NYC Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

The following scenarios are common in pedestrian accident cases:

• Distracted driving is an increasingly huge cause of pedestrian accidents in New York.
• Other accidents occur when a first driver sees the pedestrian and yields, but another driver does not yield and hits the person on foot.
• In other situations, the driver turns without checking the crosswalk for pedestrians.
• Pedestrian accidents also occur in parking lots and driveways where cars are backing up.

What should I do after a pedestrian accident?

Anyone who has been involved in a pedestrian accident should take these actions if possible:

• Protect the injured pedestrian in any possible practical ways.
• Call 911.
• Help the pedestrian get medical evaluation and any needed emergency treatment.
• Exchange basic information, if possible (such as the driver’s and the pedestrian’s name, phone number and insurance company).
• Make no statement to first responders or anyone else about fault or opinions about how the accident happened.
• Get witnesses’ names and contact information, if possible.
• Gather any other relevant evidence, such as photos and license plate numbers, if possible

Assuming you were the pedestrian or a close family of the pedestrian, you should get legal advice as well as prompt medical evaluation to protect your right to recover compensation. If you were the driver of a car or another vehicle that struck a pedestrian, you need legal advice, too.

There are many reasons why you need an experienced personal injury lawyer after being injured as a pedestrian. Consulting an experienced New York City pedestrian accident lawyer is an important step to holding the at-fault party responsible for the harm caused by their negligence. If you have been injured, contact our firm today at [nap_phone id=”TOLL-FREE-CT-NUMBER-6″] for a FREE case evaluation, where we will confidently assess the possibilities of your case. We have been helping injured tourists and New Yorkers for over 50 years.

A quick checklist of things to do after a pedestrian accident:

• Write down as much information as possible about the accident.
• If helpful accident witnesses are available, get their contact info.
• Gather and preserve evidence. This could be anything helpful: photos or videos at the scene of the accident, the torn and bloody clothing you were wearing, or a medical journal detailing your physical injuries and pain.
• Get medical treatment. This is important for your well-being and to document the physical trauma you have suffered.
• Contact an experienced injury attorney to immediately begin protecting your legal rights.

A pedestrian accident should not be treated the same as a crash between motor vehicles. A pedestrian is 10 times more likely to die in a collision than a motor vehicle driver or passenger. The injuries are often catastrophic and require more financial resources for the victim to recover or resume life as normally as possible.

Injured pedestrians are covered under New York no-fault law and can obtain compensation for medical expenses and lost wages. However, New York no-fault law only protects for medical expenses and a portion of lost wages up to $50,000, a small amount when you consider the cost of hospitalization and medical treatment in New York.

This is why a pedestrian accident lawsuit is often necessary to put the financial burden on the shoulders of the at-fault party.

The goal of New York’s civil justice system is to place the entire financial burden of an injury or death on the negligent party. Things an injured pedestrian is normally compensated for include:

• Medical bills not covered by insurance
• Cost of rehabilitation not covered by insurance
• Resulting disability
• Lost wages not covered by insurance
• Pain and suffering

Additional damages may be available depending on the unique circumstances of the case. In some instances, loss of enjoyment of life or loss of consortium may apply and entitle the victim to further compensation.

Notify the police. The police must arrive at the scene, investigate and create a report. Provide as much information as possible about the vehicle, make, model, color and license plate.

You must file a notice of claim with the New York State Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC). MVAIC affords a seriously injured person with an opportunity to collect no-fault insurance (up to $50,000) and a maximum of $25,000 for bodily injury coverage.

The MVAIC is very difficult to process a claim through. Even when a hit-and-run victim suffers serious injuries, MVAIC will often deny or grossly undervalue the claim. Lots of documentation must be provided, including the police report. Ensure that your attorney is experienced with MVAIC claims.

Yes. It is common for severe injuries to first manifest hours or days after the accident. Inflammation/swelling can create a lot of pain and cause the victim to seek bed rest. You need to get checked out by a physician.

A New York City pedestrian accident attorney will help you protect your legal rights, such as negotiating with the insurance company or filing a timely lawsuit. Studies have shown that accident victims represented by lawyers recover approximately 40% more money than those who try to go it alone.

Crosswalk accidents seriously injure pedestrians. The costs associated with head trauma, spinal cord injuries and disfigurement can be significant. To ensure that our clients receive compensation proportional to their injuries, our New York City pedestrian accident lawyers determine liability and hold negligent parties responsible. We consult medical economists and life care planners. When calculating claims, we take into consideration costs associated with surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, medical equipment, in-home nursing and lost wages.