Riding a bike in New York City can be a great way to get around. But it also comes with real risks. You are sharing the road with cars, trucks, and buses every single day. Most drivers are not used to watching out for cyclists, and when something goes wrong, it goes wrong fast. A bicycle accident can leave you with serious injuries, piling medical bills, and no idea what to do next.
If you were hit by a car while riding your bike, you may have the right to compensation. But getting that money is not always simple. Insurance companies will try to pay you as little as possible, and going through the legal process alone can cost you more than you realize. A bicycle accident lawyer can protect your rights and fight to get you what you actually deserve.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in New York?
According to the NYC Department of Transportation, there were approximately 4,500 bicycle crashes in New York City in 2024. More than 800 of those crashes happened in Queens alone, and around 700 of those involved a motor vehicle. That is a lot of accidents, and behind every one of those numbers is a real person dealing with real consequences.
Without the protection of a seatbelt, airbags, or a steel frame around you, cyclists take the full force of a collision. Even with a helmet on, the injuries you can walk away with, or not walk away from, can change your life.
Common Injuries in a Bicycle Accident
When a car hits a cyclist, the results can be severe. Some injuries heal in weeks. Others stay with you forever. Here are some of the most common injuries cyclists suffer:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most serious outcomes of a bike crash. A helmet can protect your skull, but it cannot stop your brain from moving inside your head. TBIs can cause memory loss, mood swings, personality changes, and lasting problems with speech or coordination.
- Spinal cord injuries are another major concern. Your spine is made up of bones, nerves, and muscles that all work together. Even a minor injury to the spine can affect your entire body. In serious cases, a spinal cord injury can lead to partial or permanent paralysis.
- Broken bones are also common. When you fall off a bike or get thrown by an impact, your natural reaction is to reach out and brace yourself. That means clavicle fractures, broken wrists, and forearm breaks happen often. Without the padded interior of a car protecting you, these kinds of breaks are hard to avoid.
Whether your injuries heal in six months or stay with you for the rest of your life, you deserve to be compensated for what you went through.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Bicycle Accident?
Most people assume the driver of the car is always the one to blame. That is often true, but not always. Liability in a bicycle accident depends on the full picture of what happened. There are actually several parties who might be responsible:
- The driver of the vehicle that hit you
- The city or a government agency, if a pothole, broken road, or poor road design caused the crash
- A property owner, if debris or a hazard on a sidewalk was involved
- A bike manufacturer, if a defect in your bicycle contributed to the accident
Cyclists also carry some responsibility on the road. New York law requires cyclists to follow traffic laws, ride in the direction of traffic, and use hand signals properly. If a cyclist were partly at fault, that does not mean they lose the right to compensation. Fault can be split between parties, and you may still recover money even if you played a role in the accident.
Figuring out who is responsible is not always clear. That is why having an attorney look at the full situation matters so much.
Why You Need a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
After an accident, you are probably focused on getting better. The last thing you want to deal with is paperwork, phone calls, and legal deadlines. But the decisions you make right after an accident can affect how much money you are able to recover, and how fast.
Here is why hiring a bicycle accident lawyer makes a real difference.
Your Attorney Knows the Law
Traffic laws, insurance rules, and personal injury procedures are complicated. A bicycle accident attorney knows how to apply local laws to your case and understands what it takes to build a strong claim. They know which deadlines matter, including the 30-day window you have to file a no-fault claim after a crash, and they will make sure nothing gets missed.
Your Attorney Will Investigate What Really Happened
Proving fault takes more than just your word against someone else’s. A good lawyer will collect police reports, traffic camera footage, witness statements, and medical records to build your case. They will look at every angle, including whether the driver, a road defect, a property owner, or a product failure played a role.
Your Attorney Will Handle the Insurance Company
Insurance companies are not on your side. They are trying to save money, and they know that injured people are often desperate for a quick settlement. They may offer you far less than your case is worth, hoping you will take it and move on. Your lawyer knows these tactics and will push back. Instead of accepting a lowball offer, your attorney will fight for the full amount you are owed, including medical bills, lost wages, and the costs of ongoing treatment or rehabilitation.
Your Attorney Can Handle Complex Cases
Sometimes more than one person or company is involved in an accident. Multiple drivers, a city agency, and an equipment manufacturer could all share responsibility. When cases get complicated, having a lawyer who knows how to deal with multiple parties and insurance companies at once is a major advantage.
Your Attorney Lets You Focus on Getting Better
Recovering from a bicycle accident takes time and energy. Hiring a lawyer means you do not have to spend that energy dealing with legal back-and-forth. Your attorney handles the case while you focus on your health.
When Should You Call a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
You should contact a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. The sooner your attorney starts working on your case, the better your chances of preserving evidence and building a strong claim. Here are some clear signs it is time to call:
- You suffered serious injuries that required medical treatment
- The driver denies fault or their insurance is disputing the claim
- You received a settlement offer that seems too low
- More than one party may be at fault
- You are unsure of your rights or what steps to take next
Even if you are not sure whether you have a case, it costs nothing to find out. A free consultation gives you the information you need to make the right decision.
You Still Have Rights Even If You Were Partly at Fault
A lot of people do not call a lawyer because they think they did something wrong. Maybe you ran a red light. Maybe you were not in a bike lane. That does not mean you give up your right to compensation. New York law allows for fault to be shared between parties. If you were 30% at fault, you can still recover 70% of your damages. Do not assume the worst before talking to someone who knows the law.
Contact Poltielov Law Firm After a Bicycle Accident
If you or someone you love was hurt in a bicycle accident in New York, Poltielov Law Firm is ready to help. You should not have to deal with insurance companies, paperwork, and legal deadlines while you are trying to heal. Let an experienced attorney take that weight off your shoulders and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call us today at 718-880-2911 to schedule your free consultation. There is no cost to talk, and no fee unless we win your case.