Avoiding Bicycle Accidents in the Big Apple
Being a bike courier is a popular job in big cities like New York, where packages, food, and other items are on a tight delivery schedule. Also, being able to avoid street traffic is a huge advantage for bikers. But it comes with its own set of dangers as well, especially on the streets of the Big Apple. Bike messengers are under time constraints, which can force them to make risky moves on the road.
Bicycles make life in a big city easier, but their increasing numbers make it more likely we’ll continue seeing bicycle accidents. Other bikers, pedestrians, and cars can obstruct a biker’s path. It is imperative to take necessary safety precautions to avoid such accidents. If you are injured in a bicycle accident, contact The Case Handler for a free, no-obligation consultation.
HOW TO STAY SAFE ON THE ROAD
Bicycle injuries tend to happen unexpectedly. Bicycle messengers ride at high speeds to keep up with the demands of their work, and they can encounter anything from negligent drivers, bad weather, and road rage.
If you are a bike messenger, there are some steps you can take to increase safety as you’re biking around the city:
- Stay visible: Wearing bright colors and reflective materials ensures that drivers can see you.
- Obey traffic laws: It’s not always easy, especially when you’re under pressure to deliver something in a timely manner. But for your safety, it’s important to ride with the direction of traffic, use bike lanes when possible, and obey traffic lights.
- Watch out for “dooring”: So many crashes happen due to “dooring,” which is what happens when a bike passes close to a parked car just as the driver or passenger is opening the door. Dooring can cause very serious injuries.
Section 1214 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law makes it unlawful for a person to open the door of a vehicle on the side where there is moving traffic unless it is safe to do so. It is also a violation to leave the door open on that side for longer than is necessary to load or unload passengers. If you are struck by a vehicle door, you may be entitled to compensation. Dooring is a serious problem in New York that leads to countless injuries each year.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE INVOLVED IN A BIKE MESSENGER CRASH
If you are a bike messenger who was injured on the job, there are some steps you can take to receive compensation for your injuries. If you are an employee, you can apply for workers’ compensation, or you can potentially bring a lawsuit against the individual who caused your injury. We’ve covered what pedestrians hit by bicyclists should do in a previous blog in case you were injured by a bicyclist.
If you are injured in a bicycle accident, you need to seek medical attention immediately. Failure to seek medical attention can negatively impact your chances of receiving a full and fair recovery. In addition to being seen by a medical professional, you also need to report your accident to local law enforcement and consult with an attorney as soon as possible.
CONTACT OUR OFFICE TO SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION
Trying to figure out who is ultimately at fault or how to recover compensation if you are a bike messenger can be complicated. Our skilled NYC bicycle accident attorneys are here to help. Whether you were struck by a vehicle or the victim of “dooring,” we may be able to assist you in getting compensation for your injuries. If you were injured on the job as a bike messenger, give The Case Handler team at Pollack, Pollack, Isaac & DeCicco, LLP a call at (212) 608-3734.
