Bicycle Accident Lawyers | Yonkers, NY
Bicycles are fun and useful, but they can also easily be a source of injury for many people. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a bicycle accident caused by another party, you have options for receiving the care you need and compensation for your losses. At Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers, our Yonkers bicycle accident lawyers recognize the serious pain and inconvenience a bike crash can cause. Our team has been serving the people of New York since 1959, and we work tirelessly to take care of every detail in the aftermath of our clients’ personal injury cases.
What Rights Do Bicycle Riders Have?
Under New York law, cyclists have the right to freely use the streets and highways. Of course, this free use means sharing roads and streets with other motorists. Fortunately, New York law requires motorists to exercise due care to avoid hitting cyclists. If a driver negligently or wilfully causes harm to someone on a bike, they need to pay for their misconduct. Additionally, cyclists might have rights to compensation from the government if road or trail conditions are hazardous or don’t contain warnings about dangers.
The Effects of a Bicycle Accident
A bicycle accident can upend several areas of your life. You may have personal, financial, and professional concerns after an accident, and we are here to help you address them all.
Injuries
One of the biggest concerns for any bicycle accident victim is the impact a collision could have on their health. These concerns are well-founded. Bicycle accidents can result in many forms of injury, including:
- Soft tissue injuries,
- Broken bones,
- Head injuries, and
- Damage to the upper body.
Many bike crash victims need to spend multiple days in the hospital or even receive attention from the intensive care unit. And some bike crash victims even need surgery for their injuries. Your accident-related health care is the responsibility of the at-fault party, and we can ensure that you receive adequate coverage for your treatment as soon as possible.
Property Damage
After an accident, there is a good chance you will need to have your bicycle repaired or replaced, and doing so could cost you several hundred to several thousand dollars. Also, replacing items you had on you, like a helmet, clothing, and other personal belongings, can significantly increase your post-accident expenses. The at-fault party should pay for the replacement or repair of your belongings, and our Yonkers bicycle accident attorneys can make sure that happens.
Lost Earnings
A bicycle accident can take a significant toll on your ability to work. Bicycle accident injuries can temporarily take you away from your job or permanently take you out of the workforce. You can seek compensation from the at-fault party for your short-term and long-term financial setbacks related to the accident.
Diminished Quality of Life
For some, a bicycle accident’s impact on their personal lives is the worst part of the aftermath. After an accident, if you suffer significant pain, disfigurement, or the inability to engage in the same activities as before, you might have the right to compensation for lost quality of life.
Damages You Can Recover After an Accident
You can recover payment from an at-fault party to address the accident losses listed above. You can also recover payment to punish the at-fault party when their behavior is particularly abhorrent.
In general, bicycle accident damages available to you include the following:
- Economic damages to cover your wage loss, property damage or loss, healthcare needs, and out-of-pocket expenses;
- Noneconomic damages to compensate you for your pain and suffering; and
- Punitive damages to punish any at-fault party who engaged in egregious behavior.
Timely providing proof of your losses and making compelling arguments in a court case or insurance claim is crucial for proving your right to damages. Our Yonkers bicycle accident law firm has decades of experience and knows how to maximize your damages in a bicycle accident claim.
Making Cycling Accident Compensation Claims
Generally, you can obtain compensation for your accident losses through an insurance claim or a civil lawsuit.
Insurance Claims
In an insurance claim, the insurance company will likely ask you for the following:
- An accident statement,
- The accident report,
- Medical records, and
- Proof of your losses.
You should speak to an attorney before providing information or statements to the insurance company. Without help from a Yonkers bicycle injury lawyer, the insurance company may be able to twist your words or mischaracterize your evidence to deny your claim. At some point during your interactions with the insurance company, the company may offer you money to settle the matter. Our experienced Yonkers bicycle accident lawyers can help ensure you don’t accept a subpar offer.
Civil Lawsuits
Insurance claims often come first, and injured parties start civil litigation if insurance companies don’t offer adequate compensation. In a civil lawsuit, you typically:
- Submit your petition to the appropriate court,
- Have the at-fault party served with your petition and a summons,
- Engage in discovery to collect and share evidence, and
- Attend a hearing to present your evidence and arguments for a judge or jury to consider.
If your lawsuit is against a government entity or its agent, you must first serve a notice of claim on the government, and you must do it within 90 days of your accident.
Time Limits for Claims
Unfortunately, cycling accident compensation claims have expiration dates. If you want to sue an at-fault driver, you typically have only three years to do so. And if you want to sue the government for your losses, you have even less time. Speak to our Yonkers bike accident lawyers right away so that we can file a claim on your behalf in a timely manner and protect you through every step of the process.
Contact Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers Today
When someone causes you harm, you deserve the best care. Our Yonkers bicycle accident lawyers at Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers can provide you with the best legal guidance and take care of every detail in your claim. We receive top reviews from our clients and are an award-winning team. You can call or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation.
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