While bike riders in Peekskill have the same right to use the road as drivers in cars, other drivers sometimes disregard them. Many bike riders are injured by careless drivers who do not watch out for bikes or simply do not care about them. If you were riding your bike when hit by a car, speak to an attorney about how to get fair compensation for your damages.
Bicycle accidents tend to happen because drivers in cars do not seek bike riders or disregard them. Bike riders are often struck by vehicles in intersections, sideswipe accidents, and dooring incidents. Almost any place where bikes and vehicles are in close proximity might carry some risk. However your accident occurred, you should contact an attorney and explore your legal options for compensation. This might include insurance claims, injury lawsuits, or other legal avenues that might lead you to fair compensation.
Call our bicycle accident attorneys at The Martello Law Firm, PLLC at (914) 685-6950 and ask our team for a free case review to begin.
How Bike Accidents Might Happen in Peekskill, NY
Bicycle accidents often happen on busier streets where bike and vehicle traffic is a bit heavier. Whether a bike rider is in a bike lane or riding in the normal lane of traffic if no bike lane is available, drivers must treat them as vehicles and show them courtesy and respect on the road.
Intersections are common spots for all kinds of accidents, including those involving bikes. For example, a person riding a bike might be riding through an intersection on a green light when a driver blows through a red light and hits the bike rider. This can also happen when a bike rider is going straight through an intersection, but a vehicle next to them turns and hits the bike rider because the driver is not paying attention.
Another common cause of bicycle accidents is sideswipe accidents. These sometimes happen when bike lanes are right next to normal traffic lanes, and vehicles get a bit too close to bike riders. The car can roughly bump against bike riders and knock them over at high speeds, often throwing them to the ground or into other vehicles.
Dooring accidents are also a serious risk for bike riders in bike lanes next to parking lanes. A driver parking their car might open their door without checking behind them to see if a bike rider is approaching. The unsuspecting bike rider might suddenly crash into the open door, suffering significant injuries in the process.
Why You Should Call a Lawyer if You Were Hurt in a Bicycle Accident in Peekskill, NY
Accidents happen all the time, and lots of people think they can handle the fallout on their own. Unfortunately, many of these people are unpleasantly surprised at how difficult dealing with painful injuries while balancing complex legal claims can be. Hiring an attorney might be the best decision you can make for yourself and your future.
First, our bicycle accident attorneys can help you assess the value of your injuries and losses. You might know that you can claim the cost of things like medical treatment and damaged property (i.e., your bike), but do you know exactly how much these things are worth? To accurately calculate your damages, your attorney can come through all your bills, receipts, and invoices for hospital costs, bike replacements, and other expenses. In addition, you might have claims for non-economic damages, like pain, suffering, humiliation, and more. These damages tend to be overlooked because they are unrelated to costs and are more subjective, making their value hard to predict. Even so, they may deserve substantial compensation, and your attorney can help you get it.
Your attorney can also help you determine if you have a valid claim. Not all claims can be brought to court, and it can be hard for the average person to know whether they have a valid cause of action or if other legal options are better suited to their case. Alternatively, many people assume they do not have a valid claim when, in reality, they have a strong case.
How to Begin a Bike Accident Case in Peekskill, NY
To get your case started, we should first examine your insurance options. Even if you would rather take the matter to court, insurance might be required under New York’s no-fault insurance laws. According to I.S.C. § 5104(a), drivers are required to carry no-fault auto insurance that covers them in the event of a crash, no matter who is to blame. Even though you were riding your bike when the accident happened, it is still considered a car accident since at least one vehicle was involved, and you may file a claim with your insurance if you have any. Lawsuits are barred unless you do not have insurance or you have a “serious injury.”
A serious injury is defined under § 5102(d). It includes dismemberment, serious disfigurement, broken bones, loss of a fetus, death, loss or limitation of bodily functions, system, or organs, and any medical diagnosed condition or injury that inhibits you from accomplishing normal tasks of daily living for 90 days out of 180 days after the accident.
We must assess your injuries to begin a lawsuit and determine whether you can file. If you have auto insurance, it might cover you, and a lawsuit may or may not be needed. If you do not have insurance, as many bike riders in New York do not drive, or you have a serious injury, a lawsuit might be the best way to go.
When to Contact an Attorney About Your Peekskill, NY Bicycle Accident
After an accident, you might feel overwhelmed by everything going on around you. You might be dealing with hospitals, doctors, insurance adjusters, other angry drivers, and attorneys. While you can take some time to recover before deciding what to do next, it is crucial that you make this decision sooner rather than later. The statute of limitations under C.V.P. Law § 214 provides injured victims only 3 years to file their cases. This time begins immediately when the accident occurs, so the clock is already ticking away.
Again, it is reasonable to take some time to rest and recover, especially if your injuries are severe. However, avoid waiting too long after the accident before speaking to an attorney. Call an attorney Even if you are unsure about taking legal action. They can go over all your options with you so you can make the most informed decision possible.
Speak to Our Peekskill, NY Bicycle Accident Lawyers for Help
Call our bicycle accident attorneys at The Martello Law Firm, PLLC at (914) 685-6950 and ask our team for a free case review to begin.