When a motor vehicle strikes a cyclist, while enjoying a ride along the Hackensack River Greenway or commuting down Mail Street, the consequences are often severe. The injured cyclist is left to face a long road to recovery paved with medical bills and uncertainty about the future.
If you were injured in a collision caused by someone else’s carelessness, you have the right to seek financial compensation for your losses. A knowledgeable Hackensack bicycle accident lawyer can help you understand your options and stand up for your rights.
At Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C., we represent people, not case numbers. We understand the challenges you are facing because we stand with clients from our communities in Hackensack, Teaneck, and Englewood every single day. Our focus is on helping you secure the resources you need to heal and rebuild your life. We believe that justice should be accessible to everyone, and we are committed to being the advocates you can count on.
Why Choose Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C., for Your Hackensack, NJ Bicycle Accident Claim?
When you are looking for a legal team to handle your case, you need a firm with a proven track record and a genuine commitment to its clients. At Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C., we combine extensive legal knowledge with a deep dedication to the people we represent. We are proud to be a part of the Hackensack community and fight for our neighbors.
Here’s what sets our firm apart:
- A Full Team Approach: You don’t just get one lawyer; you get a team of more than 30 dedicated professionals working together on your behalf. We collaborate to build the strongest possible case for you.
- No Fee Unless We Win: We operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us nothing upfront. We only receive a fee if we successfully recover compensation for you. This allows you to pursue justice without financial risk.
- Decades of Combined Experience: Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience fighting for the rights of injured individuals. We have seen firsthand the tactics insurance companies use and know how to counter them effectively.
- We Represent the Person Next Door: Our clients are members of our community—hardworking people from all walks of life. We are here to level the playing field against powerful insurance companies and corporations.
We are dedicated to learning your story so we can present your case with the detail and passion it deserves. We stand in your shoes to understand the full impact the accident has had on your life, ensuring that we fight for a result that truly reflects what you have lost.
I cannot thank Mr. Michael Maggiano and his staff enough for their handling of my case. My incident happened before the pandemic, but that did not hinder the performance of Michael, his Paralegal, Ms. Linda Reid, and his support staff. Ms. Reid remained in constant communication with me around the clock and she did her due diligence with gathering all evidence for my case. She left no stone unturned by recording every detail of the incident and my medical history. Every detail is important no matter how minuscule it may seem. Linda has the capacity to make you feel comfortable in one of the most uncomfortable moments of your life. Her explanation and assistance with the court proceedings put me at ease. Michael Maggiano and his Paralegal, Linda Reid will fight to win your case and get their clients what they are owed. Highly recommended!
Excellent law firm. Thorough, attentive, discreet, flexible, loyal, and compassionate. They are excellent at representing their clients, listening to them, and fighting for their rights. I had the pleasure of working with Michael Maggiano, Esq., Joseph Maggiano, Lawyer Tom Boyle, Bernadette, and Stephanie. Thank you all for your dedication and hard work. I highly recommend choosing this firm to represent you.
Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi has a team of dedicated attorneys, knowledgeable and give 110% to each one of their cases.
Understanding Your Rights as a Cyclist in Hackensack
In New Jersey, bicyclists have the same rights and are subject to the same duties as drivers of motor vehicles. This is a critical point that many drivers forget or ignore. According to New Jersey law, specifically N.J.S.A. 39:4-14.1, you have a right to be on the road.
Drivers of cars and trucks have a legal responsibility, known as a “duty of care,” to operate their vehicles safely and watch out for more vulnerable road users like cyclists. When a driver fails in this duty—by speeding, texting, or simply not paying attention—and causes an accident, they can be held legally responsible for the harm they cause. This is based on the legal concept of negligence.
Negligence is the failure to use reasonable care, resulting in damage or injury to another person. A Hackensack bicycle accident lawyer can help establish that the driver was negligent and, therefore, liable for your injuries.
What Compensation Can a Hackensack Bicycle Accident Attorney Help You Pursue?
The goal of a personal injury claim is to recover compensation, legally referred to as “damages,” for all the losses you have suffered because of the accident. These damages are intended to make you “whole” again, at least from a financial standpoint. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer can help you identify and calculate the full extent of your damages.
Compensation in a bicycle accident case typically falls into two main categories:
- Economic Damages: These are the tangible financial losses that have a specific dollar amount attached to them. They include things like all past and future medical bills, lost income from being unable to work, reduced future earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job, and the cost to repair or replace your damaged bicycle and other property.
- Non-Economic Damages: These losses are more personal and don’t have a simple price tag. They are meant to compensate you for the human cost of the injury. This includes physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring or disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life (the inability to participate in hobbies or activities you once loved).
Our firm works with medical and financial analysts when necessary to accurately calculate the full, long-term cost of your injuries. We want to ensure that any settlement or verdict covers not just your immediate needs but also your future ones.
What to Do to Protect Your Rights After a Bicycle Accident
The actions you take in the days and weeks following your bicycle crash can have a significant impact on your ability to recover fair compensation. Here’s what you can do to protect your rights:
- Preserve All Evidence: Keep everything related to the accident. This includes photos you took at the scene, the damaged bicycle, your helmet, and any torn or bloody clothing. Also, get the names and contact information of any witnesses.
- Follow Your Doctor’s Orders: It is crucial to attend all follow-up medical appointments and follow the treatment plan prescribed by your doctors. This not only helps your physical recovery but also creates an official record of your injuries and treatment, which is vital for your legal claim.
- Keep a Journal: Write down your daily experiences. Note your pain levels, any physical limitations, difficulties with daily tasks, and the emotional impact of the accident. This journal can become powerful evidence of your pain and suffering.
- Be Wary of Insurance Adjusters: The at-fault driver’s insurance company will likely contact you very soon after the accident. It is important to remember that the adjuster’s job is to protect the insurance company’s bottom line by paying out as little as possible. Avoid giving a recorded statement or signing any documents without first speaking to an attorney.
Taking these steps can help safeguard your claim while you focus on your health. An experienced attorney can handle the communications with the insurance company for you.
How New Jersey’s Laws Affect Your Claim
Navigating a personal injury claim involves understanding specific state laws. In New Jersey, a couple of key rules can impact your bicycle accident case.
First is the concept of Personal Injury Protection, or PIP. New Jersey is a “no-fault” state for auto insurance, which means your own car insurance policy’s PIP coverage is typically the first source of payment for your medical bills, even if you were on a bicycle when you were hit by a car. If you don’t have car insurance, you may be able to get coverage through the policy of a relative you live with or through a special state fund.
Second is the rule for shared fault. Insurance companies often try to blame the cyclist for the accident to reduce or deny a claim. New Jersey follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule, as detailed in N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1. This law states that you can still recover damages as long as you were not more than 50% at fault for the accident. If you are found partially at fault (50% or less), your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 but are found 20% at fault, you would receive $80,000. Our lawyers are skilled at fighting back against unfair attempts to shift blame onto our clients.
Common Locations for Bicycle Accidents in Hackensack, New Jersey
While a bicycle accident can occur on any street, certain areas in Hackensack and the surrounding communities present a higher risk for cyclists due to heavy traffic, complex intersections, and road design. As a firm deeply rooted in this community, we are familiar with the roadways where riders are most vulnerable. Understanding these high-risk zones can highlight the importance of driver awareness and caution.
Many serious collisions happen in areas where cyclists and vehicles must frequently interact. Some of the common locations for bicycle accidents in the Hackensack area include:
- Major Thoroughfares like Route 4 and Essex Street: These busy roads are designed primarily for high-speed motor vehicle traffic. Drivers who are speeding, changing lanes without looking, or failing to account for a cyclist’s presence can cause devastating accidents. The sheer volume and speed of traffic leave little room for error.
- Downtown Hackensack, especially along Main Street and Anderson Street: The city’s bustling downtown area is a hub of activity, with numerous intersections, parked cars, and businesses. This environment creates risks such as “dooring” accidents, where someone opens a car door into a cyclist’s path, and accidents at intersections where drivers fail to yield the right-of-way.
- Intersections Near Hackensack University Medical Center: The network of streets surrounding the medical center, including Prospect Avenue and Passaic Street, sees constant traffic from cars, buses, and emergency vehicles. Distracted or rushed drivers in this area can easily overlook a bicyclist attempting to navigate a crosswalk or intersection.
- The Hackensack River Greenway and Connecting Streets: While the Greenway itself offers a safer path for recreation, accidents often happen where the path intersects with city streets. Drivers who are not expecting cyclists to emerge from the trail may fail to stop or yield, leading to dangerous collisions.
These locations require heightened awareness from everyone on the road. When drivers fail to operate their vehicles with the necessary caution in these busy spots, the consequences for cyclists can be severe.
We Represent the Diverse Communities of Hackensack and Beyond
Hackensack is a true melting pot, a vibrant city made up of people from countless backgrounds. The communities of Englewood, Teaneck, Moonachie, and Teterboro that surround it are just as diverse, each with its own unique character. At Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C., we see this diversity as one of our area’s greatest strengths. We are proud to provide dedicated legal representation to everyone in our community, regardless of their background.
We understand that a legal process can feel foreign and that every client comes to us with a unique story and perspective. Our team is committed to listening and ensuring you feel heard, respected, and understood. Whether your family has been in Bergen County for generations or you are new to the area, we are here to stand with you. Justice is a right that belongs to every single person, and we fight to make that a reality for our clients every day. Our promise is to represent you, the individual, and to tell your story with the courage and commitment it deserves.
Verdicts and Settlements
$2,500,000 - Rear-Ended by Bus
A middle-aged tax preparer was injured when a New Jersey Transit Bus struck his car in the rear after exiting the Lincoln Tunnel, requiring two back surgeries following diagnosis of aggravation of pre-existing stenosis and a herniated disc leaving him permanently disabled from his career and in need of a Life Care Plan.
$500,000 - Inadequate Building Security
Settlement reached for two married tenants of high rise condominium against a parking garage maintenance company for the 1994 sexual assault upon the wife by a trespassing assailant while the plaintiff was walking to her car to go to work.
$2,250,000 - Unable to Work Post-Crash
A Union Electrician was hit on the Garden State Parkway North, causing him to spin and hit the median barrier. The injuries sustained required two back surgeries following the aggravation of pre-existing stenosis leaving him unable to work.
Hackensack Bicycle Accident FAQs
Here you can find answers to some common questions we hear from people who have been injured in bicycle accidents.
What is the deadline for filing a bicycle accident lawsuit in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including bicycle accidents, is two years from the date of the accident. This means you generally have two years to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation forever. It is very important to contact a lawyer well before the deadline approaches.
What if the driver who hit me fled the scene or was uninsured?
If you were injured in a hit-and-run or by a driver who has no insurance, you may still have options for compensation. You may be able to file a claim through the Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your own auto insurance policy. If you do not own a car, another policy in your household might provide coverage. An attorney can help you explore all potential sources of recovery.
Do I still have a case if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
While wearing a helmet is always the safest choice, not wearing one does not prevent you from filing a personal injury claim in New Jersey. The insurance company may try to argue that your injuries would have been less severe if you had worn a helmet, but this does not excuse the driver’s negligence. We can fight to show that the driver’s actions, not your choice of headwear, were the primary cause of your injuries.
How much does it cost to hire a Hackensack bicycle accident lawyer from your firm?
We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront costs or hourly fees for you to pay. Our fee is a percentage of the total compensation we recover for you. Simply put, we don’t get paid unless you win your case. This arrangement allows everyone to afford high-quality legal representation.
My injuries seemed minor at first but are now getting worse. Is it too late to do something?
No, it is not too late, as long as you are within the two-year statute of limitations. It is very common for injuries from an accident, such as soft tissue damage or even traumatic brain injuries, to have delayed symptoms. It is essential to seek medical attention as soon as you notice your symptoms worsening and to contact an attorney to discuss your legal options.
Contact a Hackensack Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
After a serious bicycle accident, you need a legal team that will stand by your side and fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve. You need advocates who will treat you with respect and give your case the personal attention it requires.
The attorneys at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C., are ready to help. We are in this together. Let our team of 30 dedicated professionals put our experience to work for you. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help you move forward.
