Bicycle Accidents from Left Turns in New York
Bicycle and pedestrian accidents are a common occurrence in New York, especially during left turns at busy intersections. The personal injuries that result can end up costing thousands of dollars in medical expenses. If the accident was caused by another driver and your injuries were severe, you may be eligible for additional compensation to cover pain and suffering. Talk to a Central New York Bicycle Accidents Lawyer to figure out your options.
Prevalence of Left Turn Accidents
108 bicyclists and pedestrians were killed by left turns between 2010 and 2014 in New York. Pedestrians and bicyclists tend to suffer injuries at 18% of the intersections in New York City. In terms of how the accidents happen, 70% of them occur at one-way streets. Some one-way street signs, especially at crowded intersections, can be difficult to see.
Reports show that the majority of left-turn accidents happened when another car was coming from a one-way street and when the receiving street had two-way lanes. Multiple lanes can confuse drivers when traffic is heavy and the weather is thick. New York has taken measures in an attempt to reduce these types of accidents. Some approaches have included left turn signals, bicycle lanes, and left-turn restrictions.
Common Bicycle Injuries
Unlike cars, bicycles have the advantage of hearing all the traffic around them without any kind of muffling,6 but this also leaves them directly exposed to the environment around them. There are no car doors or windows to protect bicyclists and pedestrians from impacts against other vehicles. This is why bicyclists and pedestrians can suffer severe injuries from car accidents.
Common bicycle injuries include bone fractures, head injuries, internal damage, soft tissue injuries, and neck injuries. Bone fractures happen most often in the leg and pelvic regions. Rib and spine fractures are also common because these are usually left unprotected. Helmets cushion the fall, but some head trauma can still occur.
Depending on the severity of the head injury, a person may recover within a few weeks or the symptoms may last for life. Riding without a helmet is highly associated with the severe end of traumatic head injuries, with symptoms like paralysis and memory disorders. Soft tissue injuries tend to consist of contusions, lacerations, and sprains. Contusions and sprains can heal on their own, but lacerations almost always need stitches.
Personal Injury Lawyer in New York
Bicycle and pedestrian accidents tend to cause catastrophic injuries that can end up costing thousands of dollars on top of the lost wages you may have to face during recovery. Insurance companies can compensate you for some of the damages, but for severe injuries, you may need additional compensation to cover things like future lost wages. An experienced Syracuse Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer can help you organize the evidence needed for cases like this.
At Gattuso & Ciotoli we offer four areas of legal practice. Contact us at (315) 314-8000 for a free consultation. You can find us in Central New York, Syracuse, Watertown, Binghamton, Syracuse, North Syracuse, Camillus, Liverpool, Cortland, and Auburn. We will work with you to investigate your claim and will represent you in court if necessary.