Driving a car on the congested streets of New York is often a frustrating experience due to the heavy traffic and expensive parking. Add to this the rising gas prices and it is not surprising that many commuters now choose to commute by bikes that are cheaper and far more convenient to use. Unfortunately, bike accidents are all too common on the busy streets of NYC. Injuries in such accidents can be far more severe than a car accident because a bike does not offer you any type of protective features.
Driving a car on the congested streets of New York is often a frustrating experience due to the heavy traffic and expensive parking. Add to this the rising gas prices and it is not surprising that many commuters now choose to commute by bikes that are cheaper and far more convenient to use. Unfortunately, bike accidents are all too common on the busy streets of NYC. Injuries in such accidents can be far more severe than a car accident because a bike does not offer you any type of protective features.
If you have been using a bike through a bike-share program in New York, and you have been hurt in a bike accident, you are entitled to claim damages for the losses you suffered. It is best to have an experienced Citi Bike share accident attorney in New York City on your side to pursue your claim for compensation.
What is the Citi-Bike Share Program in NYC?
If you have been using the blue bike in New York, it is quite likely to be one provided by New York’s main bike share program called Citi Bike. The company called Citi Bike has been exclusive rights by the City to own and operate the bike-sharing program which is sponsored by Citi Bank.
Under this program, bikes are available from bike stations that are located in different boroughs of NYC. Commuters may purchase a pass that allows them access to the bikes for 24 hours, or for 7 days, or for an entire year depending on their requirements and usage.
Anyone who is 16 years or older can access a Citi bike through the ride code they get with their pass. They may ride their bike for as long as they wish during the selected period and at the end, they must return the bike to any of the designated Citi Bike stations.
What are the Common Causes of Citi Bike Accidents in NYC?
Citi Bike share accidents in NYC can occur due to several causes:
- The failure of other drivers on the road to yield way to the person riding the bike
- A distracted driver’s failure to notice the bike especially when turning at an intersection
- Speeding or distracted driving by the bike rider
- Potholes or other road defects that can throw the rider off their bike
- The drivers or passengers of other vehicles opening their vehicle door without checking if there is any bike in the vicinity
- Poor design of the Citi Bike makes it more likely to cause injuries
- Poor maintenance of the bike by Citi Bike
What Injuries Can a Citi Bike Accident Cause?
In any accident involving a Citi Bike and a car, the driver and passengers in the car are protected by several safety features such as seat belts and airbags. However, the person riding the bike has no such protection and they are therefore likely to sustain more severe injuries. In most such accidents, there is a greater risk of traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, dental injuries, and bone fractures, all of which may have grave consequences.
One of the best ways to provide yourself with some level of protection while riding a Citi Bike is to make sure that you wear a good quality helmet that will keep your head protected in the event of a crash. Wearing reflective clothing or bright colors can also help to make your presence more noticeable to other motorists on the road.
What to do if I Get Into a Citi Bike Crash in New York?
If you have been riding around New York City and get into a Citi Bike share accident, here are the steps you need to take.
- Check yourself for injuries and get medical help at once. Call 911 to report the crash and ask for medical help.
- Even if you don’t see any obvious signs of injury, make sure you get yourself examined by a doctor to rule out internal injuries.
- If you are not badly hurt and can stay at the site of the accident, call the police and wait until they arrive to investigate. Even in cases where there is no injury, it is best to call the police to report the accident.
- Call the number provided by Citi Bike on the pass they issued you and report the crash to them.
- Collect important information regarding the other driver who was involved in the crash. Take down their name, address, contact number, license plate number, and insurance information.
- If there have been eyewitnesses to the crash, collect their contact information as well.
- Using your cellphone, take photographs or videos to capture the state of your Citi bike, your injuries, the vehicle that caused your crash, and the overall crash scene, including obstacles on the road, or poor road conditions that may have contributed to the accident.
Who Will Pay for My Medical Expenses in an NYC Citi Bike Accident?
Many persons who get involved in a New York Citi Bike share accident tend to ignore minor injuries they may have sustained in the crash. One of the primary reasons for this behavior is the fact that they lack the necessary health insurance.
Sometimes, people also worry about being left with a huge bill for the emergency room services or ambulance services for what appears to be a minor injury. However, it is important to understand that under New York State’s no-fault clause, the insurance company of the party at fault is responsible to pay up to $50,000 for your medical expenses and lost wages.
Who is Liable for a Citi Bike Accident in NYC?
In any bike accident in New York, the driver of the vehicle that collided with the person riding the bike is the one who is most likely to be held liable for the crash. The same concept applies to a Citi Bike accident too and the driver of the car or truck or bus that hit you will be considered responsible for the crash.
Although it has provided you with the bike, Citi Bike cannot be held liable unless there is evidence that the crash was a result of a defect in the bike you were using at the time of the accident. This could be either a design defect where the design of the bike poses a danger to the person riding it, or negligence in maintaining the bike in a condition fit to ride.
Citi Bike is responsible for ensuring that its bikes are in good working condition through regular maintenance; so, if it can be shown that they failed in this, you could sue them for damages. If, for example, the accident was a result of a brake failure or due to tires that were worn out, it is possible to bring a lawsuit against Citi Bike.
New York City cannot be sued for your Citi Bike accident just because they gave the company the contract to operate the bikes. However, if the crash was due to poorly maintained roads, or due to some dangerous construction activity without adequate warning signs or barriers to prevent a crash, the city administration may be held liable for your Citi Bike share accident.
What Damages Can I Claim in a Citi Bike Lawsuit in New York?
If you have been injured in an accident while riding your bike in New York, you can claim damages for the following:
- Your medical bills include the cost of hospitalization, diagnostic tests, medical treatment, prescription drugs, therapy, and rehabilitation
- Expenses on mobility equipment such as crutches or wheelchairs that you have been forced to use because of your injuries in the accident
- Loss of wages that you incurred because you could not attend work due to your injury
- Pain and suffering that you have undergone due to the injuries caused by the accident
Contact an Expert Citi Bike Accident Personal Injury Attorney Today
Immediately after an accident, it is vital to get medical help for your injuries. Equally important is the task of engaging an experienced NYC personal injury lawyer who can help you obtain the maximum compensation to which you are entitled to your injuries.
When you claim damages for your Citi Bike accident, the insurance company of the party at fault for the accident may seek to contact you to offer you a settlement. You must remember that such offers are quite likely to be a fraction of what your claim is actually worth. Even if you are not sure about pursuing a lawsuit and feel more inclined to accept a settlement, make sure you engage an accomplished personal injury lawyer who can help you negotiate with the insurance adjusters to get the maximum possible compensation.
At Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP, our bike accident lawyers have helped several persons injured in the NYC Citi Bike accident recover damages for the losses they suffered for no fault of their own. We have the resources to launch an independent investigation of your accident and we have a huge network of medical, financial, and accident reconstruction experts who can provide testimony to win you the compensation that you actually deserve.
To know more about how we can help with your case, call Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP today at 212-344-1000 or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.
