Bike Accident Lawyers in White Plains, NY
Whether it’s done as a recreational activity or a way to get around town, New Yorkers are spending an increasing amount of time on bikes. While this is great for traffic congestion and the environment, it also presents unique risks to cyclists. Negligent motorists may never even see someone on a bike, and by the time they do, it could be too late. If you’ve been injured while riding, a White Plains bicycle accident lawyer may be able to help.
At Greenspan & Greenspan, we’ve seen the detrimental outcomes that often follow bike accidents. Victims frequently suffer physical, mental, and economic damages. After such an incident, you may be unsure of how to move forward. Dealing with insurance companies can be stressful, and far too many injury victims end up with less than they deserve. Let us help. Contact our White Plains, NY bicycle injury attorneys to schedule a free consultation today.
Are You Entitled to Compensation After a Bike Accident?
White Plains has been taking great strides to make our area more cyclist-friendly. However, even the best city for bicycles cannot prevent all accidents. When such a collision occurs, you may be wondering if you’re entitled to compensation. The simple fact is that not every bike accident is the fault of a third party, and in some instances, liability may be shared. So, how can you know if you have a valid personal injury lawsuit after a cycling accident?
The best way to know for sure is to speak with a bicycle accident lawyer in White Plains, NY. However, you can get an idea of your potential case by considering the three elements of personal injury claims: duty of care, violation of duty, and damages. If someone acted negligently, they were likely violating a duty of care. If that violation caused you any type of harm, you may be entitled to compensation.
However, you should never make assumptions about liability. Even if you think you may have been partially at fault, it’s important to speak with an attorney to be sure. And since bicycle riders can schedule a free consultation at Greenspan & Greenspan, you have nothing to lose by reaching out today.
What Are Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?
Knowing the most frequent causes of bicycle accidents is essential. This can help you better understand the issue of liability prior to taking legal action. Additionally, these causes show just how easy it is for disastrous incidents to occur. It only takes a momentary lapse of judgment on part of a motorist to completely upend the life of a cyclist.
If you’ve been involved in such an accident, there’s a good chance one of the following was the culprit:
- Distracted driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- “Dooring” (i.e., opening car doors in a cyclist’s path)
- Unsafe lane changes
- Road hazards (e.g., potholes)
- Failure to yield
- Turning without looking
- Road rage
- Defective bicycle
- Running stop signs or red lights
- Failure to leave “buffer zone”
These common causes of bicycle accidents also make it clear that liability can be complex. For instance, who would you blame for an injury caused by a pothole?
In such a case, local authorities may be accountable for their failure to repair the issue. An experienced White Plains bicycle accident attorney can help you better understand who is liable for your injury. This is an important step in your endeavor to seek compensation.
What if You Were Partially At Fault for Your Bike Accident?
One of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming that their own liability bars them from financial compensation. This often results in injury victims paying for their own medical care and other costs when they don’t have to. That’s because they don’t realize that New York is a pure comparative negligence state. This legal doctrine allows victims to secure monetary recovery even if they share some liability for their accident.
Imagine for a moment that a motorist was speeding and texting while driving. If they collide with a cyclist who failed to yield, there would obviously be fault on both sides. Thanks to New York law, however, the cyclist could still submit a claim with the insurer of the negligent driver. They could even file a lawsuit if necessary. If a jury then decided that a cyclist was 50% at fault for their own injuries, they could still receive compensation reduced by that percentage.
Obviously, the issue of liability can get complex. That’s why you should speak with our bicycle accident lawyers in White Plains, NY today.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Bicycle Accident Claim in New York?
One of the biggest mistakes people make after suffering an injury is to assume they have plenty of time. There is a deadline to recover economic and non-economic damages. In New York, the statute of limitations for bicycle accidents is three years. Only very special circumstances would extend this timeline, and most injury victims will not qualify. Even if you were in a protected bike lane and a motorist was clearly at fault, missing this deadline cannot be overlooked.
While three years might seem like a long time, it’s important to remember that the clock starts ticking at the moment of the accident. That means all your time spent in recovery is lost time if you don’t have a White Plains, NY bicycle accident lawyer working on the case for you. It’s also important to note that insurance companies will often try to drag out negotiations to give themselves more leverage. An experienced legal professional can push back against this tactic.
Contact a White Plains Bike Wreck Lawyer Today
Any cycling accident has the potential to be catastrophic. Even a motorist opening the door of a stationary vehicle — which accounts for 15-20% of all biking collisions — can result in serious injuries for the cyclist. Regardless of the underlying circumstances of your accident, though, you may be entitled to substantial financial compensation from negligent drivers, their insurers, and other third parties who fail to uphold an appropriate duty of care.
At Greenspan & Greenspan, our legal team has decades of combined experience. During this time, we’ve consistently helped injured cyclists secure economic recovery for their losses. We know that the path ahead may seem daunting, but it’s not a path you have to take alone. Our experienced White Plains bicycle accident lawyers are on standby and ready to assist. Contact us today by calling (914) 946-2500 to schedule your free consultation.