White Plains Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Bicycles are a staple of New York’s transportation, offering freedom, health benefits, and environmental advantages. However, riding a bike here can be unsafe, with bike accidents on the rise. If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a bicycle accident in White Plains, NYC, or elsewhere in New York, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact our White Plains bicycle accident lawyers for a free consultation to explore your legal options.
Negligent drivers put innocent lives in danger. When someone chooses to get behind the wheel and then exceeds the speed the limit, uses their cell phone, drives aggressively, veers into a bike lane, violates the right of way, or drives while intoxicated, they can cause catastrophic and life-altering injuries to bicycle riders, among others. These people have a duty to pay for the damages they cause. Our attorneys fight for the rights of injury victims and help recoup what was lost during an accident.
Unfortunately, getting full and fair compensation after a bike accident isn’t always as easy as it should be. Auto insurance companies are known to mount aggressive defenses to bicycle accident claims in New York.
Key Takeaways
- With over 75 years of combined experience, our team at Lever & Ecker, PLLC has handled countless bicycle accident cases across New York, including White Plains and Westchester County.
- Our deep understanding of New York’s bike laws and personal injury claims allows us to navigate the legal system efficiently. Being strategically located, we’re well-positioned to assist bicycle accident victims across the state.
- You won’t pay us anything unless we win your case. We offer free consultations so you can understand your legal options without any financial pressure.
- We’re committed to providing you with comprehensive legal support. Whether you need bilingual representation or just someone who truly understands cyclists’ rights, we’re here to stand up for you.
Table of Contents
- Experienced White Plains Bicycle Accident Lawyers
- What Is a Bicycle Accident?
- Who Is Responsible for a Bicycle Accident?
- Common Injuries in a Bicycle Accident
- Do I Need a White Plains Bicycle Accident Lawyer to File a Claim?
- What Can I Be Compensated for in a Bicycle Accident Claim?
- What About Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accidents in New York?
- What If I Wasn’t in the Bike Lane When I Was Supposed to Be?
- How Long Does a White Plains Bicycle Accident Claim Take?
- Schedule a Free Consultation with our White Plains, New York Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Experienced White Plains Bicycle Accident Lawyers
As bicycle accident lawyers in White Plains, we fight hard for the rights of cyclists who have been hit, clipped, or otherwise injured by aggressive, reckless, or careless drivers. Our firm stands up for cyclists’ rights in New York, and we fight to maximize compensation for our clients at every turn.
Lever & Ecker, PLLC is a New York personal injury law firm, and we are proud to represent bicycle accident victims and their families in both these cities and throughout the entire state of New York.
Our White Plains bicycle accident lawyers offer more than 75 years of combined experience practicing law in the State of New York, having achieved a successful outcome in the majority of the cases we’ve handled. We would like to put our experience on your side, working to hold dangerous drivers accountable and fighting to get you the justice you deserve.
Representing Bicycle Accident Victims Across Westchester County
Our White Plains office is strategically located to assist bicycle accident victims from neighboring cities in Westchester County, including Hartsdale, Scarsdale, Rye Brook, Harrison, Rye, Port Chester, Tarrytown, and Dobbs Ferry. We understand the unique challenges that bicycle accident victims face and are committed to providing the necessary legal support to protect their rights and secure the compensation they need for their recovery.
Injured in a Bicycle Accident in Westchester County?
What Causes Bicycle Accidents in White Plains?
Most bike accidents in White Plains involve a collision between a bicycle and a moving motor vehicle (e.g. a car, truck, van, motorcycle, taxi, Uber, bus, etc.). Alternatively, some accidents may involve a collision between two or more bicyclists. These accidents, too, can cause significant injuries. Bicycle accidents can happen on public roadways or on private property.
Who Is Responsible for a Bicycle Accident?
In New York, every driver owes a legal duty of care to the people on the roadways, bike lanes, and sidewalks around them. Breaching that duty of care (through careless conduct or driving) constitutes legal negligence.
Negligent drivers are legally liable for the injuries and damages they cause.
Common examples of negligence that may cause bicycle accidents in New York include:
- Speeding
- Texting while driving
- Distracted driving
- Shoulder run-offs
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Aggressive driving
- Failure to maintain a vehicle in proper working condition
- Failure to yield the right of way to cyclists
Too often, motorists treat bicycle riders with a certain disregard. They may view the bikers as a slow-moving nuisance and, in their haste, fail to show them the safety and respect they deserve. This kind of callous disregard can cause serious injuries or wrongful death, even if the motorist never meant to hurt anyone.
Hold Negligent Parties Accountable for Your Injuires
Common Injuries in a Bicycle Accident
When car drivers hit bike riders, the injuries can be devastating. Indeed, many of these accidents involve severe or catastrophic injury. Sadly, some bicycle accidents in New York are fatal.
Here are just a few of the most common injuries associated with New York bicycle accidents:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Whiplash
- Head or brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal injuries
- Impaired vision or hearing
- Cuts or contusions
- Knee injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Vital organ damage
- Paralysis (in severe cases)
- Death (in severe cases)
Naturally, every bike accident is different. Your injuries may be different from the examples cited above. Whatever your injuries might look like, the New York bicycle accident lawyers at Lever & Ecker, PLLC are ready to help.
Do I Need a White Plains Bicycle Accident Lawyer to File a Claim?
The law does not require that bicycle accident victims be represented by an attorney before filing a claim for compensation. However, you may find that the process is much easier to navigate if you do hire a bicycle accident attorney, and doing so may significantly increase your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.
Studies have consistently shown that personal injury victims who hire an attorney tend to recover greater sums of financial compensation than those who are unrepresented.
The claims process is complex, and it typically plays out over a long period of time (months or sometimes years). Navigating it on your own can be incredibly challenging, especially in the face of an aggressive insurance company on the other side. Mistakes are easy to make, and it’s easy to feel confused or overwhelmed.
It’s important to understand that the insurance companies are not on your side. No matter how strong a case you may have, and no matter how “in the right” you may be, the insurance company’s only goal is to save itself money to the greatest extent possible. They’re good at what they do, and facing off against them by yourself can be a real challenge.
Choosing the right lawyer may make all the difference. The experienced White Plains personal injury lawyers at Lever & Ecker, PLLC are here to stand in your corner, give you a voice, and look out for your best interests at every stage of the claims process.
What Can I Be Compensated for in a Bicycle Accident Claim?
New York has adopted a complex system for car accident compensation called no-fault car insurance. This typically means that in a collision involving two or more automobiles, each party must first turn to their own auto insurance policy for damages. The compensation available under the no-fault system is typically more limited than under an ordinary personal injury system.
Reading the no-fault rules in New York can be especially confusing for bicycle riders. While bikes are generally considered to be vehicles in our state, cyclists are treated more like “pedestrians” where the no-fault rules are concerned.
Depending on the circumstances, as an injured cyclist, you may be able to bring two separate claims:
- A no-fault claim, which will cover your reasonably necessary medical expenses as well as a portion of any lost earnings (80% or $2,000 per month, whichever is less).
- A bodily injury claim, which proceeds like a traditional personal injury claim against the at-fault driver and/or their insurance provider. With this claim, you can seek additional compensation for economic expenses not covered under the no-fault claim (e.g. additional medical expenses, lost wages, or property damages), as well as emotional damages (e.g. pain and suffering, emotional distress).
The good thing about the no-fault claim is that you are able to make that claim no matter who was at fault for the crash. This is true even if you do not have auto insurance of your own. (That’s important because many cyclists do not have an auto insurance policy.) Injured cyclists are considered to have “first-party benefits” under the other driver’s auto insurance policy (in other words, the cyclist has the same rights to no-fault compensation as the driver).
The bodily injury claim, meanwhile, is only available in cases involving “serious injury,” as that term is defined by state law. Many bicycle accidents do qualify, but you should talk to a White Plains bicycle accident lawyer to confirm whether you are eligible to file a bodily injury claim in your case.
While it is not possible to predict or guarantee a particular outcome, you should understand that some injured cyclists do have a claim to substantial financial compensation after an accident in New York. Your rights will depend on the specific facts and circumstances surrounding your accident.
We encourage you to schedule a free consultation with our New York bicycle accident lawyers as soon as possible to learn more about your options.
Learn About Compensation in Bicycle Accidents in Westchester County
What About Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accidents in New York?
Sadly, hit-and-run bicycle accidents are not uncommon in New York. If you have been injured by a hit-and-run driver, please don’t give up hope. You may have more options for claiming compensation than you realize. The New York bicycle accident lawyers at Lever & Ecker, PLLC can help.
What If I Wasn’t in the Bike Lane When I Was Supposed to Be?
Even if you were partially at fault for your own accident, you may still be able to recover compensation for your injuries. We encourage you to contact our office and discuss the details as soon as possible.
How Long Does a White Plains Bicycle Accident Claim Take?
Because every case is different, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how long a bicycle accident claim takes in New York. Some claims resolve in a matter of months; others take a year or longer.
The period of time required will depend on a number of factors, including (but not necessarily limited to):
- The nature of the evidence in the case
- How many parties are involved
- The severity of the injuries
- The court’s calendar (if the claim proceeds to trial)
- The extent to which the insurance company is cooperative
- Whether there is a dispute as to causation or liability
At Lever & Ecker, PLLC, we understand the importance of putting your injury claim behind you and getting the monetary compensation you need as soon as possible. We work hard to resolve these claims as efficiently as possible while also recognizing that the fight for financial justice can take time.
There may be a number of options for paying your medical bills and other obligations while you wait for your claim to resolve. Our New York bicycle accident lawyers will be happy to discuss these options with you during your consultation.
Schedule a Free Consultation with our White Plains, New York Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Please do not sign a settlement agreement with an insurance company or any other party until you have talked with a White Plains bicycle accident attorney. Doing so can permanently impact your legal rights. You and your family may be entitled to more compensation than you realize and an attorney well-versed in the legal landscape of New York can help identify the options and potential compensation available.
Lever & Ecker, PLLC is a New York personal injury law firm located in White Plains and serving clients throughout the state, including New York City’s five boroughs (The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island), as well as Westchester County, Rockland County, Long Island, and beyond.
We are proud to offer bilingual legal representation for our Spanish-speaking clients.
We will not charge a fee for our services unless and until we get you money. Your initial consultation is completely free with no obligations whatsoever.
To schedule your confidential consultation with our New York bicycle accident lawyers, please call (914) 288-9191 or (718) 933-3632, or simply contact us online.
"*" indicates required fields
"*" indicates required fields
