I Was Injured In A Bike Accident — Who Is Liable?
Navigating New York City’s streets on a bike is certainly no easy task. Not only must bicyclists deal with aggressive drivers, but, in some cases, poorly designed roadways.
If you have been injured in a serious bike accident due to no fault of your own, you may wonder who is possibly liable for your injuries. Well, the short answer is that it depends on the circumstances of your accident. For instance, below is a list of some of the parties who may be legally accountable following a serious bike-related accident:
- Negligent driver: Unfortunately, not every street in New York has a bike lane, meaning many bicyclists are forced to ride in traffic. As you can imagine, a bicyclist has little chance of coming out on top when hit by a negligent driver. And even when there are bike lanes, that doesn’t guarantee a negligent motorist won’t hit a bicyclist riding in a bike lane. But, when bike accidents are caused by negligent or careless drivers, the bike accident victim may be able to seek compensation from the driver.
- Bike manufacturer: If your bike was poorly designed or it used a defective bike part, and this was the cause of your bike accident, you may be able to seek damages for your injuries from the bike/part manufacturer. This type of lawsuit is more commonly known as a products liability claim.
- New York City: If the city’s actions put you, a bicyclist, in danger, you may be able to hold them legally accountable for your injuries. For example, if your bike accident was caused by poor signage, negligent bike lane placement or poor street design, the city may be liable.
You need to keep in mind, however, that these are merely a few of the parties that may be legally responsible following a bike accident. In fact, depending on your situation, there may be other liable parties as well, which is why it is always best to speak with an experienced attorney who can explain what your legal options me be. But you need to act fast since you have a limited time to bring a possible bike accident claim, especially if the city is involved.
Contact Edelman & Edelman, P.C., Today
To speak with one of our bike accident lawyers, call our New York office at 212-235-1197 or fill out our online form. We are at the forefront of bike accident cases in New York, so let us put our experience to work for you.
