Most of us have been in bicycles accidents—when we were in elementary school. And, bicyclists flying over the handlebars after an ill-timed car door swings open are popular fodder for comedy films. With those associations in play, it’s easy to shrug off bicycle accidents as minor incidents that are little more than an annoyance. The reality, however, is quite a bit different from a childhood tumble or a comedically-staged spill.
New York City Bicycle Accident Statistics
According to the New York City Department of Transportation, 4,433 New York City bicyclists were injured and 14 killed in accidents involving motor vehicles during 2015. 342 of those non-fatal accidents resulted in “severe injuries.” The largest number of both injuries and fatalities occurred in Brooklyn, but the numbers were significant in Manhattan and Queens as well. The Bronx fared slightly better, but only Staten Island had fewer than 100 automobile-induced bicycle injuries in 2015.
Complete 2016 data is not yet available, but the numbers appear to be climbing. As of September, 17 bicyclists had been killed by New York City drivers in 2016. Many New Yorkers blame the city. Although NYC has acknowledged dangers to cyclists in the past and made some efforts toward improving safety, riders and those concerned for their welfare say the measures thus far have been inadequate and implemented too slowly.
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Serious Automobile-Bicycle Accident Injuries
Head and neck injuries are among the most common serious injuries suffered by bicyclists, both in collisions with motor vehicles and in other types of accidents. Head injuries connected with bicycle accidents may be fatal, or may result in lasting conditions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI). Bicycle safety advocates strongly recommend the use of helmets to protect against such injuries, and a cyclist can protect himself to some degree by wearing a helmet.
The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute estimates that wearing a helmet reduces the likelihood of head injury by about 50%, and the chances of sustaining a head, neck or facial injury by about 33%. While you should take every reasonable precaution, including use of a bicycle helmet, the risk remains significant.
Other common injuries sustained in bicycle accidents include:
- Broken bones, especially
- legs,
- shoulders/clavicles,
- elbows, and
- hands
- Nerve damage
- Dislocated joints
Depending on the nature and severity of the accident, these injuries may require anything from a quick trip to the emergency room to long-term physical therapy or other treatment.
Talk to a New York Bike Accident Attorney
Most people who have been injured in a car accident, suffered an injury at work, been harmed by a doctor or otherwise sustained a serious injury at someone else’s hands understand that they may be entitled to compensation, and that contacting a new york bicycle accident lawyer is a solid step toward getting their lives back on track. The same is true for bicycle injuries, no matter how lightly we’re accustomed to thinking of them.
If you have sustained a serious injury in a bicycle accident, or if a loved one has been killed while cycling, take the next step toward protecting your rights right now. Schedule a free consultation with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer NYC in our office to discuss your options for a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
Just dial 212-540-2987 or fill out our contact form.
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