New York State Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Finkelstein & Partners, LLP
1279 NY-300
Newburgh, NY, 12550
(845) 420-1779
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Finkelstein & Partners, LLP – Winning Serious Injury Lawsuits Since 1959
Cycling is woven into life across New York State. Commuters pedal to work through the streets of Buffalo and Rochester. Recreational riders explore the Hudson Valley trails and the Erie Canalway. Delivery cyclists navigate Manhattan intersections hundreds of times a day. And in cities and suburbs alike, more New Yorkers are choosing bikes over cars every year.
With that growth comes risk. Bicycle accidents, particularly those involving motor vehicles, are among the most serious crashes our attorneys handle. A cyclist has no metal frame around them, no airbag, no crumple zone. When a car, truck, or bus strikes a rider, the results are almost always severe.
If you or a loved one was injured in a bicycle accident anywhere in New York State, Finkelstein & Partners is ready to fight for you. We have been winning serious injury lawsuits since 1959, and our New York bicycle accident attorneys know how to build the kind of case that produces real results.
New York Bicycle Accident Guide
- Why Choose Finkelstein & Partners
- Causes of Injuries
- Types of Injuries
- What to do after an accident
- Compensation
- Contact Us After Any New York Bicycle Accident
Why Bicycle Accident Claims Are Different
Bicyclists occupy a unique and often vulnerable position under New York law. They have the same right to the road as motor vehicle operators, but they face far greater physical risk in any collision. And while the law offers meaningful protections to injured cyclists, pursuing a bicycle accident claim successfully requires attorneys who understand the specific legal landscape these cases involve.
Unlike car accident claims, New York’s no-fault insurance system does not automatically cover cyclists injured by motor vehicles in the traditional sense. Whether and how no-fault benefits apply to a bicyclist depends on the facts of the accident, and navigating those questions is one of the first things our New York bicycle accident lawyers address when you contact us.
Additionally, bicycle accident cases frequently involve contested liability. Drivers and their insurers routinely argue that the cyclist contributed to the accident, and understanding how to counter those arguments requires experience and preparation. Finkelstein & Partners has both.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in New York
Our bicycle accident attorneys have handled cases arising from every corner of the state and virtually every type of collision. The most frequent causes we see include:
- Distracted driving. A driver who is texting, adjusting their radio, or otherwise not paying full attention may not see a cyclist until it is too late. Distraction is one of the leading causes of serious bicycle accident injuries across New York.
- Dooring. When a driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an oncoming cyclist without checking their mirror, the impact can be violent and sudden. Dooring accidents are especially common in urban areas with dense parking along travel lanes.
- Failure to yield. Drivers turning at intersections, pulling out of driveways, or merging into lanes frequently fail to check for cyclists, particularly when they are moving at a different speed than the surrounding traffic.
- Right hook collisions. A driver who makes a right turn across a bike lane, cutting off a cyclist traveling straight, is one of the most common and dangerous accident types cyclists face.
- Left cross collisions. Drivers turning left across oncoming traffic often misjudge the speed of an approaching cyclist or fail to see them entirely, resulting in a direct collision.
- Being struck from behind. On rural roads and streets without bike lanes, cyclists are vulnerable to rear-end collisions from drivers who are speeding, following too closely, or not paying attention.
- Dangerous road conditions. Potholes, broken pavement, unmarked construction hazards, defective bike lane markings, and slippery surfaces can cause a cyclist to lose control. When a government entity or property owner is responsible for maintaining the road or path, they may be liable.
- Truck and commercial vehicle collisions. Large commercial trucks present a particular danger to cyclists due to blind spots, wide turns, and the catastrophic force involved in any contact between a truck and a rider.
- Hit and run. When a driver flees the scene, cyclists may still have a path to compensation through uninsured motorist coverage and other avenues our attorneys will identify.
Bicycle Accident Injuries Our New York Bicycle Accident Lawyers Handle
Because cyclists have so little protection in a collision, the injuries they sustain tend to be serious and often permanent. Our bicycle accident attorneys represent clients who have suffered:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions, including those sustained even while wearing a helmet
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones, including femur, pelvis, clavicle, and wrist fractures
- Road rash, which at its most severe can strip skin down to muscle and bone and require extensive skin grafting
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Facial fractures and dental injuries
- Shoulder and knee injuries requiring surgery
- Nerve damage with long-term functional consequences
- Wrongful death
When a cyclist is killed due to the negligence of a driver or another responsible party, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim. These cases are among the most serious we handle, and we pursue them with the same tenacity we bring to every matter.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a New York Bike Accident?
Identifying every responsible party is one of the most important steps in any bicycle accident case. Depending on the circumstances, potentially liable parties may include:
- The driver of the vehicle that struck you
- The owner of the vehicle, if different from the driver
- An employer, if the driver was operating the vehicle in the course of their employment
- A municipality or government agency, if dangerous road conditions, a defective bike lane, or a poorly maintained intersection played a role
- A property owner responsible for hazardous conditions near a public roadway
- A vehicle or bicycle manufacturer, if a product defect contributed to the crash
New York’s pure comparative negligence rule means that even if you were partly at fault, you can still recover compensation, reduced by your share of responsibility. Insurers routinely try to assign cyclists an inflated share of the blame to minimize what they owe. Our attorneys know how to push back on those arguments with evidence.
What Compensation Can a Bicycle Accident Claim Recover?
A successful bicycle accident claim in New York may recover damages for:
- Past and future medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage to your bicycle and gear
- In wrongful death cases, economic support, funeral and burial costs, and loss of companionship
Because bicycle accident injuries are frequently serious and long-lasting, accurately calculating the full value of your claim, including future medical costs and long-term income loss, is critical. Finkelstein & Partners works with medical experts and economic analysts to ensure every element of your loss is properly documented and pursued.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in New York
The steps you take in the immediate aftermath of a bicycle accident can significantly affect the strength of your claim. If you are able:
- Call 911 and ensure a police report is filed
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel your injuries are minor
- Document the scene with photographs, including the vehicle, the road, your bicycle, and any visible injuries
- Get the names and contact information of witnesses
- Preserve any damaged gear or equipment
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney
Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize claims. What you say in those early conversations can be used against you. Our bicycle injury law firm can handle all communications with insurers from the moment you retain us, so you can focus entirely on your recovery.
New York State Bicycle Laws You Should Know
Cyclists in New York have legal rights and legal obligations. Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, bicyclists are entitled to the full use of a lane and must be treated as lawful road users by other drivers. Key provisions include:
- Motorists must pass cyclists with a minimum safe distance
- Cyclists may ride on the shoulder of roadways
- Bike lanes, where present, must be kept clear by motor vehicles except when lawfully crossing
- Helmets are required for riders under 14 years of age statewide, and for all cyclists in some municipalities
- A driver who opens a car door into a cyclist’s path may be cited for a traffic violation
Violations of these rules by a driver are directly relevant to establishing negligence in your case. Our attorneys know how to use New York’s bicycle statutes effectively on behalf of injured clients.
Finkelstein & Partners: Serving Bicycle Accident Victims Across New York State
Bicycle accidents happen everywhere in New York, not just in New York City. Our offices and reach extend across the entire state, and we represent injured cyclists in communities including Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, White Plains, Binghamton, Kingston, and beyond.
Whether you were hit by a car on a city street, struck on a trail, doored in a downtown business district, or run off the road on a rural route, our New York bicycle accident lawyers are here to help.
New York Bicycle Accident FAQ
Does no-fault insurance cover bicycle accidents in New York? New York’s no-fault system was designed primarily for motor vehicle occupants. However, cyclists injured by motor vehicles may be entitled to no-fault benefits from the driver’s insurer in certain circumstances. The rules are nuanced, and our attorneys will analyze your specific situation to identify every available source of coverage.
What if there were no witnesses to my bicycle accident? Many bicycle accidents happen without obvious witnesses. Physical evidence, surveillance footage, police reports, and expert accident reconstruction can all help establish what happened even without eyewitness testimony. Our firm moves quickly to preserve and gather that evidence.
What if a pothole or road defect caused my accident? If a dangerous road condition caused or contributed to your accident, you may have a claim against the municipality responsible for maintaining that road. Importantly, claims against government entities in New York require a Notice of Claim to be filed within 90 days of the accident. Contact us immediately if this may apply to your case.
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in New York? In most cases, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident. Different deadlines apply for claims involving government entities. Do not wait, as evidence can disappear and witnesses become harder to locate.
What does it cost to hire a bicycle accident attorney? Nothing upfront. Finkelstein & Partners handles bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact a New York Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
You rode legally, you rode carefully, and you were still hurt because someone else wasn’t paying attention or didn’t respect your right to the road. You deserve a legal team that takes your case as seriously as you do.
Finkelstein & Partners has been standing up for seriously injured New Yorkers for over 65 years. We have offices across the state and the resources to take on any defendant, from individual drivers to large commercial carriers to government agencies. Call us now for a free, no-obligation case evaluation or contact us online. There is no fee unless we win your case.
