Did someone exiting a parked car cause your bicycle accident?

New York City has its fair share of bicyclists. Some people ride bikes for work, some for basic transportation and others for the pure joy of it. Bike lanes are installed all around the city; unfortunately, people in parked cars can make them dangerous to use. If you or a loved one were in a bicycle accident thanks to someone exiting a parked car, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your losses.

Accidents like this happen in the blink of an eye. You or your loved one likely had no time to react when that car door opened. The door was hit hard at full speed, and off the bike you or they went. Helmet or no helmet, hitting the pavement, a passing car or another parked car is going to do a lot of physical damage to one’s body. Victims of these events often experience serious, if not fatal, injuries.

When parked next to a bike lane, individuals exiting vehicles have a responsibility to look out for cyclists before they get out of their cars. Some people are good about it, but a lot of people are not. When the person who opened the door in your case failed in that responsibility, he or she might be considered negligent in his or her actions. If you can prove negligence in court, it may be possible to hold that individual accountable for any resulting damages the event caused you or your family.

A bicycle accident can be a devastating thing. The physical, emotional and financial consequences can be severe. You and your family should not be left to shoulder the burden that this incident has caused you. With the assistance of a personal injury attorney, you may pursue legal claims in a New York civil court in an effort to seek relief. To learn more about how an attorney can be of help to you, please visit our firm’s website.