If you’re a frequent bike rider, you already know that the thrill and the risk often go hand in hand. In New York, towns are often packed with crowded streets, distracted drivers, and intersections that don’t always feel like they’re designed with cyclists in mind.
Unfortunately, bicycle-related collisions aren’t rare, and when they happen to you, the injuries can turn your life upside down. If you or someone you love has been hit while riding, try to remember that you’re not powerless. A personal injury lawyer in Hempstead can help.
New York laws give injured cyclists the right to pursue compensation. Why not let Chaikin Trial Group Personal Injury Lawyers represent you? As your bicycle accident lawyer in Hempstead, we’ll apply our 50 years of experience to your case and seek justice on your behalf.
Why Bicycle Crashes Happen so Often in Hempstead
Bicycle accidents in Hempstead don’t usually happen by chance. They often come down to someone else’s poor decision-making:
- Driver inattention: Texting, fiddling with GPS devices, or failing to look before opening a car door can put a cyclist in the hospital.
- Unsafe passing: New York law requires drivers to give cyclists a safe distance when passing, but in crowded streets, that space often vanishes.
- Failure to yield: Many accidents occur at intersections when drivers simply don’t see or don’t respect a cyclist’s right of way.
- Car door accidents: The dreaded “dooring” happens when someone opens a parked car door directly into the path of a cyclist.
- Road hazards: Potholes, debris, or poorly marked construction zones can be just as dangerous as reckless drivers.
Each of these causes points back to one truth: cyclists are vulnerable. Additionally, the local infrastructure and behavior of others often put them at a heightened risk of sustaining injuries.
If you’re searching for a Hempstead bicycle accident lawyer near me, know that the right legal advocate can make a major difference in protecting your rights and securing fair compensation.
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The Injuries Cyclists Face are Rarely Minor
Unlike motorists, cyclists don’t have the benefit of airbags or steel frames. Even with helmets and protective gear, victims often suffer from serious injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Fractures that require surgery and months of recovery
- Internal bleeding or organ injuries
- Permanent disfigurement or scarring
What can feel unfair is how long recovery takes compared to how quickly the accident happens. In just a few seconds, someone can go from biking to the store to facing months in physical therapy or dealing with lifelong disabilities.
Working with a Hempstead bike accident lawyer can give victims like you the support they need to move through the legal system and pursue the compensation necessary to carry on with their lives.
Who is Financially Responsible Under New York Law
When a crash happens, one of the first questions victims have is, “Who pays for all of this?” The answer can be a little complicated because New York is a no-fault insurance state. As a result, cyclists who own a car can turn to their Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance.
This often covers immediate medical expenses and lost wages. But here’s the catch: PIP only goes so far. It has limits, like refraining from covering pain and suffering. For more serious injuries, victims can step outside the no-fault system.
This would entail bringing a claim directly against the at-fault driver. If the cyclist doesn’t own a car and isn’t covered under a household policy, there are still options through New York’s Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC).
Understanding New York’s Serious Injury Threshold
The phrase “serious injury” isn’t just descriptive in New York law—it’s a legal standard. To bring a lawsuit against an at-fault driver for pain and suffering, your Hempstead bicycle accident lawyers must show that your injuries fit into one of several categories:
- Major disfigurement
- Bone fractures
- Permanent limitation of a body organ or member
- Significant limitation of the use of a body function or system
- Full disability for at least 90 days within the first 180 days following the accident
For cyclists, broken bones, head trauma, and long-term mobility issues often meet this threshold. Proving it, though, requires medical records, treatment documentation, and professional testimony.
Statute of Limitations in New York: What a Hempstead Bicycle Accident Lawyer Wants You to Know
Time is an important factor after a bicycle accident. In New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident. That said, if your claim involves a government agency, the timeline can be much shorter.
In those cases, people usually only have 90 days to file a notice of claim. Missing these deadlines can mean losing the right to recover compensation altogether. For accident victims, that makes contacting a bicycle accident attorney in Hempstead immediately more important than ever.
Contact Our Hempstead Bicycle Accident Law Firm ASAP for Help With Your Personal Injury Case
Cycling in Hempstead comes with its share of risks, and accidents happen far too often. When they do, the consequences can last far longer than the collision itself. The impact is heavy, but New York law does give victims options to recover and rebuild.
Above all, it’s important for victims to understand that they don’t have to face the aftermath alone. The legal system, however complicated, does provide paths to compensation. It all starts with speaking to a bicycle accident attorney in Hempstead who can fully explain your rights.
With bicycle accident lawyers in Hempstead by your side, you can feel relief from the burden of your case and strengthen your position when pursuing compensation. A Hempstead bike wreck lawyer can protect your rights and fight for justice on your behalf. Call Chaikin Trial Group Personal Injury Lawyers now.