Bicycle accidents are serious. Most are not just close calls but accidents that completely change your life. If you’ve been hit by a car, thrown off your bike, or injured because of a road hazard, you’re likely dealing with a lot all at once. There might be missed time from work, growing medical bills, and long-term damages to be dealt with.
After a bicycle accident, it’s not just the physical pain that’s overwhelming, but figuring out what to do next can be just as confusing. And then the questions come. Who’s going to pay for this? Should I call my insurance company? What if the driver left the scene? And maybe the biggest question of all: Do I really need a lawyer after a bike accident? Can’t I just handle it on my own?
While every situation is different, the truth is that working with an experienced New Jersey bicycle accident lawyer can make a huge difference in how your case turns out, especially because injury laws and insurance rules can be much more complicated than they seem. If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident in New Jersey, you have come to the right place. The sooner you talk to a lawyer the better your chances are of getting full compensation. At Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., we’ve been helping injured cyclists stand up for their rights for over 40 years. We offer compassionate, skilled legal representation to ensure you receive compensation for your losses.
More Riders, More Bikes, More Risks
New Jersey has seen many more bikers take up riding over the past few years. With the rise of e-bikes, bike-share programs, and a focus on environmental conservation there are more bikes than ever on the road, and more accidents.
In 2024, pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities across the state reached 252, a 27% increase from 199 fatalities in 2023 (njbikeped.org). Some of these numbers can be due to the very popular and easily accessible e-bikes. These bikes can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour, so when there is an e-bike crash with a car, pedestrian, or pothole, riders can be left with more severe injuries due to negligence.
Even when riding a traditional bike with better bike lanes, there are still many drivers who don’t give cyclists space on the road. One of the most popular roadways enjoyed by bicycle riding clubs in New Jersey is Route 9W in Bergen County New Jersey. This roadway is extremely friendly to bike riders and bike club members. Route 9W runs parallel with the Palisade Interstate Parkway and runs through Fort Lee, Englewood Cliffs, Tenafly, Alpine, Rockleigh, NJ, all the way through to Palisades New York, and beyond. The roadway has wide shoulders and special bike lanes that are usually very safe to ride in, however, periodically bike riders on route 9W are involved in bike accidents with cars or commercial vehicles like delivery trucks and vans usually due to the negligence of the car or truck driver.
Having a personal injury lawyer on your side can really make a difference in finding and proving fault, determining damages, and ensuring that all legal options are explored so you can receive the justice and compensation you deserve.
Common Injuries After a Bicycle Accident
After a bike accident, your priority should always be your health. When hit while riding a bike, you don’t have the same protection as someone inside a car. There are no seat belts, no airbags, and no metal frame to absorb the impact. Many riders think they’re fine after a crash because they can walk away, but some injuries can take days or weeks to show symptoms. Even though internal injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and chronic pain symptoms can be delayed, they can dramatically change your ability to work, care for your family, and enjoy life the way you did before the accident.
Some of the most common injuries are:
- Concussion, head injuries, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Neck, back, and spine injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Fractured bones
- Scars, road rash, and other lacerations
- Dental injuries
- Emotional damages, like PTSD
- In extreme cases, death
Medical costs are only one piece of the puzzle. Injuries from these accidents can affect your job, health, and day-to-day life. These damages deserve compensation, but without years of experience and legal knowledge, most people can’t negotiate justice on their own. That’s why it’s so important to take the next steps seriously and know when to ask for help.
Working with an experienced and skilled New Jersey bicycle accident attorney or personal injury lawyer will make sure that all factors (past, present, future) and evidence are considered in your case, so you’re taken care of every step of the way.
What You Should Do After a Bicycle Accident
Many bicycle crashes happen in common places like crosswalks, intersections, and residential roads and neighborhoods. Some common accidents are cars turning without seeing a cyclist, drivers opening doors without checking for bikes, or riders losing control after hitting a pothole or dangerous roads. It’s important to know what steps to take after an accident to help you get back on your feet as soon as possible.
If you’re ever in a bike accident, here’s what you should do:
- Seek medical attention
- Call the police and request a copy of the police report
- Take pictures of the scene
- Get contact info from anyone involved and any witnesses
- Call a personal injury lawyer who has experience with bicycle accidents in New Jersey
How a Lawyer Can Actually Help
After being seen by a medical professional, the next steps can get confusing fast. Who’s responsible for the crash? Will your medical bills be covered? What if the driver doesn’t have insurance, or worse, doesn’t stop at all? And am I eligible for any compensation for my damages?
These are complicated questions, and the answers depend on the details of the accident and New Jersey laws. For example, New Jersey follows a no-fault insurance system, meaning your own auto insurance may cover some of your medical bills even if you weren’t driving. If your injuries are serious, you may also be eligible to file a lawsuit against the driver or another negligent party, but only if you meet certain legal thresholds.
Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., founding and managing partner Garry R. Salomon Esq., is highly respected for his skill in motorcycle and bicycle accident cases and has successfully represented thousands of injured clients over his 35 years as an attorney. He is the author of The Consumer’s Guide to New Jersey Personal Injury Claims a clear, practical, and easy-to-understand guide to help New Jersey residents understand their legal rights after being injured due to someone else’s negligence. To request your own free copy of The Consumer’s Guide to New Jersey Personal Injury Claims please click this link: Free Legal Guide!
Garry is highly experienced in motorcycle and bicycle accident cases, helping countless victims and their families secure the compensation they deserve, including winning several multi-million-dollar settlements. He has earned several other awards in recognition of his legal accomplishments and devotion to his clients. He is certified as a Civil Trial Attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey an honor bestowed upon less than 2% of all New Jersey lawyers. The organization National Trial Lawyers has named him one of the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers,” and 201 Magazine has listed him as one of “Bergen’s Top Trial Lawyers.” In addition to being recognized for 15 years as a “SuperLawyer” by Thomson Reuters Corporation in its annual SuperLawyers list, he has been recognized by Martindale Hubble, a highly respected and reputable attorney peer review rating organization by conferring upon him an “AV” rating which is their highest rating possible for an attorney. For over 25 consecutive years, Garry has been a member of the Board of Governors of the New Jersey Association for Justice (NJAJ) and contributes twice a year to legal conferences and seminars and founded as co-moderator and co-chairman the Meadowlands and Boardwalk Seminars sponsored by NJAJ.
If you’ve been injured in a bike accident in New Jersey, time matters. Medical records, photos, and witness memories can fade fast. New Jersey also has strict time limits for filing injury claims, so the longer you wait, the harder it can be to protect your rights. Even if you’re not sure you need a lawyer, it costs nothing to find out. You deserve to know your options, understand your rights, and have someone on your side who can fight for what you’re owed.
Hurt in a Bicycle Accident? You’re Not Alone.
Many people assume they don’t need a lawyer after a bike accident, but the reality is that bike accident claims are more complicated than they seem. Even the most experienced and cautious cyclists still end up in accidents because of other’s negligence. If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident in New Jersey, don’t wait. The sooner you talk to a lawyer the better your chances are of getting full compensation. At Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., we’ve been helping injured cyclists stand up for their rights for over 40 years. We offer compassionate, skilled legal representation to ensure you receive compensation for your losses.
Clients seeking experienced personal injury lawyers in Teaneck, NJ, or the surrounding Bergen County area can contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. at 1-800-LAW-2000 or via email at info@dsslaw.com. Our firm offers free, no-obligation, consultations and second opinions, and has offices throughout New Jersey and New York City.
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Since 1981, the compassionate personal injury lawyers at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon have been delivering results for our deserving clients. We are solely committed to helping injured individuals, never representing corporations. No matter how large or small your personal injury case is, you can trust that it is important to us.
