New York City personal injury firm Godosky&Gentile warn of increased bicycle accidents during COVID-19 shutdown 

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on New York City and the tri-state area has been wide and varying, and many aspects of life have slowed down considerably. While the mass shutdowns have led to a sharp reduction in motor vehicle traffic throughout the region, one thing that has not slowed down is the number of injuries resulting from bicycle accidents; in fact, the number of serious bicycle accidents have increased dramatically.

Even with a decrease in vehicle traffic in the city, according to the attorneys at Godosky & Gentile, the spring and summer brought disturbing jumps in both bicycle accidents and injuries involving cyclists.

• According to data from the New York Police Department (NYPD), injuries to bicyclists increased by 43 percent in March.

• Collisions of all types are down 33.1 percent in 2020 compared to 2019, but there are higher rates of injury being experienced among bicyclists during the same time.

• Cyclist injuries in North Brooklyn jumped 77.8 percent in the first half of March.

• Bicyclist injuries skyrocketed 450 percent in the Bronx during March alone.
• 90 percent of accidents involving a bicycle and a motor vehicle are found to be caused by motorist error.

“Traffic experts in the City and throughout the region are analyzing why injuries for motorists and pedestrians have decreased during the shutdown (down 27.6 percent and 17 percent, respectively), while cyclists are getting hurt at higher rates,” said David Godosky, a Member of the firm. According to traffic engineers, part of the problem can be attributed to a ‘lack of suitable infrastructure for cycling.”

The firm of Godosky & Gentile, P.C., has a history of extraordinary success in litigating bicycle accident cases caused by roadway defects or motor vehicles.

In 2018, Godosky & Gentile was able to secure a $3.25 million settlement on behalf of the estate of a bicyclist in a case brought against a municipality. The action was for wrongful death and conscious pain and suffering.  The claim asserted was that the County was negligent in the maintenance of a bike trail in a public park. As a result of the County’s negligence, a significant defect developed over time on the bike trail and remained unrepaired, creating a hazardous condition for bicyclists.

In this tragic accident, the bicyclist struck the defect while riding on the North County Trailway and was thrown over the handlebars.  Several days later, he died as a result of the injuries sustained in the accident. Godosky & Gentile, P.C. poured hundreds of hours into the representation of their client, locating key witnesses, retaining nationally renowned bicycle accident reconstruction experts and defeating an effort by the County to have the court dismiss the action in its entirety. Ultimately, the County agreed to pay the sum of $3.25 million dollars in settlement of the claim, affording the surviving family members compensation for their loss and a measure of justice.

About Godosky & Gentile, P.C.

Founded by two renowned personal injury and medical malpractice attorneys, the law firm of Godosky & Gentile serves the needs of injured clients throughout New York City and the tri-state area. Godosky & Gentile secured some of the largest settlements and verdict awards in New York state’s history. The attorneys of Godosky & Gentile are routinely named to New York Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America.