Mayor Dinkins injures cyclist in hit-and-run accident

A cyclist was recently injured in a serious hit-and-run collision in New York. This accident reportedly occurred earlier this summer when the cyclist was struck by an automobile being driven by a former Mayor, Mr. David Dinkins. Dinkins denies that he was responsible for the accident, which occurred on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

This incident took place around noon on June 30. An eyewitness saw the accident and was able to supply the license plate of a 2013 Cadillac as it left the scene. According to reports, the 31-year-old cyclist was stopped in the northbound lane of York Avenue as he prepared to make a left turn onto another street. The motorist, who was headed south on that avenue, clipped the man’s bike, whipping it around 180 degrees. As the cyclist had put his right foot down onto the road, the force of impact and twisting motion snapped his right ankle and broke two bones.

The victim was on-the-job when this incident occurred. He reportedly had just finished making a delivery for the restaurant at which he works and was on his return route when he was struck. According to police reports, Dinkins did not deny involvement in the accident, but he claims that the cyclist hit his vehicle.

Bicycle accidents are pretty common in New York. It is also common for the drivers involved to deny liability and blame the victim — as is being done in this case. However, if there is evidence of driver negligence, the injured cyclist may be entitled to pursue personal injury claims and may be awarded compensation for any losses incurred as a result of the accident, which can include lost pay, hospital bills and even non-economic damages.

Source: nydailynews.com, “Mayor Dinkins hit bicyclist with car, left scene: lawsuit“, Barbara Ross, Sept. 2, 2016