A bicycle accident in Bushwick left one woman in critical condition earlier this month. The 25-year-old victim was riding along Evergreen Avenue in Brooklyn when she was struck by a city sanitation truck. Reports from the scene of the accident state that the driver of the truck did not stop and “fled the scene.” However, NYPD investigators are trying to assess whether or not the driver even knew he struck a bicyclists.
The victim was stabilized by EMTs at the scene of the bicycle crash and rushed to nearby Brookdale University Hospital. She was listed in critical condition but a spokesperson for the hospital said she was “stable” upon arrival. Her wounds reportedly consisted of a broken collar bone and an open gash on her forearm.
These types of wounds are fairly common in bicycle accidents in New York City. Whether cyclists simply fall off their bikes or are struck by cars (or trucks) while riding, a person’s natural response is to try to brace themselves for the fall. This often results in arm injuries including broken bones, ligament damage, and dislocations.
Unfortunately, these types of “hit-and-run” bicycle accidents in New York City involving large commercial trucks are not uncommon. These vehicles are sometimes difficult to navigate down cramped city streets and because of the blind spots that these vehicles have, drivers are not even aware of the collision until another driver or pedestrians stops them after driving away.
The victim in this case could seek financial compensation for her injuries from NYC itself, considering it was a city sanitation truck that struck her. However, even if the truck had been privately owned and operated, the woman would still have legal options available to her against the privately owned vehicle and its driver. In either case, no fault benefits for medical expenses and lost wages would be available to the injured person
If you’ve been struck by a careless or negligent driver, contact the experienced New York City bicycle accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel. Call 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 for your free consultation.