Injuries Increase as More Cyclists Are Not Obeying Traffic Laws

Bicyclists in parks and on streets are running up a toll of pedestrian injuries in New York City and Long Island. In recent news, Jill Tarlov passed away from injuries sustained when she was struck by a cyclist in Central Park. In the aftermath of this recent accident, the NYPD stepped up enforcement on speeding by cyclists in the park.

Although pedestrian deaths from cyclists are rare, as more and more people commute to work on a bicycle, the chances of pedestrian- cyclist accidents increase. New Yorkers are almost four times more likely to walk or bike to work than commuters elsewhere in the U.S. There were 2.8 cyclist fatalities per 1 million residents in New York’s five boroughs, compared with 2.7 per million nationally, according to a New York City report.

Have you been struck down by a cyclist that seemingly came out of nowhere? Did you sustain serious injuries? Did a loved one die from their injuries? Just because you don’t hear often about cyclist-pedestrian lawsuits, does not mean you should let it go. You have the right to sue for pain and suffering just as much as a motor vehicle driver, or even a cyclist that sustains serious injuries from someone else’s negligence. In the case of Ms. Tarlov’s tragic death, we have to wonder how fast was the cyclist going? Why couldn’t he slow down at the crosswalk? Though no criminal charges were filed in this case, that does not mean Ms. Tarlov’s family won’t be able to sue for wrongful death. They’ll need to show that Marshall either violated a park ordinance, such as speeding or riding in the wrong direction or failed to act in a reasonable and prudent manner while riding. Several factors could play a role. Did he look away for a second, was he looking down at his cell phone, texting with one hand? A suit would seek to recover financial compensation from the cyclist’s personal assets or his homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.

If you were in a pedestrian accident involving a cyclist and suffer injuries, enlist the help of our experienced Nassau County car accident injury lawyers to help you get the compensation you may need to pay for your medical bills, make up for lost wages, compensate for pain and suffering, and begin your recovery.