A well-known news broadcaster took to television recently to highlight her long recovery from a terrifying bicycle accident in New York City this past April. At the beginning of the Covid Pandemic, she took up cycling—complete with a high-end bike including a helmet and other professional-grade equipment. However, she hit a pothole in the street near her home and left her hampered for weeks and with permanent scars.
The crash occurred during a 65-mile long group ride. As she came down a hill just eight miles into the ride, she hit a hole in the asphalt that tore her tire, bent her wheel, pulled the handlebars out of her hands, and threw her to the pavement. In the aftermath of the crash, besides her bike being a mangled mess, she was bleeding and suffering from broken bones.
Emergency crews were called. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital. Doctors stopped the bleeding and set her broken bones. The doctors credit her bicycle helmet with potentially saving her life—its hard outer shell cracked and the soft inner lining crushed.
It’s clear that the pothole caused the crash. However, victims of accidents caused by defects in the City streets often aren’t able to hold the City responsible. Only if the City of New York, Department of Transportation (who is responsible for maintaining the streets) was notified of the defect in writing and then failed to repair it within 15 days, can injured accident victims hold the City responsible for the accident and ensuing injuries. On the other hand, If the defect was on a privately maintained or owned stretch of road or pathway, written notice to the property owner would not be required.
Navigating through the complex laws governing accidents on public streets is not an easy task. If you’ve been injured by a poorly maintained, unsafe roadway while riding, you will need the help of an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in New York City to get the compensation you deserve. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 today.