Car / Bike Accidents In NYC With Increased Bike Lanes

Whether you have been hurt by someone else in a New York City trip & fall accident, a hit & run, an NYC bicycle accident or an on-the-job accident, the New York accident lawyers at David Resnick & Associates, P.C. are committed to helping you rebuild your life.

For more than 10 years David Resnick has provided personal care and individualized attention to each and every New York client he represents. Mr. Resnick takes each case personally, and that means your legal matter will receive the attention of a caring, yet aggressive and successful New York City accident attorney.

The NY bicycle accident attorneys of David Resnick & Associates, P.C. represent victims who have been injured through no fault of their own in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx, and throughout the New York City area. David Resnick & Associates, P.C. will work hard to help you obtain the money you need for a full recovery. Please call us at (212) 279-2000 or contact us online for more information about how we can help you. If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.

New York's Bicycle Lanes

New York's mayor’s recent announcement of an initiative to increase dedicated bicycle lanes on streets in Manhattan, Brooklyn and other boroughs came as welcome news to cycling advocates such as Transportation Alternatives. In a recent Quinnipiac poll, a solid majority of New Yorkers supported an expansion of bike lanes "because it's greener and healthier for people to ride their bicycles." Yet while New York City has 6,000 miles of streets that cater to cars, taxis and, for the most part, trucks and buses, a modest expansion of bike lanes by 255 miles in recent years has triggered opposition.

New York bicycle accidents can be reduced by making sure that bicyclists do not have to shoulder in among much more massive motor vehicles. The risks to the cyclist are obvious, whether he or she is wearing a helmet or not. Broken bones, back injuries, concussions and other head and neck injuries frequently result when a car or truck strikes a bicycle or a rider slams into a door that suddenly opens in the path ahead.

The mayor’s office recently released a memo highlighting several important points in support of further bike lane expansion:

• Community Boards around the City have approved bike lane installations on major thoroughfares, and several high-profile major projects in Brooklyn and Manhattan were initiated by the community itself.
• Bike lanes can be altered after installation to remedy unforeseen conflicts with parking or other concerns.
• Safety increases for bicyclists and pedestrians: while ridership has increased in recent years, crashes and serious injuries have gone down. Bike lanes reduce the frequency of crashes by 40 to 50 percent.
• Two thirds of the bike lanes created in NYC did not impact parking availability nor reduce the number of traffic lanes.

NYC bike advocates see the attempt by some to mandate bicycle registration in New York City as an attempt to reduce overall biking numbers and decrease the need for dedicated lanes. One solid rationale behind this point: cyclists benefit from the idea of “safety in numbers,” and more riders on NYC streets make motorists better aware of the need to drive safely.

Safer Streets for Younger Bicyclists

Child bicycle accidents in New York make up a disproportionate share of all vehicle/bike crashes, and drivers have an enhanced responsibility for looking out for young rider. This obligation is underscored by the fact that a defendant in a New York personal injury case has a greater burden of proving contributory negligence of a child rider in the aftermath of an accident causing injury or wrongful death.

A new NYC bike-share program will bring even greater numbers of bicyclists to the streets, as well as enhancements to our quality of life. Reduced air pollution, less crowding and better physical health will all result if bike use increases significantly in the near future. But motor vehicles will always share those roads, and while accident rates will certainly be reduced by implementation of smart transportation policies, crashes between bicyclists and cars, trucks, buses and taxis will never be eliminated. After any bike accident that causes injury or fatality to a rider, accident victims and surviving family members demand answers and deserve compensation for the losses they suffer.

NYC Bike Accident Lawyers Protect Riders on City Streets

New York City enforces a lengthy list of ordinances designed to enhance bicycle safety, and many of these focus on the role of the cyclist. Only riders 12 years and younger on small bikes may ride on sidewalks (unless otherwise designated), riders must always hold on to the handlebars, brakes must be in good repair, and lights are required from dusk until dawn.

But the most careful rider has no protection when a driver illegally merges into a bike lane, rolls through a stop sign without looking or opens a door without first checking in the rearview mirror for an approaching bike. Driver negligence presents the foremost danger to NYC cyclists, and the costs resulting from a motorist’s distracted driving or other lapse of attention can be immense.

A New York bicycle accident attorney with experience in bike accident litigation can provide important insights to an injury victim or family that faces lost wages, medical expenses and other damages. The harm caused by a bicycle collision can leave all participants confused about what really happened, and a bike crash lawyer can provide crucial representation by securing witnesses, consulting with experts to assess crash evidence and negotiating with insurance companies to hold negligent motorists accountable.

Many of New York's dedicated bikers aren't happy with the location of these new lanes. In many areas, the path squeezes between rows of parked cars and the sidewalks. Even though the lanes are meant to protect cyclists from passing vehicles, some argue the new lanes make the riders feel trapped.

Our New York personal injury lawyers urge all bicyclists to practice safe riding this spring season as the weather provides beautiful conditions for outdoor activity. However, serious and fatal accidents are most often the fault of motorists, who must pay extra care and attention as the number of riders on the road increases exponentially through spring and summer.

"It's New York City, nothing is perfect. Somebody is always going to be parked in your bike lane," said Andrew Crooks, the owner of NYC Velo, a bike shop that sits near one of the separated bike lines on Second Avenue in the East Village.

NYC Bike Lane Data

The New York Department of Transportation offers data that shows that roads with bike lanes are safer than those without. Cyclists are on both side of the argument, some feeling safer and others feeling entrapped.

Typically, the bicyclists who find the new lanes to be more frustrating are the younger, faster riders. Some complain that the new bicycle lanes are too often used by pedestrians. These walkers use the new space as an extension of the crowded sidewalks -- creating yet another obstacle for cyclists.

• Be sure to always wear a helmet when riding your bicycle. Helmets can provide substantial protection against serious head injuries in the event of an accident.
• Ride while wearing light colored clothing, reflective gear and a light on your bike to help make yourself more visible to motorists.
• Obey all traffic signals and signs. As motorists expect you to abide by the same rules, they can better predict your movements if you obey these posted rules.
• Travel with traffic flow. Never ride against traffic.
• Avoid broken pavement and poor road conditions. Potholes and other road obstacles can cause you to lose control of your bike.
• Be careful when turning left as motorists don't always expect it. Be sure to look in all directions before turning.

Contact Our New York Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today

If you or your loved one has been injured in a New York bicycle accident, you need a skilled and compassionate law firm on your side. Mr. Resnick visits clients in their homes, or the hospital if necessary, so that he can fully understand how the trauma has affected the client and the client’s family. Mr. Resnick is committed to his clients – and it shows.

If you need a New York bike accident lawyer, or you’re uncertain of whether your situation requires a lawyer and you have questions, contact our NY accident lawyers online or call us today at (212) 279-2000.

At the New York law firm of David Resnick & Associates, P.C., our bicycle accident attorneys know the difference a fair settlement can make in your life, and we will use every tool at our disposal to ensure you receive it.