Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Queens, NY
Getting hit on your bike changes everything in an instant. You may be dealing with broken bones, a head injury, or damage that won't be fully understood for weeks. And before you've even caught your breath, the insurance company has already started working to limit what they'll pay you.
A Queens bicycle accident lawyer at Michael Gunzburg, P.C. can handle that fight so you don't have to. New York law allows injured cyclists to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, but insurance companies exploit every gap they can find, including disputes over fault, questions about your visibility, and lowball offers made before you know the full extent of your injuries. Attorney Michael Gunzburg is a licensed New York personal injury attorney and Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a dual credential that gives him a distinct edge when calculating the true economic value of your case. With 39 years of NYC trial experience and a proven $1,025,000 jury verdict for a cyclist injured by an NYC Transit bus, the firm has the track record to back it up. Call 212-725-8500 for a free consultation today.
What Our Clients Say
Who Needs a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Queens?
You need a Queens bicycle accident lawyer if you were injured while riding and someone else's negligence caused the crash. That includes a Queens delivery worker struck while riding in a bike lane on Northern Boulevard, a recreational cyclist hit by a car turning onto Jamaica Avenue, or a commuter whose bike was doored near a bus stop in Astoria or Jackson Heights. It also includes anyone injured in a collision with a rideshare vehicle, a commercial truck, or a city bus on Queens Boulevard or the Van Wyck Expressway. If you were hurt riding in Queens and another party was at fault, you may have a claim worth pursuing.
Common Situations Our Firm Handles
Dooring Accidents
A driver or passenger opens a car door without checking for cyclists, and the impact throws you off your bike. This happens constantly on commercial strips in Flushing, Woodside, and Jackson Heights, where double-parked cars and heavy delivery traffic make the bike lane a gauntlet.
Struck by a Car Making a Turn
A driver cuts you off or fails to yield while turning, usually at an intersection. Queens Boulevard is one of the most dangerous corridors in New York City for exactly this reason, with complex lane configurations and high-speed turning conflicts at intersections like Queens Boulevard and the Long Island Expressway.
Hit by a Bus or MTA Vehicle
NYC Transit buses operate throughout Queens and have caused serious cyclist injuries across the borough. If an MTA vehicle was involved, strict notice deadlines apply.
Struck by a Truck or Delivery Vehicle
Northern Boulevard, Jamaica Avenue, and the Van Wyck Expressway see heavy commercial truck traffic, and cyclists near these routes face serious risks when truck drivers fail to check blind spots or take wide turns.
Unsafe Road Conditions
Potholes, missing signage, unmarked construction zones, and deteriorated pavement can cause crashes that are the city's responsibility. The intersection of Jamaica Avenue and Van Wyck Expressway, along with long stretches of Jamaica Avenue without traffic calming, are among Queens' most hazardous corridors for cyclists.
Hit-and-Run Collisions
Some drivers flee the scene after hitting a cyclist. Even without identifying the driver, there may be avenues for recovery through uninsured motorist coverage or the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC).
Why Hiring a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Matters
Going without legal representation after a Queens bicycle accident often means walking away with far less than your case is worth, or nothing at all. Insurance companies have claims adjusters, legal teams, and years of experience minimizing payouts to cyclists. You have a recovery to manage.
Without an attorney, you may not know that a quick settlement offer waives all future claims, even if your injuries worsen. You may not realize that recorded statements to an insurance adjuster can be used to undermine your case. And you almost certainly won't know when the clock is running out on a critical filing deadline.
The difference representation makes is real. The firm recovered a $1,025,000 jury verdict for a 29-year-old cyclist who was nearly crushed by an NYC Transit Authority bus. The Transit Authority initially appealed the liability finding and lost. At a damages trial, the jury awarded compensation covering broken bones requiring open surgery, permanent hardware, and lost wages the client could no longer earn as a web designer. That case succeeded because the evidence was properly gathered, the expert testimony was challenged effectively, and the firm was prepared to take it all the way through the appellate process.
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
Multiple parties can be responsible for a Queens bicycle accident, and identifying all of them is part of building a strong claim. The most common responsible parties include the at-fault driver, the driver's employer if they were on the job, the vehicle owner if different from the driver, the City of New York if unsafe road conditions or improper signage contributed to the crash, the MTA or NYC Transit Authority if a bus was involved, and rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft if their driver caused the collision.
A thorough investigation, including police reports, traffic camera footage, eyewitness accounts, and road condition records, is often required to establish who bears responsibility and to what degree.
What You May Be Entitled To Recover
Injured cyclists in Queens can seek compensation for a broad range of losses. On the financial side, that includes all medical expenses, past and future, such as emergency room treatment, imaging, surgery, physical therapy, and any ongoing care. It also includes lost wages from missed work, and reduced future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or industry.
Beyond the economic losses, you can pursue damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. If the accident caused permanent disability or disfigurement, those harms factor into the value of your claim as well. There are no guarantees in any case, but the goal is full compensation for every way this accident has affected your life
Important Deadlines and Legal Rules
The most important deadline in a Queens bicycle accident case is three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against a private party in New York. Miss that deadline and your right to recover any compensation is gone.
If your accident involved a city bus, an MTA vehicle, or a road defect on city property, the timeline is much shorter. You must file a Notice of Claim against the City of New York or the MTA within 90 days of the accident. The lawsuit itself must be filed within one year and 90 days. Missing the 90-day notice requirement typically ends any claim against a public entity, regardless of how strong the underlying case is.
New York also follows pure comparative negligence rules. If you were partially at fault, say for running a stop sign, your recovery is reduced by your share of responsibility. But partial fault does not bar recovery. You can still pursue a claim even if you contributed to the accident.
If you were under 18 at the time of the crash, the statute of limitations may be tolled until you turn 18, but that exception does not apply to the 90-day Notice of Claim requirement for municipal defendants. Act quickly regardless.
What Happens After You Call Michael Gunzburg, P.C.
Attorney Michael Gunzburg's practice commits to a 24-hour callback, so you won't be left waiting for days to find out where you stand.
Your Free Consultation
The initial consultation is completely free and comes with no obligation to hire. Michael Gunzburg will review the facts of your accident, explain your rights under New York law, identify any deadlines that apply to your case, and give you an honest assessment of what your claim may be worth.
Case Investigation Begins Immediately
From day one, the firm begins gathering evidence: police and accident reports, surveillance and traffic camera footage, witness information, photos of the scene and your injuries, and any records tied to road conditions or prior complaints about the location where you were hit. Evidence disappears fast in New York City.
No Communication With Insurance Companies on Your Own
Once retained, the firm handles all contact with insurance adjusters and opposing counsel. You will not be asked to give recorded statements or sign anything without understanding exactly what it means for your case.
Preparation Built for Trial
Every case is prepared as if it will go before a jury, not just negotiated in a hallway. That posture is what produces real leverage at the settlement table, and it means if a trial is necessary, the firm is ready.
Clear Updates Throughout
Michael Gunzburg communicates directly with clients throughout the entire case. As one client, Josh, who was nearly killed by an NYC Transit bus, described it: the personal attention made him feel like the only case the firm had, and every call and email was answered. You will not be handed off to a paralegal and forgotten.
Benefits of Hiring a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Maximum Compensation for Every Loss
An experienced Queens bicycle accident lawyer knows how to document every economic and non-economic loss, including future medical costs, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering that juries and insurance companies often discount if presented incorrectly. Michael Gunzburg's background as a CPA strengthens the firm's ability to quantify economic damages with a level of precision most personal injury attorneys cannot match.
Protection Against Insurance Company Tactics
Adjusters are trained to reduce payouts. They'll look for inconsistencies in your statements, push for early settlements before your injuries have stabilized, and sometimes argue the road conditions you reported were your responsibility to avoid. Having an attorney immediately after the accident removes you from that pressure entirely.
Contingency Fee Representation
The firm works on a contingency basis. There are no hourly fees, no retainers, and no out-of-pocket costs at any point. The firm's fee is a percentage of what it recovers for you, and if there is no recovery, there is no fee.
Key Takeaways
- Injured cyclists in Queens have three years to file a lawsuit against a private party, but only 90 days to file a Notice of Claim against the City of New York or the MTA.
- New York's pure comparative negligence law means partial fault does not bar you from recovering compensation.
- Queens Boulevard, Northern Boulevard, Jamaica Avenue, and the Van Wyck Expressway are among the borough's most dangerous corridors for cyclists.
- Attorney Michael Gunzburg holds dual credentials as a licensed New York personal injury attorney and a Certified Public Accountant, giving him a measurable advantage in calculating economic damages.
- Michael Gunzburg, P.C. recovered a $1,025,000 jury verdict for a cyclist nearly crushed by an NYC Transit bus, with the Transit Authority losing on appeal.
Proven Results and Client Experience
The firm's $1,025,000 jury verdict for a cyclist injured by an NYC Transit Authority bus is one of the firm's defining results. The Transit Authority disputed liability and appealed all the way to the Appellate Division, First Department, and lost. The jury awarded compensation for open surgery with permanent hardware, future hardware removal, and lost wages the client could no longer earn as a web designer.
That client, Josh, later wrote: the firm "did an outstanding job" and "knew what he was talking about and how to present a case." He described the personal attention as making him feel like the only client the firm had. "He is trustworthy, supportive, considerate, and straight-forward," Josh wrote, "and unlike many other law firms in today's age, he is not just out to gain money."
With 39 years of NYC trial experience, a Brooklyn Bar Association referral panel membership dating to 1989, and admission to the Appellate Division, Second Department, Michael Gunzburg, P.C. has the credentials and courtroom history to handle cases through every stage of litigation.
Common Questions About Bicycle Accident Claims in Queens
What should I do immediately after a bicycle accident in Queens?
Call 911, get medical attention, and report the accident to police, even if you feel okay. Adrenaline masks injuries, and conditions like concussions or internal trauma may not be obvious until hours or days later. Document everything you can at the scene: photos of the vehicles, road conditions, your bike, and visible injuries. Get the driver's name, insurance information, and plate number. Then call 212-725-8500 as soon as possible. Every hour matters when it comes to preserving evidence in a busy borough like Queens.
How long do I have to file a claim after a Queens bicycle accident?
For accidents involving private parties, three years from the date of the crash. If a city bus, MTA vehicle, or road defect was involved, you have only 90 days to file a Notice of Claim. Waiting too long eliminates your right to recover anything, even if your case is otherwise strong. Call the firm as soon as possible to make sure no deadlines are missed.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
You can still recover compensation. New York's pure comparative negligence rule allows injured parties to pursue claims even when they share some degree of fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but it is not eliminated. Insurance companies routinely exaggerate the cyclist's share of fault to reduce what they pay out, which is exactly why having an attorney from the start protects your case.
What if I wasn't wearing a helmet?
You can still recover compensation. New York State does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets. An insurance company may try to argue that the absence of a helmet contributed to certain injuries, but this argument rarely prevents recovery and, at most, could reduce compensation in limited circumstances where a helmet would have specifically prevented a particular injury. It should not stop you from calling an attorney.
What if the driver who hit me fled the scene?
Hit-and-run accidents are still recoverable in many cases. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, or live with a family member who does, that policy may cover your injuries. New York's Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) also provides limited compensation when the at-fault driver cannot be identified or is uninsured. Report the hit-and-run to police immediately with as much detail as you can recall about the vehicle.
Can delivery workers file bicycle accident claims?
Yes. Delivery workers injured in bicycle accidents may have multiple claims available, including against the at-fault driver, the driver's employer, or a rideshare or delivery platform if they were responsible for the vehicle or had control over how it was operated. Workers' compensation may also be available if the injury happened while working, but pursuing both a workers' comp claim and a third-party personal injury claim simultaneously requires careful navigation to protect your full recovery.
How do Queens bicycle accident cases against the MTA work?
Claims against the MTA or NYC Transit Authority follow stricter procedures than claims against private parties. A Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the accident, and a lawsuit must follow within one year and 90 days. The MTA aggressively defends these cases. The firm has directly litigated against the Transit Authority through trial and appeal, including a case that resulted in a $1,025,000 verdict after the Transit Authority lost on both liability and appellate review.
How much is my Queens bicycle accident case worth?
The value depends on the severity of your injuries, the duration and cost of treatment, whether you suffered permanent disability, how much work you missed, and how clearly the other party's negligence can be established. There is no formula, but cases involving fractures, surgery, long-term rehabilitation, or permanent impairment typically carry significantly more value than soft-tissue cases. The firm will give you an honest assessment during your free consultation.
Will I have to go to court?
Most bicycle accident cases resolve before trial, but the firm prepares every case as if it will go before a jury. That preparation is what generates leverage at the negotiating table and what protects you if settlement is not possible. If the insurance company or opposing party refuses to offer fair compensation, the firm will take the case to trial.
Should I accept the insurance company's first offer?
No. First offers are routinely made before the full extent of injuries is known, before medical treatment is complete, and before your rights are fully explained to you. Accepting a settlement releases all future claims, even if your injuries worsen or require additional surgery. In one case, the insurance company offered a few thousand dollars to a client who ultimately received over $1 million at trial. Consult an attorney before signing anything.
Areas We Serve
Michael Gunzburg, P.C. handles bicycle accident cases throughout Queens, including Astoria, Long Island City, Jackson Heights, Sunnyside, Woodside, Flushing, Forest Hills, Jamaica, Kew Gardens, Howard Beach, the Rockaways, Bayside, and Ridgewood. The firm also serves all other NYC boroughs and Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Queens presents unique hazards for cyclists, from Queens Boulevard's history of severe crashes to the heavy commercial truck traffic on the Van Wyck Expressway and Jamaica Avenue. Cases are handled before Queens County Supreme Court and all relevant jurisdictions. No matter which neighborhood your accident occurred in, the firm knows the roads, the intersections, and the legal landscape.
Schedule Your Free Consultation With a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Queens
If you were hit on your bike in Queens, the deadline to act may already be running. For accidents involving the city or the MTA, you have only 90 days to file a Notice of Claim. Michael Gunzburg, P.C. offers a free consultation with no obligation, and the firm works on a contingency basis, meaning there are no fees unless a recovery is made.
Call 212-725-8500 today. The firm commits to a 24-hour callback, and the first step is simply a conversation about what happened and what your options are.
Other Personal Injury Services We Offer