Bono, the lead singer of the popular band U2, suffered major injuries resulting from a bicycle accident in Central Park on Sunday. According to Rolling Stone, Dean Lorich, the orthopedic surgeon who operated on the singer, released a statement stating that Bono sustained a number of major injuries, including three fractures in his left shoulder blade, a fracture in his left humerous bone, a broken pinky finger, and a facial injury involving the orbit of his eye.
The accident occurred while Bono was riding his bike through Central Park. Bono attempted to avoid another rider before crashing in what doctors call a “high energy bicycle accident.” After crashing, the singer was rushed to the New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center’s Emergency Department where he underwent several X-rays and CAT scans. Following the test, Bono went under the knife for surgery for five hours. Bono’s elbow was so badly damaged that it required the insertion of three metal plates and 18 screws. The singer underwent surgery a second time the next day to repair a fractured pinky finger. While the injuries were severe and will require “intensive and progressive therapy,” the U2 lead singer is expected to make a full-recovery.
Bono’s injury should be a cautionary tale for any who frequently ride their bikes in Central Park or around New York City. In 2013 alone, 4,045 cyclists suffered injuries and 10 died from bicycling accidents in New York City. While some accidents may be the fault of the injured cyclists, many are the result of another party’s negligence. In these instances, many cyclists fail to understand their legal rights and don’t realize they can receive compensation for their losses.
When cyclists are in an accident and suffer major injuries, they may be able to receive compensation for any financial losses by filing a lawsuit. Cyclists may have grounds for compensation if their injury was caused due to another individual or entity’s negligence. For instance, a cyclist might have grounds for a claim if they were biking through central park and hit an unpaved crack on the bike path that led to a major injury, due to the fact that it’s the city’s job to ensure the bike path is properly maintained. While negligence is essential for a lawsuit, injured cyclists must also be able to prove that the negligence involved was directly responsible for their accident and injury. Consequently, individuals who have suffered financial harm following a bicycle accident should seek the counsel of an experienced attorney who can help them identify their legal options.
