Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Opting to ride a bicycle throughout Staten Island instead of driving a motor vehicle is beneficial both to your health and the environment. But riding a bicycle involves a certain degree of risk due to lack of protection.
Anyone can be involved in a serious accident on Staten Island’s roads, but drivers or passengers of cars and other types of motor vehicles can benefit from being surrounded by a steel frame that may protect them from significant harm during an accident. On a bicycle, you are more vulnerable than others and your chances of sustaining major injury may be greater.
If you are injured in a bike accident, consult with a Staten Island bike accident attorney at Shulman & Hill to learn about your options. You might have justification to file a claim to seek compensation for losses like your medical bills and lost wages. Our personal injury lawyers in Staten Island can review your case to determine how you should best proceed. We are prepared to offer aggressive representation on your behalf if you decide to work with us.
Staten Island Bike Accidents: Important Information
It is critical to be aware of your surroundings and exercise caution when riding a bike anywhere. It is especially important in areas like Staten Island: In a busy city like New York, where traffic is very dense, the chances of being involved in an accident are greater than they might be in a more rural area. Higher levels of traffic tend to correlate with an increased risk of accidents, and statistics indicate bike accidents in New York are on the rise.
Even if you are vigilant when riding a bike, you may still be injured in a Staten Island bike accident resulting from another party’s negligence. You may be able to optimize your chances of securing compensation by coordinating with the experts at our personal injury law firm near Staten Island. We will help determine who may be liable for the accident, and what losses you may be able to recover.
The Causes of Staten Island Bike Accidents
There are many ways a Staten Island bike accident may occur, the following are just some of the potential causes:
- Distracted driving (which is becoming an increasingly common factor in accidents due to the prevalence of smartphones)
- Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs
- Aggressive driving (this may be a particularly common cause of bike accidents in New York, where some drivers unjustifiably feel it is not “fair” that they must share the road with bicyclists)
- Speeding or otherwise reckless driving
- Hazardous road conditions
- Vehicle defects
- Failure to see a bicyclist (bikes are smaller than cars and other motor vehicles, so drivers may not notice bicyclists)
- Sleep-deprived driving (all drivers must be aware that driving without proper sleep is considered by some researchers to be as dangerous as driving while intoxicated)
Regardless of the cause of your accident, if you are ever injured in a Staten Island bike accident, you may be left with injuries that require substantial medical treatment. Besides immediate medical assistance, you may need long-term treatment, hospitalization, or even surgery.
You most likely did not expect to be paying bills like these, and therefore did not prepare financially. Your ability to pay for your own care may also be limited by an inability to earn a paycheck if your injuries prevent you from working, whether temporarily or permanently. These losses, in addition to the pain and suffering you may experience as a result of your injuries, might be compensated when you file a personal injury lawsuit.
Meet with one of Shulman & Hill’s personal injury lawyers near Staten Island to learn how you may recover the cost of your losses. We can help you pursue the compensation you potentially deserve and guide you through the litigation process.
How Our Staten Island Bike Accident Law Firm Can Help
Your options for seeking compensation after a Staten Island bike accident typically include filing a lawsuit against the negligent party’s insurance. In order to start the process, you must first know who the negligent party responsible for compensating you may be.
It is not always clear who is liable in these circumstances. Our Staten Island bike accident lawyers can investigate your accident and determine who may have been at fault. Our experienced attorneys can also help gather any evidence and/or documentation necessary to show why you qualify for compensation.
The negligent party’s insurer may not be inclined to pay what you may be entitled to right away and instead may offer you as little as possible. This is among the most important roles a personal injury Staten Island law firm can play in your case. We can assist by handling all major correspondence with the insurance company and use our experience and knowledge to negotiate on your behalf for a fair settlement.
When you hire our team to represent you, we will also handle the various tasks the claims process involves, such as paperwork and filing documents. This ensures you have more time to focus on your own recovery in the aftermath of your Staten Island bike accident.