Pedestrians have little to no protection in a collision with a vehicle. These accidents can be devastating and life-altering. NYC can be dangerous for cyclists, runners, walkers, skateboarders, and rollerbladers. In most accidents, pedestrians suffer incredibly painful and debilitating injuries that require extensive medical treatment.
If you've been hurt in a pedestrian accident, it's important to work with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in New York who can guide you through the legal process and defend your rights. There are laws in place to protect pedestrians from being hit by a vehicle, and Ward Law represents pedestrian accident victims in New York City. We can help you understand your legal options and pursue full financial recovery for your injuries.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in NYC
It should be no surprise that NYC has some of the heaviest foot traffic in the state. Walking is one of the easiest ways to get around the city, but NYC is one of the nation's most unsafe metropolitan areas for pedestrians.
Pedestrian accidents in New York City happen for various reasons, often due to the negligence of motorists, trucks, bicycles, poor infrastructure, or poor visibility. Some leading causes of pedestrian accidents in NYC include:
- Distracted Driving: Drivers who are texting, using their phones, eating, or otherwise not paying full attention to the road are more likely to collide with pedestrians.
- Unsafe Driving: Speeding, aggressive driving, and failing to yield at crosswalks or traffic signals put pedestrians at risk of being struck.
- Drunk Driving: Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly increase the risk of pedestrian accidents.
If you plan to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver, you must prove the individual is at fault. A New York City pedestrian accident attorney can help you gather evidence such as police reports, medical records, and witness statements to support your legal claim and prove negligence.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Getting hit by a vehicle can lead to serious bodily harm. Even if you don't feel like you've been seriously injured, it's in your best interest to seek medical attention after a pedestrian accident.
Some of the most common injuries sustained in a pedestrian accident include:
- Broken bones and skull fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries and brain damage
- Spinal cord and vertebral injuries
- Internal bleeding and internal organ damage
- Lacerations and emotional trauma
These injuries often result in extensive medical bills, long recovery periods, and lasting physical or emotional effects. Our NYC personal injury attorneys understand the severity of pedestrian accident injuries and help victims seek financial recovery that reflects both immediate and long-term needs.
Why Should I Call a Personal Injury Lawyer After an NYC Pedestrian Accident?
Recovering from a pedestrian accident can take weeks, months, or even years. If you were severely injured because of another person's carelessness, you deserve compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.
Unfortunately, insurance companies often try to minimize what you’re owed or argue that you were the party at fault. They may pressure accident victims to accept quick settlements that fail to cover the true cost of their injuries. Accepting an offer too early can prevent you from pursuing full financial recovery or holding the responsible party accountable.
If you are involved in a pedestrian accident in NYC, contacting a New York City pedestrian accident lawyer before speaking with insurers can help protect your rights. At Ward Law, our personal injury attorneys guide clients through the legal process while advocating for fair treatment and compensation.
Here’s How We Will Help You Win Your Case
Ward Law takes a strategic and thorough approach to pedestrian accident cases. Our legal team will:
- Investigate your accident to determine what caused it and who is responsible
- Identify all liable parties and seek damages accordingly
- Build a strong case by gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing medical records
- Negotiate with insurance companies to seek a fair settlement
- File a lawsuit and represent you in court if a fair resolution cannot be reached
This approach allows us to fight for fair outcomes while providing consistent legal assistance throughout your case.
Ready to get started? Schedule a free consultation with Ward Law.
Who's Liable For My Injuries After a Pedestrian Accident in NYC?
Determining liability for a pedestrian accident in NYC depends on the circumstances of your accident. In many cases, the driver of the vehicle is at fault but multiple parties may share responsibility.
- Negligent Drivers: Texting, disobeying traffic laws, speeding, and drunk driving are common causes of pedestrian collisions.
- Negligent Pedestrians: In rare cases, a pedestrian may share fault if they acted negligently, such as jaywalking.
- The City: Government entities may be liable for defective sidewalks, crosswalks, poor visibility, or malfunctioning traffic signals.
- A Company: If an on-duty delivery driver or rideshare driver caused the accident, their employer may be responsible.
- Vehicle Manufacturers: Defective vehicle components may contribute to certain pedestrian accidents.
Working with a pedestrian accident lawyer New York City residents count on can help identify liable parties and seek recovery from every available source.
What Kind of Damages Are Available in Pedestrian Accident Cases?
If you were injured as a pedestrian in New York, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.
Damages may include:
- Medical expenses. Pedestrian accident claims can help recover medical costs, including hospital bills, ambulance fees, medical devices, doctor's visits, medication, physical therapy, or, in extreme cases, lifelong medical care.
- Lost wages. If you lose income because of your injuries, you can seek recovery for past and future wage damages.
- Pain and suffering. Some accident victims are awarded compensation for physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by the collision.
- Property damage. If your personal property, like a bike, smartphone, or laptop, was damaged in the accident, you might be entitled to recover the cost of repair or replacement.
- Disability. Severe accidents can cause permanent disability or disfigurement, and you may be entitled to compensation for the impact on your quality of life.
A pedestrian accident attorney in NYC can evaluate the full impact of your injuries and help you recover damages that reflect your financial and personal losses.
New York City Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Pedestrian accidents remain a source of concern in New York City. The most common cause is driver distraction. Pedestrian injuries are among the top 10 leading causes of injury-related hospital admissions in New York.
You can stay current with accident data by reviewing collision reports published by the Police Department City of New York.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Pedestrian Accident in New York?
New York state law limits the amount of time you have to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit. In most cases, personal injury claims must be filed within three years of the accident date.
Cases involving New York City government agencies have a shorter time limit.
Speaking with a pedestrian accident lawyer in NYC can help ensure all deadlines are met while you focus on recovery. Ward Law handles these legal requirements so clients don’t have to navigate them alone.
Will My Pedestrian Accident Case Go to Court?
Whether your case goes to court depends on several factors, including the severity of the injuries, the evidence available evidence, and whether the parties can reach a settlement.
Many pedestrian accident injury claims are resolved through negotiation or mediation. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, a NYC pedestrian accident lawyer can represent you in court and advocate for your best interests throughout litigation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Pedestrian Accidents in New York
Below are answers to some of the most common questions pedestrians have after being injured in an accident.
What is Ward Law’s experience with pedestrian accident cases?
Ward Law has helped thousands of individuals and families recover after serious accidents, including pedestrian cases involving catastrophic injury and wrongful death. Our legal team understands how New York law applies to pedestrian accidents and uses that experience to pursue compensation while protecting clients from insurance company pressure.
Why are accident reconstruction and biomechanical experts sometimes necessary?
In some pedestrian accident cases, the defendant driver may dispute fault or challenge how injuries occurred. Accident reconstruction engineers and biomechanical experts help analyze traffic signals, vehicle speed, and impact forces to support claims and assist with proving negligence.
What costs can be recovered in a pedestrian accident claim?
A pedestrian accident attorney in New York can help victims seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the cost of ongoing care. These damages reflect both the immediate and long-term impact of resulting injuries.
How do financial experts support pedestrian accident claims?
Accountants, economists, and financial analysts help assess future medical expenses and long-term financial recovery needs. Their evaluations ensure that injured pedestrians are not left paying for costs caused by such incidents.
Contact a New York City Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
Don't wait to seek legal help after a pedestrian accident in NYC. Ward Law is here to help you meet critical deadlines, including New York's statute of limitations on personal injury claims. Contact us online for a free consultation, or call us at 855-DOLOR-55!