Studying data concerning bicycle accidents in New York City can be disheartening. According to NYC’s cycling Risk Indicator, the average risk of serious injury to bicyclists in the city has dropped 82% between 2000 and 2014. However, in 2014 there were 3,982 bicycle accidents in New York City involving motorists (not including 20 fatalities). That’s nearly a 3 percent increase in injuries over 2013’s figures and a whopping 66 percent increase in cycling fatalities. These dramatic increases have occurred even as the city has spent millions of dollars redesigning its infrastructure to make the streets more bicycle-friendly.
Even as the city touts its “Slow Zones,” newly constructed bike lanes, and redesigned traffic flow patterns, we hear or read about another devastating bicycle accident in New York City.
Ridership in New York City is at an all-time high. The NYDOT’s “screenline” count (which counts bicycles entering and exiting Manhattan’s core) spotted over 30,000 bicycles on streets in September of 2012 alone. That’s a 56 percent increase over the same time period in 2008. Unfortunately, New York is not keeping pace with its Vision Zero goals of eliminating all traffic-related fatalities.
In a nationwide study, drivers were found to be at fault in roughly 60 percent of all bicycle accidents involving cars. In New York, bicyclists can apply for no-fault benefits from the insurance company for the motor vehicle involved in the accident which will pay for health related expenses and up to $2000 a month for lost wages. In addition, bicyclists may also bring a lawsuit against an at fault driver for pain and suffering for the injuries sustained in the accident
Victims of bicycle accidents in New York City have legal options available to them. If you or a loved one has been injured by a distracted, reckless, or negligent driver, contact an expert New York City bicycle accident attorney who can help get the financial compensation you deserve. Call the experienced lawyers at the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel for a free consultation at or 212-385-1122 to learn your rights.