Personal injury law protects people in many ways. However, negligent drivers often take advantage of cyclists who don't understand the law to avoid compensating them when accidents occur.
Bicycle crashes are more common than they should be. Personal injury claims are the best way for riders to seek justice for the damage they receive. The problem with that is that there are many misconceptions related to how this legal process works.
This page's goal is to clear the most common bicycle accident myths in NY. Reading it will help cyclists who don't know what to do when they get into a crash.
It's essential to have the number of a personal injury lawyer at hand. They will fight to give victims of a collision the financial compensation they deserve. In Long Island, New York, people can count on the Law Office of Carl Maltese to take these cases. Anyone can schedule a free consultation. We can also assist with common motorcycle accident myths in NY.

Why Is It Important to Demystify Bicycle Accidents?
Clearing the myths people create around bicycle accidents is more important than people think. First, it promotes road safety. Once everyone understands what causes these crashes, they will be more proactive in keeping them from happening in the first place.
Many riders get unfair treatment because they don't understand bicycle regulations. Even if they are obeying traffic laws, drivers trick them into thinking they don't have a legal way to defend themselves.
Raising awareness for bike accidents and letting people know the legal tools they can use in an emergency protects the cyclists' rights, enhances road sharing, and promotes safety.
People don't need to memorize the law to ride safely. They only have to understand the rights and duties they have when riding a bicycle.
What Are the Most Common Bicycle Accident Myths in New York?
Traffic rules are meant to protect drivers, riders, and pedestrians from accidents. However, many people fail to follow these regulations. This is something that happens in small towns and major cities, such as NYC.
When these crashes occur, victims have the right to seek compensation for property damage, medical bills, and lost wages. Nonetheless, they must understand how this process works to do so.
Drivers and motorists alike should read on to know the most common bicycle accident myths in NY and the truth behind them. Readers will surely learn something new about their legal rights and duties after checking out the information below. For more information, a bicycle accident attorney in Long Island may be able to help.
"Cyclists Are Always at Fault for Crashes"
Unlike what many people think, cyclists are not always at fault for crashes. If that were true, no one would choose riding a bike over other transportation alternatives. This is one of the lies that negligent drivers tell people to avoid legal consequences after an accident.
The truth is that cyclists and motorists share the same road rights and responsibilities. Therefore, it's equally possible for both to be at fault for a crash.
There are a wide variety of situations where drivers can cause a collision. That includes rear-end collisions, doorings, distracted driving, or failure to yield.
If a bike rider were to file a personal injury claim, the process would be the same as it would be with a pedestrian, driver, or any other party.
"Bicycle Riders Don't Need to Wear a Helmet"
Head injuries can lead to severe health problems. They are one of the main reasons people die in car accidents. That's what makes wearing bike helmets so important.
Many riders think they are not legally required to wear one, but that's not entirely true. While not all cyclists need to do it, the ones under the age of 14 must always wear a helmet when they ride.
If law enforcement officers find children riding without a helmet, the rider's parents may have to pay a fine. Needless to say, they would be determined negligent if their kid suffered a traumatic brain injury while cycling.
"Cyclists Can Only Ride on Bike Lanes"
The existence and expansion of protected bike lanes have made people think that riders can only ride there. That's not true. As mentioned before, cyclists share the same rights and responsibilities as drivers, which means they can ride in regular traffic lanes.
Naturally, cyclists still need to follow all the traffic regulations that apply to other drivers. The idea of having a bicycle lane is for riders to choose which options work best for them, depending on the situation. That also promotes pedestrian safety.
Sometimes, parked cars block bike lanes, which keeps riders from using them. Learning how traffic regulations work helps all drivers make an informed decision when choosing which transportation alternative they want to try.
"Riders Can't Sue a Driver After an Accident"
Road users are all the same in a legal context. Hence, no one has a privileged position over the others. Motorized vehicles can be liable for an accident, just as cyclists and pedestrians.
Therefore, riders can sue a driver after a collision, as any other party would in a personal injury case. Likewise, the lawsuit would allow the cyclist to get compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses.
To sue another driver to recover damages, riders have to hire a lawyer to find evidence and build a strong case against them. Once they do that, they file a formal complaint to the court.
In these cases, the court process server sends the defendant a copy of the complaint to let them know of the situation. That person has a set amount of time to either contest or not contest the claim.
If they contest it, the process will start, and both parties will have the chance to negotiate. When they agree on a settlement that benefits both, the case will end.
Given the situation that the defendant and the plaintiff can't get to an agreement, the process goes to trial. However, most people prefer to find a settlement with the other party to ensure themselves a part of the compensation they need.
Factors such as riders not wearing helmets may damage their position in a future lawsuit. The law could consider them to be negligent as well.
What Can Cyclists Get Compensation for After an Accident with Motor Vehicles?
Many cyclists don't know how much financial support they can get for an accident or what they can receive compensation for. This is essential for the case, as it determines the amount of money the settlement will give them.
First, people have economic damages. That includes quantifiable losses people can give a price to. Among them, riders can find lost wages, medical bills, or out-of-pocket expenses.
Things get trickier when talking about non-economic damages. Here, people get compensation for unquantifiable losses that don't have a price. Some examples are emotional distress, physical pain, loss of the enjoyment of life, or psychological trauma.
Courts can use many methods to quantify non-economic damages, but everything depends on the specific case they handle at the moment.

Most Common Injuries After a Bicycle Accident
Cyclists don't have the protective barrier of a car when they get into a crash, which makes accidents much more dangerous for them. The injuries in these cases are often the same.
Riders not wearing helmets will most likely get a traumatic brain injury if they suffer a collision. That could cause loss of memory, paralysis, or even death.
The damage riders get when crashing with other vehicles depends on how the collision goes and where they get hit. Cyclists could also suffer soft tissue or spinal cord injuries. Broken bones, fractures, and lacerations are often common in these situations, too.
It's fundamental for the case that victims know the exact wounds they are suffering from. That's a key factor in determining how much money they will receive after they file a personal injury claim. How can they know that? By visiting a doctor.
Making a doctor's appointment is the first thing victims have to do after an accident. Not only because it's the best for the case but also due to how important it is to treat health problems quickly.
When people don't get the medical attention they need, mild injuries could become severe and cause lifetime consequences.
Conclusion
Myths come to life when many people share a common misconception. The problem with that is that misinformation can cause negative consequences. In the case of riders, they could think they are not required to wear a helmet if they are 14 years old or younger and get into a fatal accident because of that.
Even if a rider is part of a mild crash, common myths could keep them from pursuing legal action against the negligent party who caused the collision. Therefore, they would have to pay for everything out of their own pocket or just ignore their injuries, which is worse.
Although this page clears some of the most common myths about bicyclists and accidents, there are many more of them. Thus, anyone with concerns about this matter should always consult them with a lawyer who specializes in that practice area. Our team also specializes in common pedestrian accident myths in NY.
The Law Office of Carl Maltese, for example, focuses on personal injury legal matters. All the attorneys working for it are more than qualified to take these cases and answer any questions their clients may have.
Victims of a bicycle accident in Long Island, New York, shouldn't hesitate to contact this firm and schedule a free consultation.