Every year, more and more New York City commuters are choosing to bike to work. While this is great for our planet and those cyclists’ health, it’s not always the safest way to get from here to there. Our city streets are bustling 24/7, and motorists aren’t always as attentive as they should be. In short, the more bicycles on the road, the greater the potential for bicycle accidents.
If you or someone you know has recently been injured in a bicycle crash, contact the top New York bicycle accident lawyers at The Ashley Law Firm. Our experienced personal injury attorneys will advise you of your legal rights if you are the injured party or if a family member was injured or killed. Delivering the justice you deserve is our No. 1 priority.
The Lowdown on New York Bike Accidents
New York City can be a dangerous place for bicyclists, whether they’re riding for business or for pleasure. When an accident does happen and a cyclist is injured or killed by a motor vehicle in the city, the accident is most often caused by a reckless driver. Motorists in New York City are easily distracted — by their car stereos, a new text message, their children in the back seat and even other New York City motorists.
This inattention can have dire results. According to the NYC Department of Transportation’s annual Bicycle Crash Data Report, the year 2018 saw 60,652 New York bicyclists injured by motor vehicles and more than 200 fatalities. Because most cyclists are protected only by a helmet, they can suffer several types of personal injury from bicycle accidents:
- Broken bones
- Herniated discs
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal damage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Injury to internal organs such as the liver and kidneys
Distracted drivers aren’t the only cause of bicycle accidents in New York. Intoxicated motorists and new drivers, as well as poor road conditions, are also commonly to blame. No matter who is negligent, the bike accident lawyers at The Ashley Law Firm will find them and hold them accountable. Even if the motorist flees the scene, your bike accident attorney will work with insurance to get you the compensation you deserve.
How To Ride Safe in New York NY
When you need a bicycle accident attorney in New York, we’re ready to answer the call. We hope we don’t have to, though. We’d rather see you reach your destination safely. To that end, your best protection against personal injury is to follow all NYC bicycle laws and the basic rules of the road:
- Wear a helmet and ensure that it fits properly.
- Ride with the flow of traffic, not against it.
- Obey all stop signs and lights.
- Turn your lights on while riding after dark.
- Don’t assume drivers see you, even when they should.
- Use bike lanes when available.
- Don’t ride on the sidewalk.
What To Do After a Bike Accident
No matter how safe you are on the streets of New York, some accidents are unavoidable. Before you call your New York bicycle accident lawyer, there a few steps you should take in the immediate aftermath of a collision.
Call 911
Contact the police and call for an ambulance right away. If you can’t make the call yourself, ask a witness or other person nearby to do so promptly. Seek medical attention as needed, and make sure you’re thorough with the doctor. Your medical records are evidence of your injury and the extent of the damage done.
Don’t Move Your Bike
Leave your bike in the state that it was in post-crash. This will help law enforcement document the accident.
File a Police Report
It’s important that you stay on the scene and fill out a police report. This serves as official documentation of the accident and will include important details, including the names of witnesses.
Collect Contact Information
Keeping calm after a crash can be challenging, but it’s imperative that you obtain the following information at the site of the accident:
- The driver’s name, license plate number and insurance information
- The name of any passengers in the vehicle that caused the crash
- The names and contact information of any witnesses
- The police officer’s business card
Take Photos and Video
Use your cell phone to take photos and, if possible, videos of the accident scene, including any new damage to your bike and the driver’s car or truck. Document your bodily injuries, too. If you’re unable to, ask someone to help.
Don’t Admit Fault or Negotiate
Collect the driver’s information, but refrain from commenting on the accident itself, especially with regards to what happened or who may be at fault.
Don’t Call Your Insurance Company Until You’ve Called Us
Before you begin the insurance claim process, you should always talk to your New York bicycle accident lawyer.
NYC’s Best Bike Accident Lawyer
The Ashley Law Firm is a top New York bicycle accident injury firm. We fight for our clients while maintaining our integrity and compassion every step of the way. A strong, dedicated attorney-client relationship is the cornerstone of our injury law and we’re prepared to do whatever it takes to get crash victims the justice and the compensation that they deserve after an accident.
