Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Biking has been one of the most popular means of traveling throughout New York City. It is not only beneficial to your health, but it is also good for the environment.
However, when you are riding your bike, it is important to be vigilant to avoid hazards that can put you in harm’s way. You do not have the steel frame of a car or truck to protect you. If you are involved in an accident with a motor vehicle in Brooklyn, your chances of being seriously injured are greater than if you were the driver or passenger of another vehicle.
Unfortunately, people’s negligence can often result in bike accidents. If you or a loved one been were injured in a Brooklyn bike accident, review your case with a Brooklyn bike accident attorney at Shulman & Hill. We can determine if you may be entitled to compensation, and if so, we can represent you.
At Shulman & Hill, we have a proven track record of securing results for our clients. For instance, we successfully recovered $625,000 for a 23-year-old Brooklyn client who was working as a delivery boy when he was struck by an out-of-state bus making a left turn. In another case, we recovered $110,000 on behalf of a 26-year-old client who was hit by a truck, suffering an injury to their scapula. We’re committed to fighting for the compensation our clients deserve.
What You Need to Know About Brooklyn Bike Accidents
None of the information here is meant to discourage you from relying on a bike to get around Brooklyn. There are more than enough reasons to opt for this mode of transportation. You simply need to be aware of the dangers and hazards bicyclists face. Harmful bicycle accidents are relatively high in Brooklyn. The only borough more dangerous for bicyclists is Manhattan.
Brooklyn bike accidents can occur for many reasons. The following are some of the most common causes:
- Distracted driving, a problem that is unfortunately on the rise in the age of smartphones
- Intoxicated driving
- Sleep-deprived driving
- Bike or other vehicle defects
- Speeding
- Hazardous road conditions
- Forcing a bicyclist out of a bike lane
Brooklyn bicycle accidents may also happen simply because bikes are smaller in size than other vehicles and can be unnoticed by cars and trucks.
The Consequences of a Brooklyn Bike Accident
Bicyclists are relatively vulnerable on the road due to the lack of protection. When involved in an accident, it is not uncommon for the cyclist’s injuries to be severe. It is possible that injuries sustained in a Brooklyn bike accident will require medical treatment or hospitalization.
Injuries may also limit your mobility, thus preventing you from working until you recover completely. Combining the pressure of piled-up medical bills with the inability to receive a paycheck, you could face significant financial burdens in the aftermath of the accident.
The accident may also leave you with non-financial losses, such as pain and suffering which may prevent you from participating in your routine daily activities.
Bicycle accidents can even have a permanent impact on your overall quality of life. Although wearing a helmet when riding a bike is crucial, they are not always 100 percent effective. If you sustain a major head injury, you could struggle with impaired memory and/or cognition for years to come.
You are likely entitled to compensation for such losses. Consult a personal injury law firm in Brooklyn to learn more about pursuing what you may be entitled to.
The Role of a Bike Accident Law Firm in Brooklyn
If you have been harmed in a bike accident, enlisting the help of a Brooklyn bike accident law firm can be important for many reasons. Some of the key ways we can help include:
Investigating Your Accident
In most cases, you will seek compensation after a Brooklyn bike accident by filing a lawsuit against the negligent party’s insurance. Before doing so, you must accurately identify who the negligent party may be. This often requires conducting an investigation.
Refusing Low Settlement Offers
Many factors can affect the total value of your claim. They may include, but are not necessarily limited to, medical bills, lost wages, and future financial losses if your injuries require ongoing treatment or prevent you from working for the foreseeable future.
If you do not know how to properly account for all your losses, you may end up accepting less compensation than you are most likely entitled to. You minimize those chances when you hire a Brooklyn bike accident lawyer. An attorney will thoroughly review all applicable factors to determine what a fair settlement offer or verdict would be and will offer their legal advice along the way.
Handling the Litigation Process
The litigation process after a Brooklyn bike accident often involves many tasks, from filing paperwork to corresponding with insurers. Such tasks are best done by a skilled professional, while you focus on recovery.
An attorney’s background is also helpful when it comes to negotiating with insurers. An insurance company may try to limit their financial liability by arguing that the amount of compensation you are seeking is more than what you deserve. We can gather the evidence needed to prove that based on the extent of your injuries and losses, you are entitled to the amount of compensation you are seeking. Presenting sufficient evidence is key to optimizing your chances of reaching a fair settlement.