New York City Bicycle Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
It only takes a second for a bicyclist to suffer a catastrophic, life-altering injury due to an accident. We are talking about injuries that severely–and often permanently–limit an important bodily function or organ. Such catastrophic injuries often require a lifetime of medical care and may leave the victim unable to return to work or resume certain basic activities of daily living.
When a bicycle accident is caused by someone else’s negligent, reckless, or illegal conduct, the injured cyclist has the right to seek full financial compensation for their out-of-pocket and other losses under New York law. A New York City bicycle catastrophic injury lawyer can review your case and advise you on the best strategy for pursuing such compensation. Michael Gunzburg, P.C., is an experienced New York personal injury law firm with a proven track record of obtaining financial compensation for bicycle accident victims throughout the city.
What Makes a Bicycle Accident Injury “Catastrophic”?
The word “catastrophic” is often used as a term of art to describe serious injuries that have a permanent or life-changing effect on a bicycle accident victim. Some of the more common examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Even when a bicyclist wears a helmet, there is always a risk of sustaining a traumatic brain injury in a bicycle accident. Mild traumatic brain injuries, often called “concussions,” may only produce minor symptoms for a few days or weeks. Severe brain injuries, however, are often catastrophic, as they result in the bicyclist suffering permanent cognitive and neurological impairment.
- Spinal Cord Damage: Next to a traumatic brain injury, the other most serious catastrophic injury we see with bicycle accident victims is spinal cord damage. Any damage to the spinal cord can lead to permanent disability below the site of the injury. This often means the loss of use of one or more extremities.
- Disfigurement: The impact of a bicyclist hitting the ground frequently causes severe facial fractures, which in turn can leave permanent scarring or disfigurement. Aside from the psychological trauma of such injuries, permanent disfigurement is also often accompanied by chronic physical pain.
- Amputations: In some bicycle accidents, the victim may be crushed underneath the weight of a car or another object, which can lead to the amputation of an arm or leg.
- Loss of Senses: Brain damage and facial injuries in a bicycle accident can, in some cases, lead to temporary or permanent loss of sight or hearing.
New York’s no-fault insurance laws are almost always inadequate when it comes to catastrophic injuries. Fortunately, the law allows a bicycle accident victim who suffered a “serious injury” to step outside of the no-fault rules and file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent driver who caused their accident. This enables a bicyclist who sustained a catastrophic injury to seek the full measure of their losses arising from their accident.
Reach Out to Our Team of New York City Bicycle Catastrophic Injury Lawyers
No bicyclist takes to the streets expecting to suffer a catastrophic injury. But if the worst does happen, you must be prepared to assert your right to hold those who caused your injuries accountable. The first step is to speak with a qualified New York City bicycle catastrophic injury lawyer. Call Michael Gunzburg, P.C., at 212-725-8500 today to schedule a free initial consultation.
