clients to document their lost income properly so that an appropriate recovery can be obtained that takes into account these lost earnings.
Over the past 40 years, empathy, passion, and resilience have been trademark characteristics of The Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm. As a firm, we focus on fighting for the rights of bicycle accident victims who have been placed in vulnerable positions and are in need of legal support.