Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Choosing to navigate Long Island’s roads on a bicycle instead of in a motor vehicle is beneficial to both your health and the environment. However, it is important to remember that bikes do not offer the same degree of protection that cars and other motor vehicles do. The likelihood of sustaining major injuries if you are involved in a bike accident is fairly high.
Unfortunately, even if you are cautious when riding your bicycle, it is still possible to be injured in an accident resulting from someone else’s negligence. You may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and related losses if this ever happens.
If you or a loved one were injured after being struck by a vehicle while riding your bike, enlist the help of our Long Island bike accident attorneys at Shulman & Hill. We can optimize your chances of securing any compensation you may be entitled to. Get started by contacting us today to schedule your free legal consultation.
Long Island Bike Accidents: Essential Information
Bike accidents are, unfortunately, quite common on Long Island. Statistics indicate the rate of fatal bike accidents on Long Island is greater than that of anywhere else in the New York metro area.
Recently in June of 2021, a cyclist was killed in Copiague after being struck by a motorcyclist as he was crossing Great Neck Road. If you ever lose a loved one in a bike accident, you may be able to seek justice by filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
Causes of Long Island Bike Accidents
Long Island bike accidents occur for many reasons. Often, they are the result of negligence. Examples of negligence that may cause bike accidents on Long Island include the following:
- Drunk driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Drowsy driving, because lack of sleep can impair a driver in the same way that alcohol can
- Distracted driving, which is now more common than ever thanks to the prevalence of smartphones
- Speeding
- Failure to check blind spots for cyclists, who are often more difficult to see than motor vehicles
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Aggressive driving, as some drivers do not wish to share the road with bicyclists
Those are merely a few examples. If you were injured in a Long Island bike accident that you suspect may have been the fault of the driver, contact our personal injury lawyers for Long Island to review your case.
Best Practices for Biking Safely on Long Island
There are several steps you can take to minimize your chances of being injured in a Long Island bike accident. They include:
- Obeying all traffic laws
- Wearing reflective clothing at night and equipping your bike with reflectors
- Refraining from wearing headphones while you are cycling
- Checking your brakes regularly
- Maintaining a safe speed
- Staying within designated bike lanes when possible
- Choosing a route with low traffic
Again, you can only control your own choices on the road. You do not have the ability to prevent others from driving recklessly. If you are injured as a result of someone’s carelessness, contact our Long Island personal injury law firm.
Dangerous Long Island Roads for Cyclists
Bike accidents are particularly common on the following Long Island roads:
- Sunrise Highway
- Wicks Road
- Hempstead Turnpike
- Middle Country Road
- Route 110
- Merrick Road
The most dangerous road for cyclists on Long Island may be Jericho Turnpike (Route 25). Because Jericho Turnpike does not officially qualify as a highway, cyclists can and do use it. However, Jericho Turnpike attracts a high volume of traffic, and its speed limit is higher than that of most other non-highways.
If possible, try to avoid these dangerous Long Island roads.
The Consequences of a Long Island Bike Accident
Bicycles can simply not compare to the speed and power of motor vehicles. The chances that you will sustain serious injuries in a bike accident on Long Island are much higher than the driver of the vehicle that hits you. The injuries you sustain will likely require costly medical treatment. They can also prevent you from working, which may limit your ability to earn an income. Additionally, you may face non-economic challenges and losses in the wake of a bike accident, such as pain and suffering.
If a driver was at fault for your accident, you may be able to seek compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit. Strongly consider hiring one of our Long Island bike accident lawyers in these circumstances. Recovering a fair amount of compensation can be difficult if you do not have proper legal representation.
How Our Long Island Bike Accident Law Firm Can Help
At Shulman & Hill, we can help you pursue compensation after a bike accident on Long Island in the following key ways:
Investigating
To recover compensation for your losses, you must identify the potentially negligent party who caused your accident. This often requires conducting an investigation.
Our investigation may involve:
- Reviewing any evidence you provide, such as pictures of the scene of the accident
- Interviewing witnesses
- Securing and reviewing footage of the accident, if available
Be aware that a driver may not always be the liable party responsible for compensating you after an accident. For example, maybe a truck driver struck you because they were sleep-deprived. The trucking company that employed them might be liable in this scenario. To ensure that all responsible parties are identified, our bike accident lawyers will thoroughly investigate the cause of your accident.
Negotiating
This may be the top reason to hire Shulman & Hill’s Long Island bike accident attorneys when seeking compensation. Negotiations with the relevant insurance company are often necessary in order to receive a fair settlement. We have the experience necessary to negotiate aggressively on your behalf.