Pedestrian Accident Leads to Scrapped Plans for Street Changes
Brooklyn is notorious for having dangerous intersections that put vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists at odds with one another. We were reminded of this troubling fact upon reading the recent news story about two young girls whom a reckless driver hit at 57th Street and Seventh Avenue.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is looking into a traffic redesign plan to prevent accidents like this one. Still, in the meantime, it is crucial to know a pedestrian and bicycle accident lawyer who can help if you find yourself in a similar situation.
What Happened in the Accident?
In early November, two sisters were on foot crossing Seventh Avenue near 57th Street in Sunset Park when a 41-year-old driver in a Honda turned and struck them around 2:15 pm. The girls were six and eight years old, and their mother watched in horror as her children fell to the ground with traumatic injuries.
The driver was making a left turn onto Seventh Avenue before hitting the girls. They were transported to Maimonides Hospital in critical but stable condition. Witnesses at the scene noted severe injuries in the girls, including head trauma, unconsciousness, and face injuries.
The DOT’s Response
This tragic accident came at a time when the DOT had already been considering a redesign of dangerous avenues in Brooklyn. Its plans have featured turning two-way roadways into one-way roadways to mitigate crash risks. Plans also include adding protected bike lanes on avenues and expanding sidewalks in commercial areas to keep New Yorkers safe. Some business owners have opposed these plans, and the DOT eventually settled on Seventh Avenue having a two-way protected bike lane, and Eighth Avenue having a painted median.
Yet, in light of this recent accident, it seems that these compromised measures are not enough. Transportation authorities must consider additional redesign considerations that address the ongoing traffic issues on Seventh and Eighth Avenues between 39th and 65th Streets. If Seventh Avenue had just one-way traffic and the curbs extended as once proposed, could the accident with the six- and eight-year-old girls have been avoided?
What to Do If You Are Involved in a Similar Accident
Unfortunately, this crash involving the two little girls was not an isolated incident. Before this crash, there were 54 reported crashes along Seventh Avenue between 39th and 65th Streets – just since the beginning of 2022. These accidents have resulted in significant injuries to pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers. Since DOT updates to Brooklyn streets can take considerable time to implement, New Yorkers must stay vigilant about their surroundings when navigating this part of the borough.
If you need a pedestrian accident lawyer, bicycle accident lawyer, or car accident lawyer, the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum is here to help. We offer personal injury representation and work tirelessly to recover maximum money awards and settlements for the injured. We sincerely hope you never have to endure what the wounded girls in this incident and their families are going through. But if you are injured on a city street on foot, on your bike, or in your vehicle due to someone else’s negligence, we will fight for you to make the situation right.
Contact us at 718-237-5586 for a free consultation so that we can review your case and protect your legal rights as a pedestrian, cyclist, or motorist.
