A fatal bicycle accident in Queens earlier this month stole the life of a beloved 78-year old man. Michael Schenkman was an avid cyclist and despite his advanced age rode his bicycle nearly 20 miles on a daily basis. He was bicycling east along Northern Boulevard in Queens on Wednesday August 24th when he was struck from behind by a motorist and dragged approximately 25 feet. Rescue crews were unable to resuscitate him and Mr. Schenkman, who had just gotten marred this spring, passed away at the scene.
Police reports show Mr. Schenkman was following the rules of the road, merging into the left lane, when a Chevrolet Impala driven by an unidentified 25-year old male collided with him. Gruesome photos from the accident scene show the windshield of the Impala shattered and caved in from where Mr. Schenkman’s body crashed into it. His helmet lay on the ground.
Mr. Schenkman’s death marks the 15th fatal bicycle accident in New York City this year-matching the total number of such accidents in 2016. Data shows that this particular stretch of road is hazardous for bicyclists-an opinion seconded by residents of the neighborhood. As such, it has been marked as a priority zone in Vision Zero planning.
The NYPD is investigating this latest fatal bicycle accident in Queens but has yet to file charges against the driver. At-fault parties in bike/car collisions are often not held criminally responsible for their actions.
However, surviving family members may still have legal options available to them. New York City bicycle accident law allows his wife and dependents to sue for financial compensation for their losses and for pain and suffering for the time Mr. Schenkman survived after the accident . Aside from the lawsuit, under New York’s no-fault law, Mr. Schenkman’s medical and funeral expenses will be paid by the insurance company for the vehicle which struck him.
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal car crash, contact an experienced New York City bicycle accident lawyer today. Call The Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at 800-734-9338 or 121-385-1122 today.