Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Manhattan, NY | Cherny & Podolsky
If you need a bicycle accident lawyer in Manhattan after being hit while riding, Cherny & Podolsky is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Our office is just 20 to 30 minutes away via the Brooklyn Bridge or FDR Drive. A crash with a car, a dooring, or a bad bike lane can leave you hurt, facing bills, and an insurer that wants to pay less than you deserve.
Our firm has represented injured cyclists since 2008. We have 18 years of experience and have recovered more than $45 million for clients. We are licensed in New York and ready to handle your claim.
Call or request a free consultation online to schedule your case review | 2681 East 14th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
No Fee Unless We Win |
$45M+ Recovered Since 2008 |
Multilingual Staff |
ABOUT THE SERVICE
How We Build Your Bicycle Accident Case
When you’re hit while riding, we find out exactly what happened and identify every party who may share the blame. Then we build a case to recover full, fair compensation. This work starts the moment you reach out for a bicycle accident case review.
We request police reports, traffic camera footage, and photos of the scene. We also talk to witnesses before their memories fade.
We handle claims involving:
- Cyclists struck by cars, trucks, or rideshare vehicles
- Dooring incidents
- Crashes from poor road conditions or bike lane defects
- Hit-and-run collisions
New York’s no-fault insurance covers your basic medical bills and lost wages after a crash with a motor vehicle. But it caps out at $50,000. To seek pain and suffering beyond that cap, your injury generally needs to meet the state’s serious injury threshold.
We work with your doctors, and outside experts when needed, to show the true extent of your injuries. We also deal directly with adjusters, who often try to blame the cyclist to shrink what they pay.
Having a bicycle accident lawyer in Manhattan on your side from the start helps you avoid taking less than your claim is worth.
LOCAL CONTEXT
Where Cycling Risks Run Highest
Manhattan has one of the largest protected bike lane networks in the entire country, and cycling here keeps growing every year through Citi Bike and everyday commuters. According to Streetsblog NYC, NYC DOT data shows Manhattan saw a 26 percent reduction in cyclist injury risk on streets with new protected bike lanes. Citywide, protected lanes cut injury risk by up to 34 percent compared to streets with no bike infrastructure at all.
Common hazards that riders face regularly include:
- Dooring, when a parked driver opens a door without checking
- Vehicles turning across a bike lane without yielding
- Illegally parked cars and trucks blocking protected bike lanes
- Delivery vehicles and taxis cutting into bike lanes at intersections
Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1214, a driver cannot open a car door into moving traffic unless it’s reasonably safe to do so first. This is the legal basis for most dooring claims, and it places the duty squarely on the driver, not the rider.
Whether your crash happened in a protected lane, at an intersection, or on a shared street, a bicycle accident lawyer in Manhattan can help you find out who is responsible.
OUR PROCESS
What Happens After You Contact Us
Every bicycle accident case follows a similar overall path from start to finish. The exact timeline can shift based on how serious your injuries are and how quickly the insurance company responds.
- Free Case Evaluation
We start with a free, no-obligation call to hear exactly what happened and explain your legal options in plain language. You leave this call with a clear picture of your rights and what happens next.
- Evidence Collection
Our team moves fast to secure police reports, traffic camera footage, and witness statements. This includes guidance on filing a claim without a police report when one wasn’t taken at the scene. Footage from nearby cameras can disappear within days, so timing matters here.
- Medical Documentation
We work with your doctors and, when needed, outside specialists to build a full record of your injuries, treatment, and outlook for recovery. This record forms the base of your claim’s value and covers any future needs tied to your ongoing recovery.
- Liability Investigation
We identify every party who may share fault, whether a driver, a delivery company, a rideshare service, or the city itself if a road defect or missing bike lane protection caused or contributed to your crash.
- Settlement or Litigation
We negotiate directly with the insurance company for you, using your full record of damages to back up what we’re asking for. If they won’t offer a fair deal, we’re fully ready to take your case to court.
From your first call to the final result, you work directly with our attorneys. There’s no call center and no rotating case manager passing your file around. We keep you informed every step of the way, and our own Bicycle Accident Claim in NY guide covers even more detail on this process.
Hit While Riding a Bike Nearby?
Call 718-449-5100 or email info@cplawfirm.net | 2681 East 14th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
WHY CHOOSE US
How Our Firm Stands Out for Cyclists
The right legal team truly affects how your case is handled and what you ultimately recover.
Nearly Two Decades of Experience
We’ve represented injured cyclists since 2008, and we truly know how insurers try to shift the blame onto riders. Our attorneys build cases that hold up in negotiation and in court proceedings.
Fast Evidence Preservation
Traffic camera footage and bike lane conditions change fast. We act quickly, often within the first 48 hours after your crash, before evidence disappears for good.
Licensed in New York
We hold a full New York State license and know the local court system and the insurers well. This local knowledge helps your case move forward faster and smoother.
Direct Attorney Access
You’ll always speak with your actual attorney, not a rotating desk of assistants. You’ll always know exactly where your case truly stands.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Call 911 so police can document the scene and create a report.
- Seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Photograph your bike, the vehicle, and any bike lane markings or defects.
Crashes near protected lanes on avenues like 1st, 2nd, 8th, and 9th often involve delivery trucks. Contact a bicycle accident lawyer in Manhattan before speaking with any insurance company.
No. Citi Bike riders have the same legal rights as anyone on a personal bike. The same rules and deadlines apply either way.
New York law places the duty on the driver, not the rider. Under Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1214, a driver must check that it’s safe before opening a door into traffic.
It depends on how much fault you share. Under a 2026 law change, you cannot recover if your fault is greater than the driver’s. If your fault is 50 percent or less, your award is reduced by your share of the blame.
You generally have three years from the accident date. A city vehicle or bike lane defect case may need a Notice of Claim within 90 days.
It depends on your injuries, treatment, lost income, and insurance. Truck or delivery crashes often cause worse harm, raising a claim’s value. We offer a free consultation for an honest assessment.
TAKE ACTION
Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Manhattan Ready to Help
Cherny & Podolsky is a bicycle accident lawyer in Manhattan handling cases for riders hurt anywhere in the borough.
Our office is at 2681 East 14th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11235, about 20 to 30 minutes from Manhattan. Remote consultations are available for clients who prefer to connect from home.
Business Hours
Monday through Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Ready to talk to a bicycle accident lawyer in Manhattan about your case?
Call 718-449-5100 or email info@cplawfirm.net | 2681 East 14th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Contact Cherny & Podolsky PLLC directly for a free consultation regarding your specific situation.
