According to the NYC Department of Transportation, there were approximately 4,500 bicycle crashes in 2024, with over 800 occurring in Queens. Around 700 of these Queens bicycle accidents involved motor vehicles, which poses a significant threat to the cyclists. When in a bike accident, even with protective gear, you may end up with life-changing injuries. If you’re one of those unlucky bicycle crash victims, you may be entitled to compensation! With a Queens bicycle accident lawyer on your side, you can get expert legal advice and help handling your case in court or settlement negotiations.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
In a car crash, you have safety features that help reduce damage to your person. Seatbelts, airbags, and the metal frame of your car all lessen the impact of an oncoming collision. With a bicycle, you don’t enjoy the same protections. While wearing a helmet is a necessary safety measure, bicycles themselves don’t offer much in the way of protection.
After a bicycle accident, it’s not uncommon to experience injuries like:
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): A helmet can protect your skull from fracture, but it can’t stop your brain from hitting the inside of your head. This is incredibly dangerous, as TBIs sometimes have lasting and debilitating effects. You may lose language skills, experience mood swings, and even demonstrate changes in personality after a TBI.- Broken bones: Without the padded interior of a car, it’s easier to break bones in a bicycle accident. Most commonly, these breaks occur in your clavicle, wrist, or forearm, as it’s natural to raise your arms when bracing for impact.
- Spinal cord injuries: Your spine is a delicate and sensitive collection of bone, nerves, and muscles. Even a minor injury can affect your entire spine, potentially limiting your ability to move freely. After a spinal cord injury, you may face temporary or even permanent paralysis.
While not all of these effects are permanent, they’re certainly life-changing. Whether you lose out on the ability to work for the next 6 months or you’re permanently paralyzed from the waist down, you’re entitled to compensation!
How a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You
After a bicycle crash injury, you should focus on recovering. The last thing you’ll want to do is handle the paperwork, phone calls, and case-building that acquiring compensation entails. But by hiring a bicycle accident lawyer like Shaevitz & Shaevitz, you can get expert legal advice and leave your case in the hands of trustworthy professionals.
First, you’ll need to file a no-fault claim with the insurance of the car that hit you. This claim provides automatic benefits to victims of insured motor vehicles, covering medical expenses and therapies. However, you only have 30 days from the time of the accident to do so. As your bicycle accident lawyers at Shaevitz & Shaevitz, we help you file your claim within the time limit to ensure you receive the benefits you deserve.
Then, we help assess your injuries and determine how much they may be worth. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be entitled to significant compensation! At our firm in Queens, NY, we determine if your injuries surpass the serious injury threshold. If so, we will determine who is at fault for your injuries.
By collecting evidence such as witness statements, traffic camera footage, and police reports, we can help prove the negligence of the other party. If they were even partially responsible for your injuries, then you have a personal injury case.
We will build your case, determine fault, and represent you in court or settlement negotiations. Rather than having to deal with low-ball insurance offers on your own, we face the insurance company for you to ensure you receive maximum compensation.
And, it’s important to note that even if you are partially responsible for your accident, you’re still entitled to compensation, just at a reduced percentage.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Shaevitz & Shaevitz in Queens, NY
Bicycle accidents are dangerous, especially for cyclists. Without the protection of a seatbelt or an airbag, cyclists in accidents risk severe, potentially life-changing injuries. If you’re in a bicycle accident in Queens, call a personal injury lawyer like those at Shaevitz & Shaevitz! With over 65 years of experience handling cases like yours, you can trust that your compensation is in good hands.
Book a free case review to learn if you qualify for compensation.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to learn about the other accident cases we take on at Shaevitz & Shaevitz.
