The coronavirus pandemic re-introduced a number of New Yorkers to the joys 
of riding a bicycle. People are continuing to discover the advantages of cycling to work and not have to share buses or taxis and avoid crowded subways, according to The New York Times. Cycling has become so popular that bicycle companies have posted out-of-stock notices for the first time in years. Sales in May rose 103% compared with a year earlier, according to reports.
But, just as bicyclists are exploring the joys of cycling, they are also finding out that it comes with dangers, especially in large, crowded cities such as New York. Even prior to the pandemic, bicycle accident deaths nearly tripled last year to 29, from 10 in 2018. This year, at least 14 bicyclists have been killed. And with more bicycles on the streets competing for space with cars, buses and trucks, there is a lot more pressure to find ways to make roads safer for everyone.
Vision for a Safer Future
Many bicycling advocates have capitalized this moment to push for dedicated bike lanes in the city. But in addition to these safety measures, there are other technological advances that are helping bicyclists and vehicles do a better job of sharing the roadway. The Times gives the example of a demo in Turin, Italy where a bicyclist is shown trying to go around a line of parked cars as a large sedan approaches from behind. But, the driver sees a warning graphic flash on a display above his dashboard indicating that a bicyclist was directly ahead. The driver then slows down to give the bicyclist more room.
These encounters are part of a future vision of bicycle-to-vehicle communications that can help prevent devastating bicycle accidents. The demo in Turin was supported by Fiat Chrysler and 5G Automotive Association trade group, and involved a 5G wireless program meant to illustrate the advantages for high-speed communications among cars, bicycles, traffic systems and city infrastructure. A tech company had outfitted the demo bicycle with a global navigation device to determine its precise location and a 5G transceiver to convey that information to nearby vehicles.
This concept envisions an online future that creates smart cities where traffic lights will see oncoming traffic, cars will see pedestrians at intersections, and bicycles will “talk” to cars. Some bicyclists already use technology such as Garmin’s Varia radar taillight to warn approaching cars. However, it does not actively prevent collisions. Some features such as Volvo’s collision warning feature, will even automatically brake for bicyclists. Experts with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) say such technology can help reduce bicycle versus vehicle collisions by up to 35%.
Injuries and Compensation
The fact remains that a number of bicycle accidents in New York City are still caused by negligent (careless) drivers. Bicycle accidents often result in major injuries to riders such as brain trauma, spinal cord injuries, multiple broken bones or fractures and internal organ damage. Victims who have been injured in bicycle accidents may be able to seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost income and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
Families of deceased bicycle accident victims may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for damages such as lost future income, funeral costs, medical expenses, pain and suffering, etc. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to guide you through what can quickly become a complex process and help you maximize the compensation you receive.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle 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 49 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 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. 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 and medical malpractice 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.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/09/business/bicycle-safety-cars.html