Rockaway Beach Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Bicycling can be a great way to get around an oceanfront town like Rockaway Beach, but it can also be dangerous. Even at low speeds, collisions between bicyclists and motor vehicles—or anything else solid enough to stop a moving human body in its tracks—can lead to severe and potentially life-altering injuries for the bicyclist and any passengers involved.
If you can prove someone else was responsible for the accident, you could hold them accountable for all harm you sustained with the help of a seasoned personal injury attorney. Even if civil litigation is not possible, a Rockaway Beach bicycle accident lawyer could still help you maximize your chances of recovery through an insurance claim against your own automobile insurance or against that of a driver who caused you harm.
No-Fault Bike Accident Policies in Rockaway Beach
Contrary to other states, New York follows a “no-fault” approach to insurance coverage. As such, an injured bicyclist does not always have to establish legal “fault” for an accident to recover compensation. This policy also means that people involved in motor vehicle accidents, including bicyclists, motorcyclists, and even pedestrians struck by cars or trucks, must go through their insurance company before they can consider pursuing civil litigation.
State law requires every driver to carry no-fault insurance or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. An injured bicyclist must seek restitution through this coverage or their personal insurance as a first course of action. Even if the bicyclist was not wearing a helmet, no-fault insurance coverage could help them recover basic economic losses resulting from an accident for up to $50,000.
However, insurance companies are in the business of making money, so it is unlikely they will ever pay out this total amount. A local bicycle wreck attorney in Rockaway Beach could help evaluate options for financial recovery and negotiate with insurance companies to try and increase a settlement’s value.
Recoverable Damages Through Civil Litigation
Typically, insurance claims based on bike accidents only provide coverage up to policy limits for objective economic losses such as medical expenses and personal property damage. However, if a bicyclist suffered severe injuries and can prove they were the result of another party’s negligence, they may be able to pursue civil litigation.
State law considers injuries to bicyclists to be severe if they are either disabling or permanent. When civil litigation is possible, an injured bicyclist may be able to make the person who harmed them pay for both economic and non-economic losses from their accident. Recoverable damages may include:
- Actual and expected costs of past and future medical care
- Lost work income and/or ability to work
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Lost enjoyment/quality of life
- Emotional anguish
- Lost consortium
After a serious bike accident in Rockaway Beach, a skilled lawyer could help build a case demonstrating the severity of a bicyclist’s injuries and how another party’s negligence caused them.
Talk to a Rockaway Beach Bicycle Accident Attorney About Recovery Options
Getting hurt while riding your bike can result in catastrophic injuries, leading to a demanding physical and financial recovery process. Without assistance from capable legal representation, you may have trouble getting any compensation, let alone the amount you deserve.
When you or a loved one suffers an injury on your bike, contacting a Rockaway Beach bicycle accident lawyer should be your top priority after getting medical treatment. Call today to discuss how we can help.
