Hi Stephane,
Sorry to hear about your accident. I have been and still am dealing with similar issues in NJ. Eventually I'd like to post to this website what I've learned for the benefit of others who are dealing with these unfortunate situations... but it's a work in progress and I'm not sure what the best forum is for getting the information out there... in the meantime call me anytime... I can share what I've learned so far and hope I can help. (973) 706-8636.
Mitch

i believe no fault is for medical bills, lost wages and injuries only.
the damage to your bike and gear will probably need to be settled in another manner.
the cab company had to give you a insurance company name and number, call them and make a property damage claim
ok and contact a bike lawyer for the real scoop

I'm surprised to hear that this is a no-fault situation. I think you should hire your own counsel and send them a letter stating that you will open a case for $x based on your pain and the damages to your bike.

www.peoplescourt.com. Save yourself the lawyers fees, sue for damages and pain and suffering.

P.S. I believe that the incentive for both parties to agree to participate is that the TV show Producer pays the judgement - up to the maximum of $5,000. I believe the Peoples Court is taped in NYC.

"You tried to do the right thing and they are now taking advantage of you. They are doing this b/c you do not know what your rights are, the specifics of the law as it relates to the accident. They do.

Do yourself a favor.... talk to a lawyer. If you do this right, this will never end up in court, but will settle. Given the circumstances, you should make out fine (and not have to pay anything to the lawyer unless he/she gets you compensated).

I am not an advocate of litigation as a first course of action, but you are clearly getting the run-around (much the way I was before I got ""lawyered-up"").

If you want a referral, email me. The lawyer I used was rather good.

Good luck.
Ron"

Not to criticize, but you should have talked to a laywer on Day 1. I was struck by a car in '04, and the driver fled. I suffered a separated shoulder. I filed claims against my own insurance company. They stalled me and tried to nickel-and-dime me.

I got a lawyer. In the end, my lawyer convinced an arbitrator that my injury met the threshold for a permanent and/or disfiguring condition. He awarded me the maximum allowed under my uninsured motorist coverage...much, much, much more than $194.

First, I hope you persue the hospital treatment you think necessary, to insure proper healing. Don’t let the opposing lawyers discourage you. Your health is the most important thing.

I was cut-off by a taxi while riding my bike. I tried to contact the taxi driver’s insurance company. They were difficult and avoided dealing with me. They refused to pay my bills.

I finally got a response by hiring a lawyer specializing in bike cases. He got a settlement that included all expenses and more. The whole process probably took about 6 months. My suggestion is to go this route.

Good luck.

I don't mean to nitpick, while it is true the insurance coverage required by cabs is small*, it appears Stepahne's claim is quite small as in hundreds, or a couple thousand dollars. That amount should be suitable enough for small claims court, including those TV shows.

Both parties get paid by the TV show to appear, ~$500, maybe more, if I remember correctly. For a cabbie that is an incentive well worth pursuing in lieu forgoing a day's earnings given the assumption he's going to be sued anyways. Not to mention the ego stroking benefits of seeing oneself on TV.

*IIRC, $25,000/50,0000 which is an incredulous farce as it is much lower than what is required by statute for non-commercial drivers (meaning: you). The TL&C successfully shot down proposed legislation a few years back, when Rudy was Mayor, to increase the liability limits. At least that is what I remember when I had a NYS drivers license.

Thanks for all this information. It gives me some hope. Actually, I did not pass the cab on the right, it never made it to my lane, only the door, wide open, blocked my way. I was riding straight on the left side of my lane (not to be doored on the right by a driver who might be leaving his parked car), the cab arrived from the left and the driver must have slowed down at the last second not to cut me, (at the time I was already a bit paranoid and would have never passed it on the right had I seen it). The passenger admitted to the police she had opened the door without looking while the cab was moving, the driver could not speak, he kept jumping and pulling at his hair. Interestingly enough, the passenger immediately called her husband to let him know what she had just done, I had to ask a passer-by to call 911!