Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle Accident Attorney in Staten Island

Attorney Paul D. Gentile: Personally Handling Cyclist Injury Claims Since 1998

Cyclists on Staten Island roads face real risks. Major arterial roads like Hylan Boulevard carry heavy car, truck, and bus traffic alongside riders who have no steel frame or airbags between them and the impact. Even a moderate-speed collision can cause fractures, head injuries, and injuries that can take months to recover from.

Attorney Paul D. Gentile handles bicycle accident claims for our firm. He works directly with injured cyclists and pedestrians, providing hands-on attention from the first consultation through resolution. If you’ve been hurt in a crash on Staten Island, he’s the attorney you’ll work with.

Call us at (646) 891-1329 to schedule a free consultation with Attorney Paul D. Gentile about your bicycle accident claim. We’re available by phone, virtual meeting, or in person at our Staten Island office.

Why Work with Attorney Paul D. Gentile

Before focusing on personal injury law, Paul D. Gentile served as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, where he prosecuted hundreds of cases. That courtroom experience shapes how he approaches every claim. He doesn’t build a case assuming it will settle; he builds it ready for trial. That preparation can produce strong positioning before a case ever reaches a courtroom.

Our firm has served clients across Staten Island, all five boroughs of New York City, and New Jersey since 1998. As a smaller practice, we don’t route clients through layers of staff. You work directly with Attorney Gentile, who stays involved from intake through outcome.

Initial consultations are free and carry no obligation. If we take your case, we’re compensated only if we recover for you. Nothing is owed upfront.

New York Traffic Law & Your Rights as a Cyclist

The legal framework behind a bicycle accident claim determines who bears responsibility after a crash. Three provisions of New York law are especially relevant to Staten Island cyclists.

Cyclists’ Rights & Duties Under VTL §1231

Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law §1231, a person riding a bicycle on a roadway has all of the same rights and all of the same duties as the driver of a vehicle. Cyclists are entitled to use the road, and drivers must treat them accordingly.

Driver Duty of Care Under VTL §1146

VTL §1146 requires every driver to exercise due care to avoid colliding with a bicyclist and to sound the horn when necessary. A driver who injures a cyclist while violating this duty can face a traffic infraction. In a personal injury claim, that violation can serve as meaningful evidence that the driver failed the standard of care owed to you.

Comparative Negligence & Partial Fault

New York applies a comparative negligence rule under CPLR §1411. If a cyclist shares some portion of fault for the accident, recovery isn’t necessarily eliminated in most personal injury cases; it’s generally reduced in proportion to the cyclist’s share of fault. Discussing your situation with a bicycle accident lawyer is the best way to understand how fault may affect what you can recover.

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Five-Star Client Reviews In Their Own Words

We prioritize your experience, and it shows in our reviews. Read through client testimonials below or call (646) 891-1329 today to start with a free consultation.

"Helene Is A Smart Cookie"
Helene is amazing. Her staff is responsive and understanding. She knows the system well and makes you feel at complete ease. She is savvy. She had the ticket completely dismissed. She knows what to say and what to look for.

- Former Client
"An Excellent Team"
Helene and her team hands down are great to work with. I called two hours before my case and they jumped into it right away. She was able to have both my tickets dismissed.

- Former Client
"Great Communications"
The firm handled my traffic violation successfully. Great communications from the firm kept me updated throughout the process. Strongly recommend this office with any traffic violation dispute.

- Matthew G.
"Well Worth the Money"
Ticket dismissed. Well worth the money. Helene Mark and her team made everything so easy for me and I didn’t need to worry. Definitely recommend her.

- Kerryann H.
"Beyond Thrilled"
Helene and her staff gave me complete confidence that my tickets would be handled and not to worry at all. I’m beyond thrilled with my choice to use her law office. My 2 tickets were dismissed.

- Veronica W.
"Saved My License and Job"
Professional and highly experienced. They handled multiple traffic violations for me and were very successful. My job requires a CDL license and they were able to successfully save my license.

- Former Client
"Wonderful Experience"
Wonderful experience working with Helene Mark and her team, I had a road rage incident in Staten Island. This office took care of the court appearance and the summons was dismissed!!

- Joseph J.
"She Put Me at Ease"
Helene was professional from beginning to end. I had received 3 tickets and was scared... she put me at ease from the get-go. I’m so grateful that I used Helene Mark’s services!

- Patrice C.

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What a Bicycle Accident Claim Can Recover

A bicycle accident claim may seek compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering caused by the crash. These losses can be significant, particularly when injuries require surgery, extended rehabilitation, or time away from work.

Filing deadlines matter. Under CPLR §214, most personal injury claims in New York, including bicycle accident claims, must be filed within three years of the date of injury. That window is shorter when a government vehicle is involved. If a city bus or other government-owned vehicle caused the accident, an injured cyclist has only 90 days from the date of the accident to file a notice of claim. Missing that deadline may affect your ability to recover compensation, which is why speaking with a bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible after the crash matters.

Talk to a Staten Island Bicycle Accident Lawyer at No Cost

If you were injured in a bicycle accident on Staten Island, Attorney Paul D. Gentile can review your situation. We offer free, no-obligation consultations and don’t collect a fee unless we recover compensation for you.

Contact The Law Offices of Helene Mark at (646) 891-1329 to schedule your free consultation by phone, video, or in person.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents on Staten Island

Most bicycle-motor vehicle collisions trace back to driver behavior. Recognizing these patterns helps establish where fault lies in a claim.

Failure to Yield Right of Way
Many crashes happen when a driver fails to yield a cyclist’s right of way at an intersection, driveway, or crosswalk. Under VTL §1231, cyclists have full rights on the roadway, and a driver who disregards those rights may bear responsibility for the resulting harm.

Distracted Driving
Cell phone use and other distractions behind the wheel contribute to a substantial share of bicycle accidents. A driver looking down at a screen for even a few seconds can fail to see a cyclist in a lane or at an intersection.

Dooring Incidents
A dooring incident occurs when a driver or passenger opens a vehicle door into the path of an oncoming cyclist without checking for traffic. These crashes happen fast and give the rider almost no time to react. They are a recognized cause of serious bicycle injuries and can implicate the right-of-way protections New York law extends to cyclists.

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