Valley Stream Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Although bicycling used to be thought of as a strictly recreational activity, it has evolved to become a mode of day-to-day transportation for many New York City residents. With that frequent usage, however, there has also been a marked increase in the number of accidents involving bicyclists – which, in turn, has led to more personal injury claims and additional laws concerning how cyclists can operate on roadways.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a collision on a bike, consider consulting with a Valley Stream bicycle accident lawyer who is experienced in handling these claims. A qualified personal injury attorney could work for you to recover the fair compensation you deserve after suffering an incident because of another’s negligence.
Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Valley Stream
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there has been an increase of cyclists killed in accidents with motor vehicles over the last 10 years. Unfortunately, most accidents involving bicyclists and motor vehicles are the result of driver error or negligence. Some of the more common causes of such accidents include the following:
- Distracted driving due to texting or cell phone use
- Motor vehicles operating in designated bicycle lanes
- Changing lanes or turning without checking for bicyclists
- Running red lights or stop signs
Types of Recoverable Damages in Bike Collisions
Because bicyclists are usually only protected by a helmet, they often sustain serious injuries when they are involved in accidents with motor vehicles. Those injuries can be devasting and often result in major out-of-pocket expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering for Valley Stream cyclists.
In New York State, injured bicyclists can sue to recover for any expenses they have incurred for medical treatment, medications, recuperative therapy. Other accident-related costs such as the repair or replacement of their bicycle can also be recovered. In addition, they can also sue for lost income and diminished earning capacity if they are unable to go back to work after the bicycle accident.
If the conduct of the motor vehicle operator was especially egregious—if the driver was operating at a high rate of speed while intoxicated, for example—an injured bicyclist may also be able to sue for punitive damages. Although such damages are not awarded in most cases, they can be sought when a defendant was intently negligent or reckless.
Many Valley Stream claims for bicycle-related injuries are settled out-of-court. But even in those cases, the plaintiff’s legal counsel must diligently research the cause and details of the bicycle accident and prepare appropriate filings to document the injuries and damages incurred by the bicyclist.
Valley Stream Statute of Limitations
As with most personal injury cases in New York State, a claim for a bicycle-related accident must be filed within 3-years of the incident. Claims that are filed after that deadline are subject to dismissal and a plaintiff could be barred from recovering any damages.
The sooner a claim is filed, the sooner the Valley Stream plaintiff could be able to receive compensation. And the more time a legal professional has to research and prepare a case, the more likely that all the details and nuances will have been identified and considered.
Talk to a Valley Stream Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
Because of the complex issues that are often involved in cyclist collision cases, it’s important for you to contact a Valley Stream bicycle accident lawyer if you or a loved one has been injured in such an accident. Doing so will ensure that your interests are fully protected and that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
