The New York Times reports that 2023 was the deadliest year for bicyclists in New York City since 1999. This is according to new data from the city’s Department of Transportation. Most of the 30 bicyclists who died in 2023 were riding electric bikes, which have grown in numbers in recent years in the city. Of the 30 people who died in bicycle accidents last year, 23 people were riding e-bikes, which is more than twice the previous e-bike fatalities total, the Times reports.
What the Data Shows
In addition to the rise in the number of bicycle accident deaths, serious injuries among bicyclists were also up last year, the data shows. In 2023, 395 bicyclists were severely injured in New York City, including 79 who were riding e-bikes. Despite this increase, the rate of bicyclist fatalities and serious injuries as a share of all bike trips has been trending downward for many years, which suggests that riding a bicycle in New York City has become safer over the long term, the New York Times’ analysis shows.
It also shows that historically, most people who have lost their lives riding bicycles in New York City were killed in crashes with vehicles on streets that did not have bike lanes. That was also the case last year. Based on preliminary police reports, most of the bicyclists who died in 2023 collided with vehicles on streets that had no bike lanes.
Among bicyclists who died in a collision, most were hit by larger vehicles SUVs, pickup trucks, box trucks and tractor-trailers. Such vehicles were involved in half of last year’s fatal bicycle accidents. In at least six of those 15 incidents, the victims were killed by a vehicle that was turning right at an intersection.
What Causes Bicycle Accidents
Due to its dense population, New York City and other large cities share some common factors that result in bicycle collisions. Street intersections and crowded areas are often the locations of collisions between cyclists or pedestrians and motor vehicles. Frequently, inadequate infrastructure such as poorly maintained roads, not enough bike lanes, and insufficient signage also contribute to these types of accidents.
Negligent (careless) acts on the part of motorists who ignore traffic laws, including running red lights, making illegal turns, or failing to yield right of way, lead to dangerous situations. Distractions while driving. such as using mobile devices can impair reaction times and increase the likelihood of accidents.
Compensation for Victims
In cases where negligence (carelessness) is involved, families of deceased bicycle accident victims can file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for damages such as medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering, and loss of care and companionship. Victims who have been injured in a bicycle crash, may be able to seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost income and benefits, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. A knowledgeable New York bicycle accident lawyer will be able to guide victims’ families through what is often a complex legal process to obtain compensation.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident or pedestrian accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 53 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and $2,000,000 in a hit-and-run accident, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole.
We also obtained $295,000 out of a $300,000 insurance policy in compensation for the victim of a bicycle dooring accident (where a car door opens into the path of a bicyclist). Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
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Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/05/nyregion/nyc-cyclist-deaths-ebike.html