Mount Vernon Bicycle Accidents Lawyer
Mount Vernon Bicycle Accidents Lawyer
Protecting the Rights of Injured Cyclists in Mount Vernon, NY
Bicycling is a healthy, eco-friendly way to get around Mount Vernon, but it comes with serious risks when drivers are inattentive, infrastructure is lacking, or roads are poorly maintained. Intersections like those on Gramatan Avenue, busy corridors near Metro-North, and neighborhood streets without marked lanes all pose hazards for local riders. If you or your loved one has suffered a bicycle injury in Mount Vernon, having a skilled lawyer on your side can make all the difference in securing justice and maximum compensation.
Satisfied Clients
Successful Case Resolutions
Cases Handled
Client Retention Rate
Why Trust LFK Law Practice, P.C.?
LFK Law Practice, P.C. brings extensive experience with bicycle accident claims specifically in Mount Vernon and throughout Westchester County, giving us deep insight into local traffic patterns, road conditions, and legal challenges that cyclists face. Our deep knowledge of local traffic laws, insurance company tactics, and court procedures ensures that your case receives the expertise and attention it deserves.
We provide comprehensive, hands-on support for every client throughout the legal process, maintaining a no-fee-unless-you-recover policy that allows you to pursue justice without upfront financial risk during your recovery period.
Have You Been Injured in a Bicycle Accident?
At LFK Law Practice, P.C. , we fight to get you the compensation you deserve — no upfront fees, ever.
What Are New York's Bicycle Laws
Helmet Rules
In New York State, adults are not required by law to wear bicycle helmets, but it is highly recommended for safety. The important helmet rules that cyclists should remember include requirements that kids under 14 years old must wear a helmet when riding a bike, and everyone riding or riding on an electric bike (e-bike) must wear a helmet, regardless of their age.
Wearing a helmet can protect you from serious head injuries if you have a crash and can help strengthen your legal case if you need to seek compensation after an accident. While helmet use is not legally required for adults on traditional bicycles, insurance companies and defense attorneys may attempt to reduce compensation if a helmet could have prevented or reduced injury severity.
Lights and Reflectors
New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1236 establishes specific requirements for bicycle lighting and safety equipment that are crucial for nighttime riding safety. If you ride your bike at night or when it’s dark, from about an hour before sunset until a half hour after sunrise, your bike needs to have a white light on the front that other people can see from 500 feet away and a red or amber light on the back that can be seen from 300 feet away.
The back light must be visible not only from behind but also from the sides for at least 200 feet to ensure maximum visibility to approaching traffic. Additionally, every bike must have a bell or horn so you can make a sound that people can hear from 100 feet away, though you cannot use a siren or whistle on your bike.
This law helps keep you safe by making sure other people can see and hear you when you ride in the dark. To stay safe, especially during nighttime hours, your bike must have a white front light visible from at least 500 feet away and a red rear light visible from at least 300 feet behind, along with a required rear reflector. You must use these lights from dusk to dawn, and adding extra reflectors or wearing reflective clothing can help drivers see you better.
Additional bicycle equipment rules from VTL 1236 sections (c) through (e) require that your bike must have brakes that work well enough so you can make the wheels skid safely on dry, flat, and clean pavement. Your bike needs reflective tires or reflectors on the spokes of both wheels, with the reflector on the front wheel being clear or amber-colored and the reflector on the back wheel being red.
If you ride your bike from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise when it’s darker outside, your bike must have extra reflective materials or devices in addition to the standard lights, bell, and wheel reflectors.
Bell or Sound Device
Your bike must have a bell or some kind of noise-making device that can be heard from 100 feet away, though sirens and whistles are not allowed. This helps you warn others, including pedestrians and drivers, that you are approaching and need them to be aware of your presence on the roadway.
Where You Can Ride Your Bike
The rules about riding bikes on sidewalks and in parks are important for cyclist safety and legal compliance. In New York City, you usually cannot ride your bike on the sidewalk, and if you do, the police can confiscate your bike and issue a fine for violating local traffic regulations.
You can only ride on sidewalks if there is specific signage indicating that it is allowed in that particular area. Local regulations do allow children 12 years old or younger to ride bikes with small wheels (less than 26 inches) on the sidewalk for safety reasons.
You cannot ride your bike in city parks unless the park specifically designates certain areas where biking is allowed. You can walk your bike in a single line to reach designated bike riding areas inside a park, but bicycles are prohibited on beaches or boardwalks within park boundaries.
Different towns and cities sometimes have different rules about riding bikes on sidewalks, so always check local laws or consult with a bike accident lawyer if you’re uncertain about specific regulations in your area. These rules help keep everyone safe, both people walking and riding bikes.
Rules in Parks and on Bridges
You are not allowed to ride your bike anywhere in a park unless there is a special designated area that permits biking. However, you can walk your bike, one person at a time, to get to a spot in the park where riding your bike is allowed, though you cannot ride your bike on beaches or boardwalks in the park. Specific park regulations vary by location, so it’s important to follow posted rules and bike only where allowed, such as in specific lanes or during designated times.
Park cycling regulations are established for public safety, and on bridges, cyclists should look for specific signage to know where to ride safely and legally.
Here’s What Our Clients Say:
How Our Mount Vernon Bicycle Accident Lawyers Can Help
From the moment you reach out, we begin building your case with urgency and precision.
Here’s how we help:
For More Information
01.
Free Case Evaluation
You tell us what happened — whether you were sideswiped on Central Park Avenue , struck by a reversing van near Main Street , or hit by a truck at an unmarked crosswalk near City Center Plaza . We listen carefully and explain your options clearly.
02.
Immediate Evidence Collection
We gather:
- Police reports from Mount Vernon Police Department
- Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras
- Witness statements from pedestrians or commuters
- Medical records from hospitals and specialists
This helps establish liability and counter false narratives from insurance adjusters.
03.
Filing Your Claim
We handle:
- No-Fault insurance filings for medical bills and lost income
- Third-party lawsuits against negligent drivers, municipalities, or property owners
We manage all paperwork so you can focus on healing.
04.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
We deal directly with insurers like Geico, Allstate, Liberty Mutual , and Progressive to ensure fair settlements — and avoid pressure tactics used to settle quickly for less than you’re owed.
05.
Litigation & Trial Representation
Litigation & Court Representation
If negotiations fail, we prepare for court, including:
- Mount Vernon City Court
- Westchester County Supreme Court
- Greenburgh Justice Court (for cross-border incidents)
06.
Settlement or Verdict
Every dollar recovered goes toward your recovery — not corporate profits. We fight for maximum compensation, whether through negotiation or trial.
Have You Been Injured in a Bicycle Accident?
At LFK Law Practice, P.C. , we fight to get you the compensation you deserve — no upfront fees, ever.
Why Bicycle Accidents Happen in Mount Vernon
Common Causes
Bicycle accidents in Mount Vernon occur for various preventable reasons that create serious safety hazards for cyclists navigating the city’s streets. Distracted driving represents one of the most significant threats, with motorists texting, eating, or not properly watching for bikers at intersections, as demonstrated in traffic safety education videos highlighting these dangerous behaviors.
Dooring incidents by parked cars create sudden and dangerous situations when drivers open doors into the path of cyclists, especially in commercial districts where parallel parking is common and cyclists share roadway space with parked vehicles. Unsafe infrastructure including the lack of proper bike lanes or poorly marked crossings creates hazardous conditions, particularly near busy areas like Sandford Boulevard or Mount Vernon East station where heavy traffic and limited cycling infrastructure intersect.
Road hazards including potholes, debris, and broken pavement on city streets force cyclists to swerve unpredictably or can cause them to lose control entirely. Additionally, illegal turns and failure to yield by drivers who cut off bikes when turning or merging create collision situations that can result in serious injuries to vulnerable cyclists.
Typical Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bicycle riders are extremely vulnerable to severe harm, even when wearing helmets and taking proper safety precautions. Common injuries include broken bones and fractures affecting various parts of the body, concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) that can have lasting cognitive effects, as documented in CDC research on bicycle-related head injuries.
Spinal cord and back injuries can result in temporary or permanent paralysis, while road rash, deep lacerations, and soft tissue damage occur when cyclists are thrown onto pavement or dragged along the roadway. Dental and facial injuries may cause disfigurement requiring reconstructive surgery, and internal bleeding or organ damage can be life-threatening and require emergency medical intervention.
Many bicycle accident victims face permanent disability or disfigurement that significantly impacts their quality of life, ability to work, and capacity to engage in recreational activities they previously enjoyed.
What to Do After a Bicycle Crash in Mount Vernon
Taking proper action immediately after a bicycle accident can significantly impact both your health recovery and your legal rights. Call 911 to report the accident and seek medical care right away, regardless of injury severity, as some serious conditions may not be immediately apparent.
File a police report and request an official accident report, which is critical for preserving your legal rights and providing documentation for insurance claims. Document the scene thoroughly by photographing your bike, the accident scene, your injuries, the involved vehicle, and any road hazards that may have contributed to the crash.
Gather complete information including names, contact details, and insurance information for all parties involved, plus contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident occur. Preserve evidence by saving your damaged bike, helmet, and gear in their post-accident condition, and don’t repair or discard anything until your case has been evaluated by legal counsel.
Contact a bicycle accidents lawyer before speaking with insurance companies or accepting any settlement offers, as early legal guidance can protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Who Is Liable in a Mount Vernon Bicycle Accident?
Determining liability in bicycle accidents requires careful investigation of all parties and circumstances involved in the incident. Potentially responsible parties include negligent drivers who failed to exercise proper care around cyclists, vehicle owners in cases involving commercial or non-owner vehicles, and property owners or the city when hazardous sidewalks or roadways contribute to accidents.
Bike component manufacturers or repair shops may also bear liability if mechanical defects played a role in causing the accident. Mount Vernon is subject to New York’s comparative negligence law, which means cyclists can recover damages even if they are found to be partially at fault for the accident, though awards may be proportionally adjusted based on the degree of shared responsibility.
Local Resources for Mount Vernon Cyclists
Several local resources can provide essential support for bicycle accident victims during their recovery and legal proceedings. Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital at 12 N 7th Avenue offers comprehensive emergency and ongoing medical care for cyclists who have sustained serious injuries.
The Mount Vernon Police Department handles accident reports that are crucial for documenting bicycle accidents and establishing the facts of what occurred. The Mount Vernon Department of Public Works accepts reports of road hazards that could cause future accidents and should be addressed promptly.
Local bike shops throughout the area can provide professional repair assessments and documentation that serve as important evidence for property damage claims, while Mount Vernon City Court handles legal filings when cases proceed to litigation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accidents in Mount Vernon
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions by Mount Vernon-area cyclists after an accident — and our answers based on real legal experience.
Contact Us Now
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a Mount Vernon bicycle accident, don’t face the complex legal and insurance challenges alone. Call LFK Law Practice, P.C. today for a free, confidential consultation where we’ll evaluate your case and explain your legal options clearly. We’ll fight for your rights, your recovery, and the respect all cyclists deserve on Mount Vernon’s roads.