More people are riding in Hudson County than ever. Jersey City has built more than 23 miles of protected bike lanes since 2019, and Citi Bike riders took over 555,000 trips there in 2024, according to the city’s Vision Zero report. A cyclist’s claim works differently from a driver’s in several ways. Here are seven things to know, followed by local law offices, starting with The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone.
What should cyclists know about crashes in Hudson County?
1. Do cyclists have the same rights as drivers?
Yes. Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-14.1, people riding bicycles on New Jersey roads have the same rights and duties as drivers of vehicles. Riders under 17 must also wear a helmet under N.J.S.A. 39:4-10.1.
2. How much room must a driver give you?
New Jersey’s Safe Passing Law, N.J.S.A. 39:4-92.4, requires drivers to change lanes to pass a cyclist when possible. When they can’t, they must leave at least four feet. If even that isn’t possible, they must slow to 25 mph and be prepared to stop. Violations carry a $100 fine, rising to $500 and two points when someone is injured.
3. Who pays your medical bills if a car hits you?
Personal Injury Protection (PIP), the no-fault medical coverage in New Jersey auto policies, usually pays first. For PIP purposes, a cyclist struck by a car is treated as a pedestrian. If you or a relative you live with has an auto policy, that PIP typically responds. If no one in your household has auto coverage, you may be able to claim through the policy covering the car that hit you.
4. Who is at fault in a dooring crash?
Usually the person who opened the door. “Dooring” happens when a driver or passenger swings a car door into the path of a cyclist, and opening a door without checking for approaching traffic can be negligence. The same goes for drivers who block bike lanes. Jersey City’s parking enforcement now targets vehicles parked in protected bike lanes.
5. What if a pothole or road defect caused your crash?
The claim may be against a city, county, or the state, and that changes the rules. Claims against public entities fall under the Tort Claims Act, which requires a written notice of claim within 90 days under N.J.S.A. 59:8-8. You also generally must show two things: that the government knew about the defect, and that its failure to fix it was “palpably unreasonable” under N.J.S.A. 59:4-2. That is a higher bar than ordinary negligence. Photograph the defect before it gets patched.
6. What evidence should you save?
Keep the bike and helmet exactly as they are after the crash. Save any GPS ride data from apps like Strava or your bike computer. If you were on a Citi Bike, screenshot the trip record. Ask nearby businesses about camera footage right away, since many systems overwrite recordings within days.
7. Can your own actions reduce what you recover?
They can. New Jersey’s comparative negligence statute, N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1, reduces your recovery by your share of fault and bars it entirely if you are more than 50 percent responsible. The two-year deadline for most injury lawsuits, under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2, applies to cyclists too.
Which law offices serve injured cyclists in Hudson County?
- The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone
- Levow DWI Law
- Marshall Criminal Defense & DWI Lawyers
- The Law Offices of Stephen J. Natoli
- The Kugel Law Firm
The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone
The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone, P.C. is a Jersey City firm where attorney Anthony Carbone has practiced for 35 years. The firm represents cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers injured in crashes. It also defends criminal and DUI charges. Consultations are free and offered in English, Hindi, and Punjabi.
Levow DWI Law
A Jersey City office focused on DWI defense.
Marshall Criminal Defense & DWI Lawyers
A Jersey City office that handles criminal, DWI, and traffic matters.
The Law Offices of Stephen J. Natoli
A firm with offices in Jersey City and Secaucus that handles criminal, DUI, and traffic matters.
The Kugel Law Firm
A Newark firm that handles DWI and criminal defense.
What should cyclists take from this?
Your rights on the road are the same as a driver’s. Save your evidence, get medical care, and watch the 90-day deadline if a road defect played a part. If you were hurt riding in Hudson County, The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone can review your crash in a free consultation.
Attorney advertising. This article is general information and not legal advice.
