Teenage Bike Rider in Critical Condition after Bicycle Accident Near Brooklyn, NY Playground

On August 3, a 13-year-old boy was hit by an SUV near a Brooklyn playground. He is now in critical condition. According to police sources and witnesses, he was struck by a white 2006 Ford Explorer outside Linwood Playground near Hegeman Avenue in East New York.

One accident witness said the impact was so hard she heard it from her front yard, and the teen’s shoe flew off his right foot. The witness went on to say the victim was unconscious after the accident. The woman driving the SUV told investigators she was driving along Linwood Street when she heard a thud and looked out to see the boy lying near a bike. According to the witness, “Blood was falling from his mouth. It was horrible.”

Emergency responders took the victim to Maimonides Medical Center, where he is listed in critical condition with injuries including internal bleeding. At this time, the driver has not been charged with a crime.

Legal Discussion Points Regarding this Accident & Injury

For us, a few points came to mind after reading about this motor vehicle-bike accident and injury. First is the frequent failure of motor vehicle drivers to watch out for bicyclists and pedestrians, even near playgrounds and in residential areas. Second, parents often wonder how to go about securing compensation for an injured child. A child under 18 generally cannot file legal action on his or her own behalf, so it’s up to the child’s parent or legal guardian to help the child obtain legal representation and file a personal injury claim to recover fair compensation for medical treatment, loss of future income and earning capacity, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. At Dupée & Monroe, P.C., we provide compassionate legal counsel to families affected by a child’s personal injury.

Finally, many personal injury victims wonder if they can make a claim for compensation if the person who caused the injury hasn’t been charged with a crime. The answer is yes. Most personal injury claims are based on negligence, not criminal wrongdoing. In the accident at hand, the driver may not have been speeding or disobeying any other traffic laws, but she should have been driving with care and caution, with an eye out for perceivable hazards—such as a teenager on a bike near a playground.

Talk to a New York Personal Injury Lawyer Experienced with Bike Accidents

If you or a family member has been injured in an accident in New York City or the Hudson Valley, get the legal help you need by talking to an experienced personal injury attorney. Dupée & Monroe, P.C. has offices in Goshen and Manhattan, and if you or your family member is recovering at home or in the hospital, one of our New York personal injury lawyers will come to you.