New York Bicycle Accident Attorney

A bicycle accident in New York can turn a simple ride into a life-altering event. When painful injuries, mounting medical bills and pushy insurance companies pile up, our New York bicycle accident lawyers step in so you can focus on getting better.

At Raphaelson & Levine, our New York bike accident attorneys are ready to fight for you. Recognized as the ‘Best Law Firm in New York City’ by Best Lawyers®, our firm brings decades of experience and 97% client satisfaction across 826 verified Google reviews. We’ve recovered millions for injured cyclists like you.

Don’t let a bicycle crash throw you off course. Trust us to get you back on track and secure the compensation you deserve.

NEXT STEP: Call 212-268-3222 today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

Quick Answers After a New York Bike Accident

Why Hire a Lawyer After a New York Bike Accident?

A bike accident can seem overwhelming. Choosing the right personal injury lawyer after a bicycle accident in New York City is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.

Hiring a skilled personal injury lawyer is crucial for several reasons:

• The insurance company is lowballing your claim: Insurers often aim to minimize payouts. We push back with evidence and fight for fair compensation for your injuries, lost income and other damages.
• The insurance company is denying liability: Insurers often try to shift blame onto the cyclist to reduce or deny your claim. We won’t let you be shortchanged and will fight to hold the responsible parties accountable.
• You have serious injuries requiring long-term care: Bicycle accident injuries often need extensive treatment and can have lasting effects. We work with medical experts and use advanced technology to document your long-term needs and pursue compensation that covers them.
• You need expert legal representation: Our personal injury attorneys know the New York courts and local insurance adjusters inside and out. We’ll fight relentlessly to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
• Ineffective representation from another attorney: If your current attorney isn’t meeting your needs, we put you first. We keep you informed through Zoom, text and phone calls, so you always know how your case is progressing.

After a bicycle accident, don’t settle for less than you deserve.

Call Raphaelson & Levine, the voice of the injured.

Why Cyclists Choose Raphaelson & Levine

A bicyclist accident that results in a serious or catastrophic injury may take you weeks, months, or even years to recover.

Raphaelson & Levine brings deep resources and a client-focused approach to every bicycle accident case. Our top priority is securing the compensation you need to move forward with your life.

• Results: Our firm has recovered over $1 billion for injured New Yorkers, including bicycle accident victims
• Resources: Access to experienced local experts and technology
• Reputation: You deserve “The Best Lawyers in America®” on your side
• Respect: Our client-centric approach earns a 97% satisfaction rate

Backed by decades of experience, a winning track record, and a reputation for standing up for cyclists, our experienced bicycle accident attorneys have helped thousands of New Yorkers get back on their feet.

Recent case results:

• Confidential six figures for an e-bike rider struck by a taxi near Yankee Stadium
• $3.85 Million for a delivery cyclist rear-ended by an NYPD tow truck while biking in Manhattan
• $1.25 Million for an 11-year-old child struck by a speeding vehicle while riding his bicycle in Nassau County
• $500K for a bicyclist struck by a large vehicle on the way to work
• $300K for a bicyclist “doored” in Upper Manhattan
• $245K for an MTA employee struck from behind by a car while biking home from work
• $238K for a bicyclist struck in a bike lane while riding a Citi Bike
• $215K for a bicyclist hurt after a driver opened their door without checking for traffic
• $202K for a scooter rider hurt after striking a depressed utility cover in the bike lane on Broadway
• $125K for a cyclist “doored” in NYC’s Lower East Side
• $25K for a cyclist with a laceration on his right cheek after being “doored” in NYC

View More: Recent Bicycle Accident Settlements & Verdicts

How Our New York Bicycle Accident Lawyers Can Help

New York City recorded its fewest traffic deaths ever in 2025, but NYC DOT reports that deaths among e-bike and scooter riders have risen in 2026. Our New York bicycle accident lawyers see what that means on the street: more riders sharing busy avenues, delivery routes and bridge paths with cars, trucks and buses.

Every summer, we receive hundreds of calls from New Yorkers with bicycle accident injuries. Our bike accident lawyers have seen it all, and understand the unique legal challenges and profound impact bike accidents have on cyclists.

These accidents often result in severe injuries due to collisions with motor vehicles, making it crucial to consult experienced bicycle accident attorneys.

By hiring a New York bike accident lawyer at Raphaelson & Levine, you gain an advocate who will protect your rights, navigate the legal system and work toward a fair result for your case.

Our bicycle accident attorneys will:

• Provide legal guidance: We guide you through the legal process, explaining your rights and options. We aim to help you make informed decisions while we handle the legal complexities, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
• Investigate the accident: We leave no stone unturned. Our team gathers crucial evidence from the accident scene, such as witness statements, surveillance footage, and accident reports, to build the strongest case for you.
• Calculate your compensation: We meticulously assess the full extent of your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and all future costs. We consider every relevant factor so your claim reflects your full losses.
• Negotiate settlements: We handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies to ensure you receive a fair settlement. With decades of experience, we counter lowball offers and pressure tactics, fighting tirelessly for your rights.
• Represent you in court: If negotiations fail, we’re fully prepared to take your case to trial to pursue the compensation you deserve.

Do you have a serious injury from a bicycle accident? Contact us today to discuss your legal options and next steps.

We Investigate Car, Truck, MTA Bus and Citi Bike Crashes

We investigate crashes in NYC DOT bike lanes, on Citi Bike and delivery e-bike rides, along MTA bus routes and on paths like the Hudson River Greenway and the Williamsburg Bridge. Here's how we handle the crashes we see most often.

Hit by a Car

Most of the bike crashes we handle start with a driver turning across your path or pulling out without looking. Every New York driver must use due care to avoid hitting a cyclist (VTL § 1146), and on the road you have the same rights as any driver (VTL § 1231). The driver mistakes we see most often include:

• Failing to yield to cyclists at intersections, on left turns or when pulling out
• Aggressive or distracted driving (speeding, tailgating, phone use, unsafe passing)
• Abrupt right turns in front of a bike
• Sideswiping, rear-ending or drifting into the bike lane
• Running a stop sign or red light

When the driver says you came out of nowhere, we settle the right-of-way question with the police report, video, witnesses and the damage to your bike. Insurance works much like it does after a car accident: no-fault generally pays your medical bills first, whoever caused the crash. When your injuries meet New York's serious injury rules, we pursue the driver's liability policy and, if its limits are too low, your own SUM coverage.

Doored by a Parked Vehicle

New York law says no one may open a vehicle door on the traffic side unless it's reasonably safe and won't interfere with traffic (VTL § 1214). That includes passengers getting out of taxis and rideshares. We prove the door opened into your path with the damage to the door and your bike, your injuries, witnesses, nearby building and bus cameras and, for a taxi or rideshare, the trip records.

Insurers often argue you rode too close to parked cars or outside the bike lane. New York law lets you leave the bike lane or move away from the curb when vehicles or other hazards make it unsafe (VTL § 1234), and we show exactly where you were riding and why. The vehicle's insurance generally covers a dooring claim, whether the driver or a passenger opened the door.

Struck by a Commercial Truck

Delivery, box and garbage trucks have big blind spots and swing wide on right turns. When a commercial truck hits you, we investigate both the driver and the company: driver logs, hours, training and maintenance records, plus dash camera, telematics and GPS data, which we move quickly to preserve.

An employer is generally responsible for a driver's negligence on the job, and New York holds a vehicle's owner responsible for anyone driving it with permission (VTL § 388). One truck crash can involve several insurance policies, from the employer and the truck's owner to a leasing company and umbrella coverage, and we pursue every one that applies.

Injured by a Dangerous Road Condition

Potholes, sunken or raised utility covers, steel plates, broken bike-lane pavement and construction debris can throw you off your bike. Who's responsible depends on who owns or last worked on that spot:

• City streets: New York City generally can't be held responsible unless it had prior written notice of the defect and didn't fix it within 15 days (NYC Admin. Code § 7-201), or it caused the defect itself. We search city records for that notice.
• Utility covers: The owner, often Con Edison or another utility, must repair the cover and the street within 12 inches of it (34 RCNY § 2-07).
• Construction zones: The contractor or utility that opened the street can be responsible for a bad patch, a loose plate or debris.
• State roads: Claims against New York State generally go to the Court of Claims, which has its own short deadlines.

A claim against the city generally needs a Notice of Claim within 90 days, so we start right away.

Involved in a Hit-and-Run

Report the crash to the police within 24 hours, because that report is generally required for an MVAIC claim. Then we work to identify the driver. In a hit-and-run case, we look for building, doorbell, bus and dash camera video before it's recorded over, track down witnesses and help the police with partial plates or vehicle damage.

If the driver is never found, the uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy, or on a policy of a relative you live with, may pay. If no policy applies, MVAIC may, but you generally must file with MVAIC within 90 days (Insurance Law § 5208).

Hurt by a Defective Bike or E-Bike

Failed brakes, frames, forks or e-bike batteries can make the manufacturer, distributor or seller responsible for your injuries. Keep the bike exactly as it is after the crash, because it's the key evidence.

Bike Accident Injuries Our Lawyers Handle

Bicycle accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor scrapes and bruises to serious head trauma and spinal cord injuries.

Our attorneys have helped people who have suffered many types of bicycle accident injuries, including:

• Back & Neck Injuries and Spinal Cord Injuries: Cervical fractures, whiplash and partial or complete paralysis
• Broken Bones, Knee and Shoulder Injuries: Fractures, ligament and tendon damage, rotator cuff tears and dislocations
• Chest Trauma & Road Rash: Internal bleeding, organ damage and deep abrasions from contact with the road
• Head Injuries & Brain Injuries: Concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Lost Limbs & Amputations: Life-altering injuries requiring adaptation
• Severe Emotional Trauma: PTSD, anxiety, and depression
• Wrongful Death: Crashes that result in bicycle accident fatalities

These injuries can have a profound impact on a cyclist’s life, leading to significant medical bills, lost income, and long-term physical and emotional challenges.

We ensure each client feels heard, respected, and supported. Our approach is designed to address the immediate and long-term impacts of your serious injuries, providing crash victims with the comprehensive care they need.

How Much Is My Bike Accident Case Worth?

Every case is different. The bicycle accident results listed above range from $25,000 to $3.85 million. Our New York bicycle accident lawyers will look at your injuries, the insurance available and how the crash happened, and explain what your case may be worth.

The financial recovery of a personal injury lawsuit in New York City can vary significantly depending on several factors. This includes:

• Bicycle accident injuries: Serious injury or catastrophic injuries that require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation or result in long-term disability typically lead to higher compensation.
• Medical expenses: Both current and projected future medical bills related to the accident are factored into the cash value
• Lost wages and earning capacity: Compensation may include income lost due to the accident and any reduction in your future earning potential
• Pain & suffering: Non-economic damages for physical pain and emotional distress are considered
• Property damage: The cost of repairing or replacing your bicycle and other damaged property is included
• Liability: The strength of evidence proving the other party's fault can impact the case value
• Insurance coverage: The at-fault party's insurance company policy limits may affect the maximum compensation available

Negligent drivers often blame the cyclist: the sun was in their eyes, the light was green, the rider darted out or wasn’t wearing a helmet.

Our lawyers push back on these arguments, which insurers use to reduce the value of your claim. When a vehicle hits you, New York’s comparative fault rule generally lets you recover as long as your share of fault isn’t greater than the driver’s, with your compensation reduced by your share, so we focus on your right to share the road and on what the driver did wrong.

Deadlines We Track After a New York Bike Crash

New York sets several deadlines after a bike crash, and some are much shorter than others:

• No-fault benefits: If a vehicle hit you, New York's no-fault insurance generally covers your medical bills and lost wages, the same way it covers a pedestrian. You generally must give written notice within 30 days of the crash.
• Claims against New York City: A Notice of Claim is generally due within 90 days, and the lawsuit generally within 1 year and 90 days.
• Lawsuits against a driver or other private party: Most personal injury lawsuits must generally be filed within three years of the crash.

Our New York bicycle accident lawyers will confirm which deadlines apply to your case, so none of them slips by while you recover.

Frequently Asked Questions

Talk to Our New York Bicycle Accident Lawyers for Free

After a bike crash, worries about medical bills, missed work and whether the driver will be held responsible can feel overwhelming.

Our New York bicycle accident lawyers will review how the crash happened, explain your legal options, estimate what your claim may be worth and map out your next steps. Backed by 34 years of experience and over $1 billion recovered for clients, we’ll give you clear answers without pressure or obligation, and you won’t pay a fee unless we win.

You deserve answers and a fair recovery. Call 212-268-3222 or contact us online for your free bicycle accident case review today.