Every year there are thousands of minor bicycle accidents in New York City and hundreds more that are serious enough to leave victims suffering serious and life-threatening injuries. Sadly every year an average of 15 people are killed in collisions with automobiles while riding their bikes in our city.
The dollar amount of bicycle accidents can be tallied. A recent nationwide study revealed that non-fatal accidents cost victims and their insurance companies $24 billion dollars per year. That figure has risen at the steady rate of nearly $790 million per year for the last 17 years. (During that same time frame, nearly 10,000 cyclists were killed.)
Since 1997, the cost of care for bicycle accident injuries has steadily increased and the number of bicycle accidents in New York keeps on growing. Thomas W. Gaither, the author of the UCSF study, said that while in the past most bicycle accidents occurred off the street, now “street crashes with motor vehicles represent a greater proportion of the total costs.”
Indeed, the number of cyclists injured in crashes involving cars increased 12% between 2015 and 2016. Some hospital ERs have seen their admissions for bike crashes increase over 150% in the past few years.
Bicycle accidents in New York city caused by distracted, reckless, or negligent drivers, or drivers under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol leave the motor vehicle operator legally liable for the injuries incurred by the victim. That means that injured individuals can file claims against the owner and deriver of the motor vehicle for pain and suffering, unpaid medical and hospital expenses and lost wages, present and future. In addition, the bicyclist can file for no-fault benefits with the motor vehicle’s insurance company for all health related expenses and up to $2,000 a month for lost wages.
If you’ve been injured by a careless driver while riding in NYC, contact the expert bicycle accident lawyers in New York City at the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel.