Manhattan Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Bicycling is a healthier–and often faster–way to get around Manhattan than relying on personal vehicles or taxicabs. Yet riding a bicycle in a heavily urbanized area like Manhattan is not without significant risks. Any experienced bicyclist knows that even wearing a helmet and protective pads, there is effectively nothing protecting them from the road and other outside elements in the event of a crash. And they are especially at-risk of a collision caused by a negligent motorist.
To put it bluntly, when a car hits a bicycle, the bicyclist is far more likely to be killed or sustain a serious injury requiring extensive medical care. New York’s no-fault insurance offers certain protections for the bicyclist, but it is often not enough. This is where a Manhattan bicycle accident lawyer can help. Michael Gunzburg, P.C., is an experienced New York City personal injury law firm that has represented many bicyclists in seeking full and fair compensation for their losses arising from a preventable crash.
Your Options for Seeking Compensation Following a Bicycle Accident in Manhattan
There are a number of common scenarios that we see play out with Manhattan bicycle accidents. Just to briefly describe a few of them:
- A distracted driver strikes a bicyclist in their vehicle’s blind spot.
- A drunk driver is out of control and fails to stop before hitting a bicyclist.
- A driver parks on the street and opens their door directly into the path of an approaching bicyclist.
- A defectively designed, manufactured, or repaired bicycle causes the bicyclist to lose control and crash.
- A bicyclist hits a pothole or other roadway hazard that the city should have fixed but did not.
When a bicycle collides with a motor vehicle, the motorist’s no-fault insurance policy normally provides coverage for the injured bicyclist, regardless of who actually caused the accident. In the case of a hit-and-run where the motorist leaves the scene and is never found, the bicyclist’s own uninsured motorist coverage may step-in to provide coverage. And where the bicyclist has sustained a serious injury, as defined by New York’s no-fault law, they can also seek additional compensation from the negligent driver, either by filing a claim against their liability insurer or filing a personal injury lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court.
A personal injury lawsuit is also a vehicle for seeking compensation when a bicycle accident is the result of product liability–i.e., a defect in the bike itself–or poorly maintained roads. When it comes to personal injury claims against New York City, however, there are special rules that a bicycle accident must follow. Our Manhattan bicycle accident lawyer can advise you further on these laws if it is relevant to your case.
Let Our Manhattan Bicycle Accident Lawyers Help You
Bicycle accidents in Manhattan frequently lead to broken bones, road rash, traumatic brain injuries, and even internal organ damage. All of these conditions can lead to permanent impairment to a bicyclist. So it is critical that you seek out qualified legal advice from a Manhattan bicycle accident lawyer regarding your right to full compensation for your damages. Call Michael Gunzburg, P.C., at 212-725-8500 today to schedule a free initial consultation.
