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Injured in an Accident? We Can Help. Call for a Free Consultation. 24/7

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Injured in an Accident? We Can Help. Call for a Free Consultation. 24/7   212-808-8092

Car Accidents

Injured in an Accident? We Can Help. Call for a Free Consultation. 24/7   212-808-8092

2025 New York Bicycle Laws and Accident Claims: Understanding Your Rights

NY bicycle laws

New 2025 New York Bicycle Laws at a Glance: What NY Cyclists and Drivers Need to Know

Bicycle accident claims in New York often come down to one thing—whether everyone followed the rules. In 2025, New York introduced a new set of New York bicycle laws aimed at improving safety for cyclists across the five boroughs. If you ride through Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens, you now have more rights—and more responsibilities. Lets go over the New York bicycle laws that have a direct impact on you.

These updated laws don’t just help prevent crashes—they can strengthen your claim if you’re injured.

🚴 2025 Bicycle Laws: Key Changes That Affect Your Legal Rights

New York lawmakers responded to an increase in bicycle crashes with sweeping updates in 2025. These changes to New York bicycle laws help protect cyclists and make it easier to establish fault in injury claims. Here’s a quick look at what’s new:

  • Higher Fines for “Dooring”
    Opening a car door into a cyclist’s path is now a costlier mistake. In 2025, fines were increased significantly for this violation. Drivers must check their mirrors before opening doors into traffic.

  • Side Guards Now Required on Many Trucks
    Certain commercial trucks in NYC must now have side guards to prevent cyclists from being pulled under during a crash. This rule aims to reduce the number of fatal injuries from side-impact collisions.

  • More Protected Bike Lanes
    The NYC Department of Transportation is expanding protected bike lanes across all five boroughs. These separated lanes give cyclists their own space and reduce risk from turning vehicles.

  • Revised Failure-to-Yield Law
    Drivers who fail to yield to cyclists at intersections now face tougher penalties. If a cyclist is seriously injured due to failure-to-yield, it can be charged as a criminal offense.

These updates support existing New York bicycle laws and rules that already require drivers to treat bicycles like other vehicles. If a driver breaks the law and causes a crash, that violation can be used as evidence of negligence.

🛑 Know Your Rights & Responsibilities as a Cyclist or Driver

Both drivers and cyclists share the road—and the legal responsibilities that come with it.

PartyRightsResponsibilities
CyclistsRight to share the road; use of bike lanes; ability to recover damagesObey traffic signals, ride with traffic, use hand signals, wear a helmet (mandatory under age 14)
DriversExpect cyclists to follow traffic rulesYield when turning, check blind spots, give space, don’t open doors into traffic

💡 Tip: New York follows a comparative negligence rule. This means your compensation could be reduced if you were partly at fault. Following all traffic laws makes your case stronger.

⏳ Filing Deadlines for NY Bicycle Accident Claims

Time matters. Here’s what you need to know:

  • General Deadline: You have 3 years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
  • Claims Involving Government Vehicles or Roads: You must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the crash.

Missing these deadlines could bar you from recovering any compensation. Always consult a lawyer as soon as possible.

⚖️ How These New York Bicycle Laws Impact Your Case

The 2025 laws make it easier to hold negligent drivers accountable. Here’s how:

  • Side Guards: If you’re hit by a truck that lacked legally required side guards, that violation can support your claim.
  • Dooring: The increased fines reinforce the seriousness of this offense. A driver who doors you is clearly in the wrong.
  • Failure to Yield: Stronger penalties help prove that failing to yield to cyclists is a serious, chargeable offense.

⚠️ On the flip side, if you break traffic rules—like riding against traffic or skipping signals—insurance companies may argue you were partly at fault. That can reduce your payout.

🧠 New York Bicycle Laws |Helpful Resources

Want to ride smarter (and safer)? Check out these resources:

🧾 FAQ: Bicycle Accident Claims in New York

new york bicycle laws

Can I still sue if I was partly at fault?
Yes. New York allows claims under comparative negligence. Your compensation may be reduced based on your share of fault.

Is a police report required?
If anyone is injured, yes—report the crash. A police report helps your claim and may be legally required.

What damages can I recover?
You may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost income
  • Pain and suffering

Do I need a lawyer for a minor crash?
Possibly. Even small injuries can worsen. A free consultation can help you decide.

✅ Next Steps: Protect Your Rights After a Bicycle Accident

Understanding New York’s updated bicycle laws not only makes you a safer rider—it puts you in a stronger legal position. If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle crash, our experienced legal team is here to help.

👉 Contact our NYC bicycle accident attorney Brett Nomberg today for a free consultation.

Select A Practice Area

Construction Accident

$1,700,000

$1.7 million verdict in New York County against the driver of a delivery truck who struck a man as he was crossing the street within the crosswalk in Manhattan.

Motor Vehicle Accident

$3,600,000

$3.6 Million settlement in New York Supreme Court for a Spanish speaking construction worker who fell off a 6 foot ladder and landed onto metal and wooden debris. The worker required lumbar spinal surgery for his injuries and needed surgeries to both knees from the fall. The worker could not return to work and suffered depression from his injuries resulting in a suicide attempt.

Construction Accident

$3,200,000

$3.2 million verdict in Queens Supreme Court for an undocumented Polish speaking construction worker who fell 12 feet during a demolition project. The worker fractured a vertebrae and herniated several discs in his spine requiring surgery. The plaintiff was unable to return back to work due to his injuries.

Motor Vehicle Accident

$1,500,000

$1.5 million verdict in Supreme Court Kings County for a woman struck by a car that jumped the curb and hit the pedestrian while standing on the sidewalk across from Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

Slip And Fall Accident

$1,900,000

$1.9 million verdict in New York Supreme Court for a bank manager who slipped and fell on a wet floor, resulting in spinal injuries. The building owner knew about a recurring leak inside the basement cafeteria but failed to correct the problem.

Construction Accident

$2,000,000

$2 million settlement in Queens Supreme Court for Polish construction worker who fell 2 stories from a bucket. The worker’s supervisor told the construction worker to ride the material bucket down to use the bathroom because it would save time. The worker fractured his pelvis in several places requiring surgery and was unable to return to work.

Medical Malpractice

$4,500,000

Defense counsel offers 11 cents to settle before trial and the jury renders a verdict of $4.5 million dollars for a medical malpractice victim and his wife. The action was commenced in New York Supreme Court for a patient who suffered massive internal bleeding during a lower back surgery when the surgeon negligently cut an artery and failed to promptly treat the condition, causing a loss of oxygen and injury to the brain. The anesthesiologist failed to properly monitor the patient’s vitals during the surgery and alert the surgeon of the drop in blood pressure.

Assault

$1,250,000

$1.25 million settlement in New York Supreme Court against building owner for negligent security that caused two women to be assaulted while leaving work. A masked man entered their elevator from a floor that was supposed to be closed off for construction. The assailant used a metal pipe to attack the two women. The two women split the settlement monies.

Construction Accident

$1,500,000

$1.5 Million settlement in New York Supreme Court for a construction worker who was struck by a piece of concrete that fell on his head and back. Workers above were chipping concrete despite knowing that people were working directly below them. The plaintiff required surgery on his neck but made a good recovery.

Medical Malpractice

$3,900,000

$3.9 million settlement in Supreme Court Kings County for a Brooklyn man who suffered a stroke shortly following an eye surgery. The patient was given medical clearance for local anesthesia but instead was placed under general anesthesia for 7 hours. The patient’s blood pressure was not well controlled resulting in a 30 minute hypertensive emergency near the end of the operation. The patient died after 7 years of living in different nursing homes.

Slip, Trip and Fall, New York

$1,400,000

$1.4 Million settlement for Queens Hispanic woman who slipped and fell on ice walking out the door of her rented basement apartment.

CLIENT REVIEWS

    I did not think myself that we will win this difficult matter and become victorious, especially after being rejected by numerous other attorneys…but your professionalism Brett, dedication and determination, not to mention a huge heart, was how we prevailed

ALEKSANDER J.

    When I brought my situation to a local attorney he directed me to Brett Nomberg, and I’m so glad he did. Someone always was able to give me a status of what was going on. Your team made my wife and I realize we were dealing with a truly professional firm and at the same time, sympathetic to our needs. Great job. Excellent Customer Service.

GREG M.

    I want to thank you for all the help and support that was given to my parents by you and your colleagues. Your firm’s time, effort and dedication, is without question second to none and this led to a successful settlement

PAT R.

    We can’t thank you enough for the wonderful representation you provided and for believing in our case. It was very vindicating to have a judge and jury decide in our favor.

JANE AND TOM D.

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