LONG ISLAND BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER

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Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer » Long Island Bicycle Accident Lawyer

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Sameer Chopra

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Sameer Chopra is a founding partner at our firm and a successful trial lawyer with 17 years of experience standing up to large corporations, government entities, and wealthy landlords on behalf of injured individuals. He is a true New Yorker and recognized as one of the Nation’s Top One Percent of attorneys by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

He was recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star from 2017-2019 and then became a Super Lawyer from 2020 to present. He was also recognized as the 2021 Attorney of the Year by Top 100 Lawyers and was selected by Top Attorneys in North America as a distinguished Exclusive Presidents Circle Attorney for his continued excellence within the legal community. Sameer has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts, including significant verdicts against the City of New York and/or their affiliated agencies, and independent insurance carriers.

Content Last Updated: January 1, 2025

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One moment you’re riding your bicycle in Long Island, and the next you’re facing medical treatments, lost income, and pain. You don’t have to bear the burden of a bicycle accident alone. New York law has several options to get you compensation for your injuries.

You’re dealing with enough after a bicycle accident. Allow Chopra & Nocerino to take care of the legal details while you recover. We provide legal support to Long Island’s diverse population in Spanish, Mandarin, Greek, and Creole. Our Long Island bicycle accident lawyers are ready to advocate for maximum compensation on your behalf. Call (855) NYC-HURT or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

Why Trust Chopra & Nocerino Long Island Bicycle Accident Lawyers?

Insurance companies want to pay you as little as possible for your bicycle accident injuries. You may be entitled to more compensation than the insurance company initially offers. Our attorneys are real New Yorkers who don’t back down against insurance companies’ underhanded tactics. We are passionate about keeping Long Island’s roads safe for cyclists and ready to provide aggressive representation in pursuit of fair compensation.

With decades of combined experience, Chopra & Nocerino has helped countless bicycle accident victims rebuild their lives. Our compassionate advocacy has allowed us to win hundreds of millions in verdicts and settlements for our clients.

Our Long Island personal injury law firm has won many awards for our excellence in litigation, including National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and Top 10 Under 40 by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys. We also had the most top 50 settlements of any personal injury law firm in New York in 2020 and 2022.

Your Legal Options After a Bike Accident in Long Island

New York requires all drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which covers certain damages regardless of fault. You can seek PIP coverage through a policy held by yourself, the driver who hit you, or a household member.

If your damages exceed PIP limits, you may have the right to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. To pursue a fault-based claim, your economic damages must exceed $50,000, or you must pass the New York serious injury threshold. Some injuries that automatically meet this threshold include dismemberment, bone fractures, and permanent loss of a body part.

Some bicycle accident cases don’t involve a motor vehicle driver. If that’s the case, you may still have options for recovery. For example, if a defective road condition caused your crash, you may have a viable personal injury lawsuit against the government entity responsible for maintaining that area.

What Compensation Can I Receive For a Bicycle Accident in Long Island?

The compensation you can receive will depend on the type of legal action you take and the extent of your damages. Common economic and non-economic damages available in Long Island bicycle accident cases include:

Medical expenses, such as hospital bills and medication costs.
Lost wages for the time you could not work due to your injuries.
Lost earning capacity if your injuries affect your long-term ability to perform your previous work.
Property damage, such as bike repair or replacement costs.
Physical pain and emotional distress.
Loss of enjoyment of life.

If you lost a loved one in a bicycle accident, you may be eligible for wrongful death compensation. Wrongful death damages may include funeral and burial expenses, loss of income, and loss of companionship.

Your case may also qualify for punitive damages if the at-fault party acted maliciously or particularly recklessly. These damages are meant to punish the at-fault party and are only available in extreme cases.

How a Chopra & Nocerino Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help

You’re dealing with enough after a bicycle accident. Allow Chopra & Nocerino to handle the legal details while you recover. Our Long Island personal injury lawyers will take the lead in every aspect of your case and seek maximum compensation on your behalf.

Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation

The first step in working with us is a free case evaluation. During your initial consultation, one of our attorneys will discuss the details of your bicycle accident, answer your questions, and explain your legal options.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

If you choose us to handle your case, we can file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf. We’ll file a demand letter with the at-fault party’s insurance company outlining your damages and the value of your damages.

Discovery and Investigation

Our Long Island bicycle accident attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case to gather crucial evidence. This can include depositions, medical records, police reports, and expert testimony. Early investigation allows us to gather this key evidence before it is lost or deteriorates.

Settlement Negotiations

The insurance company may offer you an initial settlement, but it may not reflect the full extent of your damages. Our attorneys will negotiate with insurers on your behalf to reach a fair settlement agreement. If the negotiations are successful, you will enter a written settlement agreement and receive your compensation.

Trial Process

If the insurance company refuses a fair settlement, we may need to bring your case to trial. This involves presenting evidence and arguments before a judge and jury, who will decide how to resolve the case. We’ll prepare you if your case goes to trial and support you through the entire process.

Post-Trial: Appeals and Collecting Compensation

If the jury issues a favorable verdict, we’ll help you collect your compensation. If the verdict is not in your favor, we can discuss options for appealing the decision.

Long Island Cycling Laws That Could Affect Your Lawsuit

New York bike laws may come into play in your personal injury case. Violations of these laws by you or the other party may affect the amount of compensation you’re entitled to:

Helmet use – New York doesn't require helmets for adults. Children under 14 must wear approved helmets when cycling.
Clinging to vehicles – A person riding a bicycle is not allowed to cling onto or attach themselves to moving vehicles on the road.
Bicycle equipment – You must equip your bicycle with lamps and other equipment when riding from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, including a white front lamp and a red rear light. All bicycles must also have a bell or similar sound-signaling device.
Hand signals – Cyclists must use hand signals when turning. Left turns require you to extend your left arm horizontally. Right turns require you to extend your left arm upward or your right arm horizontally.
Proper riding methods – No more than two bicyclists may ride side by side in a single lane. Bicyclists must also come to a full stop before entering the roadway and keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times. Riding on the sidewalk is also prohibited in most cases.

Long Island Bicycle Accidents FAQs

You likely have many questions after a bicycle accident in Long Island. We’ve answered some common questions from bicycle accident victims below.

1. Can I Sue if I Was Partially at Fault for My Bicycle Accident in Long Island?

Yes, you may file a personal injury lawsuit even if you were partially at fault for the bicycle accident. Your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you under the New York comparative negligence law. For example, if you were 20 percent at fault for the accident, you may receive 80 percent of your total damages.

2. How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Long Island?

It costs nothing upfront to hire our Long Island bicycle accident lawyers. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means our fees are calculated as a pre-negotiated percentage of your settlement or verdict. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.

3. What Should I Do After a Bicycle Accident in Long Island?

Your actions after a Long Island bicycle accident may affect your ability to recover full and fair compensation. Take these steps to improve your case’s strength:

Call 911 and get a police report.
Document the scene. Take photos of any property damage and visible injuries.
Get contact information from witnesses and involved parties.
Get medical attention as soon as possible, even if you don't think you're injured. This establishes a link between the accident and your injuries, which may not show immediate symptoms.
Contact our experienced bicycle accident lawyers for a free consultation.

4. How Common Are Bike Accidents in New York?

Bicycle accidents are increasingly common in New York. The New York City Department of Transportation reported 30 deaths in 2023, a 23-year high for bike fatalities. The rise of electric bicycles may also contribute to the increase in bike accident deaths, as 23 of those deaths involved e-bikes. In 2022, over 5,000 were injured in New York City bicycle crashes, and 18 were killed.

Get Justice For Your Bike Accident Injuries — Contact Us Today

You deserve fair compensation for your bicycle accident injuries. Chopra & Nocerino is ready to fight for it on your behalf. Our bicycle accident lawyers in Long Island can level the playing field between you and the powerful insurance companies. We will strive to give you the best possible chance of receiving the compensation you need to move forward.

Contact us online or call (855) NYC-HURT to learn about your rights and legal options in a free, no-obligation consultation. Para servir mejor a todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad, ofrecemos servicios en español.

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