Great Neck Bike Accident Lawyer

Common Causes of Great Neck Bike Accidents

Bicycle-vehicle collisions can happen for a wide variety of reasons. The vast majority of them are caused by negligent drivers who fail to remain alert for bicycles on the road or disregard the rights of cyclists.

Common causes of bicycle accidents include:

• Left turns at intersections (cyclist or driver)
• Hazardous road conditions with no warning signs
• Distracted driving
• Reckless driving
• Speeding
• Unsafe lane changes
• Following too closely
• Opening car doors in front of cyclists
• Low visibility
• Impaired driving

Bicycle accidents can cause serious injuries, due to the fact that cyclists lack the protection of an enclosed passenger compartment. A rider may be thrown onto the pavement by the impact of a bike-car collision. A bicycle accident may lead to serious or even fatal injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and paralysis. Common bicycle accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Neurological damage
• Facial injuries
• Spinal cord injury
• Ruptured discs
• Broken bones
• Amputation
• Nerve damage
• Hand injury
• Joint dislocation
• Road rash

Compensation for Bike Accident Victims

Suffering a serious injury from a bicycle accident can leave you with physical and mental scars. It may be one of the most difficult periods of your life. You may have a long road to recovery. If your injuries are disabling, you may be unable to return to work, even after you have recovered. It is critical that you seek the guidance of a knowledgeable bike accident lawyer to help you evaluate your legal options and the steps you should take. Knowing that a skilled lawyer is fighting for the full compensation for you should give you the peace of mind to focus on your recovery.

By filing a personal injury claim against the negligent party who caused your bicycle accident injuries, you may demand compensation for an array of injuries and losses, including:

• Medical bills (past, present, and future) – Covers costs for hospitalization, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, medical devices, and more.
• Lost wages – This includes the income you would have earned had the bicycle accident injury not forced you to miss work. If the injury is so serious that you can’t return to work, compensation for lost future wages may be sought.
• Lost earning capacity – If the amount of money you would have earned had you not been injured in a bicycle accident can be calculated and proven, you can seek damages for lost earning capacity.
• Loss of ability to provide household services – When an injury prevents someone from contributing their services to the household such as maintaining the yard, you and your family may be entitled to compensation for the value of those services.
• Pain and suffering – Pain and suffering are noneconomic damages because they cannot be easily quantified. An experienced Great Neck bicycle injury attorney can help you document how your injuries have caused pain and suffering.
• Loss of consortium – If you suffer a disabling injury, your spouse may have a cause of action for loss of consortium, which compensates a person for the loss of their partner’s companionship and services.
• Punitive damages – These are awarded in rare cases where the at-fault party was found to be particularly reckless.

As a victim of a bicycle accident in New York, it’s important to remember that you have rights. At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP our experienced bicycle accident lawyers will ensure that your rights are protected. While we cannot undo the pain you have already suffered, we can fight to get you the compensation needed to recover from your accident and move forward with your life.

What to Do If You’ve Been Hurt in a Great Neck Bicycle Accident

• Call 911. Many bicycle accident victims have a tendency to downplay the severity of their injuries at the accident scene. Due in part to the adrenaline rush, it may not be immediately apparent to a bicycle collision victim how serious his or her injuries are. If a car hit you while you were riding your bicycle, call 911 or ask someone else to call 911 right away. If you are in pain, feeling numb, or you are bleeding, request an ambulance. If the emergency responders suggest that you be taken to the hospital for evaluation and treatment, let them transport you. Medical records documenting your bicycle accident injuries are crucial to any claim you may need to file later. If you do not require emergency treatment, you should still see a doctor within 24 hours and have an evaluation.
• Don’t negotiate with the motorist who struck you. Never negotiate with the driver, even if they accept blame. You may not be aware of the extent of your injuries, and the driver could change their mind later and deny the accident.
• Exchange contact and insurance information. After the accident, you need the name, address, phone number, and insurance information from the vehicle driver or drivers involved. Don’t worry about determining whose fault the crash was, and don’t try to assess your injuries. Simply exchange info. Everything can be sorted out later if you have a way to contact the driver and start an insurance claim. If police respond to the scene, they can record this information. If you are severely injured, you can later get the driver’s contact info from the police report.
• Get contact information from witnesses. If witnesses were present during the accident, ask for their contact information. If someone stops to help, get their contact information. Police officers who respond to the accident should seek out any witnesses to include in their report.
• Obtain your medical records. To show that you have been injured, you will need medical records. These records will contain important details such as the doctor’s diagnosis of your injuries, the specifics of your medical treatment, and the activities you must refrain from doing after your injury. Medical records help you make a claim for compensation.
• Preserve evidence. Keep your damaged bicycle and bike parts. Don’t have it repaired. If you must have it repaired because you need it for transportation, be sure to first take photos and get a written document of the damages. Hold on to your damaged clothing as well. Don’t wash your clothes.
• Seek advice from a qualified attorney. Don’t speak with the at-fault driver’s insurance company before consulting with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer to understand your legal rights. A skilled Great Neck bicycle injury lawyer can negotiate with insurers on your behalf. A lawyer can investigate your bicycle accident and represent you in a lawsuit. If you speak to the insurance company on your own without legal information, the insurance company may use whatever you say against you later to deny or diminish your claim.Contact a Great Neck Bicycle Injury Lawyer Today

The Great Neck personal injury attorneys at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP have more than 100 years of combined experience and have secured millions for clients in verdicts and settlements. When you contact our firm about your bicycle accident injury case, you will work directly with attorneys Richard Jaffe and Stephen Cohen.

If you or a loved one has been injured in Great Neck, speak with one of our compassionate attorneys as soon as possible. Our bicycle accident attorneys will fight for the maximum compensation available to you. Call us today at (516) 358-6900 to schedule a free and confidential consultation so we can discuss your legal options.