Traveling by foot in a densely populated area such as New York City presents risks for all pedestrians. Reckless and inattentive driving by those operating cars, taxis and trucks presents dangers to even the most alert pedestrian observing traffic regulations. When a motor vehicle strikes a pedestrian crossing at a crosswalk or street corner, even at low speeds, the vehicle is likely to inflict serious, life-threatening injuries.
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian motor vehicle accident, it’s imperative you call an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer near you in Queens right away. We handle pedestrian accidents of all kinds including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, paralysis injuries, and more. Call us now for a free case consultation.
TYPES OF NEGLIGENT DRIVING THAT COMMONLY CAUSE PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT INJURIES
Queens and NYC are known as “walking cities” and thus there are thousands of pedestrians on the streets every day. With so many people walking, accidents involving pedestrians are bound to happen. According to the NYC Department of Health, approximately 15,000 pedestrians are injured by motor vehicles each year in NYC, with 300 of those injuries resulting in death.
Pedestrian accidents can be caused by types of reckless or distracted driving, including:
- Failure to yield at a stop sign or stoplight
- Failure to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
- Loss of vehicle control
- Speeding or the inability to stop
- Driving while drunk
- Driving while texting
- Driving while exhausted
- Distracted driving
Our pedestrian accident attorneys fight aggressively to represent plaintiffs suffering injuries or grieving the loss of loved ones in pedestrian accidents throughout the NYC metropolitan area. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation.
COMMON TYPES OF PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS IN QUEENS AND NYC
Despite city officials taking steps to try and make the streets of New York safer for pedestrians, including the city-wide initiative “Vision Zero”, some news outlets reported 2021 was one of the worst years on record for pedestrian accidents. The NY Times reported 2021 saw the highest number of pedestrian deaths since 2013, according to city records. The NY Post reports similar statistics, saying 2021 saw a 58% increase in pedestrian deaths compared to 2020.
For pedestrians in NYC, it’s more important than ever to be vigilant of your surroundings and understand the most common types of pedestrian accidents that can occur. For instance, pedestrians hit by cars at crosswalks or while crossing the street are one of the most common types of pedestrian accidents in NYC. When determining who is liable when a pedestrian is hit by a car in NYC, it’s important to know that pedestrians have the right of way when using crosswalks (New York Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1151) as well as when they are not at a crosswalk after yielding to all vehicles (NY VTL section 1152).
Here are some other common types of accidents involving pedestrians:
- Vehicle backing into a pedestrian
- Pedestrian hit at a crosswalk by a car, truck, or motorcycle
- Children being hit when crossing the road
- School bus crossing accidents
- Pedestrian struck while crossing the highway
- Off-road pedestrian accidents
- Pedestrian hit while walking on the side of the road or in the shoulder
- Pedestrian hit by a turning vehicle
- Vehicle failing to yield and hitting a pedestrian
If you or a loved one has fallen victim to any of the types of pedestrian accidents above, or any other motor vehicle injury, call our experienced pedestrian injury lawyers right away to discuss possible compensation.
QUEENS PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT SETTLEMENT EXAMPLES
Pedestrian Accident in Queens
Settlement Amount: $1,250,000
Our client, a 78-year-old pedestrian, was crossing an uncontrolled intersection in Flushing, Queens, when he was struck by the defendant’s motor vehicle. The accident caused serious injuries, including fractures to the orbital wall and a bimalleolar fracture of the right ankle, along with the need for open reduction internal fixation of the tibia. Less than six months after the incident, our client passed away. He was survived by his wife and two adult daughters. A lawsuit was filed in the Supreme Court for personal injuries and wrongful death.
The defendant argued that the decedent was at fault for stepping into the roadway between parked vehicles, making him not visible, and further claimed that his death was not caused by the accident, but rather by his pre-existing medical conditions. Because the decedent passed away before trial, he was unable to provide sworn testimony, leaving us without the benefit of his deposition to counter the defendant’s examination before trial. Additionally, there were no witnesses to the incident.
Despite these challenges, we thoroughly prepared the case for trial, conducting an extensive deposition of the defendant to establish liability. Our diligent preparation and effective negotiation led to a settlement of $1,250,000 before trial.
This is just an example of a settlement obtained on behalf of our client – settlements can range from just a few thousand dollars or less up to $1,250,000 or beyond. Consulting with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can have a significant impact on your outcomes. Contact Cohen & Cohen Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. today for a case evaluation.
FOCUS ON YOUR HEALTH WHILE WE FOCUS ON YOUR CROSSWALK ACCIDENT CASE
A Cohen & Cohen Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. we are proactive and hands-on in managing all aspects of pedestrian accident claims. We attend to every detail to determine whether any negligence occurred to cause the accident and who is considered the responsible party. Our investigations are thorough in reviewing police reports and health records to build a strong and compelling personal injury claim.
Albert Cohen leads a team of skilled pedestrian injury lawyers who help our clients protect their rights following a pedestrian accident and fight to maximize compensation for those clients’ losses and injuries including spinal cord injuries, back injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and much more. We’ve helped clients recover millions in compensation for various accident claims.
CONTACT OUR QUEENS PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS FOR A FREE CONSULTATION – NO RECOVERY, NO FEES
If you’ve been injured in an accident, call our Queens pedestrian accident lawyers near you at (718) 971-2107 to arrange an initial consultation with an attorney from Cohen & Cohen Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C.. We have injury law offices in Forest Hills and Staten Island, ready to help you get the compensation you deserve. You can also contact us via email to request a return phone call about your case. We provide a free, no-obligation case evaluation.