Hiring a Lawyer after a Slip and Fall Accident
Working with legal counsel after a slip and fall injury has many benefits. Do not let your rights and interests go unprotected – enlist the professional help and guidance of our steadfast attorneys.
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11/02/2021
by Shulman & Hill
In 2020 alone there were 12,450 bike crashes reported in New York City. However, recent research shows that bike lanes can help reduce the risk for accidents.
Riding a bike in New York City can be a refreshing and scenic way to get around the Big Apple. It can save money and time, allowing commuters to bypass delayed subways and zip past crowded city streets, and it is far better for the environment than many other transit options. Bicycling has also been found to be good for your body and heart health—but unfortunately, in New York City, it also carries risks for your safety.
Surveys show that on average, 53% of New Yorkers who are physically able to do so ride a bike at least several times a month. And yet, due to busy streets, distracted drivers, unwary pedestrians, and many other factors, New York City can be a dangerous place to ride a bike. In 2020 alone there were 12,450 bike crashes reported in New York City. Of those accidents, 12,422 caused injuries, 28 of which were fatal.
Whether you ride a bike for pleasure or as part of your daily commute, there are certain risks to be aware of. Some of the top causes of bicycle accidents in New York City are:
There is good news on the horizon about bike safety in the city, however. According to a new study from the Department of Transportation, implementing bike safety lanes on the streets has already begun to reduce New York City cyclist injury risk by 32%.
According to the study, the style of bike lane can make a difference in how well it protects cyclists, as well as where it is located. Adding protected, separated bike lanes on some of the most highly congested streets can protect cyclists most efficiently, reducing the risk of injury by more than 60%. Even adding shared bike lanes, which are fully integrated with the flow of traffic, can still reduce the risk of injury by 18%, the study finds. And finally, on low-volume quiet streets, a step as simple as demarcating shared bike lanes can reduce the risk of injury by a whopping 42%.
Taking these important measures has also encouraged more New Yorkers to ride bikes more regularly. In areas where bike lanes have been added, ridership has increased by up to 50%. These changes come on the heels of an overall bicycle boom that the city has experienced over the past year. More people riding bikes means fewer cars on the streets, cleaner air, and hopefully healthier New Yorkers.
In many cases, if you have been injured by a car, truck, or motorcycle while bicycling, you may qualify to file a lawsuit against the driver of the vehicle. If the driver caused the accident due to their negligence, you may be able to receive financial compensation. If you were “doored,” or riding in a protected bike lane, the driver may have been especially negligent in not having seen you and your bicycle.
The expert New York City personal injury attorneys at Shulman & Hill can help pinpoint the cause or causes of your accident, identify the potentially negligent parties, and clarify the fullest extent of legal remedies at your disposal. Shulman & Hill is New York’s pre-eminent personal injury law firm, with attorneys who specialize in bike accident law and help injured New Yorkers seek fair compensation for their losses.
While a bike accident can be a difficult and dangerous thing to have happened to you, enlisting an experienced attorney may help alleviate the financial burden that may ensue after an injury. Compensation may cover your medical bills, loss of earnings if you are unable to work after your injuries, and the pain and suffering you may have undergone. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bike accident, contact Shulman & Hill for a free legal consultation to learn more about your options.