Long Island Bicycle Accident Lawyer

When you have been injured in a bicycle accident and aren’t sure where to turn for help, contact a qualified bicycle accident lawyer on Long Island.

Severe bicycle accident injuries are not uncommon. After all, a bicycle is no match for a sedan, SUV, bus, or tractor-trailer. Being struck by a car can leave you with life-threatening injuries and severely disrupt your life. But when you choose to move forward with a personal injury claim, you can take control and begin to rebuild your life after the accident.

But you may feel intimidated or overwhelmed at the thought of going to court. Fortunately, when you get help from an experienced Long Island bicycle accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Dennis Smith, PLLC, you will have confidence in your legal representation and be able to focus on your recovery. 

Fault for Long Island Bicycle Accidents

There are several parties who could be found liable for causing your Long Island bicycle accident. It’s easy to assume that the driver of the vehicle who struck you is responsible for causing your injuries. But this is not always be the case. In instances where the driver is responsible for the accident, it is generally due to one of the following unsafe driving behaviors:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Drunk or drugged driving
• Following too closely
• Reckless driving 
• Driving while fatigued

But there are also other parties who could be found responsible for the accident. Maybe a part on the car or your bicycle was defective or faulty. The parts manufacturers, distributor, technicians, and other relevant parties could be responsible. 

If the roads themselves were unsafe in some way, maybe due to missing street signs or broken pavement, then the government agency responsible for maintaining the safety of the roads could be found liable.

Only after thoroughly investigating the details of your case will your bicycle accident lawyer on Long Island know who should be held accountable for your losses.

Long Island Shared Fault Laws You Need to Know

A common defense used by liable parties is blaming the injury victim for the accident. If the at-fault party is able to show that you are partly responsible for causing the accident, they may be able to reduce the amount that they will be required to compensate you.

Under New York shared fault laws, if you do share fault, it doesn’t prevent you from being awarded compensation. However, your award will be reduced by your portion of fault. So if you were 20 percent liable for the accident, your award will be reduced by 20 percent. 

Your lawyer will work to ensure that only the appropriate percentage of fault, if any, is placed on you so you are still fairly compensated for your losses. 

Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer on Long Island

To learn more about how a seasoned Long Island bicycle accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Dennis Smith, PLLC, give us a call to schedule your free consultation. You can reach us by phone at 212-835-1699 or through the quick contact form provided at the bottom of this page.