Queens Bike Accident

Both motorcycle and bicycle riding can be dangerous. A bicycle accident can happen when you least expect it, leaving serious injuries, medical bills and missed work. Bikes are considered more dangerous than cars because they have two wheels, which make them less stable. Bikes are also more susceptible to inclement weather and bad road conditions. Injuries in bike accidents are often quite serious because of the lack of protection, and can include injuries such as broken bones, serious skull fracture or other head injury, or a severe spinal injury. These types of injuries often include surgery, complications and sky-high medical costs. New York officials have made efforts to make cycling safer for cyclists as well as for motorists and pedestrians, and reduce the number of cycling-relate accidents. However, bike accidents remain a frequent fact of life in New York. If you are in need of a personal injury lawyer because you were injured in a bike accident do not hesitate to contact an experienced Queens bike accident lawyer who is familiar with not only personal injury law, but the specific rules that apply to cyclists.

Just like with any type of accident, bike accidents can be caused by a variety of different factors. Some of the most common types of car accidents are sideswipe, door, and drive-out accidents.

• Sideswipe accidents: A sideswipe bike accident occurs when a car or truck passes a bicyclist too closely and ends up hitting the bicyclist. With this type of accident the car does not see the bicyclist or misjudges the distance from the bicyclist and ends up barely clipping the bicycle or more directly sideswiping the bike. Whether the contact is slight or severe, when a moving car or truck comes in contact with a light bicycle, the bicyclist also always ends up with a serious injury.
• Door accidents: A door bicycle accident occurs when a driver opens the door of the car right as the cyclist is approaching. The bicyclist then slams into the door, or the bicyclist hits another car or falls in an attempt to avoiding hitting the door. This type of accident can occur when a driver does not check to make sure that there is no traffic approaching before opening the car door.
• Failure to yield accidents. Failure to yield accidents occur when a motorist fails to stop for a bicyclist who has the right of way. For example, a bicyclist is traveling southbound and a bus is traveling northbound. Both happen upon a vehicle at the same time. The bus turns left, but does not stop to allow the bike to go through the intersection and ends hitting the bike. The bicyclist falls and hits her head on the pavement causing a severe brain injury.

Bike riders are much more susceptible to serious injury in a collision than drivers of cars or trucks. Bicycles offer the cyclist very little protection. In fact, the only protection that cyclists may have is a bike helmet. When a cyclist is involved in even the slightest collision it is almost inevitable that the cyclist will fall off the bike or be thrown from the bike. When the cyclist lands there is a good chance that he or she will suffer a serious injury.

One of the most common types of injuries is a brain injury from the head slamming against the pavement or into another vehicle. Similarly, an injury to the back, spine, or neck may occur upon impact. Bones can easily fracture from a traumatic impact.

If you were injured in a bike accident that was caused by a reckless driver, a defectively designed or manufactured bicycle, or because of hazards in the road, you have the right to sue the negligent party for compensation. Compensable losses include your past and future medical bills, lost wages, missed compensation, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium. If your loved one is killed in a bike accident, then your loved one's personal representative may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

It is important to immediately seek legal guidance as you will only be able to file your lawsuit within a specific timeframe of when the accident occurred. If you try to file your lawsuit after the deadline, your claim will not be heard and you will not be able to hold the negligent party accountable for your injuries or for your loved one's death.

If you have been involved in a bike accident, our team suggests the following:

• Get all contact information from the parties involved, including any witnesses
• Use your cell phone to take pictures of any damage, injuries or road irregularities
• Seek medical attention right away
• Contact our legal team for guidance

Bicycle accident victims who suffer serious injuries are face with significant medical bills and at the same time they have to miss work. It is only fair and reasonable that if the accident was caused by another person's negligence that the negligence person should be required to pay for the victim's losses. To make sure that your rights are protected, contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss the details of your case. Our staff is experienced in handling claims from people injured in bike accidents as well as motorcycle accidents and car accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.