New York City Bicycle Accidents: Dog v. Bike

Some dogs are small and cute, while others are large and vicious-looking. But regardless of what the dog looks like or what its vicious tendencies are, the majority of dogs are generally attracted to moving bicycles, shiny spokes and spinning wheels. This means that as a New York City bicycle rider, you may at some point have to deal with a dog chasing you while riding your bike. The question then becomes what is the best way to handle such a situation and what to do if you sustain injuries.

At Gersowitz, Libo & Korek, P.C., our team of legal experts have extensive experience helping bicyclists recover the full compensation they are entitled to. We will do the necessary investigation and research to find out whether the dog owner can be held liable for the attack and explore all of the different avenues of getting you the maximum compensation that you deserve.

Advice to Bicyclists Attacked by Dogs

Below is some important advice that you should keep in mind in the event that you are charged with a dog while riding your bike:

•  Do not try to out run the dog.
•  If possible, stop, get off your bike and try to protect yourself as best as you can.
•  If the dog owner does not show up, try to place your bike as a barrier between you and the dog.
•  If the dog retreats, walk away with your bike as slowly as possible without looking directly into the dog’s eyes.
•  If the dog attacks you, seek immediate medical attention and get the personal contact information for the dog’s owner.

Who Is Liable for Dog-on-Bicyclist Attacks?

The general law in New York for dog-on-bicyclist attacks is that if a dog charges after a rider on the road and causes him or her to fall and sustain injuries, the dog owner is legally liable only if he or she knew or should have known that the dog had a tendency to do so.

In order to determine whether it was the first time the dog chased down a bicyclist or whether the dog had a history of doing so, you need to consult with an experienced New York City bicycle attorney who will hire an investigator to find out the truth.

You should not ask the dog owner about the dog’s vicious tendency or history of bicycle chasing, because like parents, they feel that their cute Sparky can do no wrong. And a typical response to a dog charging at a bicyclist is that the rider must have done something to provoke the attack.

Holding the Dog Owner Liable

If you are able to prove that the dog owner is liable for his or her dog attacking you while you were on your bike, the owner’s homeowner’s insurance may providecoverage for your injuries, including your medical expenses, pain and suffering and loss of wages.

At Gersowitz, Libo & Korek P.C., our New York City bicycle attorneys will take every step necessary to prove your case and get you the maximum compensation that you deserve.

Our New York City bicycle Attorneys Can Help

Being attacked by a dog while riding your bike can be a scary experience and the resulting injuries may be very painful. If you or a loved one was involved in a dogon-bicycle accident that resulted in serious personal injuries, call Gersowitz, Libo & Korek P.C. at (212) 584-2494 to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our experienced New York City bicycle attorneys.