What You Should Know About Bicycle Accidents in Rochester
by King Law
Getting hurt in a bicycle accident can be devastating, whether you were riding recreationally at the time of the accident or using a bicycle for transportation. It is important to hold the party responsible who caused the collision and your resulting injuries. What do you need to know about bicycle crashes and seeking compensation after an accident? An experienced Rochester bicycle accident lawyer has important information you should know about Upstate New York bicycle crashes.
Motor Vehicle Drivers Often Are Responsible for Bicycle Accident Injuries
Many accidents involving bicyclists also involve motor vehicles. There are many different causes of collisions in which motorists strike bicyclists, including distracted driving, intoxicated driving, and reckless driving. Sometimes motorists do not see a bicyclist in their blind spot, and sometimes motorists who have parked in a street spot injure bicyclists who get “doored” when they open a car door.
Property Owners Could Be Liable for Bicycle Accident Injuries
While motor vehicle drivers are often liable for bicycle accident injuries, it is important to know that property owners or renters can also be responsible for damages if a bicycle accident happens because of a hazard on their premises. In these circumstances, an injured bicyclist could be eligible to file a premises liability lawsuit.
You May Be Eligible for Insurance Coverage
While no-fault insurance in New York often leads pedestrians and bicyclists to believe they cannot obtain compensation after a collision in an accident with a motor vehicle, it is important to know that insurance coverage could pay for medical bills arising out of an accident.
Your Lawsuit Will Have a Time Limit
Bicycle accident lawsuits in New York have a time limit based on the statute of limitations. Most bicycle accident claims must be filed within 3 years from the date of the accident, but the time window could be shorter for collisions that occurred on public property due to a hazard on the premises. You should seek advice from a lawyer to ensure that you file your claim in a timely manner.
Bicycle Accidents Happen More Often Than You Might Expect
While bicycling can be a great way of exercising or limiting vehicle gas mileage, bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles can be especially deadly. Indeed, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “bicycle trips account for only 1 percent of all trips in the United States,” yet “bicyclists face a higher risk of crash-related injury and deaths than occupants in motor vehicles.” Annually, on average, nearly 1,000 people are killed in bicycle accidents, and more than 450,000 people suffer nonfatal injuries in bicycle collisions.
Seek Advice from a Bicycle Accident Attorney in Rochester
If you were injured in a bicycle accident, whether you were involved in a collision with a car or you got hurt because of a hazard on another party’s premises, you should seek advice from one of our dedicated Rochester bicycle accident lawyers about seeking compensation for your injuries. Contact King Law for more information about filing a bicycle accident lawsuit in Upstate New York.
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