Howard Beach Queens Bicycle Accident Lawyer
As a residential town with many small neighborhoods like Hamilton Beach, Old Howard Beach, Ramblersville, Lindenwood, and Spring Park – Howard Beach, Queens is an area where many bicyclists choose to ride. Whether they do so for everyday transportation or as a recreational hobby, bicyclists have the right to use the roads just as much as any other traveler. However, too often, motorists do not respect this right, leading to serious collisions that result in serious injuries to cyclists. If you’ve been involved in such a collision, Howard Beach Queens bicycle accident attorney Michael J. Redenburg can help you determine your next legal steps. Victims injured in a bike accident often need financial assistance with the costs associated with their recovery efforts. Mr. Redenburg is dedicated to making sure the parties that caused such injuries are also the ones who pay for them. If you have questions about your legal rights following a bicycle accident, call our office at (212) 240-9465 or contact us online to speak with an attorney today.
Dangerous Howard Beach Bicycle Accidents
Although Cross Bay Boulevard, the Belt Parkway, and other busy streets in Howard Beach have bike paths or lanes that are supposed to make these roads safer for bicyclists, they can still be the site of serious bicycle accidents. Although the improvements in the area in recent years have been upgrades for cyclists and pedestrians, there are still dangers for bicycle riders. This is especially true in areas where bicycle lanes still do not exist, such as for access across bridges. If you’ve suffered an injury due to a Howard Beach bike crash, the first step is to seek immediate medical attention. Afterwards, it is advisable to consult a knowledgeable injury lawyer who can help assess your legal options.
Many factors can contribute to a bicycle accident, and a lot of these factors also indicate negligence on another motorist’s part. Common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Failing to check for cyclists when turning
- Improper lane changes
- Texting while driving
- Driving under the influence
- Opening vehicle doors without looking for oncoming cyclists, often referred to as “dooring” accidents
- Potholes or other hazardous road conditions
When a bicycle collides with a vehicle, obviously the bike rider faces more significant injuries than any occupant of a car. New York City law requires all commercial cyclists to wear proper helmets, in good condition while riding their bicycles. However, there is no such requirement for recreational bicyclists over the age of 14. Bicyclists can suffer severe head and traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, internal bleeding, as well as road rash, burns, facial or dental harm, and even death.
Bicycle Accidents Caused by Negligence
Personal injury and wrongful death claims arising out of a bicycle accidents are based on the legal theory of negligence. Negligence occurs when one party breaches their duty of reasonable care owed to another, causing that victim’s injury or death and resulting in damages. Having a seasoned Howard Beach bicycle accident lawyer as your advocate is key to proving each element of negligence in your case. Important evidence such as witness statements, police reports, medical records, and other documentation from the scene of an accident are vital in proving an injury or wrongful death lawsuit. For bicycle collisions that occur in Howard Beach, the NYPD’s 106 th Precinct will investigate and prepare the report. Copies of these collision reports can be obtained from that precinct, which is located at 103-53 101 st Street in Ozone Park within 30 days. Accident reports can also be requested by mail or accessed online.
Howard Beach Bicycle Accident Attorney
In a successful personal injury claim, victims can recover damages in the form of past or future medical expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering. In wrongful death cases, family members may be awarded compensation for outstanding medical bills, loss of support, and burial or funeral expenses. Victims and families need this financial assistance to aid in their healing, and Howard Beach bicycle accident attorney Michael J. Redenburg is committed to making sure they receive it. Mr. Redenburg represents bike crash victims in Howard Beach as well as throughout Queens and other areas of New York City. If you need legal assistance following a devastating bicycle accident, contact our office online or call (212) 240-9465 to find out more about our legal services.