John Silicano Injured in Lansing Bicycle Accident
The 73-year-old Ithaca resident was flown to Upstate Medical University following the collision on Brickyard Road
John Silicano, 73, of Ithaca, was critically injured in a bicycle crash on Brickyard Road near Ludlowville Road in Lansing on Wednesday, according to the New York State Police.
The vehicle struck Silicano as both navigated the road just after 3 p.m.
The impact was severe. Rescuers flew Silicano by helicopter to Upstate Medical University for emergency treatment. He remains in critical but stable condition.
Troopers from the Tompkins County 911 center responded to the scene. The collision remains under investigation.
Bicyclists face extreme risks when sharing roads with motor vehicles, especially when weather conditions reduce visibility or traction.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, Bicyclists are among the most vulnerable people on public roads, riding without steel frames, airbags, or crumple zones that absorb energy during a collision with a motor vehicle, meaning even a moderate-speed impact can produce catastrophic or fatal results.
An attorney working after such a crash typically moves quickly to secure footage, preserve physical evidence, and protect any financial recovery available to surviving family members, added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
According to the New York City Department of Transportation, bicycle accidents have seen an increasing trend statewide, with thousands of injuries reported annually.
How does this bicycle collision impact the Lansing community?
The severe injury of a 73-year-old rider highlights the ongoing safety challenges for cyclists navigating local routes like Brickyard Road.
What happens next in the State Police investigation?
Investigators will examine skid marks, vehicle damage, and environmental factors to determine fault.
"Crash scene damage often reveals far more about fault than eyewitness accounts alone. Investigators examine that physical evidence alongside environmental conditions to understand how a fatal bicycle collision truly unfolded," Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.
While the cause and liability of the collision are being investigated, Formica said it is important that a competent attorney handles investigations into cases such as this to ensure the rights of the victim and their family are protected.
New York personal injury framework
New York follows a pure comparative fault system with no-fault auto insurance. The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Under New York's no-fault system, PIP benefits cover medical expenses and lost wages up to $50,000 regardless of fault. To pursue a liability claim, injuries must meet the 'serious injury' threshold under Insurance Law § 5102(d).