Injured In A Citi Bike Accident In New York City?
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We Can Pursue Compensation For Bike-Share Injuries
We know bicycle accidents cause serious injuries. And we know bicyclists are commonly blamed for accidents that are not their fault.
The law firm of Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, LLP, can advocate for you if you were injured while riding a rented Citi Bike (or injured by a Citi Bike user) in New York City. Call 212-571-7171 for a free personal injury consultation.
Accidents Involving Citi Bike
Citi Bike is a bike-share system allowing users to ride to work, exercise or take short trips on rented bikes. It is a joint public-private venture of the city of New York and a private provider, New York City Bike Share LLC.
Since it launched in 2013, Citi Bike has become a popular alternative to taxis, cars, buses and lengthy walks. With more than 700 bike stations across the five boroughs, thousands of residents and visitors use Citi Bike. The service provides as many as 80,000 rides a day in the summer, and even on the coldest January day Citi Bikes are used nearly 2,000 times.
- Citi Bike and other bike-share programs give New Yorkers a great new transportation option. But with more bicycles on the road, predictably there are more accidents involving cyclists. Road space is limited, and motorists and cyclists have to share the road. Cyclists are particularly vulnerable because they are usually sandwiched between faster moving vehicles on one side and parked vehicles on the other side. When someone carelessly throws open a car door while a cyclist is passing, the cyclist is inevitably the victim. In NYC, anyone exiting a vehicle has the obligation to avoid “interfering” with a passing cyclist. See, 4 RCNY §4-12(c).
- Similarly, these particular bicycles were made of stronger steel to be more durable for multiple riders. This has resulted in the bikes being heavy and not responding as quickly to brakes. In an emergency situation, a Citi Bike cyclist can’t stop or swerve easily, and an accident is more likely to happen. Also, when a Citi Bike collides with a pedestrian or another cyclist, the heavier frame may cause greater injuries.
What To Do If Injured In A Citi Bike Accident?
Call the police. You will need an accident report if you pursue a personal injury claim.
Gather info. Take photos of the bike, vehicle and surrounding scene. Get contact and insurance information from the driver or cyclist. Try to get contact information from any witnesses.
See a doctor. Seek medical attention for any injuries, including possible concussion, neck injury or internal injuries. Aside from proper diagnosis and treatment, you will need that medical documentation for a personal injury claim.
Contact Citi Bike. You may be charged exorbitant fees if you do not return your bike to a Citi Bike dock within 45 minutes of rental or arrange for them to pick it up. This also puts Citi Bike on notice of the accident.
Talk to our lawyers. The experienced bike accident attorneys of Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss can pursue compensation and deal with the insurance companies. We can also identify all entities or individuals who may be liable for damages not covered by no-fault insurance, such as legal action against Citi Bike, the city of New York, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority or other parties.
Not a New York resident?
We regularly represent out-of-towners who are injured while visiting New York City for business or leisure. Our firm can handle your personal injury claims on your behalf, usually by phone or email if you have returned home.
Our personal injury team is here to help you in any way possible, so you should not hesitate to call our office today: 212-571-7171. You can also reach us by email.
