New York Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Dedicated Advocacy for Injured New York and New Jersey Cyclists

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1,166 bicyclists were killed in traffic-related crashes in the United States in 2023, making up 2.9% of all traffic deaths, with the number rising 4% from the previous year. That same year, an estimated 49,989 bicyclists were injured, showing an 8% increase from 2022. Most fatalities (81%) happened in urban areas, and men were far more affected than women. Alcohol also played a role in about one-third of fatal crashes.

If you were injured in a bicycle accident in New York, Simonson Goodman Platzer PC can help you seek the fair recovery you are owed. Our experienced, award-winning attorneys have a long legacy of success in representing injured individuals and the families of those wrongfully killed, having secured more than $200 million for their clients to date. We know what it takes to thoroughly investigate your case, determine who is liable, and fight to hold those parties accountable for the pain and suffering you have endured as a result of their negligence.

Request a free initial consultation with one of our New York bicycle accident lawyers today; call (800) 817-5029 or contact us online to get started.

Jump to any section on this page by clicking on the topic:

• Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
• Legal Deadlines for New York Bicycle Claims
• Damages in Bicycle Accident Cases
• The Cyclists’ Obligations
• The Drivers’ Obligations
• What To Do If You Are Involved in a Bicycle Accident
• Getting Your Medical Bills Paid Following a Bicycle Accident
• How Simonson Goodman Platzer PC Can Help

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Unfortunately, bicycle accidents occur often in New York and New Jersey because automobile drivers are not looking out for cyclists, even though bicycles on the road have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles.

Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Drunk driving
• Texting or using a cell phone while driving
• Speeding
• Failure to yield the right-of-way
• Failure to stop at red lights/stop signs
• Opening car doors into oncoming cyclists’ paths
• Driving in designated bike lanes
• Failure to maintain proper space
• Fatigued driving

In an accident between a bicycle and an automobile, the cyclist generally suffers the most severe consequences—often serious, debilitating injuries. These injuries can potentially result in significant losses to the injured person and his or her family.

Damages in Bicycle Accident Cases

State law in New York and New Jersey gives an injured person the right to recover compensation for his or her damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, funeral expenses, and other economic losses, as well as pain and suffering caused by injuries and treatment. While financial recovery cannot truly compensate you for the loss and suffering you have experienced due to a bicycle accident injury, it can ease your financial burdens and hold those responsible for your injury accountable.

Each year, about 54 New York State residents are killed in bicycle crashes, 2,000 are hospitalized due to bicycle-related injuries, and countless others suffer more minor injuries.

The Cyclists’ Obligations

Under New York State Law (Vehicle and Traffic Law 1231), traffic laws apply equally to bicyclists and drivers. Cyclists have additional obligations, such as using a bike lane if one is present, or, if one is not, riding the bike near the right-hand curb/edge of the roadway, or upon a usable right-hand shoulder (Vehicle and Traffic Law 1234). Cyclists are also not permitted to ride more than two abreast on a roadway.

The Drivers’ Obligations

In addition to obeying all of the usual traffic laws, drivers must obey certain laws specific to bicyclists. In particular, drivers must overtake a bicyclist only on the left side (Vehicle and Traffic Law 1122-a) and must use due care to avoid colliding with a bicyclist and shall give a warning by sounding the horn when necessary (Vehicle and Traffic Law 1146(a)).

Legal Deadlines for New York Bicycle Claims

After a serious crash, many riders are uncertain how long they have to take legal action or notify insurance carriers. New York law imposes several different time limits that can directly affect your rights, making it important to understand how these deadlines apply to your situation.

• Personal injury lawsuit deadlines: In most situations, there is a limited window to file a personal injury lawsuit in the New York Supreme Court in the county where the collision occurred, such as New York County, Kings County, or Queens County. Shorter deadlines may apply when a city or state agency is involved.
• Insurance reporting requirements: Insurance companies impose strict time frames for reporting accidents and submitting no-fault applications. Missing these deadlines can reduce or even bar recovery of certain benefits.
• Claims involving government vehicles: Deadlines can be especially confusing when a cyclist is hit by a vehicle owned by a municipal agency, such as a city truck or a Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus, because additional notice of claim requirements may apply.
• Impact of ongoing medical treatment: Riders receiving treatment at facilities such as NYU Langone, Mount Sinai, or local rehabilitation centers are often overwhelmed by paperwork, making guidance on what must be filed—and when—especially important.

Even if you are not yet ready to decide whether to pursue a claim, understanding these timelines early allows you to make informed choices before important rights are permanently lost.

What to Do If You Are Involved in a Bicycle Accident

After a bicycle accident, the steps you take can affect both your health and your ability to protect your legal rights. If you are able to do so, the following actions are important:

• Gather identifying information: Obtain the name and address of the driver involved, as well as the contact information of any witnesses. Photographs showing damage to your bicycle and the vehicle involved can also be very helpful.
• Seek legal help if information cannot be collected: Many times, injuries make it impossible to gather information at the scene. In those situations, contacting a personal injury lawyer as soon as you are able is vital, as an attorney can obtain the police report, locate witnesses, and protect your rights.
• Note the location of the collision: Paying attention to where the crash occurred, such as near major routes like the FDR Drive, the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, or busy Manhattan avenues, can be important because roadway layout and traffic controls often affect how fault is evaluated.
• Seek immediate medical care: Getting treatment right away at an emergency department such as Bellevue Hospital or NewYork-Presbyterian protects your health and creates a clear medical record of your injuries.
• Contact a lawyer: Once your immediate medical needs are addressed, speaking with a bicycle accident attorney in New York can help you understand which insurance policies may apply and what deadlines exist for bringing a claim.

Getting Your Medical Bills Paid Following a Bicycle Accident in New York

After a bicycle accident, injured cyclists are often unsure how their medical bills will be paid and which insurance coverage applies. New York’s insurance system includes specific rules that determine how medical expenses are handled after a crash involving a motor vehicle.

• No-fault medical benefits: In New York State, a bicyclist injured by a car is usually entitled to up to $50,000 in medical benefits through the driver’s no-fault insurance policy. These benefits are available regardless of who caused the accident.
• Multiple sources of coverage: Medical bills may involve no-fault insurance, private health insurance, or be addressed as part of a personal injury claim, depending on the type of expense and the stage of the case.
• Types of medical expenses involved: Bills may include hospital care, physician services, ambulance charges, rehabilitation, and prescription medications, all of which must be directed to the correct payer.

Understanding how these rules apply helps injured cyclists avoid collection issues, manage paperwork more effectively, and make informed decisions while focusing on recovery.

How Simonson Goodman Platzer PC Can Help New York Injured Cyclists

The experienced New York bicycle accident lawyers at Simonson Goodman Platzer PC can help guide you through the difficult process of dealing with medical treatment and billing, negotiating with reluctant insurance companies, and, if necessary, filing suit and going to trial. We will advocate tirelessly for you and work to help you recover the maximum amount available for your injuries.

When you work with our firm, you can expect support at every stage of your case:

• Thorough case investigation to gather police reports, scene photographs, witness statements, and medical records that help build a clear picture of what happened and who is responsible.
• Clear communication and updates so you understand the progress of your claim, upcoming milestones, and what to expect before events such as independent medical exams or depositions.
• Strategic negotiation with insurers that takes into account the full impact of your injuries, including future care needs, time away from work, and how the crash has affected your daily activities.
• Trial-ready preparation in case a fair resolution cannot be reached through settlement, including working with appropriate professionals and preparing evidence for presentation in court.

If you’ve been injured while riding your bike in New York, contact us to discuss how we can help you. We are always available to talk, and there is no charge for an in-depth consultation. We have been representing victims of motor vehicle accidents, including bicycle accidents, for decades, and have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients.

Contact us online or by phone at (800) 817-5029 today to schedule your no-cost, no-obligation consultation with our New York bicycle accident lawyer.