Queens Bicycle Accident Lawyer Fighting for Injured Cyclists

Cyclists in New York City share the road with vehicles that outweigh them by thousands of pounds — and when a driver, a poorly maintained road, or a swung car door puts you down, the injuries are serious and the insurance process is anything but fair. We represent injured cyclists across Queens and the five boroughs, and we know exactly how to build the case that gets you what you're owed.

How Cyclists Get Hurt — and Who's Legally Responsible

Bicycle accident cases in New York involve a wider range of liability theories than most people realize. The cause of the crash often determines which parties can be held responsible and what evidence needs to be preserved immediately.

Dooring Accidents

A driver or passenger opens a car door into an active bike lane without checking for oncoming cyclists. Dooring is one of the most common and dangerous causes of cyclist injuries in New York City. The person who opened the door — and in some cases the vehicle owner — can be held liable, and these cases often produce significant recoveries when handled correctly.

Being Struck by a Car or Truck

When a motorist turns across a bike lane, runs a red light, or fails to yield, the cyclist absorbs the full impact. These collisions frequently cause fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and internal trauma. We investigate driver negligence, traffic camera footage, and witness accounts to establish exactly what happened.

E-Bike and Electric Scooter Crashes

E-bike ridership in Queens has grown dramatically, and so have the crashes. Whether you were riding an e-bike and struck by a vehicle, or a reckless e-bike rider hit you as a pedestrian or cyclist, New York law has specific rules governing these cases. Our team stays current on how courts are treating e-bike injury claims as the law continues to develop.

Defective Road Conditions

Potholes, broken pavement, unmarked hazards, and missing bike lane markings cause serious crashes that are entirely preventable. When a city agency or property owner is responsible for the dangerous condition, a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the accident — a hard deadline that can permanently bar your case if missed. We handle this filing as part of our representation.

Rideshare and Delivery Vehicle Collisions

Uber, Lyft, and delivery drivers operating in dense Queens neighborhoods create constant hazards for cyclists — blocking bike lanes, making sudden stops, and opening doors without warning. These cases involve additional insurance layers beyond a standard auto accident, and our team knows how to navigate them.

Bicycle Accidents Involving MTA Buses

An MTA bus or NYC Transit bus striking a cyclist triggers a separate legal process. Claims against the MTA require a Notice of Claim filed within 90 days, and the litigation rules differ from standard personal injury cases. Missing that window forfeits your right to sue. We handle MTA accident claims and know the procedural requirements that can make or break a case.

Hit and Run Crashes

When the driver who hit you flees the scene, your options are not limited. New York's Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) provides a path to recovery for cyclists injured by unidentified drivers, and your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply as well. We identify every available source of compensation from the first consultation.

What Bicycle Accident Injuries Actually Cost

The financial impact of a serious cycling crash extends well beyond the emergency room. When we evaluate your case, we account for every category of loss — not just the bills you've already received.

 

Recoverable damages in a New York bicycle accident case typically include:

 

  • Medical expenses, both current and future, including surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing specialist care
  • Lost income and diminished earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work
  • Pain and suffering, including the physical and emotional toll of the injury and recovery
  • Permanent disability or disfigurement
  • Out-of-pocket costs for transportation, home care, and adaptive equipment
  • Wrongful death damages when a crash takes a family member's life

 

We maintain an extensive network of medical specialists who can document your injuries thoroughly — which matters enormously when it comes time to negotiate or try your case.

Why Queens Cyclists Choose The Paris Law Group

Bicycle accident cases require attorneys who understand both the street-level realities of cycling in New York City and the legal frameworks that govern recovery. We bring both.

30+ Years of Trial Experience

Jason Paris has been trying personal injury cases in New York courts for more than three decades. Insurance carriers know who goes to trial and who settles under pressure. Our track record in the courtroom changes the dynamic in every negotiation.

A Full Team on Your File

Every case at our firm is handled by multiple attorneys and two to three paralegals — not a solo practitioner with a single assistant. That means faster response times, more thorough investigation, and consistent attention throughout your case.

Honest Case Evaluations

We don't inflate what your case is worth to win your business. We give you a clear, honest assessment of what we believe we can recover and why — so you can make an informed decision from day one.

24/7 Responsiveness

Accidents don't happen on a schedule. You can reach us by phone, text, email, or video chat around the clock. We also have a dedicated client texting line so you're never waiting for an update.

Service in English, Spanish, and Russian

Queens is one of the most linguistically diverse places on earth. We serve clients in English, Spanish, and Russian so that language is never a barrier to getting the representation you deserve.

Cyclist crossing a busy city street with yellow taxis and tall buildings in the background

Critical Deadlines Cyclists Must Know

New York's injury claim system has strict time limits that can permanently end your right to recover compensation if they pass.

 

New York's standard statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident. However, two shorter deadlines apply in bicycle accident cases and can catch injured cyclists off guard:

 

  • 90-day Notice of Claim: If your crash involved a city vehicle, an MTA bus, a subway-related hazard, or a defective road or bike lane maintained by a city agency, you must file a formal Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident. Missing this deadline bars your claim against the municipality entirely.
  • 30-day no-fault filing deadline: If a motor vehicle was involved in your crash, New York's no-fault insurance system requires that you submit your application for no-fault benefits within 30 days of the accident. Missing this window can leave you without coverage for medical bills and lost wages while your case is pending.

 

If you're unsure which deadlines apply to your situation, contact us immediately. The sooner we review your case, the more options you have.

More Answers

Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accident Claims in New York

  • Do I have a case if I wasn't wearing a helmet when I was injured?

    Yes. New York does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets, and the absence of a helmet does not automatically defeat your claim. The defense may argue it as a factor in comparative fault, but it does not bar recovery. We address this argument directly in how we build and present your case.

  • What if the driver who hit me claims I ran a red light or was at fault?

    New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you can recover even if you were partially at fault — your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. We investigate the crash thoroughly to establish the driver's negligence and counter any attempt to shift blame onto you.

  • How long will my bicycle accident case take to resolve?

    It depends on the severity of your injuries, the clarity of liability, and how the insurance carrier responds. Cases involving serious injuries often take longer because we wait until your medical picture is complete before settling — accepting an early offer before you know the full extent of your injuries is one of the most common mistakes injured cyclists make.

  • Can I recover compensation if I was hit by an e-bike or delivery cyclist?

    Potentially, yes. Liability depends on whether the e-bike rider was acting negligently and, in some cases, whether they were operating as an employee or contractor of a delivery platform. These cases are fact-specific, and we evaluate them carefully during the free consultation.

  • What if the accident happened because of a pothole or broken bike lane?

    You may have a claim against the City of New York or another government entity. These cases require a Notice of Claim filed within 90 days of the accident and are subject to specific procedural rules. Contact us as soon as possible — the 90-day window moves quickly.

  • How much does it cost to hire The Paris Law Group for a bicycle accident case?

    Nothing upfront. We handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning our fee comes from the recovery we obtain for you. If we don't recover, you don't owe us a fee. We explain the exact fee structure clearly before you sign anything.

Our Approach to Bicycle Accident Cases

We handle bicycle accident cases on contingency — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Here's how we work from the first call through resolution.