Brooklyn Bike Accident Lawyer

Nothing is better than being able to enjoy a bike ride on a lovely sunny day in Brooklyn. However, what could start as a perfect day can turn into a nightmare if a cyclist is involved in an accident. This is especially true for bicycle riders who get hit by negligent car drivers. When a driver fails to respect traffic laws intended to protect cyclists, the results can be catastrophic. Most of the time, cyclists suffer severe injuries that can affect all aspects of their lives.

If you or a loved one was injured because of the negligent, careless, or reckless actions of a driver, you may be able to obtain compensation in the form of damages. These damages can help pay for medical expenses, cover lost wages, and reimburse you for the pain you suffered. For help with your bike accident case, contact the Brooklyn bike accident lawyers at Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, today. Our attorneys offer free consultations to help you understand your options regarding lawsuits and compensation. To schedule your free legal consultation, contact our offices today at (718) 747-9706.

Suing for Injuries After a Brooklyn Bicycle Accident

After being injured in a bike accident in Brooklyn, it is vital to seek medical treatment. Once you begin your path to recovery, you should speak with an attorney about the potential of filing a lawsuit. While the at-fault driver’s insurance may be able to cover some of the damages you face, the best path to compensation may be a lawsuit.

Typically, New York’s “no-fault” car accident laws prohibit lawsuits for minor car crashes. However, bike riders are not required to carry insurance and may not be covered by these rules. The at-fault driver of the car is legally required to carry insurance, and their insurance might be able to cover your injuries. You may also be able to get compensation from your homeowner’s insurance or health insurance, but these may not fully cover your needs.

Filing a lawsuit for your injuries allows you to recover the full value of any damages you faced. While insurance might cover some medical costs and lost wages, the damages they pay may be reduced by the cost of deductibles or policy limits that pay only a fraction of the full damages. Taking your case to court not only unlocks the ability to claim the total value of these damages, but it also allows you to claim direct compensation for your pain and suffering. These pain and suffering damages are usually blocked in an insurance claim.

This is the reason why many insurance companies decide to make an initial offer following an accident. During this time, you may be overwhelmed and in need of money to cover your expenses. Most of the initial settlement offers are low and may only cover a fraction of what you would otherwise obtain. It is crucial to evaluate your situation and consult with a personal injury lawyer who can guide you and let you know the best course of action following your accident. Don’t accept a low-ball offer from a greedy insurance company. Taking them to court may be your best chance of obtaining the compensation you need to get your life back on track.

Common Causes of Bike Accidents in Brooklyn

When you are injured in a bike accident in Brooklyn, the precise cause often dictates what damages you will receive and how you will hold the at-fault driver accountable. The following are all common causes of bike accidents where the driver is clearly at fault.

Driver Negligence

Bike lane accidents are often caused by drivers who illegally park in bicycle lanes or who drive too closely to cyclists while they avoid obstacles in the bike lane. If you have to swerve to avoid trash, construction items, or parked cars in a bike lane, you may find yourself forced into those stationary objects by negligent drivers in the next lane. If a driver forces you to stay in the bike lane or cuts you off while you are trying to avoid dangers, they could be at fault for the accident.

At red lights, cars making right turns often fail to watch for cyclists. If you are going straight at a red light, you have the right to do so, and a car making a right turn must wait and yield to you. However, many drivers fail to check their mirrors or properly signal, and they crash into cyclists approaching on their right. If this happened to you, you may be entitled to compensation from the negligent driver.

Another common cause of bike accidents is when a parked car “doors” a driver. The person opening the door of a parked car must look for oncoming traffic and bikes before opening the door into traffic. If they spring their door open and strike a cyclist, they could be responsible for the injuries the bike rider suffered in the accident.

Drunk Driving

Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in the U.S. Intoxicated drivers often represent a threat to the lives of everyone on the road. Cyclists lack all the safety features of a car such as seat belts, airbags, and a sturdy frame; a collision with a car can be fatal for a bicycle rider. These types of accidents can lead to life-threatening injuries, and in severe cases to a loss of life. Our skilled bike accident attorneys can help you hold the liable parties accountable for your losses.

Speeding

Despite many efforts to prevent speeding accidents, reckless drivers continue to operate their vehicles at high speeds, putting everyone around them at risk of a crash. These vehicles can be lethal for bicycle riders on the road. If a reckless, speeding driver hit you or a loved one, our Brooklyn personal injury attorneys may be able to help.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving has become a severe problem in recent years. While everything surrounding a driver can be a distraction, the recent introduction of electronic devices such as cellphones, tablets, and GPS have increased the likelihood of an accident. Paying attention to your surroundings is extremely important, especially when sharing the roadway with other cars, pedestrians, and cyclists. If a negligent, distracted driver injured you, we can help you hold them accountable for your losses.

Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accident injuries can be severe and change the course of your life forever. Many of these injuries require continuing medical treatment and rehabilitation. Some of the most common injuries bicyclists can experience after an accident include the following:

Head and Neck Injuries

Head and neck injuries are some of the most common types of injuries suffered in bicycle accidents. As we mentioned before, bicycles lack all the safety features of a car. When a bicyclist is hit by a car, they can fly many feet through the air and hit themselves against the pavement. There is a high chance they may hit their head against the ground, which can be extremely dangerous. A massive blow to the head can cause what is known as a traumatic brain injury, or TBI. Common signs of a TBI include memory loss, dizziness, fogginess, and vomiting. Most of the time, a head injury will require medical treatment, which can cost a lot of money.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are the result of a severe back injury. More specifically, a heavy blow to your back can sever your spinal cord. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may suffer from paralysis or intense pain. These life-changing conditions require continuing, costly medical treatment. Filing a lawsuit against the liable parties can get you the compensation you need for your medical costs.

Broken Bone Injuries

Broken bones can be extremely painful and discomforting. Depending on the extent of your broken bone injury, the recovery time can last for weeks, months, or even years. Many of these cases require extensive medical treatment, such as occupational therapy. Our injury lawyers are ready to hold the liable parties accountable for your losses.

Call Our Brooklyn Bike Crash Attorneys for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one was injured in a bicycle accident, our Brooklyn bike accident attorneys may be able to help. The attorneys at Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, may be able to help you file a lawsuit for your bike accident and fight to get the compensation you need. Never accept a settlement or insurance payout without talking to an attorney about what your case is worth. There are ways to obtain the compensation you need for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our attorneys offer free consultations to help you understand the options available to you. Let our knowledge and experience work for you while you focus on recovering from your injuries. To schedule a free consultation, call our law offices today at (718) 747-9706.