NEW YORK CITY BICYCLE INJURY LAWYERS
Expert legal representation from attorneys who truly understand the cycling experience. Over 25 years fighting for injured New Yorkers.
Why Cyclists Choose Herman & Herman
A boutique family-based law firm combining cycling expertise with over 45 years of combined legal experience
A Cyclist Representing Cyclists
Attorney Glenn A. Herman is a cyclist and NYC bicycle injury attorney. This crucial distinction sets us apart from personal injury lawyers who simply handle bicycle cases alongside other matters.
Glenn Herman rides New York City streets himself, experiencing firsthand the hazards cyclists face daily navigating Manhattan traffic, Brooklyn bike lanes, Queens intersections, and Bronx roadways.
This intimate understanding of cycling dynamics proves invaluable when investigating accidents, identifying liable parties, and presenting cases to insurance companies and juries.
Understands Dooring Accidents
Knows instinctively how dooring accidents occur and sight lines from both cyclist and driver perspectives
Recognizes Road Hazards
Identifies dangerous conditions that threaten cyclists and comprehends the physics of bicycle-vehicle collisions
Born & Raised in NYC
Knows the courts, understands how insurance companies operate in this market, and can explain the law clearly
Glenn A. Herman
Over 25 years dedicated to fighting for injury victims throughout NYC. Multi-million dollar recoveries. Born and raised in New York City.
Robin S. Herman
Understands how serious injuries impact not only the injured person but their families. Compassionate advocacy for deserved results.
2025 NYC Bicycle Accident Statistics
No New York City borough is immune to bicycle accident risks. These numbers underscore the daily dangers cyclists face.
Source: crashmapper.org, 2025 data
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Understanding how accidents occur helps us build stronger cases for maximum compensation
Dooring Accidents
When parked vehicle doors suddenly open into cyclists' paths—one of the most common and dangerous collision types in NYC. Occurs throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and beyond wherever street parking exists alongside bike lanes.
Driver Negligence
Distracted driving from cell phone use, texting, or eating. Speeding through intersections. Failing to yield right-of-way. Making unsafe turns across bike lanes. Taxi and rideshare vehicles create particular hazards for cyclists.
Street Defects & Road Hazards
Potholes, uneven pavement, defective manhole covers, utility grates, debris, and construction zones create hazards that pose far greater risks to cyclists than motorists. These cases require proving the City had prior notice of dangerous conditions.
Bike Lane Dangers
Unprotected bike lanes marked only with paint offer minimal protection. Vehicles parking illegally in bike lanes force cyclists into traffic. Delivery vehicles blocking lanes create constant hazards. Protected lanes sometimes end abruptly at dangerous transition points.
Types of Bicycle Accident Injuries
We secure compensation addressing both immediate medical needs and long-term care requirements
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Concussions, skull fractures, brain contusions, subdural hematomas requiring extensive ongoing care
Broken Bones & Fractures
Arms, legs, collarbones, hands, wrists requiring surgeries, immobilization, and months of recovery
Spinal Cord Injuries
Complete or incomplete injuries potentially causing quadriplegia or paraplegia with lifetime care needs
Road Rash & Soft Tissue
Skin abrasions requiring wound care or grafting, muscle strains, ligament tears, tendon damage
Proven Case Results
Boutique firm attention with major case results — over $28.3 million recovered for clients
Jury found municipality responsible for a defect on a bike trail causing shoulder fracture requiring surgical hardware implantation
Man struck by bus while riding bicycle in Manhattan, suffering fractured nose and torn ligaments in right shoulder
Cyclist doored when car door opened into path of travel, causing metacarpal bone fractures requiring surgery with wire implantation
Your Legal Rights as an Injured Cyclist
Understanding your rights is essential for protecting your interests and maximizing recovery
No-Fault Insurance & Beyond
New York's No-Fault system requires all motor vehicles to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. When bicycle-vehicle accidents occur, injured cyclists can file No-Fault claims for medical expenses and lost earnings up to $50,000.
However, No-Fault benefits alone prove inadequate for seriously injured cyclists. When injuries meet New York's "serious injury" threshold, you can pursue full compensation including:
- All past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage to bicycle and equipment
Critical Deadlines
General Statute of Limitations: Three years from accident date to file personal injury lawsuits.
Claims Against NYC/Municipalities: Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of accidents — a much shorter deadline creating urgency.
Comparative Negligence: New York follows "pure comparative negligence" — you can recover compensation even when partially at fault, though recovery reduces proportionally.
Important: Insurance companies often attempt to shift fault to cyclists. We aggressively defend against these tactics, presenting evidence establishing drivers' primary fault.
What To Do After a Bicycle Accident
Actions taken immediately following accidents significantly impact both health outcomes and legal claims
Ensure Safety & Call 911
Move to a safe location if possible. Call 911 for medical assistance and police documentation of the accident.
Seek Medical Attention
Even injuries appearing minor warrant evaluation. Some conditions manifest symptoms hours or days after accidents.
Document Everything
Photograph vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic controls, your bicycle, and visible injuries from multiple angles.
Gather Information
Get driver's license, insurance info, and vehicle details. Obtain contact information from witnesses.
Preserve Evidence
Keep your bicycle, helmet, and clothes worn during the crash. These items document impact forces and injury mechanisms.
Photograph Street Defects
If crash involves potholes, speed bumps, or other conditions, photograph immediately — conditions can change rapidly.
Don't Give Statements
Refrain from giving oral or written statements to insurance companies without first consulting an attorney.
Notify Insurance Promptly
If your crash involves a vehicle, notify the proper insurance company immediately so medical bills are covered.
Contact Herman & Herman
Call us as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights. Free consultation with no obligation.
E-Bike & Delivery Worker Accidents
The proliferation of e-bikes throughout NYC has created new categories requiring specialized legal knowledge
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Liability in e-bike accidents depends on specific circumstances. Potential liable parties include:
- Negligent drivers who strike e-bike riders
- Other cyclists or e-bike riders violating traffic rules
- E-scooter riders causing collisions
- Pedestrians stepping into bike lanes without looking
- Property owners responsible for dangerous conditions
- Municipalities liable for street defects
- E-bike manufacturers (product defects)
Delivery Worker Protections
Bicycle delivery workers face exceptional risks navigating NYC traffic while making time-sensitive deliveries. Food delivery workers, package couriers, and other commercial cyclists often feel pressure to ride aggressively.
NYC law requires businesses to supply delivery personnel with helmets and other safety devices. Delivery cyclists deserve full legal protection when injured by negligent drivers or dangerous road conditions.
We handle all types: E-scooters, mopeds, e-bikes, and traditional bicycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover compensation if I wasn't wearing a helmet?
Yes. Helmets are not required by law for adult cyclists in New York. Failure to wear a helmet does not bar compensation claims. Insurance companies may attempt to use this against you, but experienced attorneys can counter these arguments effectively.
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in New York?
Generally, three years from the accident date. However, claims against New York City or other municipalities require filing Notices of Claim within 90 days, creating urgency to contact attorneys immediately after accidents.
What if the driver who hit me fled the scene?
Hit-and-run bicycle accidents require immediate police reporting. Your own insurance may provide uninsured motorist coverage. Additionally, the NY Department of Financial Services has a program called MVAIC (Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation) that provides no-fault insurance and other benefits to victims of hit-and-run accidents.
What insurance covers bicycle accidents?
If your bicycle crash involves a car, truck, bus, cab, or other vehicle, that vehicle's No-Fault insurance should cover your hospital and medical bills, lost wages, and reasonable expenses related to the crash. If you own your own vehicle, your insurance company might provide additional coverage.
How much is my bicycle accident case worth?
Case values depend on numerous factors, including injury nature and severity, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent disabilities, degree of fault, and available insurance coverage. We provide honest case evaluations during free consultations.
Will I have to go to court?
Many bicycle accident cases settle through negotiation without requiring trials. However, when insurance companies refuse fair settlements, we prepare every case for trial and provide vigorous courtroom representation when necessary.
Does Herman & Herman handle e-scooter and moped injury cases?
Yes. We handle all types of micro-mobility accidents, including e-scooters, mopeds, Revel scooters, e-bikes, and traditional bicycles.
Get the Representation You Deserve
Serving: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester
