Have you been injured in a bicycle accident in the Bronx? Navigating the aftermath of a bicycle, e-bike, scooter, or e-scooter accident can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with injuries and legal complexities. Since 1919, the experienced NYC Bicycle Accident Attorneys at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman and Mackauf have been dedicated to protecting the rights of cyclists. We understand the unique challenges cyclists face under New York law and are here to help you and your family seek justice and compensation. If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in the Bronx, call us today at 212-943-1090 for a free consultation.
Our dedicated team of bicycle accident attorneys serves clients throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and the entire New York metro area, as well as New Jersey. We handle a wide range of bicycle accident cases, including:
- Bicycle accidents involving buses
- Bicycle accidents involving trucks
- Bicycle accidents involving cars
- Bicycle accidents involving taxis or limousines
- “Dooring” accidents involving cyclists
- E-bike accident claims
- Citi-Bike accident claims
- Bicycle messenger crash claims
- Scooter and E-Scooter Accident claims
- Hit and Run bicycle accidents
- Bike Lane Accidents
Frequently Asked Questions About Bronx Bicycle Accident Litigation
How Can a Bronx Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help Me?
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in the Bronx, a specialized attorney can be invaluable. New York laws present unique challenges for cyclists, requiring specific knowledge and experience to effectively navigate. Our Bronx bicycle accident lawyers possess extensive experience representing bicycle accident victims and their families across all five boroughs of New York City and New York State. We are adept at handling complex and catastrophic bicycle accident lawsuits and have a proven track record of securing multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for our clients.
For instance, our NYC bicycle accident lawyers recently achieved a significant settlement for a cyclist injured after being struck by a bus in New York. Leveraging evidence, including video footage obtained from the bus company, we were able to build a strong case and secure just compensation for our client. This case exemplifies our commitment to thorough investigation and strategic advocacy on behalf of injured cyclists in the Bronx and beyond.
Our firm’s success is recognized within the legal community. Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman and Mackauf was featured in the New York Law Journal’s Top 25 New York Verdicts of 2014 for securing the highest award in a motor vehicle accident verdict involving a bicycle. We were also named Law Firm of the Year for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs in 2013 and consistently achieve Tier 1 ranking in New York City for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs by U.S. News – Best Lawyers ® “Best Law Firms”.
Why Choose Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman and Mackauf as Your Bronx Bicycle Accident Attorneys?
Our personal injury attorneys are committed to maximizing our clients’ financial recovery through meticulous trial preparation and a deep understanding of New York personal injury law. We have earned a national reputation as “counsel to the profession,” trusted by peers, bike activists, and avid cyclists alike. Mary Beth Kelly, a board member of Transportation Alternatives and a founding member of Families for Safe Streets, has entrusted our firm with her cases and those of her loved ones. This trust from within the cycling community underscores our dedication and expertise in representing cyclists injured in the Bronx and throughout NYC.
Recent significant bicycle accident cases handled by our attorneys include:
- $8,570,000 verdict for a 36-year-old bicyclist injured after being struck by a bus in NYC.
- $5,500,000 settlement for a bicyclist struck by a New York police car during a pursuit.
- $5,000,000 recovery in New York County for the family of a doctor killed by an NYPD tow truck while cycling on the West Side Greenway.
- $4.6 million verdict for the family of Marylin Dershowitz, a retired Manhattan Supreme Court special referee, tragically killed by a postal truck while cycling in Downtown Manhattan. Her husband, Nathan Z. Dershowitz, of Dershowitz, Eiger and Adelson, placed his trust in our firm and was exceptionally satisfied with the outcome.
- $2,050,000 verdict for a bicyclist who sustained pelvic and urethral injuries after being hit by a NY MTA bus.
- $1,400,000 settlement for a cyclist who suffered fractures to her clavicle, thumb, ribs, and pelvis after being struck by a bus.
- $1,200,000 verdict for a woman who sustained a herniated disc in her lower back after being hit by a car while cycling.
Common Types of Bicycle Accident Lawsuits in the Bronx and New York City
In the Bronx and New York City, the majority of bicycle accident cases arise from:
- Drivers failing to yield the right-of-way at intersections.
- Vehicles turning unexpectedly into a cyclist’s path, particularly left turns across oncoming cyclists.
- Motorists overtaking cyclists and misjudging safe passing distance.
- Trucks and buses failing to share the road, forcing cyclists off-road or causing collisions.
- Negligent opening of car doors directly into a cyclist’s path (“dooring”).
Bicycle accidents can also result from environmental factors, including:
- Defective roadway design or poor road maintenance.
- Limited visibility due to weather or obstructions.
- Hazardous road conditions such as potholes, debris, and inadequate maintenance.
Another scenario, particularly relevant in densely populated areas like the Bronx, involves pedestrians being struck by bicycle messengers or delivery persons.
Bicycle Laws in the Bronx and New York City
Cyclists in the Bronx and throughout New York State are legally obligated to follow the same traffic laws and are granted the same rights as drivers of other vehicles, as outlined in New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1231. Importantly, under New York’s No-Fault Law, cyclists are considered pedestrians and are typically entitled to No-Fault insurance coverage in accident situations.
Helmet laws in New York are detailed in Vehicle and Traffic Law §1238. Children under one year old are prohibited from being bicycle passengers. Helmets are mandatory for operators and passengers under 14 years of age. For cyclists older than 14, helmet use is not legally required.
Helmet Effectiveness in Preventing Bicycle Accident Injuries
It’s crucial to understand the protective limitations of bicycle helmets. While helmets are effective in mitigating injuries at lower speeds, they are less likely to prevent serious head or brain injuries in high-speed impacts (over 15-20 mph). U.S. helmet safety standards are based on drop tests simulating impacts at approximately 14 mph.
A significant study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that bicycle helmet use reduced the risk of head injury by 85% and brain injury by 88%. A Case-Control Study of the Effectiveness of Bicycle Safety Helmets, Robert S. Thompson, M.D., et al., N Engl J Med 1989;320:1361-1367.
Helmets primarily protect against minor head injuries caused by linear acceleration of the skull upon impact. They work by reducing and distributing impact force. However, more severe brain injuries often result from rotational acceleration, leading to diffuse axonal injury (DAI) and subdural hematoma (SDH), major causes of death and disability in road accidents. Bicycle helmets are not designed to effectively prevent these rotational injuries. Curnow WJ. The efficacy of bicycle helmets against brain injury. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 2003,35:287-292
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries in the Bronx
Bicycles offer minimal protection in accidents, making cyclists vulnerable to severe injuries, especially in collisions with cars or trucks in the Bronx. Children are disproportionately affected. Common bicycle accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries and skull fractures.
- Facial fractures, including jaw and broken facial bones.
- Fractures of arms, legs, shoulders, and neck.
- Chest trauma, such as rib fractures, and abdominal injuries, including internal organ damage.
Bicycle Accident Statistics in the Bronx and New York City
Recent NYPD statistics indicate fluctuating trends in bicycle accident fatalities and injuries in New York City. While there was an initial decrease in fatalities at the start of 2022, numbers rose again during warmer months. From January to August 31st, there were 9 bicycle accident fatalities in NYC, compared to 7, 10, and 18 in the same periods of 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Despite infrastructure improvements, fatalities remain a concern, particularly outside of Manhattan and potentially in boroughs like the Bronx.
Bicycle accident injuries also show concerning trends. After a surge in summer 2020, injuries decreased but have since rebounded as city activity and tourism have increased. In July and August 2022, there were 527 and 530 reported bicycle accident injuries in NYC, respectively.
Record High Bicycle Accident Fatalities and Injuries in NYC in Q1 2023
NYPD data reveals a record 9 cyclist deaths in Q1 2023, with 7 involving e-bikes. Of these, 4 e-bike fatalities were single-vehicle accidents. Vehicle-involved fatal crashes included 3 with trucks and 2 with SUVs.
Bicycle accident injuries also reached a record high in Q1 2023, with 809 cyclists injured, compared to 649 in the same period the previous year.
Fatal Bicycle Accidents Concentrated in Early 2023
Five of the 9 fatal NYC bicycle accidents in Q1 2023 occurred in January and February, months typically with low bicycle accident fatalities. This spike is concerning, matching a record high seen only once before since 2013 (Vision Zero).
Notable fatalities during this period include:
- Tamara Chuchi Kao, 62, killed by a cement truck in Astoria while on a CitiBike.
- Sarah Schick, 37, a mother killed by a truck while riding an e-CitiBike in Gowanus, Brooklyn.
- James Giambalvo, fatally struck by an SUV while cycling in Staten Island.
February 2023 also saw a high number of bicycle accident injuries, with 231 reported, the second-highest for February on record.
Both bicycle accident deaths and injuries demonstrate an upward trend.
NYC DOT Data on Bicycle and E-mobility Accidents in 2022
NYC DOT data for 2022 shows 15 cyclist fatalities and 16 fatalities involving e-mobility devices (e-scooters, e-mopeds). Brooklyn had the highest number of both cyclist (6) and e-mobility device (8) fatalities. The Bronx accounted for 4 cyclist and 4 e-mobility device fatalities.
Brooklyn also recorded the highest number of injuries for both groups: 1,879 cyclists and 920 e-mobility riders injured. The Bronx reported 521 cyclist and 342 e-mobility rider injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured or tragically killed in a bicycle accident in the Bronx or anywhere in New York City, the Bronx bicycle accident attorneys at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom Hershenhorn & Mackauf are here to fight for your full recovery. Contact our firm today at 212-943-1090 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We are committed to providing experienced and compassionate legal representation to cyclists in the Bronx and throughout New York.
Disclaimer: Case results depend on specific facts and circumstances. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. This information is for general guidance and not legal advice.
