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In New York, anyone under the age of 14 is required to wear a bicycle helmet when bicycling. This law means that some older teens and some adults choose not to wear a helmet.

Wearing a helmet can be one of the best things you do to prevent a serious head injury. In the event of a bicycle crash, your helmet can protect you from a permanent or even fatal injury, but there are many reasons why people decide not to wear a helmet. They may not have a helmet on hand, especially if they are riding a rented bike. They may not like the feel of a helmet.

Many riders worry that the absence of a helmet automatically destroys their case if they are injured. Insurance adjusters sometimes reinforce that fear, suggesting that a cyclist who did not wear a helmet is to blame for their own injuries.

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A bicycle accident is frightening under any circumstances. A hit-and-run makes it worse. When a driver strikes you and then speeds away, there may suddenly be no one there to help you if you’re injured. You may also not know what to do to seek compensation.

If you were the victim of a hit-and-run bicycle accident in Westchester County, the driver’s decision to flee does not eliminate your right to pursue compensation. At The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, we have nearly 40 years of experience representing injured New Yorkers.

Step One: Prioritize Your Safety and Medical Care

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Westchester County offers some of the most scenic and rewarding cycling routes in New York. From river towns along the Hudson to suburban roadways that connect neighborhoods and business districts, bicycling here can offer some big benefits.

But not every road is equally safe.

Certain intersections and corridors in Westchester County present elevated risks for cyclists. Heavy commuter traffic, complex signal patterns, limited shoulders, poor road maintenance, low lighting, and driver inattention can create dangerous conditions.

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If you ride a bicycle in New York, you have likely experienced a situation where a driver passes too closely, turns across your path, or honks as though you don’t belong on the road. If you cycle regularly, chances are this happened to you more than once.

It may make you wonder: Do cyclists have the same rights as drivers in New York?

Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, bicyclists are granted many of the same rights and are subject to many of the same duties as motor vehicle operators. Yet despite these protections, drivers often fail to yield or share the road properly.

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If you ride a bicycle in Westchester County, you know how common cycling is here. You might bike to work in White Plains or Yonkers. Maybe you enjoy weekend rides along the Hudson River or through quiet neighborhood streets. No matter why you ride, you rely on drivers to share the road safely.

Unfortunately, bicycle accidents still happen. During a time like this, one of the most important decisions you can make is choosing the lawyer who will represent you. Hiring a local Westchester County bicycle accident lawyer means working with an accessible attorney who can help pursue your claim.

With decades of experience representing injured New Yorkers, The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel understands that familiarity with the local area plays an important role in building a strong claim.

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Picture this: you’re driving in New York or in Westchester County, doing your best to operate your vehicle responsibly. In between intersections, a pedestrian steps into the road, not even glancing around, their eyes firmly on their phone.

It happens more than you think, so if you haven’t encountered this yet, you likely will at some point.

People call them “smartphone zombies” (and some more creative names that I can’t print here), but what they really are are distracted pedestrians. These distracted pedestrians are becoming as common (and as dangerous) as distracted drivers. Across New York and the country, walking while texting, scrolling, or streaming has become a leading cause of preventable accidents. And while mobile devices are the most common culprits, pedestrians can also be distracted by listening to music, talking to others, or just about anything else that keeps their focus away from the traffic.

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Bedsores can be painful, and in some cases, life-threatening. Understandably, families often assume that the presence of a bedsore automatically means their loved one has been neglected or abused. The truth is more nuanced than that, but if a loved one has developed bedsores, it is worthwhile asking whether neglect is a factor.

At The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, we have handled countless personal injury matters over nearly 40 years of practice, including nursing home neglect cases involving bedsores. Our firm takes a relationship-based approach: we truly get to know our clients and stay in touch. We also pride ourselves on responsiveness, returning phone calls and emails within 24 business hours, and often the same day. This level of responsiveness is especially important in cases involving bedsores, because every day matters in keeping your loved one safe.

What Are Bedsores?

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Driving comes with serious risks, especially for younger, less experienced drivers. While teens may look forward to the freedom, they may underestimate the potential dangers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle accidents remain among the leading causes of death for U.S. teenagers.

At The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, we’ve represented countless families whose lives were changed when their teens were in a traffic collision. With almost 40 years of experience handling motor vehicle accident and personal injury cases across New York, attorney Mark A. Siesel understands how to help when your family member has been injured. If your teen has been injured, reach out to our law firm for a free consultation.

Why Teen Drivers Are at Higher Risk

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After a car accident, it can be tempting to skip a trip to the doctor if you don’t feel immediate pain. After all, you may feel fine and may be more worried about damage to your car or the insurance process. Spending hours in a waiting room to see a doctor can seem like more than you can handle. However, seeking prompt medical attention after a crash is one of the most important steps you can take. It protects your health and can save your life. It also protects your potential personal injury claim.

At The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, we’ve represented car accident victims throughout Westchester and surrounding counties. We’ve seen how early medical evaluation can make a critical difference in both physical recovery and the outcome of an injury case. If you have been injured by someone’s negligence, contact us for a free consultation. You can even call us from the waiting room or from your hospital room and we will answer within 24 business hours—and often much sooner. If you are worried about your medical costs, we can explore ways we can seek compensation to cover those, and other expenses related to your car accident.

Why Immediate Medical Care Matters After a Crash

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Tesla is under renewed federal scrutiny following reports that some vehicles equipped with its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system may run red lights, veer into oncoming lanes, or even stall on railroad tracks. While this probe is unfolding, it raises urgent questions for drivers, potential victims, and anyone who may be harmed by such system failures.

At The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, we follow developments like these closely because they can affect real people’s lives. With almost 40 years’ experience handling serious personal injury, motor vehicle, and wrongful‐death claims, we help people understand the legal options when technology fails. If you have been injured in a Tesla collision or any car crash, you can always schedule a free consultation with our team to review what your options might be.

What’s Behind the Federal Investigation?

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