New York City Bicycle Death Accident Lawyer
In 2022, the New York City Department of Transportation reported that 15 bicyclists were killed in crashes with a motor vehicle. Nationwide, there has been a significant increase in the number of bicycle accident deaths, with the National Safety Council reporting a 37-percent increase in fatalities between 2012 and 2021. The tragedy is most of these fatal accidents were preventable.
Indeed, bicycle accident deaths are often the result of negligence by a motorist in hitting a bicyclist or some other reckless act that was outside of the cyclist’s control. A New York City bicycle death accident lawyer can review your loved one’s case and advise you of your options for seeking civil justice. Michael Gunzburg, P.C., is a dedicated New York personal injury firm that has helped many families successfully pursue wrongful death claims against negligent drivers and companies. We know that money will not bring back your loved one. But it can bring a sense of closure and financial security during a difficult period in your lives.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim Following a Fatal Bicycle Accident in New York
Normally, when a bicyclist is struck by a car, they can seek compensation under the driver’s New York no-fault insurance coverage. If the bicyclist’s economic damages exceed the no-fault limits–or they suffered a serious or catastrophic injury–they can pursue a separate personal injury claim to obtain full compensation for their losses.
A bicyclist who is killed, however, cannot file a lawsuit. In this scenario, the bicyclist’s surviving family members and probate estate may bring a special type of personal injury claim recognized under New York law–a wrongful death lawsuit. Like any personal injury claim, a wrongful death lawsuit still requires the plaintiffs to prove the defendant’s negligence caused the victim’s death. But any damages awarded are meant to compensate the victim’s family and estate for their losses related to the fatal bicycle accident.
Some examples of damages in a New York bicycle accident wrongful death lawsuit include:
- the victim’s funeral and burial expenses;
- the reasonable medical expenses of treating the victim’s final injuries or illness;
- the estimated financial support the victim would have provided to his family had they lived a normal lifespan;
- compensation for the family’s loss of the victim’s support, companionship, and household services;
- the value of the survivors’ lost inheritance; and
- compensation for the victim’s pain and suffering due to their injuries sustained in the fatal bicycle accident.
In addition to suing a negligent driver, a wrongful death claim may also be brought against a negligent manufacturer who produced a defective bicycle that led to an accident. In some cases, even New York City may be liable if the accident was the result of a defectively maintained roadway or caused by a vehicle owned by a city agency.
Contact Our New York City Bicycle Death Accident Lawyers for Help
Even one bicycle accident-related death is one too many. If you have recently lost a spouse, child, or parent as a result of such a crash and need legal advice from a qualified New York City bicycle death accident lawyer, call Michael Gunzburg, P.C., at 212-725-8500 today to schedule a free initial consultation.
