Bicycling in Suffolk County, New York, is a popular and enjoyable recreational activity. Unfortunately, because we live in a highly populated area with busy roadways, bicyclists are often exposed to dangers created by negligent and distracted motorists. When a car or truck crashes into a cyclist the outcomes are often devastating and include broken bones, brain injury, paralysis, and death.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle crash caused by a vehicle it is important to know your legal rights and the steps you can take to recover compensation for injuries, medical expenses, and financial loss.
The bicycle crash lawyers at Fox Law Firm have over forty years’ experience in representing injured bicyclists and their families and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for them from negligent motorists and their insurance companies.
- The Alarming Rise of Bicycle Crashes: Bike crashes caused by cars and trucks are common throughout the country. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 1,000 bicyclists die and over 130,000 are injured in bicycle crashes that occur on roads in the United States every year.
Data from the Albany-based Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research shows 162 bicyclists and pedestrians died after they were hit by vehicles in Nassau and Suffolk counties between 2020 and 2022.
Recognizing the dangers bike riders face on our roadways, in 2021 the Suffolk County legislature passed a law requiring drivers to give bicyclists at least three feet of space when passing them. A violation of this law will result in heavy fines. This local law is in addition to state laws requiring motorists to keep a vigilant lookout for bicyclists and to exercise care to avoid colliding with any bicyclist.
- Common Causes of Bicycle Crashes: Bike crashes are often caused by motorists failing to exercise reasonable care when passing bike riders. Motorists fail to see bike riders because the driver is distracted by their cell phone or because they just fail to see what is directly in front of them. Other causes include driving while intoxicated or impaired by drugs.
A recent case handled by the Fox Law Firm involved a bicyclist riding on the shoulder of a rural road in Shelter Island, New York. A distracted motorist traveling in the same direction took his eyes off the road to peek at a residential construction site and crashed into the bicyclist causing a traumatic brain injury. The bicycle crash lawyers at the Fox Law firm recovered $2.5 million dollars in compensation for the client.
- Understanding Liability in Bicycle Crash Cases: Motorists and bicyclists must follow the rules of the road and exercise ordinary care to avoid crashes. Motorists are required to keep a proper look out for bicyclists, avoid driving while distracted and exercise care when passing bicyclists. When a driver is negligent and causes a crash injuring a bicyclist, that driver and the owner of the vehicle will be held fully responsible for all physical, mental, and emotional injuries caused and for all the financial losses the bicyclist incurs including lost wages and medical expenses.
- Seeking Medical Attention and Documenting Injuries: Anyone involved in a bicycle crash should seek immediate medical attention even if your injuries seem minor at first. Unfortunately, most crashes involving bicycles and vehicles result in serious injuries to the cyclist that require immediate emergency medical services at the scene of the crash and long-term medical aftercare.
The bicycle crash attorneys at Fox Law Firm assist their clients in getting the medical care they need by seeking medical care coverage from all available insurance sources. They also obtain all relevant medical reports and retain expert medical witnesses to build powerful proof of their clients’ injuries and damages.
- Gathering Evidence and Proving Your Case: Once a crash has occurred it is important to get all available evidence from the scene. In most cases law enforcement responds to the scene and will gather basic information regarding injured parties, vehicle operators and witnesses. On rare occasions the police may take detailed photographs or conduct an accident reconstruction. In most cases these steps are not taken. That is why it is important to promptly contact an experienced law firm like Fox Law Firm so we can conduct a thorough investigation including checking for video evidence of the crash, photographing the scene and the vehicles involved, contacting witnesses, and gathering statements. By conducting a thorough investigation and preserving relevant evidence we can build a strong case on behalf of our injured clients.
- Dealing with Insurance Companies: In New York State, when a bicyclist is injured through the negligence of a driver operating a car or truck, the insurance coverage for the vehicle that struck them will provide insurance coverage to the bicyclist for their medical expenses and lost wages. If the bicyclist’s medical expenses exhaust the motorist’s policy the bicyclist may have additional coverage available through their own New York Automobile insurance coverage or coverage through another policy in their household.
In addition to medical coverage, owners and operators of cars and trucks in New York State are required to carry liability coverage that will pay for the injuries and damages sustained by a bicyclist including past and future pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, lost income, and the permanent consequences of their injuries. These damages can amount to millions of dollars. That is why you should consider retaining the lawyers at Fox Law Firm to assist you in uncovering all available insurance coverage and maximizing your personal injury recovery.
Insurance coverage issues are complicated, that is why you should speak to the experienced lawyers at Fox Law Firm and allow them to assist you in making sure you get the benefits you are entitled to and the compensation you deserve.
- The Importance of Having Fox Law Firm on Your Side: Kevin Fox and Daniel Fox, bicycle crash attorneys at the Fox Law Firm have more than forty years combined experience in handling bike crash cases in Suffolk County, Long Island and New York State. They have expertise in navigating complex litigation and legal procedures for the benefit of their clients. They are exceptional advocates for their clients and have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts on behalf of bicyclists injured in bicycle crashes. Fox Law firm handles all their cases on a contingent fee basis, meaning there is no legal fee owed by the client unless we recover money for the client.
- Statute of Limitations and Timely Action: In New York State, a bicyclist injured through the negligence of the operator or owner of a vehicle has three years from the date of the crash to commence legal action. It is important for anyone injured through the negligent conduct of another to act quickly and contact the bicycle crash lawyers at Fox Law Firm as soon as possible. By consulting with the lawyers at Fox Law Firm early on, you can maximize your chances of obtaining the best outcome for your case.
Conclusion:
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle crash caused by a negligent or distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. However, you need to act quickly and wisely to protect your legal rights and maximize your recovery. Here are some steps you should take after a bicycle crash:
- Call 911 and report the accident. Get medical attention for your injuries as soon as possible.
- Get the contact and insurance information of the driver who hit you. Also get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses who saw the crash.
- Take photos of the scene of the accident, your injuries, your bike, and the vehicle that hit you.
- Do not admit fault or apologize to anyone. Do not make any statements to the driver’s insurance company without consulting a lawyer first.
- Contact the bicycle crash lawyers at Fox Law Firm as soon as possible. We will conduct a thorough investigation of the crash, gather all available evidence, and prepare your case to maximize your recovery.
At Fox Law Firm, we have over forty years of experience in representing injured bicyclists and their families in Suffolk County, New York. We know how to handle complex bicycle crash cases and how to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us fight for your rights.
At Fox Law Firm, we have over forty years of experience in representing injured bicyclists and their families in Suffolk County, New York. We know how to handle complex bicycle crash cases and how to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us fight for your rights.
