New York City Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Servicing Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island
As any New Yorker knows, dodging congested city traffic is a risky proposition. While pedestrians are required to follow traffic laws and exercise due care for their own safety, motorists also have a duty of care to operate their vehicles in a safe manner and avoid causing injuries to others. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents have become increasingly common — despite the city's Vision Zero Action plan. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, it helps to have an experienced personal injury attorney to rely on.
Prime Law Firm has been handling pedestrian accidents in the greater New York area for over 25 years. Well-versed in the applicable negligence and traffic safety laws, our legal team is highly regarded for delivering an exceptional client experience. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident involving a passenger vehicle, a truck, a city bus, an ambulance or any other vehicle, we can help.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Queens
Most pedestrian accidents are the result of driver errors such as:
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield
- Failure to obey traffic signals
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
It is worth noting that pedestrians are required to following traffic safety rules. This includes obeying traffic signals and using sidewalks when one is provided. If there is no sidewalk, pedestrians should walk on the left side of the road facing traffic — the same rule applies to joggers. Pedestrians must also use crosswalks when crossing the road or yield the right of way to approaching vehicles if there is no crosswalk, sign, or traffic signal at a mid-block location. When a pedestrian is in a crosswalk and there is no traffic signal, however, drivers must yield the right of way.
A pedestrian who contributes to an accident by failing to obey traffic signals, by crossing the street from between parked cars, or by jaywalking, may see the amount of his or her recoverable damages reduced under the state's rules of comparative negligence. This is why it is so important to work with the right attorney — one who knows how to demonstrate a driver's negligence in a pedestrian accident.
Proving Negligence in a Pedestrian Accident
In a pedestrian accident, there are a number of factors involved in determining negligence:
- Was the pedestrian in a crosswalk?
- What color was the traffic light for the driver?
- How fast was the vehicle traveling?
- Were there visibility issues — sun glare, rain, or fog?
- What time of day was it — dawn, daytime, dusk, or night?
- Was the pedestrian walking along the side of the road?
Our experienced attorneys work diligently to ascertain which factors were at play in a pedestrian accident. When necessary, we will collaborate with a team of accident reconstruction specialists to demonstrate that the driver was negligent and determine the extent of his or her liability.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrian accidents often result in a wide range of injuries — some catastrophic — including:
- Cut and bruises
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage
- Internal Bleeding
- Organ damage
- Loss of limbs
- Death
A severely injured pedestrian accident victim may require ongoing or even lifelong medical care. This often puts family members in a caretaker role, which can become an emotional and financial burden for everyone. At Prime Law Firm, we can help to lift those burdens through a combination of aggressive legal representation and caring, efficient service.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
After a pedestrian accident, there are a number of steps to take. First, stay calm — don't argue with the driver or offer any apologies, anything you do or say can impact your personal injury claim. You should also immediately call the police and seek medical treatment — even if you don't think you've been injured. Seeking proper medical treatment will diagnose any injuries and prevent them from worsening, while failing to do so may interfere with your ability to recover damages. Ultimately, the police and medical reports will serve as valuable evidence in your injury claim.
In addition, if you are able to do so, exchange contact and insurance information with the at-fault driver, obtain contact information from any witnesses, and take pictures of the accident scene, the vehicle, traffic signs, and your injuries. If you incapable of performing these tasks, ask someone for assistance. Once you have received treatment and begin to recover, call an experienced personal injury attorney.
New York City Pedestrian Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island or the Bronx, the attorneys at Prime Law Firm can help. We will offer you knowledge, compassion, and first-rate representation. We have a proven track recording of achieving successful outcomes in pedestrian accident claims inside or outside of the courtroom.
As with most personal injury cases, resolving a pedestrian accident claim typically involves a complicated settlement negotiation with an insurance company. We will strive to help you obtain the full value of your claim, and are fully prepared to litigate the matter if negotiations are unsuccessful. Our objective is to help you recover just compensation. Call our office today or complete the contact form on our website to set up a free consultation.
