Bike-Share Accidents In Buffalo, New York

Jed Dietrich, Esq. is Recognized as a Best Lawyer of America, and He Will Aggressively and Tenaciously Fight to Attempt to Obtain the Best Result Possible for People Who Were Injured in Bike-Share Accidents in Western New York.

Bike-sharing initiatives began springing up in the United States around 2010, and cities around the country have reported that since their introduction, a third of a billion people have used bike-share transportation. It has been so popular that it increased by 60% from just last year, making it a record 138 million trips on shared bikes in the United States. Bike-share programs were designed to help cities develop climate change goals and to improve the mobility and health of their communities. For example, in Buffalo, New York, bike share programs were developed in 2016 to improve health and expand the availability of transportation methods to the people of Buffalo. So far, hundreds of bikes have been provided throughout the Western New York region, and these programs only look to increase the number of bike-shares as it becomes a favored mode of transportation.

As for the safety of bike-sharing, some studies have shown that cities that implemented bike-sharing programs have had fewer cyclist-related accidents than cities without bike-sharing programs, due in part to an increase in bike safety measures that come along with such programs. Despite the positive outlook on bike-share programs, cyclist accidents will nonetheless continue to happen, especially since there are more cyclist commuters in the United States than in recent history. People who use bike-sharing programs should be cognizant of the risks associated with using them, such as the user’s unfamiliarity with the weight and control of the bike, and in some extreme cases, brake cables on some bikes have even been cut out of acts of vandalism, which could lead the user to suffer severe injuries as they might be unaware of the bike’s defects. There could also be confusion as to liability for injuries when a bike-share user is involved in an accident since the bike programs are often owned by city administrations or non-profit organizations.

As mentioned above, studies have reported that it is safer to use bikes from bike-share programs than personal bikes. Bike-shares might be safer because of the design of the bikes, as they feature heavier and sturdier frames, making them slower to maneuver and harder to make erratic moves. Bike-share users are usually unfamiliar with the bikes, which forces users to ride more carefully and think about traffic rules more, one study found. Despite the safety benefits from the design and more cautious riders, the activity of cycling is inherently dangerous, and for bike-share users, there may be a serious risk of suffering head injuries as most bike-share programs do not mandate wearing helmets. To mitigate risks associated with using bike-shares, the following are some tips riders should keep in mind:

1. Always remember to bring a helmet;
2. Check your bike to make sure the seat is securely fastened, the breaks are working, there is air in the tires, and the wheels are working as intended; and
3. When finished with your ride, ensure that the bike is in a safe area and is securely locked.

Along with these useful tips, cyclists are always encouraged to look out for traffic and to ride defensively. In some cases, accidents with motor vehicles may be unavoidable, especially if they are caused by a negligent motorist. Bike-share users or cyclists who were injured in such accidents may be able to recover financial compensation for their injuries. Injured cyclists should seek competent legal representation to better understand their rights and what damages they can claim in their personal injury case.

Do not hesitate to act! If you, a loved one, was injured while using a bike from a bike-share program and had to seek medical attention, immediately call nationally recognized Best Lawyer of America Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his team of highly qualified attorneys at 716-839-3939. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. can be reached at any hour and at any time of day to schedule a free consultation for your bike-share injury claim.

There are several scenarios in which bike-share users may be injured, and the scenario and circumstances may affect who is liable for the sustained injuries. If a bike-share user were to be involved in an accident with a vehicle, the injured bike-share user would go through the legal steps of claiming compensation from the motorist’s insurance company or from the motorist directly. This is because the injury and the question of liability falls squarely between the bike-share user and the motorist, even though the bike itself belongs to a local municipality or organization. Damages to the bike would likely be paid by the negligent party in such a case.

In an alternate scenario, if the bike-share user was injured by way of a defect from the bike, the bike-share program will be liable if the injured user can prove there was a material defect that caused the injuries. The cities or organizations that run these bike-share programs will often try to limit their liability, usually by forcing the bike-share user to sign a waiver before renting a bike. City administrations or program organizers may also limit their liability for accidents and defects by mandating bike-share users watch a safety video or attend safety classes before being allowed to rent a bike. Although cities, companies, and organizations will undoubtedly try to limit their liability, injured bike-share users can still file a claim for financial compensation if they can establish that the city or program acted negligently.

Bike-share accidents can be complicated and can potentially involve multiple liable parties, which is why injured bike-share users should seek expert personal injury lawyers to handle their claims. Jed Dietrich, Esq. is a renowned personal injury lawyer in the Western New York area, and he will always strive to achieve the best results for his clients. To shed light on Jed Dietrich, Esq.’s steadfast determination to fight for his clients’ cases, he has secured at least $1,000,000 or more 38 times in personal injury cases. By retaining Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his team of seasoned personal injury attorneys at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., you can rest assured that your bike share injury claim is in excellent hands.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. is a peer-reviewed and nationally acclaimed personal injury law firm with exceptionally talented attorneys. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. can give injured bike-share users the legal representation they need in order to handle their personal injury claim, and the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. will never charge a fee until we WIN for you!

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 716-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!