Bicycle Accident Facts

• Serious injury and death resulting from bicycle accidents is the fastest growing category of traffic deaths reported to the federal government.
• 716 cyclists were killed in 2008 and 52,000 were injured, compared to 701 deaths and 43,000 injuries in 2007.
• 10 percent of bicycle injuries in the country were reported in New York, where 5,535 cyclists were injured in 2007 and 51 were killed.

Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

Bicycles are a way of life for many in New York City. They offer convenient and affordable transportation and are an excellent source of exercise and recreation for thousands.

But the New York bicycle accident lawyers and personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at Queller, Fisher, Washor, Fuchs & Kool represent cyclists who are too often seriously injured or killed by negligent drivers.

New York City has the highest rate of commuters using bicycles of any city in the nation, according to the 2000 U.S. Census.

In June 2009, New York City completed the effort to add 200 miles of bike lanes and other safety improvements to accommodate the 45 percent increase in cycling in the last three years.

The two percent increase in bicycle deaths joined motorcycles as the only group of motorists where the fatality rate increased – the 21 percent increase in serious injury to cyclists was the only group to report any increase at all in 2007 and 2008, which saw a 6 percent reduction in overall traffic fatalities nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administation.

In New York City, a seven-year study between 1996 and 2005 found that 225 bicyclists were killed – 92 percent of which occurred as a result of a crash with a motor vehicle.

Primary causes included driver inattention, disregard of traffic devices and failure to yield the right of way.

At Queller, Fisher, Washor, Fuchs & Kool you will find New York bicycle accident attorneys and personal injury and wrongful death lawyers with the medical and legal knowledge and experience to assist in the wake of a serious New York City bicycle accident.

Safety Tips

• Use bike lanes when available.
• New York City law requires bicyclists to ride on the street, never on the sidewalks.
• Riding is not permitted on expressways, highways, interstate routes and thruways unless authorized by posted sign.
• Cyclists must obey all signs and pavement markings and must comply with all red lights and stop signs.
• New York City law requires bike riders to ride with traffic and to keep right when possible. When the road is too narrow to allow other motorists to safely pass, bicyclists have the right to ride in the middle of the road.
• Bicyclists must not ride more than two abreast.
• Use hand signals, ride in a straight line, do not weave, ride predictably.
• Riders must keep at least one hand on handlebars. Must have feet on the peddles and cannot wear more than one earphone.
• Establish eye contact with drivers when maneuvering.
• Look for drivers in parked cars and be prepared for doors opening in your path.
• Be visible and wear bright clothing. Use reflective material and lights at night.