New York Sideswipe Bicycle Accidents

Have you been sideswiped by a vehicle on any of the busy roads of New York? If so, you may be able to file an injury claim to recover maximum compensation. New York state has put in many miles of bike lanes for cyclists to use across New York City and elsewhere to get back and forth to their home, school, work and around the city. In fact, New York, the Big Apple, has more than 250 miles of bike lanes and they are used by more than 1.5 million cyclists.

Many cyclists are aware of the risks they face when driving in and around traffic. However, it can still be an alarming and surprising experience to be injured in a sideswipe accident. Although cyclists' risks have decreased over the past 10 years, thousands of cyclists have been injured every single year in New York in bicycle sideswipe accidents.

As any sideswipe bicycle accident attorney in New York can tell you, many people have been killed and suffered life-changing injuries. The most devastating aspect of sideswipe bicycle accidents in New York is that many of these are caused by human error. The results can be severe when the error involves a motor vehicle. The most common kinds of cycling accidents include when bicyclists are turning across traffic, when a car is emerging into the path of a cyclist or when a motor vehicle is turning and crosses the path of a cyclist.

When it is a driver whose bad behavior or aggressiveness causes injury, death or property loss, New York laws hold that driver responsible and allow a victim or his or her family members to seek damages from that driver.

All car drivers and bicyclists have to operate their vehicles in a prudent and responsible manner. When a driver fails to exercise reasonable care behind the wheel, that driver could be held responsible for any losses or injuries sustained. That means that you may able to recover compensation from the driver for any injuries you suffered in a crash.

You must be able to illustrate in a court that the driver was reckless, careless or negligent in the operation of the vehicle and that that negligence caused you to suffer severe injuries or loss. Even if you were partially responsible for the sideswipe bicycle accident, you could be able to recover compensation, but the compensation to which you are entitled could be decreased by your percentage of fault.

It is not uncommon in sideswipe bicycle accidents for the at fault driver to allege that you were partially responsible. This is why you need a sideswipe bicycle accident lawyer in New York, who has extensive experience handling these types of claims, to represent your best interests going forward in settlement and in court. It can be very difficult to put a price on your injuries after a New York sideswipe bicycle accident occurs. Many unique details of your accident need to be evaluated directly by your New York sideswipe bicycle accident lawyer, including lost wages and future income, evidence of the accident, permanent injuries and scarring, how long you were in the hospital, the extent of your illness or injury, expected future surgeries, your percentage of fault and aggravation of a pre-existing condition. Anyone who has been injured by of the negligence of someone else only has a limited time period in which to file a claim. So you need to contact a lawyer immediately, even if you are not yet sure of your intention to file a claim. You should never let a driver get away with recklessness or carelessness on the road.

If you have been hurt in a motor vehicle accident because a car sideswiped you, you could recover funds for your permanent injuries, pain and suffering, lost time at work and missed wages and current and future medical bills. If you have lost a loved one in a New York sideswipe bicycle accident, you may be able to recover compensation for their wrongful death. Taking action sooner rather than later, with the help of an attorney who is dedicated to doing everything possible to protect you is important.