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The Scaffold Law · Absolute Liability

Bicycle Accident Lawyer in New York City

NYC’s bicycle infrastructure has expanded dramatically over the past decade — and so has the number of cyclists injured by drivers. NYC cyclists are now hit by drivers thousands of times per year, with hundreds suffering serious injuries and fatalities. The legal framework for cyclist cases is favorable when the case is built carefully, but the dynamics differ in important ways from typical car-on-car cases.

Amparo Law Firm represents cyclists, Citi Bike riders, and e-bike commuters injured in collisions with motor vehicles in New York.
  • Right hooks. Driver passes a cyclist and then turns right across the cyclist’s path. One of the most common NYC cycling crashes.
  • Doorings. A parked vehicle’s door opens into a cyclist’s path. Often serious because the cyclist has no time to react.
  • Left turns across oncoming cyclists. Driver in the opposite direction makes a left turn across a cyclist who has the right of way.
  • Sideswipes from passing vehicles. Driver passing too close strikes the cyclist, knocks them down, or sends them off the road.
  • Bike lane intrusions. Drivers operating in bike lanes — common with delivery vehicles, double-parking, ride-share pickups.
  • Mid-block strikes. Drivers backing out of driveways or parking spots without checking for cyclists.
  • Hit-and-runs. Significant percentage of NYC cyclist strikes involve drivers who flee.

Cyclist cases run primarily under common-law negligence, with several specific frameworks:

NYC’s Administrative Code and Vehicle and Traffic Law create specific cyclist protections — bike lane priority, dooring violations (VTL §1214), passing distance requirements, intersection right-of-way rules. Driver violations are direct evidence of negligence.

NY no-fault and serious injury threshold

Cyclists are entitled to no-fault benefits for medical and lost wages, typically through their own auto insurance if they have one (or through MVAIC if not). The serious injury threshold under NY Insurance Law §5102(d) governs pain-and-suffering recovery.

Citi Bike and rental cases

Citi Bike’s user agreement contains specific provisions about liability and indemnity. Citi Bike injuries can run against the at-fault driver and, in some product-defect cases, against Citi Bike or its parent company.

  • The at-fault driver
  • The driver’s employer if commercial / on-the-job
  • The vehicle owner if different
  • The driver’s insurance carrier (and the rideshare carrier if applicable)
  • MVAIC in hit-and-run cases
  • Citi Bike or e-bike share companies in product-defect or maintenance-failure cases
Learn more about Uber and Lyft cases

Cycling injuries from collision with a motor vehicle tend to be severe:

  • Traumatic brain injury (helmets reduce but do not eliminate TBI risk)
  • Spinal injuries
  • Clavicle and rib fractures (the most common cycling fractures)
  • Wrist and forearm fractures from instinctive arm-out catches
  • Hip and pelvic fractures
  • Knee injuries
  • Road rash and degloving injuries
  • Internal injuries from impact with the vehicle or the road
  • Fatal injuries

 

  • Call 911. Get a police report. This is critical.
  • Get full medical evaluation, especially for head injuries.
  • Photograph everything — your bike, the vehicle, the scene, the bike lane (or absence thereof), any relevant signage, the driver’s license and insurance.
  • Get the driver’s information and witness contact info.
  • Look for camera footage — NYC traffic cameras, business cameras, residential cameras.
  • Save your bike and helmet if possible. The damaged equipment is evidence.
  • Don’t give a recorded statement.
  • Call us.

 

Same New York personal injury damages categories. Cycling injuries can generate substantial damages because of severity.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently asked questions.

What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Helmet use is not legally required for adult cyclists in NYC (it is required for cyclists under 14). Not wearing a helmet doesn’t bar your case but may affect comparative fault analysis for head injuries.
The bike lane intrusion is itself a violation. Many NYC cyclist injuries occur because of vehicles improperly using bike lanes. These cases are usually strong.
MVAIC coverage and your own UM/UIM (if you have an auto policy) may apply. We’ve handled many hit-and-run cyclist cases.
Yes, against the at-fault driver. Citi Bike’s user agreement does not bar your case against a third-party driver who hit you.
Three years for personal injury, two for wrongful death.
Service Area
High-Incident Intersections
Bedford Ave & N 7th St
L-train hub
Metropolitan & BQE on-ramp
Highway access
Broadway & Roebling
Pedestrian-heavy
Williamsburg Bridge approach
Cyclist mix
Driggs Ave & Grand
L-train hub Rear-end zone

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