Unfortunately, car accidents remain a serious public safety problem in New York City. Crashes can happen at any time or in any place. Indeed, in October of 2018, three people were seriously injured when an FDNY ambulance slammed into a storefront in the Bronx.
In recent years there have been serious questions raised about pedestrian safety in New York City. According to data published by the New York Daily News, pedestrian fatalities in the City increased by more than five percent in 2018. At least 111 people were killed in pedestrian collisions, while many others suffered serious injuries.
We Represent a Pedestrian Injured in a Crash in the Bronx
Our New York City personal injury lawyers are representing a pedestrian who, in the fall of 2018, was injured in a collision in the Bronx. Immediately prior to the collision, the client was standing at a corner, waiting to cross Dekalb Avenue. She looked up and saw the signal indicating that it was the appropriate time for pedestrians to use the crosswalk. Suddenly, she was struck and knocked down by a vehicle making a turn. She was transported to Jacobi Medical Center with significant neck and back pain.
This type of scenario is very typical of pedestrian accidents in our region. Many of these collisions occur when pedestrians are within marked crosswalks. Unfortunately, drivers who are making turns — whether they are making a right on red or making a turn on green — fail to watch out for pedestrians who have the right-of-way.
If you or your family member is injured by a vehicle while walking, you need to know what to do after a pedestrian accident in New York City so that you can protect your health, safety, and legal rights. First and foremost, you should always get professional medical attention. Nothing should come before your medical needs. Beyond that, you should speak to a pedestrian accident lawyer before giving any statement to an insurance company.
Pedestrian Accidents: Compensation for Victims
Compensation for vehicular accidents in New York may include both economic and noneconomic damages for the harm caused. If you or your loved one was injured in a pedestrian crash, it is imperative that you are able to access financial compensation for the full value of your losses. Among other things, damages may include:
- Property damage;
- Current and future medical expenses;
- Lost wages, and lost future earnings and benefits;
- Pain and suffering:
- Emotional distress;
- Disability;
- Disfigurement; and
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
Notably, New York operates under a pure comparative negligence standard for car accident cases, where the court reduces the overall award to the victim by the percentage they are found at fault for the accident.
As an example, if the victim of a car accident was awarded $500,000 in damages but was also found to be at fault for ten percent of their own injuries, the overall award would be reduced to $450,000. Because New York is a pure comparative negligence state, this means that even a person found to be 99 percent at fault could still recover one percent of their overall damages.
Speak to Our New York City Car Accident Lawyers Today
At The Dearie Law Firm, P.C., our New York car accident attorneys specialize in personal injury law. We have the skills and experience needed to handle the full range of pedestrian accident claims. If you or your loved one is injured in a pedestrian collision, we are here to help.
For a free, fully confidential consultation, please contact our law firm today. With physical office locations in Manhattan and the Bronx, and three mobile offices that can come directly to you, we are well-positioned to serve communities throughout the region.