Bicycle Accident Attorney in NYC
A bicycle accident attorney helps injured cyclists recover compensation after crashes with cars, trucks, buses, or due to unsafe road conditions. At Michael Gunzburg, P.C., we've spent 37+ years representing cyclists across New York City on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.
When you're hit while riding, the injuries can be catastrophic, broken bones, head trauma, spinal damage, or worse. Insurance companies often try to blame cyclists or offer settlements that don't cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain. We know their tactics, and we fight back.
Our firm has recovered over $1 million for a bicyclist nearly crushed by an NYC Transit bus, along with countless other significant settlements for riders injured in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and beyond. Whether you're a delivery worker struck in a bike lane, a commuter hit by a car door, or a recreational cyclist sideswiped by a truck, we're here to protect your rights.
Call 212-725-8500 for a free consultation with a New York City personal injury attorney who understands what cyclists face.
Why Hire a Bicycle Accident Attorney in New York City?
You need a bicycle accident attorney if you've been injured while cycling and another party's negligence caused the crash. Common situations include getting hit by a car making a turn without looking, being struck by a truck or bus in a bike lane, suffering injuries from a car door opening into your path (dooring), crashes caused by potholes or unsafe road conditions, or accidents involving delivery vehicles while working.
Cyclists across all five boroughs face these dangers daily. We represent delivery workers in Manhattan and Brooklyn who depend on their bikes for income, commuters in Queens and the Bronx navigating congested streets, recreational riders in Greenwich Village or Williamsburg, and tourists or visitors unfamiliar with NYC traffic. If your injuries prevent you from working, require surgery or long-term care, or involve disputed liability where the driver blames you, you need an experienced attorney on your side.
What to Expect When You Hire Us
Our process helps injured cyclists get compensation while focusing on recovery. Here's what happens when you call 212-725-8500:
Step 1: Free Consultation
We review your accident details, injuries, and insurance coverage at no cost. You'll get an honest assessment of your case and clear answers about your legal options.
Step 2: Investigation & Evidence Gathering
We immediately investigate the crash scene, obtain police reports and witness statements, secure surveillance or camera footage, review medical records, and consult with accident reconstruction experts when needed. Time matters, evidence disappears quickly.
Step 3: Handling Insurance Companies
We deal with all insurance adjusters so you don't have to. We file claims, respond to requests for information, negotiate settlements, and protect you from tactics designed to minimize your compensation or shift blame to you.
Step 4: Building Your Case
We document all damages including medical bills, lost wages, future treatment costs, pain and suffering, and permanent disability. We prepare every case for trial from day one, which strengthens our negotiating position.
Step 5: Resolution or Trial
Most cases settle through negotiation or mediation, but we're ready to take your case to court if the insurance company won't offer fair compensation. Our 37+ years of trial experience speaks for itself, we've won over $1 million for a cyclist hit by a transit bus and secured justice for countless other riders.
Benefits of Hiring a Bicycle Accident Attorney
Maximum Compensation for All Damages
You'll recover money for medical expenses (emergency room, surgery, physical therapy, future care), lost income (wages you've already lost plus future earning capacity if you can't return to work), and pain and suffering (physical pain, emotional trauma, loss of enjoyment of life). We've recovered over $1 million for a 29-year-old cyclist nearly crushed by an NYC Transit bus who suffered broken bones requiring surgery. That cyclist couldn't work as a web designer due to his injuries, and the jury awarded compensation for both his medical needs and lost wages.
Protection from Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance adjusters will try to pay you as little as possible by claiming you caused the accident, offering quick lowball settlements before you know the full extent of your injuries, or pressuring you to give recorded statements they'll use against you. We know these tactics because we've fought them for over three decades. We handle all communications with insurance companies, ensuring you don't say or sign anything that hurts your case.
No Fees Unless We Win
We work on a contingency basis, you pay nothing upfront, and we only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you. This means you can afford experienced legal representation even when you're facing mounting medical bills and lost income. Your free consultation comes with no strings attached, and you have nothing to lose by calling us.
Common Questions About Bicycle Accident Claims in NYC
What should I do immediately after a bicycle accident in New York City?
You should call 911 to report the accident and get medical attention, even if you think you're not seriously hurt. After calling for help, take photos of the accident scene, your bike, any vehicles involved, and your visible injuries if possible. Get contact information from the driver, witnesses, and responding police officers. Then call an experienced bicycle accident attorney at 212-725-8500 as soon as you're able, ideally within hours or days of the crash.
Many injuries don't show symptoms immediately. Adrenaline can mask pain, and conditions like concussions or internal injuries might not be obvious right away. Getting checked by a doctor creates a medical record linking your injuries to the accident. Don't wait, evidence disappears, memories fade, and insurance companies start building their defense immediately.
How much is my bicycle accident case worth?
Your case value depends on the severity of your injuries, amount of medical treatment required, length of recovery time, whether you have permanent disability, how much work you missed, and the degree of the other party's negligence. Minor injuries might settle for thousands of dollars, while serious cases involving surgery, brain injuries, or permanent disability can be worth hundreds of thousands or even millions.
For example, we secured over $1 million for a cyclist nearly crushed by an NYC Transit bus who suffered broken bones and couldn't return to work. Every case is different, and during your free consultation at 212-725-8500, we'll give you an honest assessment based on the specific facts of your accident and injuries.
Do I have to prove the driver was at fault?
Yes, you must prove the other party's negligence caused your injuries. This means showing the driver owed you a duty of care, breached that duty (for example, by turning without looking, opening a door without checking, or failing to yield), and directly caused your injuries as a result. New York follows a "pure comparative negligence" rule, which means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, your award is just reduced by your percentage of fault.
We gather evidence like police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and expert testimony to prove the other party's negligence. Having an experienced attorney makes a huge difference because insurance companies will try to blame you, especially if you weren't wearing a helmet or were riding outside a bike lane. We know how to counter these arguments and protect your rights.
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in New York?
You have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in most cases. However, if a government entity is involved (like NYC Transit, the Department of Transportation, or any city agency), you must file a notice of claim within 90 days of the accident. Missing these deadlines can bar you from recovering any compensation.
Don't wait to call an attorney. The sooner we start investigating, the better. Evidence disappears, witnesses become harder to find, and your memory of details fades. Call 212-725-8500 today for a free consultation, we'll make sure all deadlines are met while you focus on healing.
What if the driver who hit me left the scene?
You can still recover compensation even in a hit-and-run accident. If you have uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto insurance policy (or on a policy for someone you live with), that coverage may apply to your bicycle accident injuries. Additionally, New York's Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) provides limited compensation when the at-fault driver can't be identified or is uninsured.
Report the hit-and-run to police immediately and provide as much detail as possible about the vehicle, driver, license plate, or direction they fled. If there were any witnesses or nearby cameras, we'll work to identify the driver. Even if we can't find them, we'll pursue every available avenue for your compensation. Call 212-725-8500 for help with a hit-and-run bicycle accident.
Will I have to go to court?
Most bicycle accident cases settle before trial through negotiation or mediation. However, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial from day one, this strategy strengthens our position and shows insurance companies we're serious about fighting for you. If settlement negotiations fail and going to court is in your best interest, we're ready.
We've spent 37+ years presenting cases to juries and taking numerous verdicts, including a $1 million+ verdict for a cyclist nearly crushed by a transit bus. Whether your case settles or goes to trial, you'll have experienced representation every step of the way. We'll explain the process clearly and give you honest advice about what to expect.
What if I wasn't wearing a helmet when I got hit?
You can still recover compensation even if you weren't wearing a helmet. New York State doesn't require adults to wear bike helmets (though riders under 14 must wear them). Insurance companies may try to argue that not wearing a helmet contributed to your injuries, but this rarely prevents recovery, it might only reduce your compensation if the lack of a helmet directly worsened specific injuries like a head injury.
We've successfully handled many cases where cyclists weren't wearing helmets. The key is proving the other party caused the accident through their negligence. Don't let the lack of a helmet stop you from calling an attorney. Contact us at 212-725-8500 for a free consultation, we'll tell you honestly how this might affect your case.
Can delivery workers recover compensation for bicycle accidents?
Yes, delivery workers can recover compensation, and you may have multiple claims available. If you were injured while working, you likely qualify for workers' compensation benefits covering medical treatment and a portion of lost wages. However, workers' comp doesn't cover pain and suffering or full lost wages, and you can also pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver or any third party whose negligence caused the crash.
Many delivery cyclists work for apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub as independent contractors, which complicates insurance coverage. We've helped countless delivery workers across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens understand their rights and pursue maximum compensation from all available sources. Call 212-725-8500 to discuss your situation, we'll explain all your options.
What damages can I recover in a bicycle accident case?
You can recover compensation for past and future medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, medications, assistive devices), past and future lost wages and lost earning capacity if you can't return to your previous job, pain and suffering (physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression), loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability or disfigurement, and property damage to your bicycle and gear.
New York law allows you to recover both economic damages (medical bills, lost income, things with a specific dollar value) and non-economic damages (pain, suffering, emotional trauma, subjective losses). In rare cases involving extreme recklessness, you might also recover punitive damages. During your free consultation, we'll review your specific damages and estimate your case's potential value based on our 37+ years of experience with bicycle accident claims.
How much does it cost to hire a bicycle accident attorney?
It costs nothing upfront to hire Michael Gunzburg, P.C. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Our fee is a percentage of your settlement or verdict, typically one-third, and comes out of the recovery we secure for you. You pay nothing out of pocket, and if we don't win, you don't owe us anything.
This fee structure allows injured cyclists to access experienced legal representation without worrying about hourly rates or retainer fees while dealing with medical bills and lost income. Your initial consultation is completely free, with no obligation to hire us. Call 212-725-8500 to discuss your case, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Should I accept the insurance company's first settlement offer?
No, you should never accept the first settlement offer without consulting an attorney. Insurance companies routinely make lowball initial offers hoping you'll accept before you understand the full extent of your injuries and damages. Once you sign a settlement release, you give up your right to pursue additional compensation, even if your injuries turn out to be worse than expected or require more treatment.
We've seen insurance adjusters offer a few thousand dollars for injuries that eventually required surgery and caused permanent disability. In one case, we recovered over $1 million for a cyclist after the insurance company initially tried to minimize the claim. Don't let this happen to you. Call 212-725-8500 before accepting any offer or signing anything, your free consultation could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
What if I was partially at fault for the bicycle accident?
You can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. New York follows "pure comparative negligence," which means your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you're not completely barred from recovery. For example, if your total damages are $100,000 and you're found 20% at fault, you'd recover $80,000.
Insurance companies will try to exaggerate your fault to reduce their payout. They might claim you were riding recklessly, disobeyed traffic laws, or weren't visible enough. We gather evidence to minimize your fault percentage and maximize your recovery. Even if you think you might have made a mistake, call 212-725-8500 for a free consultation. Don't let the insurance company convince you that you have no case, let us review the facts and give you honest advice.
Areas We Serve
Michael Gunzburg, P.C. represents injured cyclists throughout New York City and surrounding areas. We handle bicycle accident cases in all five boroughs, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, as well as Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
Our office is easily accessible to cyclists injured in neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, Williamsburg, Astoria, Fordham, Park Slope, and everywhere in between. Whether your accident happened in a bike lane on a busy Manhattan street, on the Brooklyn Bridge, or anywhere else in the NYC area, we're here to help. Call 212-725-8500 to speak with an experienced New York City personal injury attorney who knows the challenges cyclists face.
Other Personal Injury Services We Offer
At Michael Gunzburg, P.C., we handle all types of personal injury cases throughout New York City:
- Car Accident Lawyer
- Truck Accident Lawyer
- Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
- Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- Bus Accident Lawyer
- Wrongful Death Lawyer
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
If you've been injured in a bicycle accident, time matters. Evidence disappears, witnesses become harder to find, and insurance companies start building their defense immediately. Don't face this fight alone, and don't wait until it's too late.
Call 212-725-8500 now for a free consultation with an experienced bicycle accident attorney. We'll review your case, answer your questions, and explain your legal options at no cost and with no obligation. Remember: you pay nothing unless we win your case.
After 37+ years of fighting for injured cyclists in New York City, we know what it takes to win. We've recovered millions for clients just like you, and we're ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Your recovery starts with one phone call.
Michael Gunzburg, P.C. – Get the Big Gunz™