West Babylon, NY - Mumtaz Malik Fatally Struck by Car at East Dr and Rt 109

New York City, with its bustling streets and iconic skyline, is a cyclist's paradise and nightmare rolled into one. The city's commitment to cycling infrastructure has grown over the years, promoting greener and healthier commuting options. However, the surge in cyclists sharing the road with pedestrians, motorists, and even delivery drones has inevitably led to an increase in bicycle accidents. In this blog, we delve into the challenges faced by cyclists in the Big Apple, exploring the causes of accidents, legal considerations, and steps to take if you find yourself involved in a cycling mishap. The Growth of Cycling in NYC: The rise of Citi Bike stations, dedicated bike lanes, and a general shift towards sustainable transportation options have significantly increased the number of cyclists on NYC streets. While this is a positive development for the environment, it has also resulted in a spike in bicycle-related accidents. Factors such as crowded streets, impatient drivers, and a lack of awareness contribute to the chaos cyclists navigate daily. Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents: Distracted Driving: With the prevalence of smartphones, drivers often find themselves distracted, paying more attention to screens than the road. Dooring Incidents: Parked cars pose a threat to cyclists when passengers open their doors without checking for oncoming bicycles, leading to dangerous collisions. Failure to Yield: Cyclists are vulnerable when drivers fail to yield the right of way, whether at intersections or during lane changes. Poorly Maintained Roads: Potholes, uneven surfaces, and inadequate road maintenance can lead to accidents, causing serious injuries to cyclists. The Legal Landscape for Cyclists: Understanding the legal implications surrounding bicycle accidents is crucial for both cyclists and motorists. In NYC, cyclists have the right to use the road, and drivers are expected to exercise caution and share the space responsibly. If you're involved in a bicycle accident, consider the following steps: Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, any damages, and the vehicles involved. Exchange contact information with the parties involved and any witnesses. File a Police Report: Report the incident to the police, ensuring an official record of the accident exists. Contact an Attorney: Consult with a personal injury attorney experienced in handling bicycle accidents to understand your rights and potential legal actions. Advocating for Safer Streets: Beyond individual actions, advocating for safer cycling conditions is essential. Engage with local cycling advocacy groups, participate in community meetings, and support initiatives that promote better infrastructure, awareness programs, and stricter regulations to protect cyclists. Cycling chaos in NYC is a reality, but with increased awareness, responsible road use, and legal advocacy, we can strive to make the streets safer for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a newcomer to the city's biking scene, understanding your rights, taking preventative measures, and standing up for safer streets are crucial steps in navigating the bustling chaos of New York City's cycling landscape. Stay safe, stay informed, and pedal on. Accidents happen, but justice prevails. At MMS Personal Injury Lawyers, we're your dedicated advocates in the pursuit of compensation for your injuries. Our experienced team specializes in personal injury cases, ensuring you get the support you deserve. Contact us now

New York is no stranger to heavy foot traffic. Despite efforts to keep pedestrians safe, however, they remain vulnerable to serious and even fatal accidents. Negligence is almost always to blame for pedestrian accidents, and victims have the right to seek monetary compensation for their injuries. If you or a loved one were hurt as a pedestrian, talk to the Queens personal injury attorneys of Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. Why it’s important to understand the causes of pedestrian accidents When a pedestrian is injured because of someone else’s negligent acts or omissions, that individual is entitled to ask a court to award damages. “Damages” is a term meaning the sum of money that a personal injury victim wins as compensation for their injury, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. However, the victim has the burden of showing that the at-fault party or parties were actually negligent. This means establishing all necessary elements of a New York personal injury lawsuit. And it also means explaining what exactly the liable party did that was irresponsible or reckless. Understanding why you were hurt will therefore help you build your legal case. Why pedestrian injuries happen in New York With that in mind, consider a few of the most frequent causes of pedestrian accidents: Distracted drivers. Although drivers owe pedestrians a duty of care, which includes letting them safely cross the street, not all motorists are paying attention to driving. Distracted driving is a shockingly common occurrence and can be caused by cell phone use, eating or drinking while driving, talking to passengers, or anything else that takes the driver’s focus off the road. Problems with crosswalks. Unmarked crosswalks, or those lacking appropriate signage or signals for crossing the street, can result in injury. Government entities that are responsible for crosswalk safety can be held liable for these accidents, but it’s important to retain an attorney who is familiar with the rules for doing so. Speeding. No matter the context, speeding always increases the risk that somebody will be seriously hurt. Pedestrians are especially in danger of speeding vehicles, whether they are crossing the street, walking in school zones, or even walking and standing along the sidewalk. Speeding drivers can be held liable for any pedestrians they crash into. Driving under the influence. Any sort of impaired driving is illegal and dangerous. While most people associate this with alcohol, it can also result from the use of drugs (whether prescription or not). Anyone who hits a pedestrian while driving under the influence can be criminally charged but also forced to pay civil damages to the victim. Rolling “stops.” Drivers should fully stop at stop signs, stop lights, and pedestrian crossings. When they only engage in a rolling “stop,” whether due to impatience or for other reasons, they can accidentally strike a pedestrian and cause serious injury. Construction work zones. Falling tools, irresponsible use of machinery and equipment, and other unsafe behavior can injure pedestrians who walk near construction zones. Even though construction is a major and ever present part of life in New York, contractors, property owners, and others must take reasonable steps to keep pedestrians safe. Standing Up for Your Right to Claim Damages Our law firm helps pedestrians assert their right to seek compensation for losses resulting from another person’s negligence. We also work with eligible surviving family members to demand wrongful death damages, which are similar, in the event the pedestrian dies from his or her injuries. Call Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. today to get started on your claim.

According to data gathered by the Governors Highway Safety Association, there were an estimated 6,227 pedestrian deaths in 2018. That was the highest number since 1990, and it represents a 35 percent increase from 2008. There were a number of reasons why New York pedestrians were being killed at higher rates, and they include distracted driving and walking as well as drug and alcohol use. Individuals were distracted in part by using smartphones while walking to work. SUVs were more likely to kill or injure pedestrians because they hit victims in the torso and head. This type of vehicle was deemed more likely to injure or kill even when a collision took place at relatively low speeds. From 2013 to 2017, the number of deaths caused by an SUV rose 50 percent. Although pedestrian deaths increased from 2008 to 2017, traffic deaths fell by 6 percent overall. The GHSA made some suggestions that could make roads safer for pedestrians. For instance, it may be a good idea to add lights even if there are no intersections or road crossings. It may also help to take pedestrian traffic patterns into account when designing road crossing. Educating the public can also help drivers and pedestrians share the road. Those who are are walking or biking have less protection than a person in a vehicle. Therefore, pedestrian accidents may result in serious injuries even if a collision occurs at a low speed. Injured victims might want to meet with an attorney to see whether the filing of a lawsuit against the driver of the vehicle might be advisable.