Riding a bicycle is not only an environmentally sound choice of transportation, but also a popular choice of recreation and a convenient way to navigate a busy city like New York. Unfortunately, bicycles can also be dangerous, especially when they are involved in a collision with a car or other vehicle. Kew Gardens bicycle accident lawyer Michael J. Redenburg assists those who have been injured in a bike crash pursue the appropriate legal action against those responsible. Too often, a negligent motorist is to blame for causing a bicycle accident, whether they are distracted by their phone, speeding, or just do not respect a cyclist’s right to the road. Unfortunately, it is also a bicyclist who is left with the catastrophic injuries to deal with. In these situations, the driver who causes such harm should be the one held accountable. Mr. Redenburg and his team are dedicated to making sure victims, or families who lost loved ones in a fatal bicycle accident, know their legal rights. If you need legal guidance in the aftermath of a bicycle collision, call our office at (212) 240-9465 or contact us online to find out more about how we can help.
Bicycle Accidents in Kew Gardens
Queens Boulevard, which runs through Kew Gardens, has been given the nickname “Boulevard of Death,” because of the dangers it poses to cyclists as well as pedestrians. In addition to this stretch of road that is the site of many bicycle accidents, Lefferts Boulevard and Austin Street can also be unsafe for bicycle riders. If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident in Kew Gardens, consulting a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible is important to preserving evidence that might be vital to any necessary litigation. Although bike lanes have been expanded throughout Queens, including Kew Gardens, the potential for injury or death is still present when accidents occur.
Some of the most common injuries sustained to bicyclists in a collision include:
- Head and brain trauma
- Broken bones
- Paralysis
- Roadrash and burn injuries
- Facial injury
- Internal injuries
Many different factors can also contribute to causing these types of injuries, such as hazardous road conditions. However, negligent actions by other road users is most often the main contributing cause of a bicycle accident.
Holding Negligent Parties Liable
When a motorist, or other party, is negligent and causes a bicycle accident, victims may be entitled to compensation in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Someone is negligent when they have breached a duty of reasonable care owed to a victim, which causes the victim’s injuries or death, and results in damages. A seasoned Kew Gardens bicycle accident lawyer can help determine who is at fault in your situation. Motorists, and all those on the road, owe each other including bicyclists a duty to act as a reasonable and prudent person would under the same, or given similar circumstances. Examples of common unreasonable, and therefore negligent, actions include failure to check for oncoming bicyclists when changing lanes or turning; distracted driving practices like texting; speeding; and following a bicyclist too closely.
When a serious bicycle accident occurs in Kew Gardens, the NYPD’s 102nd Precinct will investigate the circumstances to determine what happened and who may be at fault. Their findings may also be important to proving claims that arise. Following this investigation, a collision report will be prepared and available upon request within 7 business days. Accident reports can be obtained from the 102nd Precinct’s headquarters located at 87-34 118th Street, or online via the NYPD’s Collision Reports Portal.
Bicycle Accident Attorney Helping Kew Gardens Residents
If you’ve been injured in a bike crash, you might be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, both past and future, as well as loss of income or changes in your earning capacity. You may also be awarded damages for any pain and suffering you have endured. When a loved one dies as a result of collision, family members may recover damages for burial expenses as well as loss of support. Kew Gardens bicycle accident lawyer Michael J. Redenburg can help make sure you receive the financial support you are entitled to following a devastating collision. Our firm assists clients in Kew Gardens as well as throughout Queens and other parts of New York City. If you have questions about your legal options following a bicycle accident, contact our office today at (212) 240-9465 or online to speak with an attorney.