Kwok Kwan, 66, who was doored (where a vehicle’s door opens into the
bicyclist’s path) by a taxi passenger on 11th Avenue in Manhattan last month, has died from his injuries. According to Streetsblog.org, the fatal bicycle accident occurred when Kwan was riding an e-bike on 11th Avenue near 37th Street and a passenger in a taxi opened the rear door, striking Kwan. He suffered head trauma in the fall from the bike, police said. Kwan was transported to a local hospital in stable condition, but died Feb. 11 from injuries sustained in that crash. The 42-year-old taxi driver and passenger remained at the scene. Police said the investigation is ongoing.
According to Streetsblog.org, Manhattan’s 11th Avenue is a notorious stretch of roadway for such collisions because of the frequent construction activity near Hudson Yards as well as the presence of delivery trucks and attractions such as the Javits Center. In just three blocks within where Kwan was struck, there have been 90 crashes since January 2019 that caused injuries to four bicyclists, eight pedestrians and 17 motorists, Streetsblog.org reports. Citywide, as of Feb. 14, 28 people have died, up from 17 during the same period in 2021.
What is Dooring?
“Dooring” accidents are a type of collision that occurs when a driver or passenger in a vehicle opens a door into the path of a bicyclist or pedestrian. Often, in these cases, the vehicle occupant doesn’t check for oncoming traffic before opening the car door. In some cases, drivers or passengers leave a vehicle door open causing such collisions.
New York has laws that require individuals to use caution while opening vehicle doors. New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, Section 1214 states: No person shall open the door of a motor vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.”
Dooring accidents have the potential to result in major injuries or even fatalities. Victims may suffer injuries including head trauma, spinal cord damage, fractures, strains and sprains, etc. In some cases, the impact of the collision may cause the bicyclist to be thrown into traffic, and this may prove catastrophic or fatal.
If you have been injured in a dooring accident, it is important to call 911 right away and seek medical attention. If you are able, collect evidence at the scene including photos of the bike, the car and doors as well as your injuries. Obtain contact information for the motorist and the person who caused your injuries. It is also important to get the driver’s license number and insurance details. Contact an experienced New York City bicycle accident lawyer who can stay on top of the investigation and work to protect your legal rights and best interests.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
The value or worth of your case will depend on the nature and extent of the injuries you have sustained as well as the extent of negligence (carelessness) on the part of the driver. In such cases, negligent (careless) motorists and/or passengers can be held responsible for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitative treatment, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families of deceased victims can also seek compensation for their losses by filing a wrongful death claim.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident or pedestrian, 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 50 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.
We also obtained $295,000 in compensation for the victim of a bicycle dooring accident. 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/or 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://nyc.streetsblog.org/2022/02/16/delivery-cyclist-dies-after-being-doored-on-deadly-west-side-strip/