David Perecman Urges Cyclists to Slow Down After Woman Hit by Bicycle in Central Park Dies
New York, New York (PRWEB) September 24, 2014 -- Attorney at Law David Perecman urged cyclists in New York to slow down and watch out for pedestrians.
Jill Tarlov, 58, died after being struck by a bicyclist on the west side of Central Park while she was crossing the street, reported The New York Times (9.22.14). The bicyclist, a 31-year-old man, said he swerved to avoid a group of pedestrians before he hit the woman.
The collision caused Tarlov to fall to the ground and hit her head. She was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in critical condition on Thursday of last week. She passed away five days later. The bicyclist was taken to Mount Sinai Roosevelt with accident-related injuries to his shoulder and hand, said The New York Times.
Reportedly, a food-cart vendor said he heard someone yell, “Move!” just before the accident. Accidents are not uncommon on West Drive near the intersection of 63rd Street. Many bicyclists, joggers, pedicabs, skateboarders and in-line skaters use the road.
“Cyclists are required to obey all traffic laws, such as traffic signals, stop signs and the park speed limit of 25 mph,” said Attorney at Law David Perecman. “At crosswalks, cyclists must slow down, yield to pedestrians and then proceed cautiously.”
The New York Police Department has attempted to crackdown on unsafe cycling across the city. Operation Safe Cycle was the NYPD’s initiative to get bikers to follow the rules of the road. To reign in the cyclists, police conducted speed traps, issued tickets and distributed pamphlets urging them to use caution. Police were targeting bikers for violations that create a danger such as running a red light, disobeying traffic signals or signs, biking with headphones on, riding in the wrong direction against traffic or on the sidewalk, and failing to yield to pedestrians.
“With so many more people using bicycles as a means of transportation, the potential for collisions with pedestrians has grown significantly,” said Perecman.
Operation Safe Cycle was part of New York City’s Vision Zero enforcement efforts. Vision Zero is Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to reduce traffic injuries and deaths in NYC. Other initiatives that are part of this plan include increased enforcement against dangerous moving violations, targeted outreach, enhanced street lighting, the installment of more traffic signals and speed cameras, the implementation of new neighborhood slow zones, and the creation of a Taxi and Limousine Commission safety enforcement squad.
So far this year, NYC authorities have issued 468 moving summonses for bicycle violations in Central Park, said The New York Times. Half of the tickets were for riders who failed to yield to pedestrians.
“Cyclists, car drivers, truckers and pedestrians all need to behave responsibly on the roadways they share,” said Perecman.
The New York Times story cited is “Woman Hit by a Bicyclist in Central Park Dies.”
For more than 30 years, the personal injury lawyers at The Perecman Firm in New York have aggressively helped injured pedestrians and cyclists and-or their families obtain compensation in New York. Contact The Perecman Firm at 212-977-7033.
About David Perecman and The Perecman Firm, PLLC:
For the past 30 years, the New York construction accident, medical malpractice, auto accident, personal injury, and civil rights violation lawyers at The Perecman Firm, PLLC have handled all types of New York pedestrian and cyclist accidents. David Perecman, founder of the Firm, has been recognized for his achievements as an Honoree in the National Law Journal's Hall of Fame, in New York Magazine's "The Best Lawyers in America" and The New York Times Magazine "New York Super Lawyers, Metro Edition" for the years 2007-2014. The prestigious U.S. News & World Report ranks The Perecman Firm among the top 20 personal injury firms in New York City for 2011-2012 and 2012-2013.
The Firm has recovered millions of dollars for its clients. Among the more recent victories, Mr. Perecman won a $15 million verdict** for a construction accident (Index 112370/03) Supreme Court, New York County, a $5.35 million dollar verdict*** for an automobile accident (Index 2749/04) Supreme Court, Kings County, and a $40 million dollar structured settlement for medical malpractice (Index 2146/03)****Supreme Court, Kings County.
The Perecman Firm serves Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, Westchester, Upstate NY, Morris County, and Rockland County.
**later settled while on appeal for $7.940 million
*** later settled for $3.5 million
**** total potential payout
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Sherry Ishak, The Perecman Firm, +1 (305)864-1539, [email protected]
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