Published: · 4 min read
If you were injured in a bicycle accident in New York City, this updated 2025 guide walks you through everything you need to know — from how to prove fault and deal with insurance, to documenting road conditions and preserving your rights. Whether the crash happened on a Bronx street, near a bus stop, or while using a delivery bike, this guide is for you.
If you were hit while riding a bike in the Bronx — by a car, an Uber, a delivery van, or even a city bus — you’ve probably already figured something out:
The system wasn’t designed to help cyclists.
From unclear police reports, to delayed pain, to insurers who downplay bike injuries as "scrapes and bruises," NYC bike accident victims face a specific set of problems that drivers and pedestrians don’t.
This guide is here to walk you through all of it:
-What to do immediately after the crash
-How insurance coverage really works (even if the car fled the scene)
-What makes or breaks a case involving soft-tissue injuries or “invisible” trauma
-And how to build proof — even if you didn’t go to the ER
Professional Insight:
This guide is for people who were:
-Hit while riding a regular bicycle, Citi Bike, or electric bike
-Involved in a crash with a private car, rideshare (Uber/Lyft), taxi, or commercial vehicle
-Not in a marked bike lane, or were partially at fault
-Injured — even if there were no broken bones or ambulance
-Trying to get medical care, get their police report, or get the insurance to stop giving them the runaround
It also applies to people who:
Went to urgent care, not the ER
Didn’t get a name or plate at the scene
Filed a claim and got a lowball offer — or denial
Real-World Bronx Profiles:
-A Bronx high school student hit by a car pulling out of a spot in Fordham — didn’t go to the hospital, now can’t sleep from back pain
-A delivery worker hit by a rideshare while biking through Tremont — Uber denies it was their fault
-A cyclist sideswiped by a speeding driver near Grand Concourse — driver fled, no plate, now unsure how to get coverage
-A 28-year-old Citi Bike rider hit crossing Pelham Parkway — didn’t get the driver’s info, but her Apple Watch logged the impact
If any of these sound like you — this guide is for you.
✅ A. Adjusters See Bikes as "Low-Injury" Cases
Professional Insight:
Even though bike crashes can cause serious trauma, insurers often treat them as low-dollar cases. Why? Because there’s usually no ambulance, no hospital, and no visible damage to a vehicle.
They see:
No frame damage (like in a car)
No ER record
Delayed urgent care visits
Vague complaints like “neck pain” or “back tightness”
To them, it looks like:
“Probably just a bruise. Not worth much.”
The result? Bicycle injuries are routinely undervalued — even when there’s disc damage, ligament tears, or long-term disability.
Real-World Bronx Example:
A Citi Bike rider heading down White Plains Road gets clipped by a turning SUV. He falls sideways and lands hard on his hip. Walks it off. Goes to BronxDocs two days later. MRI eventually shows a torn labrum. The insurer initially offers $1,200 — assuming it was “a simple fall.” Only after a formal medical writeup and video footage does the case get revalued as a high-grade orthopedic injury.
✅ B. Fault Is Often Blurred — and Used Against You
Professional Insight:
Bike accidents are often messy. The driver says you darted into traffic. The police report is vague. There’s no dash cam. It becomes your word against theirs — and insurers use that to deny or reduce claims.
Unlike car crashes, where vehicle damage shows who hit who, bike crashes rarely have clear proof. That gives adjusters room to say:
“Our driver wasn’t at fault — the cyclist came out of nowhere.”
Even in shared bike lanes or crosswalks, they may try to pin partial blame on the rider. You’ll need evidence to show you were following traffic rules — or at least that the driver was acting negligently.
Real-World Bronx Example:
A cyclist crossing East Tremont Ave in a shared-use crosswalk gets hit by a turning delivery van. The driver says she “shouldn’t have been riding there.” The police aren’t sure who had right of way. The insurer denies the claim. It’s only after reviewing NYC DOT guidelines — which allow biking in shared-use crosswalks — that the claim is reopened. Most cyclists don’t even know they had the right to be there.
✅ C. Many Bike Crashes Involve Uninsured or Unknown Drivers
Professional Insight:
Bicyclists are often victims of:
Hit-and-runs
Ghost rideshare drivers (no decal, no ID)
Out-of-state commercial vehicles
Uninsured or suspended-license drivers
That means even if you’re not at fault, you may have no obvious party to file against — and urgent care or imaging providers won’t know where to send the bill.
You need to:
Identify the plate, even partial
File a police report within 24 hours
Consider applying through MVAIC (Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corp) — New York’s backup fund for victims
Real-World Bronx Example:
A teenage cyclist is hit near Crotona Avenue by a car that flees the scene. No plate. No Uber decal. He gets treated at urgent care, but the family has no idea who pays. They don’t file a police report until day 3. Later, when applying to MVAIC, they’re told the report came in too late. Case denied. A 15-minute delay at the scene turned into a lost claim.
✅ Step 1: Get the Plate Number — Even If You’re in Pain
Professional Insight:
Your entire claim hinges on identifying the vehicle that hit you. Without a plate, you may not be able to file a no-fault claim or personal injury lawsuit — unless you qualify under MVAIC (and even then, you’ll need a police report fast).
If the car fled, get even part of the plate. If you’re in pain, ask a bystander. Get:
Plate number (even 3–4 digits)
Make and model
Color
Any business logos or Uber/Lyft stickers
Time, location, and direction of travel
If the driver stays, take a photo of the plate and the front of the car — not just the side view.
Real-World Bronx Example:
A Bronx delivery worker is hit on 3rd Ave near 149th Street. The driver says, “You’re fine,” and leaves. The cyclist’s friend catches the last 4 digits of the plate and sees a white TLC sticker. That partial plate and description is enough to track the vehicle and confirm it was an active Uber. Without it, the claim would’ve defaulted to MVAIC — and possibly been denied.
✅ Step 2: Call the Police — and Stay for the Report
Professional Insight:
Even if you’re not severely injured, you need a formal MV-104 police report. Without it, insurers can claim there’s no proof the crash occurred — especially in bike cases, where there’s no vehicle damage or hospital visit.
Tell the officer:
That you were on a bike
Where and how you were hit
If you have any pain, say so (neck, shoulder, knee, etc.) — even if it seems minor
Ask for the report number before leaving, or use the NYPD precinct lookup to get it online later.
Real-World Bronx Example:
A woman biking through Pelham Bay is sideswiped by a speeding car. The driver apologizes, gives a name, and leaves. No cops called. She goes to urgent care the next day. When she files a claim, the insurer says: “There’s no crash report.” Her lawyer spends 4 weeks trying to verify the event. If she had called the police, the case would’ve started with a timestamped report.
✅ Step 3: Go to Urgent Care or a Doctor — Within 72 Hours
Professional Insight:
You do not need an ambulance or ER to have a case — but you must get medical attention within 3 days, or insurers will argue your injuries weren’t real or crash-related.
Urgent care is acceptable if:
The provider notes it was a motor vehicle accident
You explain the crash and mechanism of injury (e.g., “my head snapped back when I was hit”)
You ask for a referral to PT, imaging, or a specialist
Request a printed visit summary before you leave — and keep a photo of it.
Real-World Bronx Example:
A Bronx student is hit biking near Webster Ave, falls on his shoulder, but doesn’t go to the ER. Two days later he visits CityMD, gets ice and Advil. No follow-up. The insurer offers $1,000. Only after an MRI ordered by his physical therapist confirms a torn rotator cuff does the offer increase — but he loses weeks and leverage because of the delay.
✅ Step 4: Photograph the Scene, the Bike, and Yourself
Professional Insight:
In car crashes, insurers rely on vehicle damage. In bike crashes, they don’t believe anything unless they see:
Street conditions
Traffic signs or signals
Broken bike components
Scrapes on the helmet or pedals
Bruises, cuts, or brace use
Even if it’s 24 hours later, go back and photograph:
Where you were hit (intersection, bike lane, etc.)
Your damaged bike or bent wheel
Bruising, swelling, or limited movement
These photos become critical when adjusters say: “We have no evidence of trauma.”
Real-World Bronx Example:
A cyclist is hit near Gun Hill Road, walks away, and sees a doctor the next day. By then, her bike is already repaired. The insurer says there’s “no sign of impact.” She finds an old photo of her bent wheel and cracked phone screen from the scene. That one image repositions the case — from a “minor bump” to a legit trauma claim.
✅ Step 5: File a No-Fault Claim — Even if the Driver Was at Fault
Professional Insight:
No-fault (PIP) covers urgent care, imaging, PT, medication, and travel — even if:
You weren’t driving
You weren’t at fault
You weren’t in a vehicle
If you were hit by a car while biking, that driver’s insurance is responsible for your medical bills — but only if you file the claim within 30 days.
You’ll need:
Their insurance info (or plate number)
A copy of the police report
Completed NF-2 form
Your medical provider may help you with this — but don’t rely on them to do it correctly or on time.
Real-World Bronx Example:
A cyclist hit by a Jeep near Eastchester Road goes to urgent care and starts PT. The front desk files the claim — but sends it to the wrong insurer. 40 days later, the correct company receives it and denies payment for being late. His lawyer files a late justification letter and salvages the case — but the stress and delay could’ve been avoided with a clean submission early on.
✅ A. Detail the Mechanism of Injury in Medical Records
Professional Insight:
Insurers will not connect your injury to the crash unless the initial records explain what happened to your body. It’s not enough to say “bike accident.” You need your provider to describe:
Where you were hit (rear, side, intersection)
How your body moved (e.g., “thrown over handlebars,” “landed on right shoulder”)
Whether your helmet struck anything
Whether your bike was stopped, turning, or moving
This is called the mechanism of injury, and it’s what links impact to injury — especially when there’s no fracture. Without this, insurers argue:
“Could’ve been from a fall, not a crash.”
Real-World Bronx Example:
A man biking along East 233rd Street is struck by a car door opening. He falls sideways onto the pavement. Urgent care notes say “left knee pain, possible sprain.” That’s it. Insurer denies the claim — says there’s “no trauma.” His PT later documents bruising, swelling, and instability. But the value of his case never fully recovers because the initial chart never explained how he was injured.
✅ B. Document Specific Symptoms, Not Just “Pain”
Professional Insight:
Insurers ignore vague phrases like:
“Back pain”
“Leg discomfort”
“General soreness”
Instead, they want objective signs:
Reduced range of motion (e.g., can’t raise arm past shoulder)
Numbness, tingling, weakness
Visible bruising or swelling
Gait irregularity (limp)
Impact marks or cuts
If your provider doesn’t document specifics, your case loses power. Push for detail during your first few visits.
Real-World Bronx Example:
A Bronx cyclist hit turning onto Jerome Ave goes to urgent care 2 days later. Says “neck and wrist pain.” The NP writes “neck strain.” That’s it. A week later, he can’t sleep or turn his head. Insurer offers $750. Only after a specialist documents decreased cervical flexion and hand numbness does the claim get taken seriously.
✅ C. Use Imaging (MRI or X-Ray) to Validate the Injury
Professional Insight:
Insurers don’t value pain. They value proof. That usually means:
MRI for soft tissue injuries (herniated disc, ligament tear, labral damage)
X-rays for fractures or dislocations
EMG if there’s nerve damage
Ultrasound for shoulder or joint trauma
Urgent care clinics rarely order this — so you must ask for a referral or follow up with a specialist within 1–2 weeks.
Even a delayed MRI can save a claim — as long as the provider connects it back to the crash in writing.
Real-World Bronx Example:
A Citi Bike rider hit near Kingsbridge Road goes to urgent care and gets Tylenol. A week later, he sees an ortho and gets an MRI: labrum tear. Insurer tries to call it “degenerative.” The orthopedist writes a causation letter saying the tear is trauma-consistent. That one document raises the case value by $30K.
✅ D. Track Progression — Not Just the First Injury
Professional Insight:
Bike injuries often worsen over time. A sore shoulder becomes a frozen shoulder. A stiff neck becomes tingling in the fingers. But if this isn’t documented visit by visit, the insurer assumes:
“They got better.”
Keep a clear progression trail:
First visit = pain
Second = imaging ordered
Third = diagnosis (e.g. disc bulge)
Fourth = limited motion, pain with lifting, treatment plan
Your providers should document each step. If they miss it, ask them to correct it — or switch.
Real-World Bronx Example:
A woman hit riding through Hunts Point says her pain started in her lower back. PT notes just say “improving.” But she’s still limping. No one logs that her symptoms migrated down her leg. The insurer says “resolved strain.” Only when she switches clinics and gets an MRI showing nerve impingement does the claim shift in her favor.
✅ E. Use Photos and Wearables to Support Invisible Injuries
Professional Insight:
Soft tissue injuries don’t show up on an X-ray. But bruising, road rash, and even Apple Watch data can fill the gap. Use:
Photos of swelling, redness, scraped palms, or bruised joints
Timeline screenshots from a fitness tracker or Apple Health
Ride logs that show a sudden stop, crash, or heart rate spike
This supports the narrative when there's no ambulance, no imaging yet, or a skeptical adjuster.
Real-World Bronx Example:
A Bronx rider is struck on Boston Road, flips over the bars, and lands on her hip. No visible injury at first. Apple Watch shows elevated heart rate at time of crash and no movement for 3 minutes. She takes a photo of a bruise on day 2. These two things — plus a PT log of limp and decreased hip motion — turn her claim from “mild sprain” to real trauma.
✅ A. Why the First 72 Hours Matter So Much
Professional Insight:
Insurers use the 72-hour rule as a benchmark. If you didn’t see a doctor or urgent care within three days of your crash, they will claim:
“The injury isn’t crash-related — it must’ve come later.”
This rule isn’t a law — it’s a claims tactic. But courts and adjusters still use it to question:
Causation
Severity
Credibility
The longer the delay, the harder it is to prove the crash caused the injury — especially in bike accidents where there's no vehicle damage or ambulance report.
Real-World Bronx Example:
A man is clipped riding down Southern Boulevard. He falls, gets up, and rides home. Feels stiff but doesn’t go to urgent care until day 5. The MRI later shows a herniated disc — but the insurer says “gap in care.” They offer $1,000. Only after a doctor writes a detailed causation letter explaining the delayed onset of symptoms does the case value jump.
✅ B. What If You Didn’t Feel Pain Right Away?
Professional Insight:
This is extremely common. Adrenaline masks pain. Bike accident victims often don’t feel the full extent of injuries — especially neck, back, and joint trauma — until 1–3 days later.
If you waited, your doctor must:
Document the crash clearly
Explain why you didn’t go in sooner (e.g., pain got worse overnight, thought it was minor)
Connect the injury to the crash anyway — this is called medical causation language
A smart lawyer will often ask for a written statement or supplement from the provider.
Real-World Bronx Example:
A rider near Allerton Avenue is knocked off her Citi Bike. She goes home, sleeps it off. On day 3, her neck locks up and she goes to CityMD. The intake nurse says “no trauma history noted.” Big mistake. The lawyer later gets a PT to write a detailed report: “Delayed onset is typical with cervical disc trauma.” That changes everything — and saves the claim.
✅ C. What to Say (and NOT Say) in the First Medical Visit
Professional Insight:
If you go to urgent care or a clinic after 72 hours, every word matters. What you say may be copied into your medical chart. If you say:
“I didn’t think it was that bad”
“It happened a few days ago, but I didn’t want to go in”
“I don’t remember exactly what happened”
— it weakens your claim.
Instead, say:
“I was hit by a car while biking on [street]. My pain started that night and worsened since.”
“I didn’t go right away because I didn’t feel it until the next day.”
“I wasn’t sure where to go for help.”
Real-World Bronx Example:
A Bronx teen hit while biking near Crotona Park goes to urgent care on day 4. Tells the front desk: “I’m here for shoulder pain.” That’s all they write. The claim is denied for lack of crash context. On a follow-up, his mom makes sure they update the record with the true history: “Shoulder pain after being struck by a car while riding on 7/10.” That one update reopens the case.
✅ D. How to Fix a “Gap in Treatment” the Right Way
Professional Insight:
Even if you waited longer than 3 days, you can still recover — if you handle the delay properly.
Steps to correct the gap:
Explain the delay to your doctor and ask that they document it
Get imaging or physical therapy ordered right away
Avoid further gaps — follow up weekly, even for short visits
Have your lawyer request a medical opinion letter tying the injury to the crash
If handled correctly, even a 10–14 day delay can be managed. But if you ghost your case, the insurer will too.
Real-World Bronx Example:
A cyclist hit near Westchester Square goes to urgent care on day 6. Then disappears. Comes back three weeks later saying “still in pain.” Insurer says “no consistent care.” Lawyer gets her into PT that week, and a D.O. writes a causation note. With that, the claim is revived and eventually settles — but it almost died because of the 3-week gap.
✅ A. No-Fault Insurance (Personal Injury Protection) — Even if You Were on a Bike
Professional Insight:
Most people don’t know this: No-fault coverage applies to bicyclists in New York — but only if a motor vehicle was involved.
If a car, truck, or Uber hits you while you’re riding a bicycle:
That vehicle’s insurance must pay your medical bills
You do not need to prove fault
You must file a no-fault application (NF-2 form) within 30 days
This includes:
Urgent care
Physical therapy
Imaging (X-rays, MRIs)
Travel costs to appointments
Medications
But: If no car is involved (e.g., you hit a pothole), you’re not covered under no-fault unless you have special personal coverage or qualify for MVAIC (see below).
Real-World Bronx Example:
A cyclist riding on White Plains Road is clipped by a turning SUV. The driver apologizes, gives insurance info. The cyclist goes to CityMD, then PT. His lawyer files an NF-2 with GEICO. All treatment is paid — no deductibles, no waiting. Had he not filed within 30 days, he would’ve been on the hook for every visit.
✅ B. Bodily Injury Liability — When the Driver Is at Fault
Professional Insight:
Once your medical bills are paid by no-fault, you may also be entitled to a bodily injury settlement — if the driver was at fault and you suffered a “serious injury” under NY law.
To qualify, you need one or more of the following:
Fracture
Surgery
Significant limitation of use (e.g., can’t walk normally, limited motion)
Injury that lasts 90+ days
Permanent loss of use
You file a third-party claim or lawsuit against the driver’s liability coverage, which in NY must be at least $25,000 — but can be $100K, $250K, or even $1M for commercial vehicles.
Real-World Bronx Example:
A Bronx cyclist gets hit by a delivery van near Grand Concourse, suffers a shoulder tear, needs surgery. No-fault pays his PT. Then he files a bodily injury claim against the van’s $250K policy. His lawyer documents the surgery, lost wages, and emotional stress. The case settles for $185K — because the driver was clearly at fault and the injury was serious.
✅ C. Uninsured or Hit-and-Run Accidents — MVAIC Can Step In
Professional Insight:
If you’re hit by a car while biking and the driver flees (hit-and-run) — or the car was uninsured, you may qualify for help from:
MVAIC – The Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation
(A NY state safety net for injured victims when no valid insurance exists.)
Requirements:
Report the crash to the police within 24 hours
File a claim with MVAIC within 90 days
Show that no other coverage exists
Must be a NY resident with no car insurance of your own
MVAIC provides:
Up to $50,000 in no-fault medical coverage
Up to $25,000 in bodily injury coverage
Real-World Bronx Example:
A man biking past Lehman College is hit by a silver sedan. The car flees. He gets a partial plate but no full ID. His lawyer files a police report that night and opens a MVAIC claim. Because he had no auto insurance, MVAIC steps in, covers his treatment, and awards $15K for pain and suffering.
✅ D. Supplemental Insurance — Sometimes Your Own Policy Helps
Professional Insight:
If you own a car, even if you weren’t driving it, your own policy may help you:
Pay medical bills
Get additional coverage
Use SUM/UM (Supplemental Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) if the driver who hit you has low limits
It only works if:
You’re a named insured on the policy
You were hit by a car while biking
The other driver has less coverage than your own policy
Real-World Bronx Example:
A Bronx man biking through Parkchester is struck by a driver with only $25K insurance. He owns a car insured for $100K. His lawyer files a SUM claim with his own carrier. Result: He collects $25K from the at-fault driver and an extra $75K from his own policy. This only happens if the lawyer understands the SUM process and files correctly.
❓ “A car hit me while I was riding my bike in the Bronx, but I didn’t go to the hospital. Can I still make a claim?”
Yes. If a motor vehicle was involved, you’re eligible for no-fault coverage — even if you didn’t go to the ER. What matters is:
You report the crash
You seek medical attention soon after
You file the no-fault application within 30 days
Even a CityMD visit or a physical therapy appointment can count. But the longer you wait, the harder it is to prove. Talk to a lawyer immediately to protect your timeline.
❓ “I was biking through an intersection and got hit by someone making a turn — but they say it was my fault. What happens now?”
Don’t assume they’re right. In NYC, drivers must yield to bikes in most situations — especially if you're in the crosswalk or with the light. These cases often come down to:
Video footage
Impact location on the bike
Independent witnesses
Even if you're partially at fault, you can still recover compensation under New York’s comparative negligence rule. Never take the driver’s word for it — let the facts speak.
❓ “I wasn’t wearing a helmet. Does that ruin my case?”
No. New York does not require adults to wear helmets. While insurance companies may try to use it against you, it doesn’t disqualify your claim.
However:
If your injury was to your head or face, they may argue you “made it worse” by not wearing one
A strong medical and legal response can still win the claim
We’ve handled many bike cases with no helmet and still secured real settlements.
❓ “The person who hit me had no insurance. What now?”
If the driver was:
Uninsured
Gave false info
Or fled the scene
…you may qualify for MVAIC — the state-run program that protects bicyclists in hit-and-run crashes.
You must:
Report the crash to the police within 24 hours
File with MVAIC within 90 days
Have no access to other car insurance
We’ve helped Bronx clients use MVAIC to cover treatment and even get pain-and-suffering money when no one else would pay.
❓ “Can I get money for lost wages if I couldn’t work after the bike crash?”
Yes — if a car was involved, and your injury prevented you from working. Lost wages are covered by:
No-fault insurance (first 30 days)
The bodily injury claim (for long-term or permanent impact)
You’ll need:
A doctor’s note keeping you out of work
Pay stubs or tax forms
Proof of job duties you couldn’t perform
Even gig workers or off-the-books labor can sometimes prove wage loss — but it takes careful documentation.
Uber Accident Lawsuit Guide – Bronx Edition (2025)
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Went to Urgent Care After Your Crash? Read This First
Think urgent care visits “don’t count”? Think again. This guide explains how to document and prove urgent care visits — even if you didn’t go to the ER right away.
Bronx Highway Accidents: What to Do After a Crash on the Deegan, Cross Bronx, or I-95
Many bike crashes happen on or near highways, bridges, or exits. Learn what happens when the NYPD responds to a highway crash — and what to do when there’s no police report.
How to Get Your NYPD Crash Report (Step-by-Step Guide)
No report, no proof. This guide shows you how to find out which precinct handled your crash and how to get the official NYPD MV-104 report.
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A Bronx take on why massive ad firms often walk away from serious cases — and how local lawyers win cases others say no to.
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© 2025 Matthew Marchese P.C. All Rights Reserved
Law Firm of Matthew Marchese, 2403 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice in any particular case. The information does not create an attorney-client relationship. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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© 2025 Matthew Marchese P.C. All Rights Reserved
Law Firm of Matthew Marchese, 2403 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice in any particular case. The information does not create an attorney-client relationship. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
