Were you hurt in a collision with a vehicle while riding your bike? As the victim of a bicycle collision, you have rights, and a bicycle accident lawyer in Long Island City can pursue compensation on your behalf.
When you reach out to Chaikin Trial Group Injury Lawyers, we can look into the details of your case and prevent you from being taken advantage of by predatory insurance companies. As your Long Island City personal injury lawyer, we will fight for a fair outcome.
Our attorneys have 50 years of combined experience advocating for personal injury victims. In that time, we have recovered $100 million for our clients. Known for our aggressive, fast-moving, and brutally honest approach, we have what it takes to help you.
Why Long Island City Is Especially Dangerous for Cyclists
Long Island City has become one of the busiest and fastest-changing areas in Queens. Between delivery trucks stopping quickly, rideshare vehicles double-parking, and drivers rushing to beat lights, cyclists have to move through tight spaces with little margin for error.
As your bicycle accident lawyer near me in Long Island City will likely explain, bike lanes don’t guarantee the safety of cyclists. Plus, many of these lanes are blocked by vehicles anyway, and if they don’t suddenly end at intersections, they often place riders directly next to turning traffic.
When drivers fail to check their mirrors, ignore right-of-way rules, or treat cyclists like obstacles, the risk of serious injuries skyrockets. Don’t let the at-fault party shift blame onto you. Instead, call a bike wreck lawyer in Long Island City for legal representation.
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The Injuries That Change Everything for Victims After a Bicycle Crash
Bicycle accidents rarely result in minor injuries. Without the protection of a vehicle, riders often take the full impact of the collision or the pavement, if not both. Some injuries show up immediately, while others worsen days later.
When looking into your case, your bicycle accident attorney in Long Island City will keep an eye out for these injuries commonly sustained by bike crash victims:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions, even with a helmet
- Spinal cord injuries and herniated discs
- Broken arms, wrists, ribs, hips, and legs
- Road rash that leads to infection or permanent scarring
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Shoulder and knee injuries that require surgery
Once your bike accident lawyer in Long Island City has a solid understanding of the extent of your injuries, your bike accident attorney in Long Island City can start working toward compensation that reflects how badly you were injured.
New York Bicycle Laws That Matter After an Accident
New York law treats bicycles as vehicles, which means both cyclists and drivers have legal responsibilities they are required to abide by on the road. These rules can make a major difference in how fault is determined in your case.
New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1231
Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1231, cyclists are granted the same rights as the drivers of vehicles. Likewise, people on bicycles must also uphold the same duties as those inside cars.
Here’s what both cyclists and drivers are required to do:
- Respect bike lanes
- Yield when appropriate
- Pass cyclists safely
New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1146-a
New York also enforces the three-foot passing rule under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1146-a. This requires drivers to leave at least three feet of space between their car and bicycles when passing a cyclist. Violations of this law are often introduced when proving negligence.
When a driver opens a car door into a cyclist’s path—known as a dooring accident—it can also constitute a traffic violation and invoke civil liability. These laws exist to protect cyclists, but insurance companies often ignore them unless they’re forced to pay attention.
When Drivers Try to Blame the Cyclist
A common tactic insurance companies lean on after a bicycle accident is shifting blame onto the rider rather than the driver. Adjusters might claim that the cyclist was riding too fast, failed to be visible enough, or should have anticipated the driver’s actions.
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule under New York Civil Practice Law & Rules § 1411. This means that the cyclist’s compensation can be reduced if they are found partially at fault for the incident, though it does not eliminate recovery altogether.
Your bike crash lawyer in Long Island City can still seek compensation on your behalf, even if you are partially responsible for the collision.
Call Now to Speak With a Long Island City Bicycle Accident Attorney Who Treats You Like Family
If you were hurt in a bike-related collision, there’s no better time to call Chaikin Trial Group Injury Lawyers. As your Long Island City bicycle accident lawyers, we can dedicate our resources to protecting your legal rights and handling all interactions with insurance companies.
You can count on us to fight for compensation that reflects the full extent of your injuries. Known throughout New York for being relentless with insurers, as your bike crash lawyer in Long Island City, we also pride ourselves on being honest with our clients about what they can expect.
We treat every case with urgency, and we will prepare your case as if it’s going to trial. As our client, you’ll be given the phone number of a bike accident attorney in Long Island City, giving you direct access to us. Come in as a client, leave as a friend.
