What Are the Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?
Walking around New York’s busy streets has always been somewhat risky. Many New Yorkers fear for their safety when walking. While preventing all pedestrian accidents is impossible, knowing the most common causes can help you stay safe and take legal action if you’re hurt in a collision. The most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
Distracted Driving
Drivers who are texting, using GPS, snacking, or merely not paying attention can easily miss a pedestrian crossing the street. Even a split-second distraction can cause a crash, particularly in busy areas like crosswalks or intersections.
Speeding
Drivers who speed have less time to react if someone steps into the road. Higher speeds also make accidents more severe because cars hit with increased force when speeding, raising the risk of life-threatening injuries for pedestrians.
Failing To Yield at Crosswalks
New York law generally requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. But many drivers ignore this rule out of impatience or lack of awareness, putting pedestrians in danger even when they have the right-of-way.
Running Red Lights or Stop Signs
Impatient or reckless drivers who blow through red lights or stop signs may strike someone crossing the street legally. These crashes are especially dangerous because pedestrians often have no warning of an oncoming car.
Poor Visibility and Inadequate Lighting
While not always the driver’s fault, poorly lit streets and bad weather can make it harder for drivers to see pedestrians. Responsible drivers should slow down and stay alert in low-visibility conditions to avoid tragic mistakes.
Vehicle Defects or Worn Parts
Drivers sometimes can’t stop in time to avoid hitting pedestrians because their brakes or other crucial components fail. These mechanical failures sometimes result from inherently defective parts, while others happen because drivers don’t maintain their cars properly.
What To Do After a Pedestrian Accident in New York
The most important steps after a New York pedestrian accident are to report the crash and seek medical attention. Afterward, follow these steps to protect your rights over the coming weeks and months:
- Follow your doctor’s orders so there’s no reason for the driver or their insurer to doubt the severity of your injuries.
- Save your medical records, vehicle repair estimates, proof of lost income, and other documents to prove your physical injuries and financial losses.
- Write down how the accident has affected your life and limited your activities. You can use this journal to seek compensation for your emotional distress and pain and suffering.
- Report the injury to your auto insurance company (if you have one), but don’t speculate about the cause of the crash or who’s liable. Stick to the basic facts of the accident.
- Don’t discuss the accident publicly or on social media to avoid saying something that might hurt your legal case.
- Talk to a New York pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible.
Compensation for New York Pedestrian Accidents
If you have a New York auto insurance policy, you can use your no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage to cover your medical bills, lost income, and other losses from the collision. However, your PIP coverage might not be enough. You can file an insurance claim against the at-fault party’s insurance policy for medical bills and lost wages that your insurance doesn’t cover. However, to seek money for pain and suffering and other intangible losses, you must first prove that your injuries meet specific legal thresholds. If you meet these requirements and can prove the driver (or another party) caused the crash, you can demand compensation for:
- Lost income and reduced future earnings
- Current and future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Damaged personal property (if applicable)
Contact Our New York Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Jaroslawicz & Jaros, PLLC, has over 300 years of combined experience representing injured people and has recovered over $1 billion for our clients. We’ll handle all the legal work in your pedestrian accident claim while you rest and heal. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.