Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers | January 3, 2025 | Personal Injury
The Brooklyn Bridge may not be as grandiose as the Statue of Liberty, but it’s no less iconic or synonymous with the New York City skyline. Every day, more than 100,000 vehicles, 32,000 pedestrians, and 4,000 cyclists use the Brooklyn Bridge to cross between Manhattan and Brooklyn. This equates to millions of people traversing the bridge’s 1.1-mile length every year.
With so many people using different means of transportation within a single shared space, accidents are bound to happen. What’s more, the very nature of the Brooklyn Bridge itself can be an injury hazard. Being mindful of these dangers and the harm they can cause will help ensure that your next trip across the Brooklyn Bridge is a safe one.
Pedestrian Injuries
Slip and fall and trip and fall accidents are a distinct risk for pedestrians, especially during inclement weather. Because the bridge is exposed to the elements, snow, ice, and water can all accumulate on the stairs leading up to it. The promenade can also become slippery and dangerous, especially for those who aren’t wearing appropriate shoes.
Pedestrians are also in danger of being struck by cyclists. Although pedestrians are separated from bike riders on the bridge, they can suffer injuries if they attempt to cross the barricades and enter the bicycle lanes. Doing so can lead to painful collisions between those on foot and those on two wheels, often leaving the pedestrian hurt.
These and other incidents can result in cuts and bruises, broken bones, and back and neck injuries. Some severe slips and falls could even lead to head injuries and brain trauma.
Cyclist Injuries
In 2021, the city repurposed a single-vehicle traffic lane and turned it into two one-way dedicated bicycle lanes. These lanes are separated from both vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic and have resulted in more cyclists using the Brooklyn Bridge.
However, the two bicycle lanes aren’t separated from one another in any way. This creates a risk of cyclists colliding with one another. The injuries a cyclist sustains after running into another will depend on their speed at the time of impact and what protective equipment they are wearing.
Low-speed crashes may only cause minor bumps and cuts, while bike wrecks at higher speeds can lead to broken bones and road rash. Cyclists who are thrown off their bikes can also suffer head trauma, especially if they aren’t wearing helmets.
Motorist Injuries
Vehicle accidents happen regularly on the Brooklyn Bridge, just as they do elsewhere in New York City. Although the bridge’s 30-mile-per-hour speed limit might not seem dangerous, this speed is enough to leave drivers and passengers with noticeable injuries after a wreck. Crashes at higher speeds often result in more severe injuries.
Some of the most common injuries associated with car wrecks in Brooklyn include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord trauma
- Back injuries
- Broken bones, especially in the arms, legs, and ribcage
- Internal organ damage
In the aftermath of a car accident, it can be difficult to know how badly you’ve been hurt. Unless your crash was a minor fender-bender, you should strongly consider visiting an urgent care center or nearby hospital for an evaluation.
The Brooklyn Bridge Poses Risks For All Users
No matter how you travel across the Brooklyn Bridge or why, being injured is always a possibility.
Pedestrians can suffer fall-related injuries, whereas cyclists and motorists should be aware of the potential for collisions and the associated harm that can follow. Considering the ways you could potentially be hurt enables you to take appropriate action to protect yourself in the event that an accident occurs.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Brooklyn
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Brooklyn, and need legal help, contact our Brooklyn personal injury lawyers at Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We also serve in Manhattan, NY and the Bronx.
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – Brooklyn Office
32 Court St #704
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(212) 514-5007
(917) 920-7332
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – New York City Office
100 Wall St 24th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – Bronx Office
1578 Williamsbridge Rd suite 3b
Bronx, NY 10461
(212) 514-5007
(917) 905-2339
