NYC Pedestrian Accidents Draw Attention

 Pedestrian accidents are believed to be declining thanks to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero program aimed at eliminating all traffic accident deaths. However, incidents over the course of last week have contributed to a spike in pedestrian accident fatalities in New York City. According to a news report in The Staten Island Advance, two pedestrians were killed in separate crashes on Hylan Boulevard. The mayor tweeted saying that he was “deeply pained” by the deaths. He added in another tweet that he has instructed NYPD to increase enforcement and he has instructed the Department of Transportation to pursue safety fixes for the corridor.

Recent Pedestrian Accidents
In one incident, a 31-year-old mother of two was killed when a sedan slammed into her as she was crossing Hylan Boulevard near the Arden Avenue intersection. On the same night on October 5, 2015, a 61-year-old man was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Bay Street and Hylan Boulevard. Police have not yet issued summonses or filed charges in either crash. They have said they are investigating the incidents. Hylan Boulevard is one of the most dangerous arteries on Staten Island. According to the city’s statistics, five deaths and 178 traffic accident injuries have been reported along the roadway just this year.
On October 6, a 52-year-old woman was killed and two other pedestrians were injured in Queens after a two-car crash sent a vehicle onto a sidewalk at Atlantic and 108th streets in Richmond Hill. Police say an SUV ran a red light and struck another vehicle. The impact of the collision caused the SUV to mount the sidewalk, striking the three victims. A week before this crash, four children and a woman were injured when a livery cab jumped a curb and crashed into a group of pedestrians in the Bronx near a school bus stop. These are just some of the serious injury pedestrian accidents that have occurred over the last couple of weeks.
Why Pedestrian Accidents Occur
As we see from this sampling of recent pedestrian accidents, negligence on the part of motorists is the most common cause of these types of tragic incidents. Here are some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in New York City:
• Failure to yield: Under New York law, motorists are required to stop and yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections. This is one of the most common reasons for fatal pedestrian accidents in the city.
• Distracted driving: When drivers are distracted or inattentive, they put pedestrians in harm’s way. It is important to keep your attention on the roadway at all times.
• Violating rules of the road: Some of these accidents are triggered by drivers who fail to obey the rules of the road. For example, when a driver runs a red light at the intersection and collides with another car, the vehicle may go out of control and become a projectile for nearby pedestrians. When this type of an incident occurs at a crowded intersection, there is a heightened risk of serious or even fatal injuries.
• Impaired driving: Those who operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs are also at an increased risk of causing a crash.
• Excessive speed: Speeding vehicles are often deadly for pedestrians. When a pedestrian is struck at a speed of 25 mph or higher, the chance of the pedestrian suffering a catastrophic or fatal injury increases significantly. When drivers are operating their vehicles at a high rate of speed, they are more likely to lose control and put pedestrians in the vicinity in grave danger.
Justice for Injured Pedestrians
In addition to the driver being charged or cited, injured victims of pedestrian accidents can seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. The family members of a deceased pedestrian accident victim can file what is known as a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages that include lost future income, medical and funeral expenses, pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. For over 49 years, our skilled accident attorneys have a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a man who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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Source: The Staten Island Advance, NBC