We give every client our full attention, urgency, and care from start to finish, ensuring no detail is overlooked and no question goes unanswered.
Bicycle Accident Attorneys in Staten Island
50+ Years of Combined Experience Fighting for Injured Staten Island Cyclists
In many crashes, the person riding the bike is following the rules of the road when a careless driver turns across a bike lane, opens a car door without looking, or speeds through an intersection. Busy routes in and around Staten Island, including areas near the ferry terminal and along major corridors leading to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, can be particularly hazardous when motorists fail to give cyclists the space and attention they deserve. By carefully examining how your collision happened and who may be responsible, we work to connect the facts of your case with the protections available under New York law.
New York Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1146 requires every driver to exercise due care to avoid colliding with a cyclist. When a driver ignores that duty, cyclists have almost no physical protection in the collision that follows, making even low-speed crashes capable of producing serious harm. At The Chernyy Law Office, P.C., we represent injured cyclists and pursue every avenue of compensation available under New York law.
Injuries Cyclists Suffer in a Bicycle Accident
According to federal estimates, more than 1,000 bicycle riders are killed each year nationwide, and nearly half a million more are hurt. In the five boroughs of New York City alone, almost 5,000 riders are injured annually, along with almost 150 bicycle-related fatalities. In 2024, Staten Island recorded 70 bike-related injuries, a figure that reflects the real danger cyclists face on borough roads every day.
When a collision happens, the difference in size and weight and the lack of protection leave the bicycle rider particularly vulnerable to serious injuries, including:
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Neck and spine damage, including paralysis
- Severe nerve damage
- Fractured bones
- Road rash, cuts, and lacerations
- Injuries to soft tissue, including bruises and contusions
Depending on severity, many injuries sustained in a bicycle crash are life-threatening. Beyond the emergency room, cyclists often face months of rehabilitation, follow-up appointments, and time away from work. A brain or spinal injury may require ongoing therapy or adaptive equipment, placing a heavy financial strain on a family. We take the time to understand how your injuries affect your daily life so we can pursue compensation that accounts for medical treatment, lost income, and your ability to enjoy the activities that matter to you.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Staten Island
Every crash has its own story, but many bicycle collisions in Staten Island share recurring patterns. Riders are often struck when a driver fails to check blind spots before changing lanes, turns right across a cyclist’s path, or opens a parked car door into the bike lane. Intersections near the Staten Island Expressway, Hylan Boulevard, and other busy corridors can be especially dangerous when traffic is heavy and drivers are distracted by phones and navigation systems.
New York law requires motorists to share the road with cyclists, yet drivers sometimes ignore speed limits, roll through stop signs, or fail to yield when a rider has the right of way. Poor road surface conditions such as potholes or uneven pavement can also contribute to a crash, particularly near curbside bike lanes or driveways. When a dangerous condition on a city-maintained street caused your crash, municipal liability may apply, but a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days.
Commercial vehicles and buses traveling to and from the Staten Island Ferry, across the Bayonne Bridge, or along major truck routes add another layer of risk. Large vehicles have wider turning radii and bigger blind spots, making it harder for drivers to see a cyclist unless they’re paying careful attention. By reviewing vehicle size, traffic patterns, and prior complaints about a location, we build a clear picture of how the crash occurred and which parties may share responsibility.
Compensation Available After a Staten Island Bicycle Accident
A serious bicycle crash produces losses that extend well beyond the emergency room. Economic damages typically include past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and property damage such as bicycle repair or replacement. Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and the reduced quality of life that can follow a permanent or disabling injury.
New York’s comparative negligence rule under CPLR 1411 allows injured cyclists to recover damages even when they share some fault in a crash, with any award reduced in proportion to their share of responsibility. How fault allocation affects your specific claim depends on the facts, which is one more reason to speak with a bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible after a crash.
There is no fee unless you recover money from your case, so there is no financial barrier to getting experienced representation from the moment a crash occurs.
No Fee Unless You Recover Compensation from Your Case
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There is no fee unless you recover money from your case.
Why Injured Cyclists in Staten Island Choose The Chernyy Law Office, P.C.
With more than 50 years of combined personal injury experience, our attorneys have helped countless accident victims pursue compensation for bicycle crash injuries. We maintain a network of highly respected professionals who assist us in investigating your bicycle accident alongside input from doctors and financial professionals, so every element of your losses is documented and supported.
How We Build Your Case
From the moment you contact us, we begin gathering facts, obtaining police reports, and preserving any available camera footage from intersections or nearby properties. We work to locate witnesses who can explain how traffic was moving and whether a driver ignored a signal or failed to yield. Acting quickly matters because evidence disappears with time, weather, and routine cleanup after a crash.
We know that many injured riders have never worked with a bicycle accident lawyer before and may be unsure what to expect. We can explain your options in plain language, keep you updated as your claim moves forward, and prepare you for each step, whether it involves paperwork, medical evaluations, or potential court appearances in Richmond County. When insurance companies push back, we’re prepared to take your case to trial rather than accept a result that shortchanges your recovery.
Direct Access to Your Lawyer
Your attorney is available seven days a week to answer questions and respond to your concerns. That direct access to your lawyer rather than a call center or rotating staff is central to how we work. Our client-first approach has helped us recover millions of dollars for injured New Yorkers, and we bring the same commitment to every case regardless of size.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Staten Island
The moments and days after a crash can feel overwhelming, but a few practical steps can protect both your health and your future claim. Seek medical attention promptly at a local emergency room or urgent care facility such as Staten Island University Hospital or Richmond University Medical Center, which helps document your injuries and ensures nothing is missed. Whenever possible, photograph the scene, your bike, and any visible injuries, and keep copies of any incident or collision reports prepared by the NYPD.
As you begin to recover, saving paperwork connected to the crash will make it easier to prove what happened and what you have lost. This includes repair or replacement estimates for your bicycle, receipts for medications and treatment, and records of missed time from work. Keeping a simple written record of how your injuries affect your sleep, mobility, and daily activities can also be valuable evidence, especially when injuries aren’t visible but still significantly limit your life.
New York’s no-fault insurance system requires that a claim for Personal Injury Protection benefits be filed within 30 days of the accident. Insurance companies may also contact you quickly to request statements or offer an early settlement before you fully understand the extent of your injuries. You aren’t required to accept the first offer, and you can ask questions before signing any paperwork that might limit your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do Immediately After a Bicycle Accident in Staten Island?
Your priority is your health, so call for emergency medical assistance even if your injuries seem minor. Request that police respond to the scene to create an official accident report, which is vital for your claim. Gather contact and insurance information from the driver and any witnesses, but don’t admit fault or discuss the crash with the driver’s insurance company before consulting a lawyer.
Who Pays My Medical Bills If I Am Hit by a Car While Riding My Bike in New York?
New York is a no-fault insurance state, which means the insurance policy of the vehicle that struck you is generally responsible for your initial medical bills and lost wages. This coverage applies regardless of who caused the crash and is commonly referred to as Personal Injury Protection. You must file this no-fault claim within 30 days of the accident to seek coverage for your medical expenses.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Staten Island?
For most personal injury cases in New York, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against a private party. If your accident involved a municipal vehicle like a city bus or was caused by a dangerous road condition maintained by the City of New York, you have only 90 days to file a formal Notice of Claim. Missing these deadlines can prevent you from recovering financial compensation.
Can I Still Get Compensation If I Was Partly to Blame for My Bicycle Crash?
In many cases, yes. New York’s comparative negligence rule reduces your financial award by your share of fault rather than eliminating your claim entirely. The impact on your specific claim depends on how fault is allocated, so speaking with an attorney promptly is the best way to understand where you stand.
What Types of Compensation Can I Recover After Being Hit by a Car on My Bike?
You can pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover tangible losses such as past and future medical care, rehabilitation expenses, property damage, and lost income. Non-economic damages provide relief for subjective harms like physical pain, emotional trauma, and a reduced quality of life resulting from your injuries.
Do I Have a Case If a Car Door Opened Into My Path While I Was Cycling?
Yes, dooring accidents are common, and the driver or passenger who opened the door may be liable for the resulting damages. Under New York traffic laws, vehicle occupants must ensure it is reasonably safe to open their doors into traffic, especially in urban areas where cyclists are present. An attorney can help assess whether the vehicle occupant’s negligence contributed to your collision and injuries.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
During your initial consultation, we’ll listen carefully to how the collision happened, review any documents you already have, and answer your questions about insurance coverage and the time limits for bringing a claim in New York. There is no obligation to move forward, and we’ll never pressure you to make a decision before you’re ready.
Why Clients Trust Our Firm
The Right Firm Makes a Difference
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We Take an Individual Approach to Every Case We Handle
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Accessible & ResponsiveOur firm is available seven days a week, often providing direct access to your attorney, so you’re never left wondering about your case.
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Relentless Advocacy Against Insurance CompaniesWe fight insurance companies to the very end and are fully prepared to go to trial if they refuse to offer fair compensation.
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Decades of Combined ExperienceWith over 50 years of combined experience and millions recovered for clients, we know how to secure the compensation you deserve.
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Free Consultations
We offer free consultations to review your case and explain your options, so you can get started with confidence and no upfront costs. You pay nothing unless we recover money from your case.
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Extensive Courtroom ExperienceOur attorneys are prepared to take your case to trial whenever necessary, using their courtroom experience to fight for the best possible outcome.
171 Westwood Ave
Staten Island, NY 10314 Map & Directions
Staten Island, NY 10314 Map & Directions