Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me
40+ years protecting cyclists' rights. We hold negligent drivers accountable for dooring, right-hook, and bike lane violations.
Cyclists Have the Same Rights as Cars
Under New York law, cyclists have the same road rights as motor vehicles. Drivers must give you 3 feet of clearance when passing, yield right-of-way at intersections, and check for cyclists before opening doors. We prove driver violations and hold them accountable for your injuries.
Intersection Record Review
We Preserve the Video, Lane Position, and Witness Timing
Bicycle cases can be rewritten fast when the driver claims the cyclist came out of nowhere. We focus on camera footage, bike-lane position, signal timing, dooring evidence, and witness names before the intersection record disappears.
Camera and signal timing
Nearby storefront, traffic, and dash footage can show who had the right of way.
Bike position and damage
Lane markings, bicycle damage, clothing, helmet, and vehicle contact points help counter blame-shifting.
NYC Bicycle Accident Statistics & Dangerous Locations
Bicycle accidents annually in NYC
Cyclist fatalities each year in NYC (2022-2024 average)
Cyclists seriously injured requiring hospitalization
Most Dangerous Roads & Intersections for Cyclists in NYC
Queens Boulevard ("Boulevard of Death")
Multiple lanes, high speeds, dangerous intersections throughout Queens
Atlantic Avenue (Brooklyn)
Heavy truck traffic, inadequate bike lanes, numerous cyclist fatalities
Houston Street (Manhattan)
High-speed crosstown traffic, delivery trucks, frequent dooring accidents
Flatbush Avenue (Brooklyn)
Busy commercial corridor with aggressive drivers and narrow bike lanes
Northern Boulevard (Queens)
Truck route with frequent right-hook accidents at intersections
Any Bridge Approach
Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg Bridges have narrow lanes and aggressive drivers
Vision Zero Initiative: Despite NYC's Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic deaths, bicycle fatalities remain stubbornly high. We hold negligent drivers and the city accountable for dangerous road conditions.
Common Bicycle Accident Scenarios
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Head & Brain Injuries
The most serious bicycle accident injuries affecting the brain and skull:
- •Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Concussions, contusions, diffuse axonal injury causing permanent cognitive deficits, memory loss, personality changes. Even with helmet, severe impacts can cause TBI. Compensation: $500K-$10M+ for severe TBI.
- •Skull Fractures
Linear, depressed, or basilar skull fractures requiring surgery, causing permanent neurological damage. Compensation: $300K-$3M.
- •Facial Fractures
Broken jaw, cheekbones, eye sockets, nose requiring reconstructive surgery, dental work. Compensation: $150K-$1M.
Orthopedic Injuries (Most Common)
Broken bones and joint injuries from impact or trying to break the fall:
- •Clavicle (Collarbone) Fracture
The #1 most common bicycle injury when cyclists extend arms to catch themselves. Often requires surgical plating. Compensation: $75K-$400K.
- •Wrist & Arm Fractures
Distal radius fracture (wrist), ulna/radius (forearm), humerus (upper arm) from bracing for impact. Compensation: $60K-$350K.
- •Hip & Pelvis Fractures
Extremely serious injuries requiring surgery, long recovery, risk of permanent mobility issues. Compensation: $200K-$1.5M.
- •Shoulder Injuries
Rotator cuff tears, shoulder separation, AC joint separation, labral tears requiring surgery. Compensation: $100K-$500K.
- •Hand & Finger Fractures
Metacarpal fractures, finger dislocations affecting ability to work, grip strength. Compensation: $40K-$200K.
Road Rash & Skin Injuries
Severe skin abrasions from sliding across pavement at speed:
- •Severe Road Rash (3rd Degree)
Deep abrasions removing multiple skin layers, exposing muscle/bone, requiring skin grafts, debridement, permanent scarring. Extremely painful recovery. Compensation: $75K-$500K depending on body location and scarring.
- •Facial Scarring
Permanent disfigurement on face, neck, visible areas affecting appearance and self-esteem. Compensation: $100K-$800K.
- •Infection & Complications
Road debris embedded in wounds causing infections, sepsis, requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.
Spinal Cord & Back Injuries
Serious injuries to the spine from impact or being thrown from bike:
- •Spinal Cord Injury / Paralysis
Complete or incomplete paralysis (quadriplegia/paraplegia) requiring lifetime care. Compensation: $3M-$15M+.
- •Vertebral Fractures
Compression fractures, burst fractures requiring spinal fusion surgery. Compensation: $250K-$2M.
- •Herniated Discs
Disc bulges/herniations causing radiculopathy, requiring surgery (microdiscectomy, fusion). Compensation: $150K-$800K.
Internal Injuries & Organ Damage
Life-threatening internal injuries from handlebar impact or blunt force trauma:
- •Abdominal Injuries
Ruptured spleen, liver laceration, kidney damage from handlebar impact or being struck by vehicle. Compensation: $200K-$2M.
- •Internal Bleeding
Life-threatening hemorrhage requiring emergency surgery, blood transfusions, ICU care.
- •Broken Ribs / Punctured Lung
Rib fractures causing pneumothorax (collapsed lung), difficulty breathing. Compensation: $75K-$400K.
Psychological Trauma
Mental health injuries from traumatic bicycle accidents:
- •PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, fear of cycling or traffic. Requires therapy, may be permanent. Compensation: $30K-$300K.
- •Fear of Cycling / Loss of Lifestyle
Inability to return to cycling as transportation or recreation, loss of fitness, lifestyle changes.
How We Prove Driver Negligence in Bicycle Accident Cases
Evidence We Gather Immediately
- Police Report Analysis - Documenting driver violations, citations issued, witness statements
- Video Evidence - Traffic cameras, nearby surveillance, dashcam footage, cyclist camera
- Scene Photos - Skid marks, bike damage, road conditions, sight line obstructions
- Witness Statements - Interviewing pedestrians, other cyclists, drivers who saw the accident
- Cell Phone Records - Subpoenaing driver's phone records to prove distracted driving
- Black Box Data - Downloading vehicle EDR data showing speed, braking, steering
Expert Witnesses We Use
- 1.Accident Reconstruction Experts
Specialists familiar with bicycle physics, momentum, braking distances who recreate the accident using scientific principles to prove driver negligence.
- 2.Traffic Engineers
Evaluate road design, bike lane adequacy, sight lines, traffic signal timing to prove dangerous conditions contributed to accident.
- 3.Biomechanical Engineers
Calculate impact forces, injury mechanisms, proving injuries are consistent with high-speed vehicle collision (not minor crash as insurance claims).
- 4.Medical Experts
Orthopedists, neurologists, plastic surgeons who testify about severity of injuries, permanence, future care needs, explaining medical complexity to juries.
- 5.Economic Experts
Calculate lost earning capacity, future medical costs, present value of lifetime damages for catastrophic injuries.
Common Driver Violations We Prove
VTL §1146 - Failure to Yield to Cyclist
Drivers must yield right-of-way to cyclists with same rules as vehicles
VTL §1122-a - Unsafe Passing
Drivers must give 3 feet of clearance when passing cyclists
VTL §1214 - Dooring
Drivers must check for cyclists before opening doors into traffic
VTL §1225-c - Bike Lane Violations
Drivers cannot block, drive in, or park in bike lanes (except limited exceptions)
VTL §1212 - Distracted Driving
Cell phone use while driving - we subpoena phone records to prove violation
VTL §1180 - Speeding
Excessive speed reduces reaction time, increases severity of cyclist injuries
Frequently Asked Questions
Hit While Cycling? Call Now
Document everything immediately. Free consultation. No fees unless we win. We fight for cyclists' rights.