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Pedestrian Accidents

In the event of a pedestrian accident, is important to understand your rights on the road and consult with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. At Leav & Steinberg LLP, we will defend your rights and help you understand the full extent of the law. Learn more about pedestrian accidents in New York City.

Are Pedestrian Accidents Common in NYC?

More than 8.6 million people call New York City home. Tourists and commuters must stay on high alert when traversing the busy streets, sidewalks, and intersections across the densely-packed city. Even with the lowered citywide speed limit of 25 mph, pedestrians are still at risk of serious injury or death from a vehicular collision. NYPD reports that collisions increased by 11% from 2014 to 2018. Additionally, while total vehicular deaths were down in 2018, the number of pedestrian deaths is still on the rise, increasing to 114 in 2018 compared to 107 in 2017. This makes it more important than ever to follow crosswalk indicators, look both ways, and follow all New York City traffic rules and regulations.

What Are the Typical Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?

Recently, the city has invested in changes to help improve pedestrian safety, including revamping street corners to slow down cars, updating crosswalk signals to give pedestrians a head start, and increasing traffic violation enforcement across the city. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that drivers are more distracted than ever, leading to a nationwide trend in traffic death increases due to factors like texting while driving. Other common causes of vehicular collisions with pedestrians include:

  • Getting struck by a car, taxi, bus, or truck when crossing the street
  • Failure to yield to pedestrians
  • Speeding
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Under New York Vehicle Traffic Law § 1146, motorists must also exercise due care to avoid hitting a pedestrian, including sounding their horn to warn pedestrians when necessary. Failure to comply would constitute negligence under New York law. Other examples of negligent driving include failure to turn at an intersection with reasonable safety and failure to yield to the right of way.

What Should I Do If I’m Injured in a Pedestrian Accident?

With no protection or safety restraints, pedestrians are far more vulnerable to serious injury or death in the event of an accident. According to the New York City Department of Transportation, pedestrians are 10 times more likely to die in a vehicular accident than a motor vehicle occupant, and crashes that occur on major street corridors are two-thirds deadlier than accidents that occur on smaller local streets. If you are injured by a vehicle, you should take several steps immediately to protect your rights and safety.

First, pedestrians should always seek medical care and call the police immediately after a collision with a vehicle. Common injuries as a result of a vehicular or bicycle collision with a pedestrian include:

  • Deep cuts and bruises
  • Neck pain and facial injuries, including loss of vision
  • Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
  • Broken bones and orthopedic injuries
  • Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

At the scene of the accident, victims should document and gather evidence that can help build their case. This includes taking photographs and making note of all working traffic lights and street lights in the vicinity. Involved parties should also obtain a copy of the police report. You should call a lawyer immediately to assist in the completion of these steps and help determine an appropriate course of action based on your specific case. Our attorneys at Leav & Steinberg can help you understand your rights and obtain all available evidence. You will have direct contact your attorney and a dedicated paralegal available 24/7 to attend to your case and answer your questions.

Add Your Heading Text aChoose Leav & Steinberg for Your Pedestrian Accident Case

Dealing with a serious injury or death as a result of a pedestrian collision can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to do it alone. At Leav & Steinberg, we will work side-by-side with you and your family to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. We have represented clients in New York City since 1999, with motor vehicle accident results including multi-million dollar settlements. Schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys today to see how we can help build your case. Call us directly at 212-766-5222 or complete our secure contact form online. We make house calls and will travel in the tri-state area to meet with you about your case.