Whether you use a bicycle to get around town or you ride for sport, cycling in New York City has become more dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Bicycle Accidents are a very real problem in NYC.
According to the New York City Department of Transportation, 2019 was the deadliest year in a decade for New York City bicyclists, with 27 fatalities compared with 10 the previous year. This was so despite the fact that the number of reported accidents decreased from 2018.
The data shows clearly that motorists are much more likely than bicyclists to cause accidents. In fact, police reports showed that the motorist was solely at fault in 45 percent of the crashes in 2018, accounting for the deaths of six cyclists. Those numbers skyrocketed in 2019 to 52 percent of collisions, resulting in 20 cyclist fatalities.
Additionally, the data shows a clear correlation between the type of motor vehicle involved in the accident and the likelihood of a cyclist fatality. Of the total cyclist deaths in 2018 and 2019, trucks and vans were involved in more than half of them.
The danger of suffering a serious or fatal injury is heightened by a bicyclist’s relative lack of protection. Common bicycle crash injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord or traumatic brain injury
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Herniated discs
- Skull fractures and concussions
- Road rash, lacerations, and contusions
The most catastrophic of these injuries generally result when a bicyclist is directly hit by a motor vehicle or is caused to be thrown to the roadway or against another hard surface or object.
If you’ve been injured or have lost a loved one in a bicycle accident in New York City, you may have a personal injury claim against a negligent driver. You can file a no-fault claim against the motorist’s insurance policy, and their insurance provider will be legally required to pay for medical expenses and lost wages caused by your injury. If your injuries are severe enough, your lawyer can sue the driver for pain and suffering. If your loved one was killed in a bicycle accident, an attorney can file a wrongful death lawsuit.
The New York law firm Rubenstein & Rynecki has over 30 years of experience fighting for bike accident victims. We can help injured riders and their families get the compensation they deserve. To schedule a consultation at our Brooklyn office, please call (718) 522-1020 or contact us online.