Bike Accident Lawyer

New York bike riders are fortunate enough to have miles of Bronx bicycle paths where they can travel safely and not be concerned about automobile traffic. However, many people use their bikes for the purposes of running errands, going to school or work or simply to travel to these bike paths. When a bike rider is injured because the operator of a motor vehicle failed to see them, ignored traffic signals or was driving distracted, the victim should contact a bike accident lawyer.

Bike Accident Statistics

While we may think that the largest segment of victims of a bike accident is children, many are surprised to find that nearly two-thirds of all bike accidents involve a driver who was an adult over the age of 21. Across New York in 2013, there were more than 6,000 bike involved accidents, 40 of them resulting in a fatality. Primarily because of the lack of protection, more than 600 victims of bike accidents suffered serious injuries and almost 1,500 suffered moderate injuries. In the event that you or a loved one suffered a bike related accident and suffered injuries or you lost a loved one in a bike accident, a bike accident lawyer can help you recover financially and help hold them accountable.

Bike Accident Involvement

When an automobile collides with a bike rider, the potential dangers are clear. Bike riders simply have fewer protections than an automobile in terms of structure and speed. Most bike accidents were single-incident accidents, nearly 98 percent. Unfortunately, some of the causes of bike accidents are not that different than those which involve other automobiles. As a bike accident lawyer, I have helped victims who suffered injuries from a number of causes including:

• Human error – The leading cause of bike accidents was determined to be confusion of the bicyclist or a pedestrian. However, failure to yield was found to be responsible for nearly 1,500 bike accidents and distractions caused an additional 1,400. In total, almost 5,000 bike accidents were the result of human error.
• Mechanical error – Regardless of how carefully bikes and automobiles are maintained, sometimes things go wrong. In some cases, there could be a manufacturing error, repair error or the bike or car could be poorly maintained. Mechanical errors accounted for nearly 300 bike accidents and as a bike accident lawyer, I can help you determine if the malfunction could have been avoided.
• Environmental factors – While bikes are not typically used in winter weather, slippery roads can be caused by falling leaves or a recent rain storm. The most significant environmental factor in bike accidents was an obstructed view. Furthermore, glare which blinded either the bike rider or the operator of a motor vehicle also caused numerous accidents.

After a Bike Accident

Before you seek assistance from a bike accident lawyer, it is imperative you receive immediate medical attention. A thorough checkup to ensure you do not have broken bones, sprained muscles or internal injuries is critical. If a motor vehicle was involved in the accident, your bike accident lawyer can help you put in a claim against their insurance under New York’s no-fault coverage. The insurance will pay your medical bills and reimburse you for lost wages up to the amount of the policy.

Because bike accidents can often result in serious injury, chances are victims will require medical attention, may require surgical procedures and may spend weeks or even months recovering. The range of injuries can be as minor as road rash or as serious as traumatic brain injury or death. Regardless of the severity of your injuries, your recovery time will likely be extensive and result in significant expenses and loss of wages. If you are one of the thousands of people who are injured in a bike accident and you believe the accident was the fault of another person, contact Lawyer Ivan M. Diamond at 877-960-1702. As an experienced bike accident lawyer I am committed to helping victims of bike accidents who have suffered injuries or the families of those who lost their lives in a bike accident. Call me immediately for a free consultation and case review.