Bike Crashes

New York City Bicycle Accident Attorneys for Injury Claims

Understand Your Rights After a Bicycle Accident in New York City

New York has never seen a time like this. Whether to avoid mass transit, for recreation, or just for the pure fun of it, New Yorkers are riding now more than ever.

One of the most common modes of alternative transportation in the city is a bike or other single-person vehicle, such as an e-bike, moped, or e-scooter. The list of benefits of these modes of transportation goes on and on: not only are they less expensive than a car, but they can be used to move straight through traffic, are easier to park, fun to ride, and bicycles offer the added benefit of physical well-being while commuting.

However, despite Vision Zero efforts, riders remain vulnerable to accidents and crashes. As dedicated New York bike crash lawyers, and given the time we spend on a bike ourselves, we provide a unique legal experience helping obtain compensation riders and their families deserve for the consequences of another's negligent act.

If you've been injured in a bike accident through no fault of your own, contact our firm today at (888) 290-5994. Our bicycle injury lawyers have the experience you need on your side.

Common Causes of Bike Accidents and Crashes

Negligent and inattentive drivers cause the majority of crashes. Bike vs. car crashes can arise from negligently executed turns, opening car doors into the path of a cyclist, or the simple failure of a driver to see a cyclist and give the right of way. Such action by a driver can cause serious injury or death to a cyclist. Those who bike for a living, such as bike messengers or delivery workers, are at higher risk as well.

While many factors contribute to the safety concern, most bicycle accidents and crashes are caused by vehicles:

Executing unlawful and dangerous turns
Failing to see bike riders on the road
Speeding or reckless driving
Failing to obey traffic control devices
Opening a car door before checking for cyclists, also known as "being doored"
Driving in or over areas designated for the exclusive use of cyclists and pedestrians
Drunk or impaired driving

With the increased number of Uber, Lyft, taxicabs, and other rideshare vehicles, cyclists continue to become more vulnerable. Delivery trucks, including UPS trucks, Amazon trucks, and FedEx vehicles, also remain a hazard to cyclists as they attempt to move cargo and make deliveries around the city. A large part of our practice is to assist those injured in these types of crashes. This includes getting their medical bills paid, lost wages recovered, compensation for their bike, as well as obtaining compensation for the injury and impact the crash has had on their life, as well as the lives of their family members.

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Understanding Bicycle Accident Laws in New York

New York’s legal landscape for cyclists is a unique blend of state statutes and specific city administrative codes. Navigating these rules requires the precision of a seasoned New York City bicycle accident attorney.

The Vehicle and Traffic Law

Under New York State law, specifically VTL § 1231, bicyclists are granted all the rights and are subject to all the duties of a driver of a motor vehicle. This means you have a legal right to the road.

Furthermore, VTL § 1146 mandates that every driver must exercise "due care" to avoid colliding with any bicyclist or pedestrian. If a driver fails to see you or fails to give you adequate space, they are in direct violation of state law.

NYC-Specific Traffic Rules

New York City has its own set of traffic regulations that often provide more protection than the general state laws. For example:

"Dooring" Protections: Under 34 RCNY 4-12(c), it is illegal for any person to open a door of a motor vehicle into moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so.
Bike Lane Obstruction: Motorists are prohibited from driving, standing, or parking in a designated bike lane under 34 RCNY 4-08(e)(9).
Safe Passing: While state law VTL 1122 requires a "safe distance," local regulations and evolving 2026 standards emphasize the necessity of a three-foot buffer when overtaking a cyclist.

No-Fault Insurance and the "Serious Injury" Threshold

In New York, bicycles are generally treated as "pedestrians" for the purposes of No-Fault insurance. This means that if you are hit by a car, the vehicle's Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or "no-fault" insurance is typically responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and follow-up care, regardless of who caused the crash.

However, to sue for "pain and suffering" (non-economic damages), your injuries must meet the "serious injury" threshold defined in Insurance Law § 5102(d), which includes fractures, permanent loss of use of a body organ, or significant disfigurement or other injuries such as torn ligaments or herniated discs.

What To Do After A Bicycle Crash In New York City

The minutes and days after a collision are often a blur, but the steps you take can affect both your health and your legal rights.

Your first priority is always safety and medical care, whether that means calling 911 from the scene or following up at a hospital such as Bellevue Hospital Center, NYU Langone, or a local urgent care if symptoms appear later.
As soon as it is safe, try to document what happened by taking photos of the scene, the cars license plate, your bike, the vehicles involved, street signs, and any visible injuries, because these details can be difficult to recreate once the roadway has cleared.
Don't just take the driver's phone number. Lots of people “ghost” you after a crash. Always take a picture of their plate and drivers license if you can.
It is also important to make sure a report is created, either through the NYPD or other responding Police Department at the scene of the crash or later through a collision report at the local precinct if officers do not respond.
Ask for the driver’s license and insurance information, the plate number, and contact information for any witnesses who stopped, and keep your damaged helmet, clothing, and bike components rather than repairing or disposing of them right away.
Before speaking in detail with an insurance company, many riders choose to talk with a bicycle accident lawyer in New York about how to describe the crash accurately without accepting blame for something that was not their fault.

Compensation You May Recover After A New York Bicycle Crash

After a serious crash, many riders are surprised to learn that different types of compensation may be available depending on the facts of the case.

Economic Damages

Medical care is often the most immediate concern, from emergency treatment at a Manhattan trauma center to follow-up physical therapy or surgery months later, and related expenses can be addressed through no-fault benefits and, when appropriate, a bodily injury claim.

Lost income, whether you miss a few weeks of work or can no longer return to your prior job, is another major category that should be carefully calculated rather than estimated.

Non-Economic Damages

Beyond these economic losses, New York law also allows injured cyclists to seek damages for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and the ways that permanent injuries may change daily activities like commuting, parenting, or exercising.

In fatal crashes, surviving family members may have rights under New York’s wrongful death laws, which require careful attention to filing deadlines and procedures in the county where the claim is brought, such as Kings County Supreme Court or New York County Supreme Court.

By evaluating each of these categories, a bicycle accident lawyer in New York can help you understand what is potentially at stake before you decide how to move forward.

Speak with a bicycle accident lawyer in New York City today by calling (888) 290-5994 or reaching out online. Our team of top-rated NYC attorneys offers free consultations and is 100% dedicated to helping cyclists like you.

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Why Choose Flanzig & Flanzig, LLP?

Leaders in the Safe Streets Movement
Committed Advocates for New York Cyclists
Top-Rated New York Attorneys

Dedicated to Helping Cyclists
Free Consultations

Why Choose Flanzig & Flanzig, LLP

Bike riders suffer some of the most life-changing injuries in their accidents, including loss of limb, road rash disfigurement, and traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. Those suffering them at the hands of someone else's negligence deserve compensation for the suffering they have endured and will endure throughout their life.

As avid cyclists ourselves, safe street advocates, and experienced courtroom litigators, we know what it takes to pursue full compensation for our clients. Our partners at our firm have over 30 years of trial experience, and we dedicate our practice to the advocacy of bike riders, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users just like you.

Over years of handling bicycle and pedestrian cases in the five boroughs and on Long Island, we have learned the practical details that matter most to injured riders. We know how a crash on a busy Midtown corridor differs from a collision on a neighborhood street in Queens, and we tailor our approach to account for local traffic patterns, typical driver behavior, and the courts where your case may ultimately be heard.

This allows us to prepare claims that clearly explain your story to insurance carriers and, when needed, to judges and juries in New York.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Have A Case If The Police Report Blames Me?

A police report is an important document, but it is not the final word on fault. Officers may not speak with every witness or fully understand how bike lanes and right-of-way rules work for cyclists in New York City. Additional evidence such as video footage, photographs, or independent witnesses can sometimes show a different picture than what is written in the initial report.

How Long Do I Have To Bring A Bicycle Injury Claim In New York?

New York has laws that set time limits for bringing personal injury and property damage claims, and those limits can vary depending on whether the at-fault party is a private individual, a municipality, or a public authority. Because claims involving the City of New York or agencies like the MTA may require a Notice of Claim within a much shorter time frame, it is important to get legal guidance promptly after a crash. Waiting too long can limit available options even if liability seems clear.

Will Making A Claim Affect My Ability To Keep Riding In New York City?

Filing an injury claim is separate from your right to use bike lanes and streets throughout the city. Many riders continue to commute or ride recreationally while a claim is pending, although some choose to adjust routes or schedules based on medical advice or comfort level. The focus of a claim is on holding the appropriate parties responsible for the crash, not on restricting your future use of New York City’s growing network of bike infrastructure.

Call (888) 290-5994 today to get started with your claim!

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