New York City Bicycle Broken Wrist Accident Lawyer
When a bicyclist is suddenly thrown from their bike following a collision with a car or another object, the cyclist’s instinctive response is usually to outstretch their hands in order to brace themselves for an impact with the ground. Unfortunately, when you do this, you run the risk of suffering a wrist fracture. In the most common scenario, the bicyclist breaks their distal radius, a large bone in their forearm.
At best, a broken wrist means a few weeks with your hand in a cast. At worst, you will need surgery to prevent permanent damage to your hand and wrist. Either way, you are looking at significant medical bills and other financial and non-economic losses arising from your accident. A New York City bicycle broken wrist accident lawyer can advise you on the best way to obtain compensation for these injuries. Michael Gunzburg, P.C., is a dedicated New York personal injury law firm with 37 years experience representing clients throughout the city.
Who Pays for a Broken Wrist in New York City?
Generally speaking, if you broke your wrist in a bicycle accident, you will know right away. These fractures typically produce immediate and severe pain. You are also likely to notice swelling, tenderness, or bruising in the injured wrist. Indeed, you may even notice an obvious deformity such as your wrist bending in an unnatural direction.
Anytime you are involved in a bicycle accident–and especially if you experience any symptoms of a broken wrist–you need to seek immediate medical attention. A broken wrist needs to be placed in a cast as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Depending on the nature and severity of the fracture, a doctor may also advise surgery to install screws and plates to hold your fracture in place while it heals.
In terms of who will pay for your medical bills and other losses arising from a wrist injury, bicycle accidents are covered by New York’s no-fault insurance laws. In simple terms, if a car hits you while you are riding your bike, the motorist’s no-fault insurer must pay regardless of who was responsible for the crash. The catch is that no-fault compensation is limited to no more than $50,000 for your medical bills and lost income. There is no compensation available for non-economic damages such as your pain and suffering.
However, if your economic losses exceed $50,000 or you sustained what the law considers a serious injury–such a broken wrist–you are no longer constrained by the no-fault rulers. You can file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver or other party who caused your accident. But that means you have to prove the defendant’s negligence caused your bicycle accident.
Contact Our New York City Bicycle Broken Wrist Accident Lawyers Today
A broken wrist is painful and often means a long and difficult recovery process. Money cannot undo the damage, but it can help ensure you are able to pay your bills while you recover. So if you need legal advice or representation from a qualified New York City bicycle broken wrist accident lawyer, call Michael Gunzburg, P.C., at 212-725-8500 today to schedule a free initial consultation.
