At Resnick & Associates, our New York City personal injury lawyers understand the significant population and geographical influence of Long Island, which is divided among four counties, with Kings, Queens, and Nassau occupying its western third and Suffolk its eastern two-thirds, constituting a substantial share of the New York metropolitan area.
Long Island, often called “The Island,” encompasses Nassau and Suffolk counties, with a combined population of 2.83 million. The boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, though technically part of Long Island, are often identified by their borough names and are located on the west end of the Island’s land mass.
The Island extends from New York Harbor 118 miles eastward into the North Atlantic Ocean, with a maximum north-south width of 23 miles. This makes its urban areas, suburbs, and beach towns seemingly ideal places to bike ride. Unfortunately, that is simply untrue.
Contact our skilled personal injury attorneys today if you have been injured or lost a loved one while biking on Long Island. We offer free consultations to all personal injury victims throughout Long Island and take all qualifying cases on a contingency basis, ensuring you pay no upfront or out-of-pocket fees and nothing if we do not win your case.
How Many Bicycle Accidents Occur on Long Island, New York Each Year?
According to the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, the annual average number of bicyclists injured in crashes throughout New York was 6,416, and the yearly average number of bicycle fatalities was 46. Unfortunately, a large number of bicycle crashes are on Long Island.
Data shows that Suffolk has been the number one county in New York in the past five years, with the highest number of traffic fatalities. Nassau came in third.
Suffolk County was once ranked the worst place for bicyclists by Bicycling Magazine, and for good reason. Although officials have taken necessary steps toward a much-needed safe biking transportation network in specific Long Island neighborhoods, they still need to fill gaps to connect those areas to the rest of the city safely, highlighting the pressing need for improved bicycle safety in Long Island.
While lacking bicycle infrastructure is a significant cause of bicycle accidents resulting in injuries and fatalities on Long Island, reckless drivers share the blame.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a bicycle accident caused by a negligent driver on Long Island, contact our skilled personal injury lawyers at Resnick & Associates for help today.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents on Long Island, New York?
Among the mandatory rules of the road on Long Island, motorists are supposed to give cyclists and joggers a 3-foot buffer. Unfortunately, most people who have ridden a bike on the Island know that is rarely true.
Whether the motorist is a Long Island resident or one of the more than nine million people who visit the Island each year, bicycle accidents happen at a disturbing rate here. Sadly, they often result in catastrophic injuries that change the lives of cyclists and their families.
Tragically, most could be prevented.
According to the New York State Department of Health Department, common factors that contribute to the cause of cycling accidents include:
- Speeding and reckless driving.
- Distracted driving.
- Driving in a bicycle lane.
- Failing to yield the right of way.
- Following a bicycle too closely.
- Impaired driving.
- Drowsy driving.
- Failing to follow traffic laws.
From Montauk to Brooklyn, the importance of motorists being safe around bicyclists on Long Island cannot be overstated, given the potential for severe accidents and the shared responsibility for road safety. If you have been injured while riding a bike because of a driver’s negligence as a resident or visitor, contact our skilled Long Island bicycle accident attorneys today to discuss your case and how the incident has impacted your life.
Our experienced lawyers offer free consultations to all personal injury victims throughout Long Island and take all qualifying cases on a contingency basis. This means you pay no upfront or out-of-pocket fees and nothing if we do not win your case.
Why Long Island Bicycle Accidents Can Lead to Catastrophic Physical, Emotional, and Financial Damages
Long Island bicycle accidents can lead to catastrophic physical, emotional, and financial damages for several reasons. Injury victims and families who have lost their loved ones in these crashes often have their lives changed forever.
Bicyclists have minimal protection compared to motorists, making them more vulnerable to severe injuries such as fractures, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and internal injuries. In addition, accidents involving high-speed vehicles—which are common on the long and vast roads heading to the beach towns on Long Island—can result in life-threatening injuries due to the significant force of impact.
Long-term or permanent injuries can affect the ability to perform daily activities, leading to frustration, loss of independence, and a diminished quality of life.
Survivors of bicycle accidents often experience psychological trauma, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, especially if the accident is severe or life-threatening. The emotional impact of a severe accident can lead to a fear of cycling or even traveling on the same roads again, significantly affecting the victim’s lifestyle and hobbies.
Treating injuries from bicycle accidents can be extremely costly, including emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical treatments. In addition, due to their injuries, victims may be unable to work for extended periods, resulting in lost wages. In severe cases, they may be unable to return to work, affecting their long-term earning capacity.
Dealing with insurance companies alone can be challenging, as they may attempt to minimize payouts or dispute claims. Victims can pursue compensation for their damages by partnering with our skilled Long Island bicycle accident and injury attorneys to help ensure the insurance company understands the extent of their damages and provides a fair settlement that covers their overall recovery needs.
Our dedicated personal injury attorneys on Long Island have recovered over $150 million in verdicts and settlements for our New York clients and can pursue the same successful outcome for you and your family, starting with a free consultation.
Contact Our Skilled Long Island Bicycle Accident and Injury Attorneys at David Resnick & Associates, P.C. To Help Build Your Case for Success
The legal team at David Resnick & Associates, P.C., understands the impact a personal injury can have on you and your family. We work hard to obtain the maximum damages you’re entitled to. We serve accident victims in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx, New York City, and Long Island.
If you have questions about your injuries, contact the New York law firm of David Resnick & Associates, P.C., online or call us at 212-279-2000 today for a free consultation about your case.
There is never a charge to speak with our skilled Long Island bicycle accident and injury attorneys. If your case qualifies to move forward, we will handle every aspect from start to finish without charging any upfront or out-of-pocket fees. You will pay nothing for our elite personal injury attorney services unless we win your case. That is a promise.