New York Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Bike riding is a safe, healthy, and cheaper alternative to commuting via passenger car. The Hudson Valley is full of beautiful, scenic roads and parks that are perfect for an autumn ride or daily bicycle commute. Unfortunately, bike riders must share the road with other drivers, and those drivers do not always operate with the care and attention necessary to keep everyone on the road safe from harm. When a bicycle collides with a car, the car is going to win, and the cyclist is going to get hurt.
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident anywhere in the Hudson Valley area, including Goshen, Marlboro and Ulster, contact an experienced bicycle accident lawyer at Rusk, Wadlin, Heppner & Martuscello, LLP, for a consultation with one of our attorneys.
Don’t Let Negligent Drivers Get Away With Hurting You and Your Family
Every regular bicycle rider has a story about a time when they were hit or nearly hit by a car. No matter how careful cyclists are in adhering to rules about bicycling safety, it is impossible to eliminate risk entirely when riding a bike on public roads. Unfortunately, car and truck drivers often do not scan the road carefully for bicyclists, and many have never learned how to properly share the road with bicycles.
Most, if not all, bicycle accidents could be avoided if everyone on the road was operating with the safety and attention that they are legally required to employ. When they violate those safety rules and regulations, they are liable for any injury they cause. Some of the more common causes of bicycle accidents include the following:
- Inattentive drivers or riders
- Intoxicated drivers
- Drowsy drivers
- Drivers turning or changing lanes without signaling
- Roadway in disrepair
- Rider error, such as speeding or riding too close to motor vehicle lanes
- Dangerous lane merging
- Errors in parking lots, garages, and driveways
- Failing to adjust for inclement weather such as rain, fog, ice, or snow
While trips taken by bike account for only 1% of all trips taken in the US, cyclists constitute twice that amount when looking at who is killed in motor vehicle accidents between bicycles and cars. To make matters worse, bicyclist deaths appear to be on the rise, with recent reports issued by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association noting that the number of cyclists killed in collisions rose 16% between 2010 and 2012, while deaths in automobile crashes rose only 1% during that period.
Get the Compensation You Deserve After a New York Bike Accident
If you’ve been injured in a crash while riding your bike, there’s a good chance you experienced severe injuries in the accident, ranging from road rash to broken arms or legs to internal injuries or worse. You have the right to compensation for your injuries. You may need the assistance of attorneys, accident reconstructionists, investigators, and other experts to help you prove your case and get the maximum amount of compensation. You can ensure that the negligent driver who caused your injuries is forced to compensate you for the damage caused by getting the best legal team in your corner from day one after your accident.
With the help of a dedicated bicycle injury attorney at Rusk, Wadlin, Heppner & Martuscello, LLP, you may be able to collect damages from an at-fault driver, including the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income due to time away from work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability
- Wrongful death claims
- Punitive damages
Tips for Safe Riding
Safety experts recommend a few good habits for bike riders to limit the risk of an accident and to mitigate the harm likely to result from an accident. Expert tips include the following:
- Wear bright clothing
- Wear a helmet
- Ride as far away from vehicles as possible, such as by keeping as far to the right side of the road as can be safely done
- Use reflectors and reflective material at night
- Install lights in the front and rear of the bike
Additionally, certain parts of the road are particularly dangerous to cyclists. When riding a bike, exercise even greater caution while riding through or near:
- Parked cars from which the driver might be emerging, resulting in the cyclist getting “doored”
- Drivers who appear to be distracted by a phone, food, or makeup
- Drivers turning at intersections who might not have checked for oncoming bicyclists
- Drivers weaving or swerving in and out of their lane, indicating that they may be intoxicated
- Potholes or roadways under construction, which could prove difficult for narrow bicycle tires to navigate
Call a Dedicated New York Personal Injury Lawyer for Help After Your Hudson Valley Bicycle Accident Injury
For a free consultation on your possible bicycle accident claim, contact the experienced bicycle accident lawyers at the law firm of Rusk, Wadlin, Heppner & Martuscello, LLP, in Kingston at 845-331-4100 or in Marlboro at 845-236-4411.