Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
If you were hit while riding your bike, a Mount Vernon bicycle accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation. We help injured cyclists and families after crashes involving cars, trucks, dooring incidents, unsafe road conditions, and hit-and-run collisions in Mount Vernon and across Westchester County.
At Shulman & Hill, we represent riders facing medical bills, lost income, and disputes with insurers. Our team handles injury claims, municipal notice issues, and wrongful death actions arising from bicycle crashes in Mount Vernon. Contact us today to schedule a free case review with one of our Mount Vernon personal injury lawyers.
Why Choose A Bicycle Accident Attorney in Mount Vernon
Local cases often involve Westchester County roads, City of Mount Vernon departments, and New York insurers, each with its own procedures. Working with a bicycle accident attorney in Mount Vernon helps you apply state law and local rules to your claim.
We investigate collisions, manage insurance filings, and pursue the full value of your economic and non-economic losses. If necessary, we will file a lawsuit and present your case to a jury in Westchester County Supreme Court.
You pay nothing up front because we work on a contingency fee basis. What this means is that we get paid only if we recover compensation for you.
New York Laws That Affect Your Mount Vernon Bike Crash Claim
New York follows pure comparative negligence under CPLR 1411. If a driver claims you shared fault, perhaps alleging you were outside a bike lane or did not have lights at night, your damages may be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. However, you can still recover the remaining portion.
When a motor vehicle strikes a cyclist, New York’s No-Fault system generally provides Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits from the vehicle’s insurer. This can cover medical costs and a portion of lost wages, subject to policy limits. For pain and suffering, you typically need to meet the “serious injury” threshold under Insurance Law §5102.
Statewide helmet rules apply to riders under 14. Not wearing a helmet does not bar an adult claim, but may be raised by the defense on damages. Traffic statutes require motorists to exercise due care to avoid colliding with bicyclists and to yield when turning across a bike’s path.
Insurance And No-Fault Benefits For Cyclists In Mount Vernon
After a crash with a motor vehicle, you generally submit a No-Fault application (NF-2) to the vehicle’s insurer within 30 days. This preserves medical and wage-loss benefits. We help you identify the correct carrier and meet the paperwork requirements.
If the driver fled or lacked insurance, you may pursue uninsured motorist (UM) benefits through your own auto policy or the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC), depending on eligibility. These options can be time-sensitive and document-heavy.
You may also have claims against third parties outside the No-Fault system, such as a property owner for a dangerous driveway design or a contractor that left a hazardous condition in the roadway.
Proving Fault After A Bicycle Collision In Mount Vernon
Liability evidence can come from skid marks, impact points on a vehicle, helmet damage, dashcam footage, and nearby security cameras. We often canvass the area, request intersection video from local businesses, and preserve vehicle data when available.
Witness statements, police reports, medical records, and photos of the scene help connect the driver’s conduct to your injuries. We may work with accident reconstruction professionals when disputes arise over speed, signal phase, or sight lines.
Comparative Negligence And Shared Fault In New York
Even if the defense argues you rolled a stop sign or rode outside a marked lane, New York’s pure comparative negligence rule allows you to pursue compensation reduced by your share of fault. We focus on driver behaviors, including failure to yield, dooring, unsafe passing, and distracted driving, that often carry the greater share of responsibility.
Clear documentation and expert analysis can limit fault arguments and support your recovery.
Damages Available In A Mount Vernon Bicycle Injury Case
You may seek economic losses such as medical bills, future care, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity. We document treatment, mileage to appointments, and out-of-pocket costs related to your recovery.
Non-economic damages may include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and limitations on activities you valued before the crash. In serious injury cases, these categories often make up a substantial portion of a settlement or verdict.
For families, a wrongful death action can pursue funeral expenses, lost financial support, and other losses permitted by New York law. We also address estate and representative issues needed to file a lawsuit.
Deadlines And Notices: Statutes And Municipal Rules In Mount Vernon
In many New York negligence cases, you generally have three years from the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wrongful death claims usually have a two-year filing period, though estate timelines can affect the start date.
Claims involving a city, county, or other public authority can trigger a 90‑day Notice of Claim requirement and shorter lawsuit deadlines (often one year and 90 days). Missing these steps can bar recovery, so early review is important.
Insurance notice windows are shorter. No-Fault applications often must be filed within 30 days, and UM/MVAIC claims have prompt notice rules. We track each deadline and file on time.
Speak With A Bicycle Accident Lawyer Serving Mount Vernon Today
If you were hurt in a bicycle accident in Mount Vernon because of another driver’s negligence, unsafe road conditions, or other preventable hazards, you may be able to recover compensation under New York law. The experienced attorneys at Shulman & Hill have more than 200 years of combined experience and have secured over $1 billion for our clients.
Our team can investigate the cause of your crash, identify the liable parties, and help you pursue damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses tied to your injuries.
To learn more about your legal options and how we can help, speak with a Mount Vernon bicycle accident lawyer today and schedule a free consultation.