Changes Proposed to Make Brooklyn Park Safer for Pedestrians and Bicyclists

The city is planning to put measures in place in Prospect Park loop to make the Brooklyn park safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. According to the New York Times, plans for the Prospect Park loop include shrinking the space allowed for vehicles and creating one lane dedicated to pedestrians and another lane for cyclists. The changes were brought about after many complaints of the increasing number of bicyclists crashing into pedestrians at the park. The debate became more heated after two separate accidents left two women with brain injuries. The center lane of the loop would be for bicyclists and the right lane would be just for vehicular traffic. The bike lane would have two areas, one for fast cyclists and one for families and children. In addition to these proposed changes, police have also been patrolling the loop more frequently and ticketing cyclists who are not following the rules of the road.
According to a study by Hunter College, about 1,000 pedestrians are hit by cyclists every year in New York. Every pedestrian involved in one of these accidents had to get medical treatment at a hospital. Between 2007 and 2010, there were more than 4,000 bicycle accidents in New York.
Cyclists, like other vehicles, are required to yield to pedestrians and always be aware of walkers or joggers on any pathways in parks or in the city. If it is found a cyclist was negligent, he or she may be responsible for any injuries caused. Just like motorists, cyclists are expected to exercise caution when operating a bicycle to ensure the safety of those around them. If a roadway is inherently dangerous because of its design, lack of features such as crosswalks, sidewalks or proper signage, or is defective, then the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway can be held liable for injuries caused.
A pedestrian hit by a cyclist can suffer very serious injuries, especially if that cyclist is traveling at a high rate of speed. Injuries can include brain damage, broken bones, internal injuries and spinal cord damage. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, past or future pain and suffering and emotional distress, etc.
If you or a loved has been injured in a pedestrian accident, the experienced New York personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please call our offices at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). We can also help with personal injury cases in 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 phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
www.work4youlaw.com
Source: The New York Times