Bike Hits Person Hits City (with 3 Million Dollar Lawsuit)

Sober Second Thought Photography http://www.sobersecondthought.com/archives/003340.php?sel=photoEvery time I hear about a pedestrian/cyclist accident I think, "How can that be? We're on the same team!" The team of people who feel bullied and oppressed by cars in this city, that is. But then I remember all the times I've been nearly mowed over by a cyclist going the wrong way down a one way street, or disregarding traffic signals entirely to zip through a red light without the slightest regard for those of us on foot.

A Brooklyn woman is suing a cyclist who hit her while biking in Prospect Park earlier this year. She's also suing the city to boot. Actress Dana Jacks was seriously injured in the accident and spent three weeks in a hospital bed because of it. Her $3 million dollar lawsuit against the city sites "negligent, careless and reckless" enforcement of traffic rules in the Park. But it doesn't end there. The cyclist, David Sonenberg, was ALSO hurt, and he blames the pedestrian. Sonenberg alleges that Jacks crossed outside a crosswalk and, due to the force of the collision, he was knocked off his bike and also seriously injured. 

Given the "every driver/cyclist/pedestrian for himself" nature of New York traffic, I think it's clear situations like that are par for the course. In the meantime, I'm going to start wearing a pedestrian helmet.