Syracuse, New York, Bicycle Lane And Bike Path Injury Lawyers

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Recognized as a Super Lawyer and American Institute of Trial Lawyers Litigator of the Year, is Committed to Defending the Rights of Bike Accident and Bicycle Injury Victims Across Syracuse. If You, or a Loved One, Have Been Injured in an Onondaga County Accident That Was Not Your Fault, You Deserve Effective, Aggressive Representation and an Attorney Willing to Fight for Your Rights. Call Jed Dietrich, Esq., Today.

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Syracuse has invested years in developing bicycle lanes, paths, and trails throughout the city.

Although the city council’s plans for an extensive new network of bike lanes have not progressed as quickly as expected, some Syracuse neighborhoods are already seeing more cyclists hit the street. But, with most paths centered around Downtown and the University of Syracuse campus, cyclists often find themselves sharing the road with much larger and heavier vehicles.

If and when drivers fail to do their part in keeping the road safe, they may cause an accident that could not have been prevented by paying closer attention to their surroundings.

You should not have to pay the price for another person’s mistake. If you, or a loved one, has been injured in a Syracuse bike accident that was not your fault, our experienced team of personal injury attorneys could help you obtain the compensation you need to begin rebuilding your life. Please send us a message online, or call us today at 1-866-529-5334 to speak to a lawyer and schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.

The Most Common Causes Of Bicycle Lane Accidents

Almost everyone who chooses to ride a bicycle in New York state is entitled to the same legal protections as people driving cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles. NY Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1231, for instance, states the following:

“Every person riding a bicycle … upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle …”

Aside from this general rule, the state expects motorists to take “due care” when driving near or past people on bicycles. Unfortunately, this expectation does not always resonate with everyone on the road.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, nearly 1,000 cyclists were killed in motor vehicle collisions in the course of a single, recent year; a further 41,000 were injured, some seriously. These accidents have multiple causes, but several trends are apparent. The following are among the most common causes of bicycle lane and path accidents nationwide:

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving can be defined as any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road. In recent years, distracted driving has become a source of serious concern, with cell phones and “infotainment” systems likely contributing to increased accident rates.

Distracted driving includes, but is not limited to, the following types of actions:

1. Sending a text message while driving;
2. Talking on the phone in traffic;
3. Eating food or drinking coffee;
4. Putting on makeup or lotion; and
5. Adjusting an infotainment system.

In multi-vehicle collisions, distracted driving accidents often take the form of rear-end crashes. Rear-end crashes are not always dangerous when they involve two cars, but they can have life-altering consequences for cyclists.

Unsafe Lane Changes

Unsafe lane changes are another common cause of bicycle accidents.

Any of the following factors could cause an unsafe lane change collision:

1. A driver attempting to pass a cyclist without providing sufficient clearance;
2. A driver attempting to pass other vehicles without realizing that a cyclist is on the road ahead; and
3. A driver abruptly changing lanes without first checking if it is safe to do so.

Unsafe lane changes may be accompanied by other reckless acts, like driving over the speed limit or weaving in and out of traffic.

Unsafe Turns

Unsafe turns are a leading cause of serious accidents for both cyclists and motorcyclists.

Most unsafe turn-related crashes occur at or around intersections. Oftentimes, drivers attempting to make a left turn will briefly scan the road for oncoming traffic before turning. Since bicycles have a much smaller profile than cars and trucks, drivers who are not paying enough attention to the road might “miss” an incoming cyclist and turn right in front of them.

Other Cyclists And Pedestrians

Cyclists face risks beyond motor vehicles.

If you are using a bike lane or path, you are expected to follow specific rules. These rules typically include yielding the right-of-way to pedestrians and making a good-faith effort to avoid causing an accident, but they are not always followed. If a pedestrian abruptly steps into a bike lane, or another cyclist does not look before crossing a trail intersection, you could be thrown from your bike and seriously injured.

Bicycle Dooring Accidents

Dooring accidents occur when the driver or passenger of a motor vehicle opens their door and strikes a passing cyclist. If a cyclist is traveling at even a moderate speed, the force of impact can be equivalent to that of a car crash.

Environmental Obstacles

Severe and inclement weather is often cited as a risk factor for bicycle crashes.

However, other environmental obstacles can pose their own hazards. Common obstacles include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Accumulations of snow, ice, or water in city bike lanes;
2. Sticks, stones, and other debris blocking bicycle paths;
3. Refuse or decorations placed too close to a bike lane;
4. Bike lanes that are in poor repair; and
5. Bike lanes that have inherently unsafe features and expose cyclists to unreasonable danger.

Some environmental obstacle-related accidents do not involve any negligence whatsoever. However, under certain, limited circumstances, a private homeowner, local business, or even a government agency could be found liable for your injuries.

Understanding Your Options For Bike Crash Compensation

The costs of a serious bicycle lane accident can be overwhelming, even for families with good insurance plans and emergency funds in the bank. Left unchecked, these expenses can accumulate quickly, leaving survivors in the difficult position of having to choose between the best medical care and their life savings. Even if a no-fault insurance claim is in the works, your recovery could be limited by the driver’s policy limits or, in a worst-case scenario, the insurer’s unwillingness to negotiate in anything resembling good faith.

You do not have to accept financial responsibility for an accident that was not your fault.

Since our founding in 2005, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has helped our clients in Syracuse and throughout Upstate New York secure more than $250 million in damages money that they have used to eliminate their medical debt, pay for physical rehabilitation, and regain their financial independence through what may well be the most difficult time of their lives.

Every bike accident claim is different, but depending on the circumstances of your crash, our highly experienced team of personal injury lawyers could:

1. Investigate the causes of your bike lane accident;
2. Identify the proper defendants for your lawsuit;
3. Assess your damages, determining how much money you need now and how much you will need long-term;
4. Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, ensuring that any offer of settlement reflects the severity of your physical and emotional injuries; and
5. If the defendant refuses to negotiate, represent you in court and through trial.

Unlike many other states, New York has no cap on compensation in most bicycle accident lawsuits. However, you cannot afford to wait too long before taking action. All bike crash claims are subject to strict statutes of limitations, the duration of which may depend on whether the defendant is a private party or a government entity. If you do not take action, the statute of limitations for your lawsuit could lapse, and once it does, you may not have any further means of recourse.

Do not lose your chance to ascertain justice: send the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. a message online or call us today at 1-866-529-5334 to speak to a bike crash lawyer near Syracuse and schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation.

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Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 1-866-529-5334 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Syracuse, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!

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