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Avoiding Serious Bicycle Accidents in New York

A bicyclist was killed in mid-September after being hit by a car on Joshuas Path in Central Islip. Marlon Santos, 27, was pronounced dead at the scene. Although the driver of the car stopped and is cooperating with police, investigators believe other vehicles may have been involved in the fatal accident.

Car-bicycle accidents almost always, at the very least, result in serious injuries for the cyclist. Often, those injuries can be long-term and debilitating, and occasionally they can be fatal. Because the risk of injury in these accidents is so disproportionate, it’s important that bicyclists know how to reduce the likelihood of being involved in a crash in the first place. Take the following tips into consideration:

  • Obey traffic laws: The rules are in place for everyone sharing the road and help to prevent unpredictable and hazardous behavior. Intersections can be especially hazardous to bicyclists, and proceeding through them with caution will decrease the likelihood of a collision. Obeying traffic laws also protects you from liability in the event of an accident.
  • Be aware of your surroundings: It’s impossible to predict other people’s behavior, but being aware of the vehicles around you, the route you’re traveling and the weather conditions under which you’re riding can go a long way toward keeping you safe.
  • Make your presence known: Failure to wear bright and reflective clothing, especially at night and in poor weather conditions, is a major contributor to bike accidents. It’s also important to make sure your bike is equipped with lights, which help make you more visible under any conditions.
  • Avoid unnecessary risk: Inherently risky behavior, such as riding after consuming alcohol or drugs, should be avoided at all costs. Riding while impaired increases the likelihood of accident, serious injury and liability.

After a serious bicycle accident in New York, it’s important to seek medical attention and speak with a skilled attorney. For the advice you need, contact the personal injury lawyers at Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP. Our attorneys serve clients throughout Long Island, including Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

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