Cycling is both enjoyable and healthy to do, so it is no surprise that so many people choose to ride their bicycles from place to place. Unfortunately, bicycle accidents are not uncommon, and if you’ve been injured in one, you may require the services of an experienced Ulster County bicycle accident lawyer. Contact John A. DeGasperis, Esq. today to learn more about how our legal team can help you.
Ulster County Bicycle Accident Lawyer | Protecting Cyclists in NYS
Cyclists are seldom afforded the protection they deserve. If you were recently struck by a motorist while you were on your bicycle and you require financial compensation to heal, you shouldn’t hire just any personal injury attorney; you should hire an experienced Ulster County personal injury lawyer that you can trust.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents occur for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, they are most often caused by negligence, commonly on the part of negligent drivers. Some of the most frequent causes of bicycle accidents are as follows:
- Motorists trying to overtake cyclists
- Speeding
- Driving while intoxicated
- Texting while driving, or otherwise driving while distracted
- Failing to notice cyclists at night
- Opening car doors without first checking for cyclists or other motor vehicles
- Weaving through traffic
- Ignoring traffic lights or signs
- Unsafe road conditions
- Inclement weather conditions
Recovering Compensation
After sustaining an injury in a bicycle accident, there is a chance that you are unable to do anything other than await the arrival of emergency services. However, if you can, you should try to document the incident in every way possible. This means taking pictures of the accident and its aftermath, asking witnesses for their contact information, obtaining a copy of the police report filed at the scene, obtaining a copy of all medical documentation surrounding your injury, and more.
As long as you and your Ulster County bicycle accident lawyer can present sufficient evidence to satisfy the burden of proof, you should recover compensation to help make up for any economic and non-economic damages you’ve sustained. Economic damages deal with the financial cost of your injuries, such as medical bills and lost wages, while non-economic damages deal with emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and other non-monetary damages you’ve incurred as a result of your accident.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is the amount of time a given party has to take legal action against another party. When it comes to personal injury claims in New York State, the statute of limitations is, generally, three years, leaving the wrongfully injured three years from the date of their accident to sue the liable party for their injuries. Waiting past the three-year mark will most likely result in you losing your right to sue.
Contact an Ulster County Bicycle Accident Lawyer
The bottom line is that if you’ve been hurt in a bicycle accident, the time to act is now, and our firm is here to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact John A. DeGasperis, Esq. today to schedule your initial consultation with our competent legal team.
