When Riding Isn’t Safe: What to Know About Bicycle Accidents in NYC

Bikes are everywhere in New York—on the streets, in bike lanes, weaving through traffic. They’re efficient, green, and often the fastest way to get around. But with that convenience comes risk. At Almeida Law, we’ve seen firsthand how a split second of negligence—from a turning car, an open door, or a dangerous stretch of road—can leave a cyclist with serious injuries and long-term consequences. If you or someone you love has been hurt while riding a bike, here’s what you need to know.

Common Causes of Bike Accidents

Some of the more frequent causes we see include:

• Turning vehicles: When a car turns across a bike lane or turns left/right without seeing the cyclist, collisions often result. 

• Dooring: Someone opens a car door into the path of a cyclist. It may seem minor, but it can cause a fall, serious injuries, or force you into traffic. 

• Poor road conditions and blocked lanes: Potholes, uneven pavement, loose grates, debris from construction zones, or bike lanes blocked by parked or stopped vehicles can all lead to crashes.

• Hit-and-runs, uninsured or underinsured drivers: Sometimes the driver who hits you flees, or doesn’t have enough insurance. This complicates recovery of damages. 

Typical Injuries & Impacts

Even crashes that look “minor” at first can have serious consequences:

• Broken bones (wrists, collarbone, ribs)

• Shoulder, back, neck injuries; torn ligaments or muscles

• Head injuries, including concussions—even with a helmet

• Lacerations, road rash, scarring

• Dental/facial injuries

• Emotional trauma: anxiety, fear of riding again, loss of enjoyment of life

What the Law in New York Says

Your Rights & Liability

• As a cyclist, you are a “vulnerable road user,” and under New York law motorists have a duty to watch out for you. Even if you don’t have a bike lane, you have a right to ride in many public streets. 

• New York follows comparative fault: even if you share some responsibility, you can still recover damages. The amount you recover is reduced by your percentage of fault. 

• For more serious injuries, certain thresholds must be met for what qualifies as a “serious injury” under state law. If you meet those, you can pursue full compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage (your bike, helmet, etc.).

Insurance & Time Limits

• NY’s no-fault insurance system may apply—some medical bills or losses might be covered regardless of who is at fault. But no-fault doesn’t cover everything (e.g. pain, suffering, serious injury beyond certain thresholds). 

• If you want to sue, generally you have three years from the date of the accident to file. (Shorter deadlines might apply in special cases, like involving government vehicles.)

What You Should Do If You’re Involved in a Bike Crash

To protect your rights and maximize your chances of a fair outcome, take these steps:

1. Get medical attention immediately, even if you feel okay. Some injuries show up later.

2. Document everything

   • Photos (scene, damage to your bike, anything that seems relevant)

   • Get the driver’s info (name, license plate, insurance)

   • Capture witness names and contact information

   • Keep all medical records & bills

3. Report to police and get the report (usefully, this is often strong evidence).

4. Reach out to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. You may not have to deal with the insurance companies alone—they often try to minimize payments.

5. Don’t accept the first offer without advice. Insurance companies sometimes try to settle fast at a low rate. Knowing your rights (with help) makes a big difference.

Why Almeida Law P.C. Can Help

At Almeida Law, we handle bicycle accident cases across all five boroughs —whether the crash was in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island. We’ve helped cyclists who have been:

• Doored, sideswiped, forced off the road

• Injured because of badly maintained roads or debris

• Victims of hit-and-runs or drivers with insufficient insurance

We listen carefully—your story, your injuries, your losses—and we pursue fair compensation. We don’t get paid unless you do. Our job is to make sure medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and any property damage (your bike, helmet, etc.) are part of your recovery. The path isn’t always easy, but having someone in your corner who knows the laws, knows the opponents, and knows how to build a strong case matters.

Contact Us

If you were hurt while riding a bike, don’t wait. Time is important. To get a free consultation, call (718) 475-6338. Let us review your case, explain your options, and help you take the steps toward putting your life (and finances) back on track.

Stay safe out there, and remember: roads belong to all of us. Cyclists deserve respect, protection, and justice.