New York City has always had a great amount of pedestrian traffic on its streets and city officials have over the years taken steps to improve conditions for their safety. Pedestrian accident numbers have gone down in New York City over the last couple of years, particularly after Mayor Bill de Blasio launched the Vision Zero plan to eliminate traffic accidents. However, a lot of work on this front remains to be done as the city continues to be among those with the highest number of pedestrian accidents in the country.
Getting injured in a pedestrian accident can be devastating. It may result in permanent injuries and disabilities that may keep victims from returning to work or earning a livelihood. Many injured pedestrians also require continued treatment and rehabilitation for their injuries, the costs of which may add up very quickly.
Crucial Steps to Take
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, there are a number of steps to take in order to protect your legal rights. While you may be dazed, in shock or severely injured physically, there are certain steps you should take soon after the accident.
Get medical help right away. If a vehicle has struck you, the motorist has a responsibility to stop immediately and get help. You may also call 911 and get the emergency care you need if you are conscious and able to after the collision. If you are injured, do not move until you are helped. Go to the emergency room or visit your doctor to get evaluated as soon as possible after the accident even if you think you have not suffered an injury. A number of injuries don’t surface until later because pedestrian accident victims are typically in a state of shock immediately after the crash.
Document your injuries. Determine if you have any visual injuries. Check to see if you are bleeding. Make a note of all the injuries and the pain you are experiencing and report them to paramedics as soon as they arrive. Getting prompt medical help will not only ensure that your injuries and treatment are documented, but it also starts your recovery process.
File a police report. Make sure your account of the incident gets into the police report. A copy of this report may be obtained from the police department typically a few days after the incident. Your pedestrian accident lawyer will be able to obtain a copy of this report for you. At the scene, be sure to get the responding officer’s name and badge number.
Collect evidence at the scene. Take as many photographs and shoot video of the scene showing the roadway, the vehicles involved and the people involved. Obtain contact information for anyone who may have witnessed what occurred. Eyewitness testimony can be extremely important in such cases. Preserve any type of physical evidence such as destroyed property or torn, bloody or otherwise stained clothing.
Don’t admit fault to anyone at the scene. It is important that you do not admit fault or discuss the accident with other parties at the scene. This is because at a very preliminary stage, it is difficult to determine all the facts, let alone ascertain who was at fault. There are a number of factors that go into determining who was responsible. What you say at the scene, even if you are injured and disoriented, may be used against you later. So, be very careful. In addition, don’t speak to the motorist’s insurance company or provide any statements because they do not have your best interest in mind. Don’t rush into a settlement or sign any agreements until you’ve spoken with your personal injury lawyer.
Contact an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a reckless driver or due to someone else’s negligence, 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, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
Our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist 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, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole.
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 and medical malpractice cases in New York, 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.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com