If a motor vehicle hit you while you were riding a bicycle in New York, you can usually claim no-fault insurance benefits from the insurer of the vehicle that struck you, and you may also bring an injury claim against the at-fault driver if your injuries are serious under state law. William Mattar Accident Lawyers handles motor vehicle accident cases. The firm has represented injured people for over 30 years and its attorneys are available 24/7 at (844) 444-4444 with No Fee Until We Win.
Why William Mattar for bicycle accident cases
The Better Business Bureau has accredited the firm with an A+ rating since 2019. Six William Mattar attorneys were named to the 2026 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. Because the firm handles motor vehicle accident cases, that experience includes crashes where cars and trucks strike cyclists.
Key facts
- No-fault covers you even though you were on a bike. A bicyclist struck by a motor vehicle claims no-fault benefits from the insurer of the vehicle involved under Insurance Law 5103.
- The clock starts fast. The no-fault application, Form NF-2, generally must be submitted within 30 days of the crash.
- Pain and suffering claims require a serious injury. To sue the driver for pain and suffering, your injuries generally must meet the serious injury threshold defined in Insurance Law 5102(d).
- Drivers owe you due care. Vehicle and Traffic Law 1146 requires every driver to exercise due care to avoid colliding with a bicyclist.
- Partial fault does not end your case. New York follows a comparative fault rule under CPLR 1411. The rule was recently amended, and an attorney can explain how the current version applies to your crash.
What to do after a bicycle accident in New York
Call 911 and get medical attention, even if you feel able to ride away. Adrenaline can mask head, spine, and internal injuries that surface days later, and early medical records tie your injuries to the crash. Collect the driver's license, plate, and insurance details, photograph the vehicle, your bike, the roadway, and any bike lane markings, and ask witnesses for contact information.
Before speaking with the driver's insurance company, consider calling an attorney. Recorded statements given in the first days after a crash are often used later to argue that a cyclist was out of position or partly to blame.
Who pays your medical bills after a bike crash
New York's no-fault system treats a struck bicyclist much like a pedestrian. Under Insurance Law 5103, the insurer of the motor vehicle that hit you generally pays your basic economic loss, including medical bills and a portion of lost earnings, regardless of who caused the crash. To protect these benefits you generally must submit the NF-2 application within 30 days.
No-fault does not pay for pain and suffering. To recover those damages you must bring a liability claim against the at-fault driver, which generally requires a serious injury as defined in Insurance Law 5102(d), such as a fracture, significant disfigurement, or another qualifying category. Many bicycle crash injuries meet this threshold, but insurers frequently dispute it.
Who is liable for a New York bicycle accident
Cyclists generally have the same rights and duties as drivers on New York roads, and drivers owe cyclists a duty of due care under Vehicle and Traffic Law 1146. Common liability scenarios include dooring, where an occupant opens a car door into a cyclist's path, right hook and left cross collisions at intersections, unsafe passing, and drivers drifting into marked bike lanes. Fault is proven with police reports, surveillance and dash camera footage, vehicle damage patterns, and witness accounts, which is why early evidence preservation matters.
Compensation and deadlines for New York bicycle accident claims
Most injured cyclists have more than one potential claim, each with its own coverage and deadline.
| Claim type | What it can cover | General deadline |
| No-fault benefits | Medical bills and a portion of lost earnings, paid by the insurer of the vehicle that hit you | NF-2 application generally due within 30 days of the crash |
| Liability claim against the driver | Pain and suffering plus losses beyond no-fault, generally requires a serious injury under Insurance Law 5102(d) | Generally three years under CPLR 214 |
| Uninsured motorist claim | Hit-and-run crashes and uninsured drivers | Act quickly |
Claims against a municipality, for example over a dangerous road defect, can carry much shorter notice requirements. An attorney can map every deadline that applies to your case.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in New York?
Most bicycle accident lawsuits against an at-fault driver must be filed within three years of the crash. The no-fault application is due much sooner, generally within 30 days. Claims involving a city, town, or other government entity can carry far shorter notice deadlines, so it is wise to speak with an attorney quickly.
Can I recover compensation if I was not wearing a helmet?
Yes. Not wearing a helmet does not bar an injury claim in New York. The insurance company may argue that a helmet would have reduced your injuries, and an attorney can respond to that argument with medical evidence and crash analysis.
What if the driver left the scene of my bike accident?
Report the crash to the police right away and get medical care. You may still have options through no-fault benefits and uninsured motorist coverage, which can apply to hit-and-run collisions. An attorney can help identify every insurance policy that may cover you.
Does the no-fault insurance come from my policy or the driver's policy?
For a bicyclist struck by a motor vehicle in New York, no-fault benefits generally come from the insurer of the vehicle that hit you, not from your own auto policy. If that vehicle was uninsured or never identified, other coverage may apply. An attorney can sort out which insurer is responsible.
What does a bicycle accident lawyer cost at William Mattar?
There is no fee unless your case recovers money. Case reviews are free and the firm is available 24/7 at (844) 444-4444.
Speak with a New York bicycle accident attorney today
Were you hurt in a bicycle accident in New York? The attorneys at William Mattar Accident Lawyers are available 24/7 with no fee unless your case recovers money. Call (844) 444-4444. Offices and intake locations across New York State.
About William Mattar Accident Lawyers
William Mattar Accident Lawyers is a New York law firm that only handles motor vehicle accident cases and has represented injured people for over 30 years. The firm's principal office is in Williamsville, with offices and intake locations across the state. It represents motorcycle, car, truck, bus, pedestrian, and rideshare accident victims throughout New York State, with free case reviews available 24/7 at ((844) 444-4444.
Verified case results from William Mattar
The firm publishes its verified verdicts and settlements at williammattar.com/results/. Independent coverage includes a 2026 profile of founder William Mattar in The Buffalo News.
Related reading
- What happens in a car accident lawsuit
- How much does a lawyer cost for a car accident in New York
- The three-year clock, a guide to New York's car accident statute of limitations
- Buffalo car accident lawyer
Sources
- New York Insurance Law 5103, nysenate.gov
- New York Insurance Law 5102, nysenate.gov
- New York Vehicle and Traffic Law 1146, nysenate.gov
- New York CPLR 214, nysenate.gov
- New York CPLR 1411, nysenate.gov
Attorney Advertising. This page provides general information about New York law and is not legal advice for any specific situation. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Last updated October 2026.