What Are the Most Common Causes of New York City Bicycle Accidents?

Serving injured cyclists in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx & Staten Island

Riding a bike in New York City is fast, efficient, and for many people, the only practical way to get around. It should be a healthy, affordable way to commute, exercise, or get your kids to school. Instead, for far too many riders, a quick trip through Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island ends in an ambulance ride, mounting medical bills, and a long, painful recovery.

At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, our NYC bicycle accident lawyers represent injured cyclists and families every day. We know that most NYC bike crashes are not “just accidents” – they’re the predictable result of careless choices: a driver on a phone, a door flung open without looking, a truck blocking a bike lane, a pothole left unaddressed.

If you were hit while riding anywhere in New York City, you don’t have to figure this out alone.

Free Consultation • No Fee Unless We Win
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) or contact us online to speak with a New York City bicycle accident attorney today.

New York City’s Bicycle Boom – and the Risk That Comes With It

Cycling is now a core part of NYC’s transportation system. Commuters, delivery workers, parents riding with kids, fitness riders, and casual cyclists all share the same crowded streets with cars, trucks, buses, and cabs.

City data has shown tens of thousands of crashes involving cyclists in recent years across the five boroughs, with thousands of riders injured and multiple fatalities annually. Behind each number is a person whose life was disrupted – often because a driver or property owner failed to follow basic safety rules.

NYC is both a bicycling city and a high-risk one. The danger looks different in each borough:

• Manhattan: Congested avenues like Broadway, 1st Avenue, and 2nd Avenue, yellow cabs and rideshares, constant dooring danger, tourists stepping into bike lanes in Midtown and Lower Manhattan.
• Brooklyn: Busy bike corridors in Williamsburg, Downtown Brooklyn, and Park Slope, commercial trucks, side-street speeding, and frequent double-parking along Atlantic Avenue and Flatbush.
• Queens: Wide arterials such as Queens Boulevard and Northern Boulevard, higher speeds, and limited protected lanes in some neighborhoods.
• The Bronx: Heavy truck routes near the Cross Bronx Expressway and Bruckner, and in some areas, poorly maintained roads and infrastructure.
• Staten Island: Fewer bike lanes, higher speeds on hilly roads, and limited visibility in residential and waterfront areas.

Even at low speeds, a collision between a car and a bike can cause catastrophic injuries. Understanding how these crashes happen is the first step toward accountability and a successful NYC bicycle accident claim.

The Most Common Causes of New York City Bicycle Accidents

Every case is unique, but the same patterns recur in New York City bicycle accident cases.

1. Distracted Driving & Device Use

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of serious NYC bike crashes. Despite city and state laws against hand-held phone use and texting while driving, many New York City drivers still:

• Text or scroll social media
• Use navigation apps instead of watching the road
• Adjust music, GPS, or climate controls
• Eat, groom, or reach for items in the car
• Turn to talk to passengers or tend to children

For cyclists, a driver taking their eyes off the road for even a couple of seconds is all it takes. Bikes are smaller and quieter than cars; distracted drivers often say they “never saw” the cyclist they hit.

On NYC streets, that moment of distraction can cause a driver to:

• Drift into a protected or painted bike lane
• Blow through a red light or stop sign
• Turn across a bike lane without checking for riders
• Rear-end a cyclist stopped at a light or crosswalk

When that happens, the cyclist – not the driver – absorbs the full force of the impact.

2. Speeding & Aggressive Driving

Speeding and aggressive driving are especially dangerous in New York City’s dense, mixed-use streets. Our NYC bike accident attorneys frequently see:

• Drivers racing to beat a light and striking a cyclist in a crosswalk
• Speeding vehicles cresting a hill or rounding a curve and not stopping in time
• Impatient drivers weaving through traffic and cutting straight across bike lanes
• Tailgating cyclists on bridges, in Midtown congestion, or along major corridors in Brooklyn and Queens
• “Buzzing” riders by passing within inches

Higher speeds mean shorter reaction time and greater impact force, which often result in catastrophic or fatal injuries for cyclists.

3. Failure to Yield & Unsafe Turns

Many of the worst New York City bicycle accidents happen at intersections when drivers fail to yield the right of way. Common patterns include:

• Left-turn (“left cross”) crashes: A driver turns left across an oncoming rider’s path on avenues in Manhattan or at busy intersections in Brooklyn and Queens.
• Right-turn (“right hook”) crashes: A driver passes a cyclist and then turns right across the bike lane, cutting the rider off.
• Drivers rolling through stop signs or failing to yield at crosswalks where cyclists are crossing with the signal.
• Drivers exiting garages, driveways, or parking lots without looking for bikes on the street, sidewalk, or bike path.

Cyclists have the same legal right to the road as motor vehicles. When a driver “takes” the right of way in New York City and treats a cyclist as an afterthought, that’s negligence.

4. Unsafe Passing, Tailgating & Blocking Bike Lanes

New York drivers are required to give cyclists a safe buffer. Instead, we routinely see:

• Vehicles passing within inches of a bike on streets like Amsterdam Avenue or Grand Concourse
• Tailgating riders, especially on bridges and in slow traffic
• Squeezing cyclists against parked cars, curbs, or construction barriers
• Cars, cabs, and trucks stopping or parking in bike lanes “just for a minute” in busy areas like Midtown, Downtown Brooklyn, and Long Island City

A slight swerve to avoid a pothole, a sudden stop, or a door opening can turn that lack of buffer into a crash – either a direct impact or a fall into traffic.

When a blocked bike lane forces a cyclist into moving traffic and leads to a collision, the driver who blocked the lane (and sometimes others) may share responsibility under New York City law.

5. “Dooring” – Opening a Car Door Into a Cyclist

Dooring is one of the classic hazards of NYC bicycle accidents. It occurs when:

• A driver or passenger opens a car door directly into a rider’s path
• The cyclist collides with the door and is thrown from the bike
• In the worst cases, the rider is knocked into moving traffic

Dooring crashes are common near:

• Curbside parking on busy Manhattan avenues
• Taxi and rideshare pickup and drop-off zones in Midtown, Harlem, Downtown Brooklyn, and tourist areas
• Loading areas and commercial corridors throughout the five boroughs

Under New York law, the person exiting a vehicle has a duty to check mirrors and look over their shoulder before opening the door. Dooring is not “just bad timing” – it’s usually apparent negligence that a New York City bicycle accident lawyer can help you hold them accountable for.

6. Dangerous & Poorly Maintained Road Conditions

Cyclists feel every flaw in the road. A defect that a car barely notices can send a bike crashing to the pavement. Common NYC hazards include:

• Potholes and broken pavement on city streets
• Sunken or raised utility covers
• Loose gravel, sand, or construction debris in bike lanes
• Metal plates and uneven surfaces in work zones
• Faded or confusing lane markings
• Poor lighting or obstructed sight lines at intersections
• Poorly designed or unprotected bike lanes where traffic routinely intrudes

These hazards can cause cyclists to:

• Lose control and fall
• Swerve suddenly into traffic
• Strike a curb, pole, or other fixed object

In some cases, a city agency, utility, contractor, or property owner may share liability when unsafe conditions cause or worsen a crash. These NYC roadway defect claims have strict notice and filing deadlines.

7. Ignoring Traffic Signals & Signs

When drivers or cyclists ignore traffic controls, everyone is at risk. In New York City, we often see crashes where a driver:

• Runs a red light or stop sign
• Speeds up to “beat” a yellow
• Fails to stop at crosswalks when pedestrians and cyclists have the walk signal
• Ignores “No Turn on Red” or yield signs
• Blocks crosswalks or bike boxes at intersections

Intersection crashes often involve angle or side-impact collisions, which are especially dangerous for unprotected riders – even at lower city speeds.

8. Blind Spots, Lane Changes & Merging

Every vehicle has blind spots, especially larger SUVs, vans, and trucks commonly seen on NYC streets. Bicycle crashes often occur when:

• A driver changes lanes without checking blind spots
• A truck or SUV makes a wide right turn and sweeps across a cyclist riding alongside
• A driver merges or drifts into a bike lane
• A vehicle pulls out of a driveway, garage, or parking lot without looking for bikes

Because bikes are narrow, they can disappear completely inside a blind spot. That’s precisely why NYC drivers must use mirrors and physically turn to check before turning or changing lanes.

9. Drunk, Drug-Impaired & Drowsy Driving

Drivers under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or extreme fatigue are hazardous to cyclists. Impairment can cause:

• Poor judgment about distance and speed
• Drifting between lanes or onto shoulders
• Failure to notice cyclists until it’s far too late
• Running red lights or missing stop signs entirely

In New York, Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is a crime. When a drunk or drug-impaired driver injures a cyclist, they may owe substantial civil damages as well – and in egregious cases, punitive damages intended to punish and deter reckless conduct.

Fatigued drivers – such as rideshare drivers, night-shift workers, truckers, and people juggling multiple jobs – can be just as dangerous. Drowsy driving can impair judgment as much as alcohol.

10. Poor Visibility, Obstructed Views & Low Lighting

Many New York City bicycle accidents happen at dawn, dusk, or night when visibility is reduced. Risk goes up when:

• Street lighting is poor or malfunctioning
• Parked trucks, scaffolding, trees, or sharp corners block sight lines
• Headlights and glare make it harder to see bikes
• Cyclists ride without proper front and rear lights or reflectors

Riders should use lights and bright or reflective clothing, but visibility problems do not excuse a driver’s duty to proceed carefully and anticipate cyclists, not just other cars.

11. Rider Conduct & Comparative Negligence

Drivers cause most serious crashes. But cyclist behavior can sometimes contribute, such as:

• Riding against traffic
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Weaving unpredictably between vehicles
• Riding at night without required lights
• Riding an improperly maintained bike (worn brakes, bald tires, etc.)

Under New York’s pure comparative negligence law, you may still have a strong case even if you made a mistake. Your percentage of fault can reduce your compensation, but it is not automatically eliminated.

Insurance companies routinely blame cyclists in New York City. Our NYC bicycle accident lawyers work to cut through the blame game and present the complete picture of what really happened.

12. Bicycle & E-Bike Defects

Sometimes the problem isn’t just the driver or the road – it’s the bike itself. Crashes can involve:

• Brake or steering failures
• Defective frames, forks, or handlebars
• Faulty quick-release mechanisms or wheels
• Poor assembly or improper repairs by a shop
• Defective throttles, batteries, or controllers on e-bikes and e-scooters

When a defect in the bike or component contributes to a crash or worsens your injuries, there may be additional product liability claims against the manufacturer, distributor, seller, or repair shop. These cases require careful investigation and expert analysis.

Common Injuries in New York City Bicycle Crashes

Because cyclists and e-bike riders have almost no protection, even a “minor” NYC bike accident can cause serious harm. We frequently see:

• Head & traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Skull and facial fractures, eye injuries, and dental trauma
• Broken arms, legs, ribs, collarbones, pelvis, hands, and wrists
• Spinal cord injuries and disc damage
• Internal organ injuries and internal bleeding
• Severe road rash, lacerations, and soft-tissue damage
• Psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, and PTSD

Even if you were able to walk away from the scene, it’s critical to seek medical care and follow up with your doctors. Symptoms of serious injuries – especially brain and spinal injuries – may not fully appear until days or weeks later.

What To Do After a Bicycle Accident in New York City

If you’re able – or with the help of a friend or bystander – try to:

1. Call 911
   • Ask for police and EMS. Insist on a police report, even if the driver begs you not to.
2. Get medical care immediately
   • Go to the ER or urgent care and follow up with your doctor. Don’t “walk it off.”
3. Get the driver’s and witness information
   • Names, phone numbers, license plate, insurance, contact info for passengers and witnesses.
4. Document the scene
   • Take photos or video of:
     • Your bike and gear
     • Damage to the vehicle
     • Skid marks, debris, and road conditions
     • Traffic signals, signs, and lane/bike lane markings
     • Your visible injuries
5. Preserve evidence
   • Keep your damaged helmet, clothing, and bike. Don’t repair or throw anything away until a lawyer has reviewed it.
6. Avoid detailed statements to insurers
   • Insurance adjusters may call quickly and sound friendly. Their job is to minimize what they pay. Don’t guess about fault or injuries, and don’t sign anything before speaking with an attorney.
7. Contact a New York City bicycle accident lawyer
   • An experienced NYC bike accident attorney can coordinate benefits, investigate evidence, and protect you from early lowball offers.

At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, we can step in quickly to preserve video, contact witnesses, and deal with the insurance companies while you focus on healing.

Your Legal Rights After a New York City Bicycle Accident

Even though you weren’t driving a car, New York’s no-fault insurance rules may still apply – and they can be confusing.

No-Fault (PIP) Benefits

In many NYC bicycle cases, you may qualify for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits from an auto policy (often the driver’s, or sometimes a household vehicle policy), which can help cover:

• Certain medical bills (up to policy limits)
• A portion of lost wages
• Some other reasonable and necessary expenses

Claims Against the At-Fault Driver and Others

If your injuries are serious and/or your losses exceed available no-fault benefits, you may be able to bring a claim or lawsuit against:

• The at-fault driver
• The vehicle owner
• The driver’s employer (in some delivery, trucking, or rideshare situations)
• Other parties who contributed to the crash (e.g., property owners, contractors, public entities, or product manufacturers)

Even if the driver wasn’t ticketed or the police report seems unfavorable, you may still have a strong civil case. Civil liability is based on evidence and legal standards – not just what’s written in a traffic citation.

Comparative Negligence in New York City

New York follows a pure comparative negligence system:

• You can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault.
• Your percentage of fault may reduce your compensation, but it is not automatically eliminated.

Insurers routinely overstate a cyclist’s share of blame. Our New York City bicycle accident attorneys analyze police reports, witness statements, physical evidence, and video to challenge unfair fault assignments.

Special Rules for NYC Government and Municipal Claims

If the vehicle that hit you – or the dangerous condition that caused your crash – involved:

• A city or municipal vehicle
• The City of New York, a public authority, or other government agency
• Poorly maintained public roads or defective signals

You may face strict and short deadlines, such as a Notice of Claim within 90 days and shorter time limits to file suit. Missing these deadlines can permanently deprive you of your rights.

Our firm evaluates all potential sources of coverage and holds every negligent party accountable – from individual drivers to employers, delivery companies, rideshare services, and, where appropriate, governmental entities.

How Greenstein & Pittari, LLP Helps Injured Cyclists in NYC

When you hire Greenstein & Pittari, LLP after a New York City bicycle accident, we can:

• Listen to your story and explain your rights in clear, plain language
• Investigate the crash, obtain police reports, video, and witness statements
• Work with medical experts to understand your diagnosis, prognosis, and future needs
• Calculate your full damages, including medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Deal with all insurance companies so you don’t have to
• Negotiate for a fair settlement, and if necessary, file a lawsuit and present your case at trial

We represent injured cyclists on a contingency fee basis:

• No upfront fees
• No hourly billing
• You only pay attorney’s fees if we recover compensation for you

Injured while biking in New York City?
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) or contact us online for a free consultation with an experienced NYC bicycle accident lawyer.

Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari for Your NYC Bicycle Accident Case?

• Local Harlem office and six additional locations – We have seven convenient offices throughout New York, including Harlem, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County.
• Our Fee Guarantee – No Fee Unless We Win – The call is free. The consultation is free. You don’t pay us unless we are successful.
• Bilingual services available – We proudly serve New York City’s diverse communities.
• Proven results & strong reputation – Hundreds of positive client reviews and testimonials.
• We deal with the insurance companies – so you can focus on medical treatment and recovery.
• Top-rated, award-winning personal injury lawyers – Recognized by leading legal organizations.

Don’t Be a Victim Twice.
If you are a victim of a bike accident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver in New York City, call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) to schedule a confidential consultation and take the first step toward the compensation and justice you deserve.

New York City Bicycle Accident FAQ

1. What are the most common causes of bicycle accidents in New York City?

Some of the leading causes include:

• Distracted driving (texting, phone use, in-car distractions)
• Speeding and aggressive driving
• Failure to yield, especially during left and right turns
• Unsafe passing, tailgating, and lack of a safe buffer
• Dooring (opening a car door into a cyclist’s path)
• Drivers blocking or stopping in bike lanes
• Ignoring traffic lights, stop signs, and crosswalk signals
• Lane changes and turns without checking blind spots
• Drunk, drug-impaired, or drowsy driving
• Poor road conditions and inadequate bike infrastructure
• Bicycle or e-bike defects

In many cases, multiple factors combine to cause a crash. Our NYC bike accident lawyers identify each one and hold all responsible parties accountable.

2. If I was partially at fault (no helmet, riding at night, etc.), do I still have a case in NYC?

Often, yes. Under New York’s comparative negligence rule:

• You can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault.
• Your percentage of fault may reduce your compensation, but it is not automatically eliminated.

Insurance companies love to argue that the cyclist was “reckless” or “came out of nowhere.” We push back with evidence – showing where the driver failed to follow New York and NYC traffic laws and how the crash really happened.

3. Who pays my medical bills after a New York City bicycle accident?

Possible sources of coverage include:

• No-fault (PIP) coverage from the driver’s auto policy
• PIP coverage from a household vehicle policy in your family
• Your own health insurance
• A liability settlement or verdict against the at-fault driver and other responsible parties

Sorting out which policy applies, and in what order, can be complicated in NYC bicycle accident cases. We help coordinate benefits so you can get the treatment you need and avoid unnecessary collection pressure.

4. Can I sue the driver who hit me in New York City?

You may be able to bring a claim or lawsuit against the driver (and sometimes other parties) when:

• The driver’s negligence caused or contributed to the crash; and
• Your injuries are severe and/or your losses exceed available no-fault benefits.

Even if the driver wasn’t ticketed, or the NYPD report seems unfavorable, you may still have a strong civil case. Civil liability is based on evidence and legal standards, not just traffic citations.

5. What if it were a hit-and-run or the driver had no insurance in NYC?

You may still have options, such as:

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage from your own or a family member’s auto policy
• Claims against other responsible parties, such as an employer or vehicle owner
• In some situations, claims involving public entities or property, if a dangerous condition contributed

Hit-and-run cases move quickly in New York City. It’s essential to contact an attorney as soon as possible so we can help law enforcement, locate coverage, and preserve evidence.

6. What if I were hit by a taxi, rideshare (Uber/Lyft), truck, or delivery vehicle in NYC?

Crashes involving commercial or for-hire vehicles often involve:

• Multiple layers of insurance coverage
• Complex questions about employment/contractor status
• Different rules for when specific policies apply

These policies can be powerful sources of compensation, but they’re also heavily defended. Our firm is experienced in handling NYC taxi, Uber/Lyft, truck, and delivery vehicle bicycle accident claims.

7. Do I have a claim if my child was injured while riding a bike in New York City?

Yes. Children have the same right to safe streets as adults – and drivers must exercise even greater care where children are present. When a child is injured in an NYC bike crash:

• A parent or guardian typically brings the claim on their behalf
• The case may involve special procedures and court approval of any settlement
• Long-term impacts on growth, schooling, and emotional health are critically important

We take special care with child bicycle injury cases and work closely with families to address both medical and emotional needs.

8. How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in New York City?

In many cases, the general time limit (statute of limitations) for a personal injury lawsuit in New York is three years from the date of the crash. However:

• Claims involving city or municipal vehicles or agencies often require a Notice of Claim within 90 days, and a shorter deadline to file suit.
• Wrongful death and specific other claims may have different deadlines.

Because these rules are complex – and missing a deadline can permanently destroy your rights – it’s wise to speak with an NYC bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.

9. How much is my New York City bicycle accident case worth?

There is no simple formula, but compensation may include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and PTSD
• Loss of enjoyment of life and activities
• Out-of-pocket expenses and property damage

The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, how they affect your life and work in New York City, the available insurance coverage, and the strength of the liability evidence. We carefully document each of these factors before negotiating or going to trial.

10. How much does it cost to hire Greenstein & Pittari, LLP for my NYC bike case?

We represent injured cyclists on a contingency fee basis. That means:

• No upfront fees
• No hourly billing
• You only pay attorney’s fees if we recover money for you through a settlement or verdict

We’ll explain our fee structure clearly at your free consultation, so there are no surprises.

11. Do I really need a lawyer, or can I handle my NYC bike accident claim myself?

You’re not legally required to hire a lawyer, but:

• Insurance companies have entire teams whose job is to pay you as little as possible.
• Bicycle cases often involve complex questions about fault, no-fault coverage, multiple insurance policies, and NYC-specific rules.
• Unrepresented cyclists are often pressured into low settlements before they understand the full extent of their injuries.

An experienced New York City bicycle accident attorney levels the playing field, protects your rights, and allows you to focus on your recovery instead of fighting with insurance adjusters.

Talk to a New York City Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love was injured in a bicycle accident in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island, Greenstein & Pittari, LLP is here to help.

• Free, confidential consultation
• No fees unless we win money for you
• NYC-focused representation for injured cyclists and families

You’ve been through enough.

Please call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) today or contact us online to talk about your New York City bicycle accident.

You focus on healing – we’ll focus on holding the negligent parties accountable and fighting for the full compensation you deserve.