April 2, 2012 Due to the high number of bicycle accidents that go uninvestigated in New York City, one city councilman has proposed that the New York City Police Department begin investigating such accidents rather than the department’s Accident Investigation Squad (AIS). According to The Gothamist, the new legislation would require an investigation of any bicycle accident that leads to a serious injury instead of only fatal accidents. The new rule was prompted after data culminated during 2011 uncovered that 99 percent of bicycle accidents in the city went uninvestigated. This was because the AIS team, comprised of eight officers and detectives, was responsible for conducting the investigations. The team claimed to not have time to look into the accidents since they are investigating more serious crashes. The councilman notes that state laws that require an investigation by police if "serious physical injury," including "serious protracted disfigurement, protracted impairment of health, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily organ” occurs. He also called for the decentralization of the AIS unit so that more accidents can be investigated, and he asked that one investigator be on call at all times. The Albany Bicycle Accident Lawyers with William Mattar Injury Lawyers think that these new rules may help hold more negligent motorists accountable for their actions but add that it’s important for cyclists to keep themselves safe by obeying traffic laws and always wearing a helmet.
NYC Councilman Calls For Reform Of Bicycle Accident Investigation Procedures