Brooklyn Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
One of the best things about living in New York City is how walkable it is and how perfect the city is for getting around on foot. However, pedestrians are often more than half of traffic fatalities in the city, and pedestrians are 10 times more likely to die from an automobile crash than the vehicle occupant.
Due to the severity of pedestrian accidents and how often they happen, it is good to know a local pedestrian accident attorney in case you or a loved one needs help.
Common Causes of NYC Pedestrian Accidents
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are often caused by cars and other vehicles with drivers who are speeding, distracted, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Pedestrians are often hit while legally or illegally crossing the street, due to a hit-and-run situation where a driver flees the scene, and when a driver is texting and not paying attention to pedestrians on the road.
Based on our experience with working on these types of cases, here are the most common reasons why pedestrians are hit on New York City streets:
- Vehicles making left turns
- Pedestrians not crossing at crosswalks
- Distracted drivers or pedestrians
- Alcohol use among drivers or pedestrians
- Drivers making rolling stops
- Pedestrians wearing dark, non-reflective clothing
- Speeding drivers
As you can see, pedestrian accidents can be the fault of the driver, the pedestrian, both individuals at the same time, or a completely unrelated third party. Pedestrian accidents are notoriously complex, so don’t try to fight these cases alone without experienced legal help.
However, pedestrians can also be injured in non-automobile situations too, such as a collapsing wall next to a sidewalk. This is a rarer type of case but still one that can cause severe injuries to a person on foot and one we can assist you with at the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum.
Injuries That Result from Pedestrian Accidents
No human being can withstand the intense force of a collision with a vehicle moving on the road. People on foot are very vulnerable in New York City and can suffer a wide variety of injuries while simply going about their days. If a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle, piece of construction debris, or something else while walking, he or she may have broken bones, head injuries, back injuries, and cuts. Bruises, soft tissue damage, spinal corn injury, and traumatic brain injury may also result from a pedestrian accident.
You could end up in the hospital for days, weeks, or even longer if you are hit as a pedestrian. The rehabilitation process with physical therapy and other treatments can take even longer and significantly affect your daily activities and quality of life. If the accident is very severe and causes death, you and your family definitely need an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer on your side.
What to Do If You Are Hit as a Pedestrian
There are certain intersections that are well-known danger zones for pedestrians in Brooklyn and throughout the five boroughs. It is very common for a pedestrian to go into shock after being hit by a car. But a pedestrian’s first priority should always be to get medical attention right away.
After you’ve been hit, it’s also important to call the police – even if the accident seems minor at first and even if you don’t feel any pain yet. Being hit by a car is a very scary thing, so you might not be thinking clearly initially or your injury symptoms may worsen with time. Avoid having conversations with the driver or other people at the scene about who was at fault. Instead, wait for the police to arrive and plan to call your own insurance company and a pedestrian injury attorney as soon as possible to get the situation under control.
What a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Does
Laws in our city and state are in place to protect pedestrians and keep individuals who walk safe and secure. To uphold these laws, a pedestrian accident attorney is familiar with personal injury and insurance laws, as well as local statutes, medical injury assessments, and how the court system works in these types of cases. Pedestrian accident attorneys investigate accidents to find out who is at fault, stand up to the insurance companies to secure the best possible recovery, consult with experts to give your case more credibility in court, and seek compensation from every liable party to help you get what you deserve.
When Do You Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
There are more pedestrian accidents that happen in New York City than anywhere else in the country, and the resulting injuries can be truly devastating. The physical, mental, and emotional injuries that a pedestrian suffers from may entitle you to financial compensation under New York law.
However, it’s important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible so that the statute of limitations doesn’t run out before you get around to filing a lawsuit. According to New York law, the statute of limitations for pedestrian accidents is generally three years, unless a government entity or quasi government agency is involved making it a shorter applicable time frame.
Also, New York is a no-fault state with regard to auto insurance, which means that drivers must carry no-fault coverage, but this is often not enough to compensate you for your pain and suffering. As your pedestrian accident lawyer in New York, we will make sure that we pursue all possible avenues of compensation so that justice is served and the at-fault party is held accountable.
Damages to Recover After a Pedestrian Accident
Many people who are hit while walking know that they may be entitled to settlement money for their medical bills, but a highly skilled pedestrian accident attorney can win a lot more than just this to help you get your life back to normal again.
Depending on the details of your case, our legal team may be able to demand compensation on your behalf for lost wages, rehabilitation, nursing care, disability, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. To help make these claims in the most convincing way, we work with leading industry experts to maximize the value of your case and secure the best possible financial outcome for you.
A Brooklyn Pedestrian Accident Attorney You Can Trust
If you or someone you care about has been involved in an accident as a pedestrian, you need the legal help of the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum. We assist in recovering the maximum monetary awards and settlements for injured pedestrians, and we’re located right here in Brooklyn to help you navigate the insurance and court processes. There is no fee unless we are successful in proving your pedestrian accident case, and we will listen to you and fight for you every step of the way.
For a free legal consultation and to make an informed decision for your pedestrian accident matter, please contact us online or at 718-237-5586.
