New York Bicycle Accident Lawyer
CASE RESULTS
$10,581,576
MILLION
Guaranteed lifetime payment secured for an eleven-year-old girl from the Caribbean who was seriously injured after being struck by a van while crossing the street. The client sustained a fracture of the left wrist and underwent surgery to her knee and lower back.
Being struck by a vehicle while riding your bike leaves you dealing with injuries, medical bills, and an insurance process that was not designed to work in your favor. At Omrani & Taub, P.C., our New York bicycle accident lawyers represent injured cyclists across all five boroughs, Westchester, and Long Island.
If another party’s negligence caused your accident, we can evaluate your case for free and explain your options.
We handle the legal side so you can focus on recovering. Our team has represented cyclists in cases involving car dooring, intersection collisions, hit-and-runs, and accidents caused by unsafe road conditions.
We know how New York courts treat these cases and how to build a claim that reflects the full impact of your injuries.
Who Is Liable in a New York Bicycle Accident?
Liability in a bicycle accident depends on what caused the crash and who had a duty of care at that moment. In New York, that responsibility most often falls on a negligent driver, but it can also involve a property owner, a vehicle manufacturer, or the city itself. Our attorneys identify every responsible party before building your claim.
Negligent Drivers and Their Responsibility to Cyclists
New York law requires drivers to share the road safely with cyclists. When a driver fails to yield, runs a red light, follows too closely, or drives distracted, and a cyclist is injured as a result, that driver may be held liable for the damages. New York City streets see a high volume of both vehicle and bicycle traffic, and the consequences when drivers ignore the rules are often serious.
Car Dooring Accidents on New York Streets
One of the most common causes of bicycle injuries in New York is car dooring, when a driver or passenger opens a vehicle door into the path of an oncoming cyclist. These incidents happen frequently on narrow streets throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, opening a door into traffic without checking is a violation. If a dooring accident caused your injuries, the occupant who opened the door may bear legal responsibility for your claim.
Defective Road Conditions and Municipal Liability
Not all bicycle accidents are caused by another driver. Potholes, broken pavement, missing signage, or improperly maintained bike lanes can create dangerous conditions that lead to serious crashes. When a road defect is to blame, the responsible government agency may be liable.
These cases require filing a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident, which makes acting quickly especially important.
Product Defects and Bicycle Accident Claims
In some cases, a defective bicycle component, such as faulty brakes or a failing wheel, contributes to an accident. When a manufacturing or design defect plays a role, the claim may extend to the manufacturer or distributor of the product.
Our team investigates whether equipment failure was a contributing factor in every case we take on.
Learning about bicycle safety is important to understand how to improve security while riding a bicycle.
What Compensation Can You Pursue After a Bicycle Accident in New York?
Injured cyclists in New York may have the right to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. The value of a claim depends on the severity of the injuries, the clarity of liability, and the long-term impact on the cyclist’s life. Our attorneys work to document every aspect of your damages from the beginning.
Economic Damages in a Bicycle Accident Case
Economic damages cover the concrete financial losses tied to the accident. These can include medical treatment costs, rehabilitation expenses, lost wages during recovery, and future earning capacity if the injuries affect your ability to work long-term. Strong medical documentation and consistent follow-through with treatment are critical to supporting these components of a claim.
Non-Economic Damages: Pain, Suffering, and Quality of Life
Beyond the financial impact, bicycle accident injuries often carry a significant personal toll. Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life can form a substantial part of a claim, particularly in cases involving serious or permanent injuries. Our team builds these arguments with care so they carry weight in negotiations and, if necessary, before a jury.
New York’s Comparative Fault Rule and Your Recovery
New York follows a pure comparative fault system, meaning that even if you are found partially responsible for the accident, you may still pursue compensation. Your recovery would be reduced proportionally by your share of fault, but it is not eliminated.
Insurance companies often attempt to assign fault to cyclists in order to reduce their payout. Having an attorney negotiate on your behalf helps protect against those tactics.
How Long Do You Have to File a Bicycle Accident Claim in New York?
In New York, the general statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is three years from the date of the accident, under CPLR Section 214. However, this deadline can vary significantly depending on the circumstances. If a government entity is involved, such as the City of New York or the MTA, a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days, and additional procedural steps apply.
Why Acting Quickly Strengthens Your Bicycle Accident Claim
Beyond the legal deadlines, early action matters for practical reasons. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras is often overwritten within days. Witnesses are easier to locate shortly after an accident. Physical evidence at the scene changes over time. The sooner our team can begin gathering and preserving that evidence, the stronger the foundation for your claim.
Bicycle Accidents Involving Government-Owned Vehicles
If a city bus, sanitation truck, or other government vehicle struck you, the rules are different from a standard personal injury claim. Strict notice requirements and shorter filing windows apply. Missing these deadlines can bar your right to pursue any compensation at all. If a city vehicle was involved in your accident, contact us as soon as possible.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in New York
The steps you take in the days following a bicycle accident in New York can have a direct impact on your ability to pursue a claim. While medical care should always come first, the decisions you make about documentation and communication also matter from a legal standpoint.
Documenting the Scene and Your Injuries
If you are able to do so safely, photograph the accident scene, the vehicles involved, any road defects that contributed to the crash, and your bicycle. Get the driver’s information and any witness contact details. Seek medical attention promptly, even if you believe your injuries are minor.
Delayed symptoms are common in bicycle accidents, and a gap in medical care can be used to argue that your injuries were less serious than claimed.
What to Avoid When Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly after an accident, sometimes within hours. Their goal is to gather information that limits the insurer’s liability. Before giving any recorded statement or signing any documents, speak with an attorney.
Statements made early in the process, even ones that seem harmless, can be used to challenge your claim later.
How Our New York Bicycle Accident Lawyers Handle Your Case
Once you contact us, our team reviews the facts of your accident, identifies the liable parties, and begins building your claim. We handle all communications with the insurance company, gather the evidence needed to support your damages, and pursue a settlement that reflects the full scope of what you have been through.
If the insurer does not offer a fair amount, we are prepared to litigate in the courts of New York.
Do I Need a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in New York?
Not every bicycle accident requires an attorney. However, cases involving significant injuries, disputed liability, or a government entity almost always benefit from legal representation. Insurance companies have experienced adjusters and legal teams working to protect their interests. Having an attorney who understands New York personal injury law helps level that playing field.
When Legal Representation Makes a Measurable Difference
Cases involving serious injuries, long-term medical treatment, or lost income are too complex to navigate without legal guidance. These claims require detailed documentation, expert input, and a clear understanding of how New York courts evaluate damages. Our attorneys have handled bicycle accident cases across New York City and Westchester and know what it takes to present a compelling claim.
Working on Contingency: No Upfront Costs
Our firm handles bicycle accident cases on a contingency basis. You do not pay any attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no hidden charges. This arrangement means we are fully invested in the outcome of your case from the first day we take it on.
FAQ for New York Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Do I need a lawyer for a bicycle accident in New York?
If you suffered significant injuries or if liability is disputed, having an attorney is strongly advisable. Insurance companies have legal teams working to minimize payouts, and an attorney who knows New York bicycle accident law can help ensure your claim reflects the full scope of your damages. Our consultations are free and carry no obligation.
Can I sue if a car door hit me while cycling in New York?
Yes. Car dooring is a recognized cause of bicycle injuries in New York, and the person who opened the door into your path may be held liable under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law. Our attorneys can review what happened, identify the responsible party, and help you pursue compensation for your injuries and related losses.
How much does a bicycle accident lawyer cost in New York?
At Omrani & Taub, P.C., we handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no charges if there is no recovery. Your initial consultation is completely free.
What if the city is responsible for my bicycle accident in New York?
If a road defect, broken bike lane, or city-owned vehicle caused your accident, you may have a claim against a municipal entity. These cases require a Notice of Claim filed within 90 days and have different procedural rules than standard personal injury claims. Acting quickly is essential, and speaking with an attorney as soon as possible protects your options.
Can I still recover compensation if I was not wearing a helmet during a bicycle accident in New York?
New York does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets, and the absence of a helmet does not automatically bar you from recovering compensation. However, the defense may argue that your injuries were made worse by the lack of protective gear. An attorney can address those arguments and work to ensure the full picture of the accident is presented accurately.
What if the driver who hit me left the scene of the accident?
Hit-and-run accidents present specific challenges, but you may still have options. Your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply, and there may be surveillance footage or witness accounts that help identify the driver. Our team has experience handling these cases and can investigate the available avenues for compensation even when the at-fault driver is initially unknown.
Does New York’s no-fault insurance apply to bicycle accidents?
New York’s no-fault system generally applies to motor vehicle occupants, not cyclists. This means that as a cyclist injured by a vehicle, you are typically not limited to no-fault benefits and may be able to pursue a third-party claim against the at-fault driver directly. The specific rules depend on the circumstances of your accident, which is one reason consulting with an attorney early makes a difference.
Can I file a claim for a bicycle accident that happened in a bike lane?
Yes. Accidents that occur in designated bike lanes are still personal injury claims if another party’s negligence caused them. Drivers who enter bike lanes illegally, vehicles that block cycling infrastructure, or road defects within the lane itself can all give rise to a claim. The location of the accident within a bike lane does not limit your right to seek compensation.
How long does a New York bicycle accident case typically take to resolve?
The timeline depends on the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries, and whether the parties reach a negotiated settlement or proceed to trial. Some cases resolve within months; others, particularly those involving serious injuries or disputed liability, can take longer. Our team keeps clients informed throughout the process and explains the tradeoffs between settling and litigating at each stage.
One Call Changes What Happens Next
The days after a bicycle accident are disorienting. You are managing physical pain, dealing with a damaged bike, and facing a pile of medical paperwork, all while the insurance company is already building its file. You do not have to sort through that alone.
Our team has represented injured cyclists throughout New York City and the surrounding area for years. We know how to investigate these accidents, how to document what they cost, and how to present a claim that holds negligent parties accountable. A conversation with us costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
Call Omrani & Taub, P.C. today at 212-714-1515 and speak with a New York bicycle accident lawyer.
Call 212-714-1515 Today
For A Free Consultation
Omrani & Taub, P.C. (New York Law Office)
Request a Free Consultation
Omrani & Taub, P.C. (New York Law Office)
Request a Free Consultation
Omrani & Taub, P.C. (New York Law Office)