Mineola Bicycle Accident Lawyer

How Our Attorneys Can Help You After a Bicycle Accident in Mineola

If your injuries are interfering with your ability to live your life the way you once could or you have medical bills piling up that you are paying for out of pocket, the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP is here to help. If another driver in Mineola, NY is liable for causing your accident, our attorneys want to help you pursue them for their negligence.

We can help you manage every step of your claim or lawsuit. We can handle the following for you:

• Explaining your legal rights and ensuring you understand them
• Identifying all liable parties in your accident
• Determining a fair value for your case using evidence
• Helping you file an insurance claim and handling all communications with the insurer
• Assisting you with filing a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary
• Helping you fight for a fair outcome

What Forms of Recoverable Losses Can You Seek After a Bike Accident?

Because bicycle riders are more exposed in the event of an accident, bicycle accidents can leave the rider with severe injuries and property damage. We can help you to sort out all forms of your losses that could be covered through an insurance claim or lawsuit.

These losses may include:

• Medical costs: Some forms of expenses that could be covered include surgeries, emergency room treatment, visits to a doctor or chiropractor, medications, physical therapy, and more.
• Income losses: If you were unable to work due to your injuries, you could recover those lost wages, tips, bonuses, and more. You could also seek compensation for any reduced earning potential you may face in the future as a result of your injuries.
• Property damages: The cost to repair or replace your bicycle could be included in your case.
• Pain and suffering: If your day-to-day life has been affected by the pain of your injuries, you could seek compensation.

We will work to include your past, present, and future losses into the value of your case. We want to fight for the best possible outcome so that you have the money you need to heal and seek any necessary treatment.

Who Can Be Held Financially Liable After a Bicycle Accident in Mineola?

The person or party who can be held financially liable for your accident is the one who did something wrong—in other words, they acted negligently. Maybe the driver made an unsafe lane change or they were driving too fast for roadway conditions. Drivers who engage in negligent behavior (such as speeding, road rage, or driving under the influence) could be liable for paying for the damages they cause.

However, there are situations where liability for an accident may be more complicated. For instance:

• The accident may have been partly caused by a construction crew that left debris in the bike lane where you were riding.

• A rideshare driver may have hit you by pulling abruptly into the bike lane, meaning that the rideshare company’s insurance policy may come into play.

To give you an idea as to who might be financially liable for your accident, below are a few examples of the potential parties you may be able to pursue for compensation.

The Driver’s Employer

In the event the driver was working for a local or state government or for a rideshare company at the time of your accident, then your case might also be brought against their employer. If an Uber or Lyft driver is found to be at fault for causing a bicycle accident, then Uber or Lyft’s insurance coverage may kick in to cover your losses.

Of course, if you choose to retain a bicycle accident lawyer to assist you with recovering compensation after a Mineola accident, we will be able to determine who your claim or lawsuit needs to be filed against.

Other Potentially Responsible Third Parties

In some situations, other third parties could have contributed to your accident in some way. These parties may include:

• Parts manufacturers
• Vehicle manufacturers
• Local or state governments
• Construction crews

For instance, if a driver’s brakes failed and this caused your accident, the manufacturer of the part could be held liable for the crash.

Uninsured Drivers

In the event the driver was underinsured or uninsured at the time of the crash, you may have the grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit against them.

In New York State, personal injury lawsuits generally need to be filed within three years from the date of the accident, according to CVP §214. This time frame is recognized as the statute of limitations.

What Happens If You Share Partial Responsibility for the Accident?

If your actions played a role in causing the accident to occur, you may be held partially responsible for it. However, this does not necessarily prevent you from seeking compensation.

For example, if you weren’t riding in a bicycle lane that was provided or you failed to stay near the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway (as VAT §1234 requires) and a driver struck you as a result, you may be found partially liable for the accident.

In this case, the amount of compensation you could seek may be diminished by your percentage of fault, according to CVP §1411. So, let’s say your case goes to court and you are awarded $300,000 for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, and more. If the court found you to be 10% at fault, then your total award amount could actually be reduced by $30,000.

Call Our Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation

At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP we know how challenging life can be after a bicycle accident, which is why we want to help you exercise your right to compensation. While money cannot erase the events that led to your injuries, it can help reduce the financial burden you might be experiencing right now.

To find out if you have a valid bicycle accident case and what it is worth, contact the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP at (866) 878-6774 to receive a free consultation.