Bicycle Accident Lawyer Ontario County, NY
You were cycling along Route 5 and 20 just outside Canandaigua, taking in the morning view of the Finger Lakes, when a pickup drifted across the fog line and clipped your rear wheel. You remember the pavement, the impact, the sound of your helmet scraping asphalt. The next hours are a blur of ambulance sirens, emergency room hallways, and a phone filled with worried messages. In the days that follow, the medical bills start arriving, the insurance adjuster wants a recorded statement, and you realize that getting your bike fixed is only the beginning. You need someone who understands how bicycle accident claims work in Ontario County, New York — someone who can handle the insurance companies while you focus on recovering. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents bicycle accident victims throughout the Finger Lakes region, including Ontario County. Call (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Advocacy Without Borders.
Strategy Options After a Bicycle Accident in Ontario County
Every bicycle collision case is shaped by the specific circumstances. Did the driver fail to yield at an intersection? Was the driver distracted or impaired? Did a hazardous road condition or malfunctioning traffic signal contribute? In New York’s pure comparative fault system, you can recover damages even if you were partly at fault — your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. That makes it essential to have an experienced personal injury lawyer who can investigate the accident thoroughly and build a record of evidence that protects your right to full compensation.
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team evaluate several strategic routes after a serious bicycle crash. First, they determine whether the driver’s auto insurance policy provides sufficient coverage for your medical bills and lost wages. If the driver was uninsured or underinsured, they look to your own UM/UIM coverage. In some cases, a separate claim against a municipality may apply if an unsafe road design contributed to the crash — but strict notice deadlines apply. Each path has its own deadlines and procedural requirements; acting quickly preserves options.
What to Expect After You Contact Us
When you reach our New York location, you speak with legal staff who understand motorcycle and bicycle accident claims. The initial consultation is by appointment, and there is no obligation. During the consultation, you explain what happened, share any medical records and photographs you have, and ask your questions. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel listen carefully, then give you a candid assessment of the strengths and challenges in your case.
If you decide to move forward, the firm begins collecting all relevant evidence: the police accident report, 911 calls, witness statements, photos of the scene, and medical records. They may bring in accident reconstruction attorneys or traffic engineers when liability is disputed. In Ontario County, most personal injury claims are filed in New York Supreme Court, Ontario County, located at 27 North Main Street, Canandaigua. The court schedules preliminary and compliance conferences; the firm manages each step while keeping you informed. You are not charged an attorney’s fee unless a recovery is obtained through settlement or verdict.
Damages in a Bicycle Accident Claim
A bicycle-vs-car accident can leave you facing months of recovery, surgeries, and substantial financial pressure. In New York, personal injury plaintiffs may seek compensation for the full range of economic and non-economic losses — medical expenses, both past and future; lost wages and reduced earning capacity; physical pain and suffering; emotional distress; and, in some cases, loss of consortium. New York does not cap compensatory damages in most personal injury actions.
If the accident involved an automobile, New York’s no-fault insurance law requires you to first look to your own insurer for basic economic loss up to the policy limit. For a serious injury — a fracture, significant disfigurement, or a medically-determined injury preventing normal activities for 90 of the 180 days following the accident — you may step outside no-fault and pursue a claim against the at-fault driver. Cases involving severe traumatic injuries, such as traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage, often trigger this threshold. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel evaluate the extent of your injuries and insurance coverage to map the most effective path forward.
Attorney Credentials
Your claim is handled by Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., and his Of Counsel team. Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor, has practiced personal injury law since 1997 and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Over 120 years of combined legal experience between Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel, with 4,739+ documented firm-wide results, inform every case. Results may vary. For a more detailed statutory analysis of New York bicycle accident law, see our comprehensive analysis on the firm’s main site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a bicycle accident in Ontario County?
Call 911, seek medical attention, and document everything you can at the scene. Even if you feel fine, some injuries like head trauma may not show symptoms for hours. If you are able, take photos of your bicycle, the vehicle, the road, and any visible injuries. Get the driver’s license, insurance, and vehicle plate number. Ask witnesses for names and contact information. Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster until you have spoken with a lawyer. Then contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to discuss your options before deadlines pass.
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in New York?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This statute of limitations is found in N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5). The clock starts on the day of the crash. If the claim involves a municipal defendant — say, a poorly maintained county road — a notice of claim must be served within 90 days. Missing these deadlines can bar your claim entirely, so it is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Do I need a lawyer if the driver’s insurance company is already calling me?
Yes. An insurance adjuster’s job is to settle your claim for as little as possible. They may pressure you into accepting a quick offer before you know the full extent of your injuries. A lawyer can evaluate the total value — current and future medical care, lost income, pain and suffering — and negotiate from a position of strength. Once you sign a release, you cannot go back for more. Discuss your case with Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel before you accept any settlement.
What if I was partly at fault for the bicycle accident?
In New York, you can still recover damages even if you were partly at fault. The state follows pure comparative negligence, which means your compensation is reduced by the percentage of blame assigned to you. If a jury finds you 20 percent at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $80,000. A knowledgeable lawyer can work to minimize the proportion of fault attributed to you by gathering strong evidence early.
What kinds of injuries do bicycle accident claims involve?
Bicycle accidents commonly cause fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, road rash requiring skin grafts, and internal injuries. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, and some result in permanent disabilities. We work with your medical providers to accurately document the scope and cost of your care, including future medical needs, so that a settlement or verdict fully accounts for your losses.
Talk to a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Ontario County, NY
If you or a family member was hurt while riding a bicycle anywhere in Ontario County — Canandaigua, Geneva, Victor, Farmington, or the surrounding communities — you can request a consultation with Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team at no upfront charge. Personal injury cases are handled on a contingency basis; you pay no attorney’s fee unless we obtain a recovery for you. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule an appointment at our New York location or by phone. We return calls promptly and speak with you in plain English about your legal options.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
New York Location — by appointment
50 Fountain Plaza, Suite 1400, Office No. 142
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (888) 437-7747
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.