A 19-year-old bicyclist was tragically killed when she was struck by an MTA bus on the morning of Tuesday, June 16, 2020. The woman was biking downtown at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street around 9:00 a.m. when she was hit by the right rear corner of a BxM10 bus. She died at the scene from massive head trauma.
According to officials, as the bus approached from behind and made its way past her, she was struck by the rear corner of the bus, causing her to fall off her bike and tumble under the bus’s tires. The bus driver, stunning many observers, continued driving for a half block because he claimed he did not realize he had hit someone. Significantly, it should be noted that the version of events captured in reports is based solely on the account of the bus driver and not the cyclist. There are no charges as of yet, and the investigation is ongoing. The accident investigation will be critical in determining what took place here.
The cyclist remains unidentified pending notification of her family. Our greatest sympathies are with the loved ones of the victim; it is a terrible tragedy that this woman died so young.
According to the Gothamist.com report on the incident, this death marks the seventh cyclist killed on the streets of New York City this year. Although that number is lower than the 12 deaths recorded at the same time last year, there are still concerns that 2020 could result in a similar or worse amount of cyclist deaths to last year’s all-time high of 29.
Danny Harris, the executive director of New York non-profit Transportation Alternatives, noted that now there is even more reason to be concerned for cyclist safety, since there has been a surge in bike ridership as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said, “As New York comes back from the pandemic, we must leave behind the days when safe cycling infrastructure was rolled out in fits and starts and subject to a slow political process.”
Nearly 800,000 New Yorkers ride a bicycle regularly, according to a “Cycling in the City” report released in May 2019 by the Department of Transportation. In addition, even without considering the spike in cycling because of the coronavirus, there has been an upward trend in both novice and experienced cyclists, the report said. With so many New Yorkers using bicycles as a means of regular transportation, more people than ever are sharing New York’s roads with other vehicles, including large buses. It is necessary to ensure cyclists are protected and the streets are as safe as possible for everyone.
If you or someone you know has been injured or even killed in a bicycle crash, the attorneys at Block O’Toole & Murphy are here to help. We have varied experience obtaining compensation for victims of bicycle accidents and their families, such as:
- Record-breaking $110,174,972 jury verdict for a 23-year-old cyclist in Brooklyn who was unfortunately paralyzed for the rest of his life after he was struck by a falling railroad tie
- $2,500,000 settlement for a bike mechanic who required multiple surgeries after he was doored by an Access-A-Ride van
- $2,100,000 settlement for a cyclist who sustained multiple fractures and a herniated disc after he was struck by a New York Department of Sanitation truck
We understand how much a bicycle ride gone wrong can completely upend your life or the lives of your loved ones. Our bicycle accident attorneys are here to discuss your case and help you get any compensation you may be entitled to. Call us at 212-736-5300 or fill out our contact form to speak to a qualified attorney today.