Bicycle Accident in Brooklyn Accident Lawyer
Bicycle Accident in Brooklyn: How to Get Compensated for Your Injuries
Brooklyn has seen a surge in cycling over the past decade, with more residents choosing bicycles as a primary mode of transportation. While the borough has expanded its network of protected bike lanes, cyclists still face serious dangers from distracted drivers, door-zone accidents, and poor road conditions. When a bicycle accident occurs, the injuries can be life-changing.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Brooklyn
Bicycle accidents in Brooklyn frequently result from dooring accidents (where a driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an oncoming cyclist), drivers failing to yield to cyclists at intersections, distracted driving, drivers drifting into bike lanes, commercial trucks making wide turns without checking for cyclists, and delivery vehicles double-parking in bike lanes.
According to NYC DOT crash data, Brooklyn consistently records among the highest numbers of cyclist injuries of any NYC borough annually.
New York No-Fault Law and Bicycle Accidents
Like pedestrians, bicyclists are eligible for no-fault insurance benefits when struck by a motor vehicle. Under NY Insurance Law § 5103, an injured cyclist may file a no-fault claim against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy to cover medical expenses and lost wages.
To recover pain and suffering damages, you must prove that your injuries meet New York’s ‘serious injury’ threshold. Bicycle accidents commonly result in injuries that easily meet this standard, including fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and road rash severe enough to cause permanent scarring.
What Compensation Is Available After a Brooklyn Bicycle Accident?
A successful bicycle accident claim in Brooklyn may entitle you to recover: medical expenses including emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, imaging, and physical therapy; lost wages and loss of earning capacity; pain and suffering including physical pain, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life; and property damage for repair or replacement of your bicycle and gear.
Helmets and Comparative Negligence
New York State law requires children under 14 to wear helmets when cycling, but there is no helmet law for adults in New York City. However, insurance companies will often argue that an adult cyclist’s failure to wear a helmet constitutes comparative negligence. Under New York’s pure comparative fault system, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault — so even if you were found 20% at fault for not wearing a helmet, you can still recover 80% of your damages.
Critical Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident in Brooklyn
Call 911 and get a police report. Seek immediate medical care. Photograph your injuries, the vehicles involved, road conditions, and the surrounding area. Get the driver’s name, license plate, and insurance information. Collect names and contact details of witnesses. Do not post about the accident on social media, and contact a bicycle accident attorney before giving any statements to insurance companies.
Suing the City of New York for Road Defects
If your bicycle accident was caused or contributed to by a pothole, broken pavement, defective bike lane, or poorly designed road, the City of New York may be liable. Municipal liability claims require filing a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident and then waiting at least 30 days before filing a lawsuit. Missing this window bars your claim entirely.
Our Brooklyn personal injury attorneys have experience pursuing claims against the City of New York and can ensure all procedural requirements are met on time.
Contact Mushiyev Law for a Free Consultation
Mushiyev Law represents injured cyclists throughout Brooklyn, Queens, and Nassau County. We handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today through our homepage or visit our areas we service page to learn more.
Conclusion
A Brooklyn bicycle accident can leave you with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about your future. With the right legal team on your side, you can hold negligent drivers and property owners accountable and recover the full compensation you deserve. Do not wait — contact Mushiyev Law today.
