• Free Legal Consultation

• No legal fee unless I recover money for you

Protect your rights.
I know where you are coming from because both myself and my wife have been victims of careless drivers while riding our bikes.  Both of us have suffered accidents that literally could have been fatal.  We were lucky to survive the experience and fully recover from our injuries but we sure understand where you are coming from... You need help and I would be honored to help you. You have been injured in a New York bicycle accident and you are worried about who is going to pay your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The last thing you want is to be taken advantage of by an insurance company. If you don't protect your rights, you may not be able to make a claim. Insurance companies have attorneys and adjusters whose goal is to pay you as little as they can. You need an experienced New York bicycle accident attorney to fight for you.  For more than 23 years I have handled bicycle accident cases in NY and PA.  I have handled cases ranging from $5,000 to Multi-Millions. You can read some of my results here.  I have been selected as a NY SuperLawyer and for inclusion in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.  I am rated 10.0 on the Avvo attorney rating website.  I am a Board Member of the New York Academy of Trial Lawyers and I am active in trial lawyer associations in both New York and Pennsylvania. 

I write a blog devoted to NY Bicycle Accident Law- www.NYBikeAccident.com   

You can read my complete bio here.

Hire an attorney who is also a cyclist.
I have been an avid cyclist since I was 12 years old and given the fact that I am now pushing 50-- how the heck did that happen? :-) -- that means 38 years of cycling for me.  I raced as a teen and I continue to race as a Masters.  I have competed in everything from 24 hour mountain bike races to 25 mile criteriums to the 540 mile Race Across Oregon.  I have ridden as a commuter and as a tourist in Ireland, France, and Italy. I camped my way through the Alps for the 2004 Tour de France and I will be camping my way through the Pyrenees for the 2010 TDF.   I have a fleet of bikes from my fixed gear Surly SteamRoller to my Santana Tandem to my Trek Madonne. 

To say, I am a cycling freak is an understatement.  Just ask my wife who thinks my cycling addiction is nuts!

As a fellow cyclist, I know what cyclists are subjected to on the roads:  "brush backs" by speeding cars, honking horns, being pelted by thrown drinks, shouts of "ride on the damn sidewalk", lame claims of "I never saw you".

As a lawyer, I truly believe that knowing what cyclists are routinely subjected out on the roads let's me do my job better than a lawyer who doesn't ride.  I can honestly say I have walked a mile in my client's shoes...

As a fellow cyclist, I can assure you that I will work hard to protect your rights and maximize your insurance settlement. You need an experienced and aggressive New York trial lawyer who will fight for you. Having an experienced New York bike accident attorney can make the difference between getting what you deserve and getting nothing.

I work hard to make sure you are fully compensated for your bicycle damage. Unlike many lawyers, I know how expensive bicycles can be. I know what it is like to spend thousands of dollars on a bicycle only to have it damaged by someone else. I work closely with local bicycle shops to try and get you full replacement value for your damaged bicycle and bicycle gear.

An experienced trial attorney can make the difference.
I am an experienced New York trial lawyer.  My team and I have tried many cases. I am not afraid to take your case to trial if that is what it takes to maximize your bicycle accident insurance recovery. I offer one-on-one service, and I will not hand your case off to an inexperienced lawyer or a paralegal.

Reduce the stress of making a claim.
Bike accidents can turn your life upside down. Once I take your case, you can stop worrying about dealing with the insurance companies and focus on recovering from your bicycle accident injuries. I take care of all of the paperwork, phone calls, and negotiations, so you can get on with your life.

I handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis.
This means:
YOU DON’T OWE ME A LEGAL FEE
UNLESS I RECOVER MONEY FOR YOU.

pictured: Jim and team Falcon at the finish line of Race Across Oregon

Frequently Asked Questions
Upstate New York
Bicycle Accident Attorney

Q: How soon after my bicycle accident should I call you?

A: Call me (800-943-3529) or E-mail me (jreed@zifflaw.com)  IMMEDIATELY.  Do NOT talk to the other person's insurance companies until AFTER you have consulted a lawyer.  Remember:  insurance company adjusters are trained to pay you as little as possible so it is critically important that you get solid legal advice so you don't make the mistake of saying something to the insurance adjuster that might be fatal to your case.  I make a point of returning all calls and e-mails promptly. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident you need to know right away what insurance coverage is in place to cover your medical expenses and lost wages.

Q: How do I pay your legal fees?

A: I handle bike accidents and all other personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means YOU DO NOT OWE ME A LEGAL FEE UNLESS I RECOVER MONEY FOR YOU. I do not ask for any attorney fees upfront. If there is no recovery there is no fee.

Q: Lawsuits can be expensive, will it cost me any money up front for filing fees, court costs, expert witness fees, and any other costs?

A: Filing a lawsuit, paying court costs and expert witness fees can be very expensive. Every year I spend thousand of dollars in litigation costs. I know that most people cannot afford these costs up front, so Iforward these costs up front in every case I take. Spending a few thousand dollars on a good expert witness can make the difference between getting thousands of dollars and getting nothing for your personal injury claim. Before you hire a lawyer, make sure that they are willing to forward the money to adequately pursue your personal injury case. Otherwise, you may be forced into taking a minimal settlement if you cannot afford to spend thousands of dollars to pursue your personal injury claim.

Q: Are there any hidden fees?

A: No. I do not charge you fees for consultations, opening your file, copies, long distance, etc. Before you hire a lawyer, make sure you find out what they will be charging you, as these hidden fees can add up.

Q: Will I get to talk to a lawyer if I call?

A: Yes. Everyone who calls for a free consultation gets to talk to me personally. If I am not immediately available because I am in court or meeting with another client, you will be able to speak with my paralegal Karen Wheadon who is both brilliant and very friendly. Karen will make sure that you will get to talk to me right away or later the same day.  I tend to be most accessible via E-mail and my clients always compliment me on how quickly I respond to emails.

Q: Should I call you even if I want to handle my claim myself?

A: Yes. As a fellow cyclist, I am happy to help other cyclists even if they ultimately choose not to hire me.  If I can give you some good advice that helps you handle your claim on your own, I am happy to do so.  In fact, I have done that many times for many of my cycling friends in New York and Pennsylvania.   New York is a No Fault State and there are many traps waiting to ensnare those who are not used to dealing with the insurance companies on a regular basis, including very short time periods to submit certain vital information.  The failure to abide by these time frames could wind up making you personally responsible for hundreds or even thousands of dollars in medical bills, even if you think you are covered by private health insurance.  I will also be happy to advise you, at no charge, on how to evaluate your claim for personal injuries.

Q: Can I recover even if the motorist never hit me?

A: Yes. Many people are under the misconception that there has to be physical contact between a cyclist and a motor vehicle for the motorist to be liable. This is not true. There are many situations where cyclists are injured when they take evasive action to avoid being hit, and crash as a result. The motorist can still be held liable if their negligence required the cyclist to take the evasive action.

Q: Can I recover if the other driver had no insurance?

A: Yes. If you have Uninsured Motorist coverage on your own auto policy, you can recover money for your medical bills and pain and suffering even if the other driver had no insurance. You can read more about this coverage here.  I am happy to review your insurance policy for free to determine your coverage.  If you wish me to do so, just email me a copy of your policy at jreed@zifflaw.com or fax it to me at (607)398-7947.

Even if you don't have your own auto insurance coverage, you may be able to recover if the other driver had no insurance.  New York State has set up a fund called MVAIC, to which all carriers contribute, to provide coverage to victims of hit and run drivers and other uninsured vehicles. There are strict rules and time limits which must be followed to collect from the fund but once you qualify you can recover for medical expenses and for personal injuries.

Q: Does my auto insurance cover accidents when I am on my bike?

A: Many auto policies will cover you if you are injured in a bicycle accident or while on foot.

Q: How do I know if I have a good bicycle accident claim?

A: You need to contact me and we can discuss your case. My consultation on a personal injury case is always free.

Q: Should I accept the offer that the car insurance company has given me?

A: Often times I can get insurance companies to substantially increase the amount of their settlement offer. If you have already received an offer for your injuries, contact me and I will let you know if I think it is a fair offer.

Q: How long does it take to settle most bicycle accident and personal injury cases?

A: It depends on many factors.  Some carriers beleieve that they can discourage claims by waiting until the last minute to settle.  Others make a business decision to settle quickly to avoid defense costs. It will also depend on how quickly you recover from your injuries.  It may be unfair to you to settle prematurely if you are still in active treatrment.  Once you accept a settlement, your case is over forever.

Q: Will pursuing my case take up a lot of my time?

A: No. Oftentimes I only meet with clients for the initial interview and then we can just talk over the phone. I have even handled many cases where I never met with my client face-to-face and we corresponded via phone and E-mail.  If we do have to go to court, it will take more time. I realize your time is important, so I don't waste it.

Q: Will I have to travel to your office to meet with you?

A:  As I said above, not always.  Some clients I have met with in my office MANY times while others I have never met face-to-face.  Although I truly enjoy meeting my clients in person, I have previously represented clients who were in California, Colorado, China, etc. who were not required to travel to meet with me.  My practice is 100% digital (every piece of paper is scanned) so it is easy for me to handle cases from afar.

Q: Will I have to go to trial?

A: The vast majority (approximately 95% for me) of my bicycle collision and personal injury cases don't go to trial. However, I treat each case as if it is going to be a trial, as you have to be willing to go to trial to maximize your settlement.

Q: Why is it so important to hire an experienced New York trial attorney?

A: Most bicycle injury accidents and personal injury cases settle before trial, but you want to maximize your settlement.  My team and I have had many years of trial experience with much success in the courtroom.  I will not advise you to settle for one penny less than your case is worth.

Q: Do I need a New York lawyer?

A: In order to settle your bike accident case you will have to deal with insurance companies. Their goal is to pay you as little as you will take. It is tough for someone who is not familiar with bicycle accident cases to know what a fair settlement amount is. An experienced New York bicycle accident attorney can help you to determine that amount and reach a fair settlement.

Q: What types of New York accident cases do you handle?

A: I handle all types of New York personal injury, wrongful death and products liability cases, including: crashes and collisions involving bikes, automobiles, trucks, etc.

Q: What parts of New York do you handle cases in?

A: I handle cases throughout the entire state of New York including New York City and Long Island.  I am always willing to travel for the right case and have done so many times in the past.  In the event that I believe that you would be better served by a lawyer in your area or in a state where I am not admitted to practice law, I will be happy to assist you in finding a experienced bicycle accident lawyer.  I am admitted in both New York and Pennsylvania and routinely handle cases throughout both states.

Cities: Gang Mills, Montour Falls, Nichols, Pine Valley, Savona, Manhattan, Athens, Troy, Towanda, New York, Manhatten, Alpine Junction, Big Flats, Candor, Chemung County, Dundee, Elmira Heights, Erwin, Elmira, Horseheads, Watkins Glen, Corning, Ithaca, Waverly, New York, Sayre, Binghamton, Syracuse, Rochester, Albany, Buffalo.

Counties: Cattaraugus County, Cayuga County, Chautauqua County, Ontario County, Oswego County, St. Lawrence County, Tioga County, Tompkins County, Madison County, Monroe County, Oneida County, Cortland County, Erie County, Essex County, Genesee County, Hamilton County, Herkimer County, Jefferson County, Lewis County, Livingston County, Ontario County, Oswego County, St. Lawrence County, Tioga County, Tompkins County, Madison County, Monroe County, Oneida County.

Q:  I was hurt in a state other than New York or Pennsylvania, can you help me?

A:  As I said above, I am ALWAYS willing to assist a fellow cyclist in finding an experienced bike accident attorney in their area so if you need help, just give me a call (800-943-3529) or E-mail me (jreed@zifflaw.com)  and I will be happy to help you.