Manhattan Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Bicycling is more popular than ever before. However, bicyclists face unique dangers and are particularly at risk if they collide with a car. If you’ve been injured in a bike accident, contact a Manhattan bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible for advice about your legal rights. We recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van.
Collisions With Cars
Because a bicycle is small and light, and the rider is relatively unprotected, colliding with a car can cause severe injuries. Bicycles are sometimes hard for drivers to see and drivers may not realize a cyclist’s speed. Cars turning right or left at an intersection may create a hazard for a cyclist. In addition bicyclists should never ride against traffic.
Cyclists can take precautions by:
- Increasing their visibility, by using lamps and brightly colored and reflective clothing.
- Riding defensively.
- Being constantly vigilant.
- Learning to perform emergency movements to avoid collisions.
Determining Fault
Usually the vehicle (whether car or bike) that does not have the right-of-way is at fault for an accident. Thus, if there is a traffic signal, the vehicle that did not abide by the signal is likely at fault. If an intersection does not have a traffic signal, the vehicle that arrived at the intersection first usually has the right-of-way. A Manhattan bicycle accident attorney can give you specific advice about possible fault in an accident.
Road Hazards
Bicycles are also particularly susceptible to injury from road hazards. A bike’s lightweight, unsteadiness, and thin tires make it vulnerable to any changes in road conditions, due to such things as potholes, tree roots, sewer grates, and railroad tracks.
When a road hazard causes a bicycle accident, the most likely liable party is the state, county, or other governmental agency that is responsible for maintaining the road. To sue a government agency, you must take certain procedural steps in a short period of time. Contact a bicycle accident attorney immediately for advice.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has been injured in a New York bicycle accident, the experienced Manhattan bicycle accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Our law firm recovered $5,600,000 for a man on a bicycle who was hit by a van. Please contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 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. Please visit us at Work4YouLaw.com.