Mariners Harbor Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Staten Island, much like the rest of New York City, sees its fair share of vehicle traffic. Many residents and visitors opt to ride bikes rather than cars. Unfortunately, bike riders are at risk of accidents with other vehicles, often because of driver negligence. If you were struck by a car while riding a bike in Mariners Harbor, speak to our legal team about your legal options now.
Getting compensation after a bike accident may be harder than some people first think. If you have car insurance, you may file a claim with your no-fault insurance policy, as required by New York law. However, since many bike riders do not have vehicles, they might not have insurance, and you may instead file a claim with the other driver’s insurance or a civil lawsuit. We should begin by determining how your crash happened. Sideswipe accidents, dooring accidents, and rear-end collisions are just a few possibilities to look into. We must also account for your injuries, losses, and other damages so we can make the most of your potential financial compensation.
Contact our bicycle accident attorneys for a free case review by calling The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083.
The Importance of Hiring a Lawyer for Your Mariners Harbor Bicycle Accident Case
People sometimes assume that bike accidents are not as serious as car accidents or other collisions on the road, so they do not believe lawyers are necessary. The truth is that bike accidents can be just as dangerous, if not more so, as car crashes, and the legal process may be very complicated. It is in your best interest to talk to an attorney about your case.
When a bike rider is hit by a car in Staten Island, New York’s car insurance laws may still apply because the collision may still be considered a vehicle accident. If at least one car is involved, your auto insurance may kick in. Insurance claims may fall under New York’s no-fault insurance laws under I.S.C. § 5104(a). If you have car insurance, you may have to file a claim with your no-fault insurance as required by state law. This should cover you no matter who actually caused the accident.
If you want to sue, you must prove you have a “serious injury” defined under § 5102(d). A serious injury may include dismemberment, the loss of a pregnancy, fractures, death, significant disfigurement, the permanent loss of limitation of a body part, system, or function, or a medically diagnosed, non-permanent injury that stops you from completing normal daily tasks for no less than 90 days out of the 180 days right after the crash.
As you can see, simply filing legal action is not a simple feat, and you should speak to an attorney about the best path forward for your case. Insurance may be helpful for some but inadequate for others. Filing a lawsuit might be possible, but only under special conditions. When in doubt, ask a lawyer.
Common Factors in Bicycle Accident Cases in Mariners Harbor
How were you hurt in the bicycle accident? Knowing how the accident happened may lead our bicycle accident lawyers to evidence and help us figure out who is responsible. Below are a few common examples of how bike accidents happen around Mariners Harbor and the rest of Staten Island. Even if you do not see your accident described here, you can still contact our legal team for assistance.
Sideswiping Accidents
A sideswiping accident happens when a vehicle brushes or slides against another vehicle on the road. While this sounds like a minor accident, you must remember that one of the vehicles might be moving very fast, and sideswiping accidents may lead to serious injuries. For example, if a speeding driver tries to pass a bike rider but gets too close, they might sideswipe the biker. The biker is not protected within an enclosed vehicle, and they may be thrown into the street and badly hurt. This can also happen when cars get too close to bikers in bike lanes.
Dooring Accidents
A dooring accident is when a bike rider crashes into a car’s open door. This usually occurs in parking lanes or when cars are pulled over along the side of the road. A bike rider might be coming up in a bike lane next to where the vehicle is parked. If someone in the car opens their door without checking behind them, a bike rider might crash into the door. If the bike rider is moving fast, the crash might be pretty serious.
Rear-End Collisions
Some bike riders are injured when a driver behind them fails to stop in time at a red light or stop sign. While rear-end collisions between vehicles are often not a big deal, they can be very serious for bike riders. The bike rider could fall from the bike and go under the car or be thrown forward into the street.
Damages Available in a Mariners Harbor Bicycle Accident Case
Bike accidents tend to come with various injuries and losses. Some of these losses may be assessed based on how much money they cost. Others are unrelated to cost and are more subjective. Your attorney should help you identify and evaluate your damage so that no compensation is left on the table.
Your economic damages may include the ways that the accident cost you money. Bike accidents tend to lead to serious injuries, and you might need emergency medical treatment. As such, you might be hit with big hospital bills. On top of that, your bike might be damaged or destroyed, and a new one might be a lot of money. If you cannot work for a while after the accident because of your injuries, your lost income may also be claimed.
Non-economic damages are usually more subjective and unique to each plaintiff. While they might not involve monetary expenses, they may still warrant financial compensation. Pain, suffering, emotional distress, scars or disfigurement, and other painful experiences may deserve substantial compensation from the defendant.
Get Legal Support From Our Mariners Harbor Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Contact our bicycle accident attorneys for a free case review by calling The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083.