Pedestrian accidents in New York City often cause catastrophic if not fatal injuries for the victims. A number of streets and intersections citywide are notorious for the significant dangers they pose to pedestrians. However, it should be noted that negligent motorists by far represent the biggest threat to pedestrian safety. A vast majority of the pedestrian versus vehicle collisions tends to occur as a result of negligence or the wrongful actions on the part of drivers.

Types of Pedestrian Accidents

Here are five of the most common types of pedestrian accidents we see in the city:
1.Crosswalk accidents: Pedestrians may be struck inside crosswalks or at street intersections as motorists fail to stop and/or yield the right of way to them. New York law is very clear when it comes to pedestrians and crosswalks. Drivers are required to come to a full stop, yield the right of way to pedestrians and proceed only when it is safe to do so. However, not all drivers follow the law. Some drive right through crosswalks because they are distracted by their cell phones or other electronic devices.
Drunk drivers or those impaired and operating under the influence of drugs are also more likely to overlook pedestrians in crosswalks. If you or a loved one has been struck and injured by a motorist at a crosswalk or street intersection, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries, damages and losses from the at-fault motorist. It is important to note that you may be able to seek compensation even if you were not in the crosswalk when a motorist hit you. An experienced New York City pedestrian accident lawyer will be able to give you more information about pursuing your legal rights in such cases.
2. Turns at street intersections: It is tragically common for pedestrians in New York City to get struck at street intersections by turning vehicles. When that vehicle is a bus or a garbage truck, the consequences almost always are fatal. These types of pedestrian accidents typically occur due to the driver’s carelessness or lack of attention to the pedestrian traffic ahead of them. In such cases, the at-fault driver and his or her employer can be held liable for the injuries and damages caused.
3. Vehicle collisions: As New York City personal injury attorneys, we have seen collisions between two or more vehicles that end up resulting in major injury or even fatal pedestrian accidents. This can happen when two or more vehicles collide and one or more of them loses control and ends up hitting nearby pedestrians. This type of pedestrian accident may cause significant damage, especially when it occurs in crowded city locations such as Times Square.
4. Back-up accidents: When a driver backs up his or her vehicle without looking carefully and paying attention, pedestrians may get hit. Many vehicle models come equipped with sensors that detect pedestrian or other activity and alert drivers as they are backing up. However, there are still many vehicles that do not have such technology. A momentary lapse in attention may end up resulting in a major injury pedestrian accident. Motorists have a duty to check their surroundings before reversing their vehicles.
5. Parking lot accidents: Parking lots can also be an extremely dangerous location for pedestrians. Excessive speed and inattention are some of the most common reasons why pedestrians get struck in parking lots. In private properties, sometimes, dangerous conditions such as lack of proper lighting may also result in pedestrian accidents. In such cases, in addition to filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, injured pedestrians may also be able to seek compensation from negligent property owners and/or property managers by filing a premises liability lawsuit.;

What to Do if You Have Been Injured in a New York City Pedestrian Accident

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
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