Pedestrian Walking

Pedestrian Accident

New York City is revered for its walkability, with many people choosing to navigate on foot rather than sit in snarls of traffic for hours on end. It’s also a great way to get out and enjoy fresh air and exercise.

Unfortunately, this means that pedestrian accidents are even more common here. If you are in a pedestrian accident, you will be more than likely to suffer serious injuries as a result of a careless driver.

The Law Offices of Robert E. Brown, PC, are here to help you after a serious car crash has resulted in your pedestrian accident. Our extensive experience in handling pedestrian accident claims for injury victims means that we have what it takes to fight for maximum compensation for your debilitating injuries.

If you were in a New York City pedestrian accident, contact our compassionate law firm today for the aggressive legal representation required to hold the at-fault party responsible in your pedestrian accident case. Attorney Brown brings previous experience as a retired NYPD captain with a full understanding of the law. We work on a contingency fee basis and provide a free initial consultation for your personal injury case.

How Do New York City Pedestrian Accidents Happen?

New York City pedestrians face bigger dangers on foot than pedestrians in other locations. In the majority of pedestrian accident cases here, distracted driving is the most common reason for these types of situations.

Many pedestrian accidents involve aggressive drivers who ignore traffic signals and race through the intersections. Some make unsafe or illegal turns while others fail to yield the right of way to those walking through crosswalks. Additionally, fatigued drivers and drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs can lead to pedestrian accidents.

If you were hurt in a New York City pedestrian accident, you will need help filing your pedestrian accident claim. Contact the Law Offices of Robert E. Brown, PC to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney from our legal team.

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

In a car accident that involves pedestrians, being struck by a motor vehicle leads to pedestrian injuries and sadly, pedestrian fatalities. Many common injuries sustained from pedestrian collisions include:

  • Broken bones
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Internal organ injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • And other serious injuries

If you or a loved one were pedestrian accident victims in a New York City pedestrian accident, you will need urgent medical treatment. The injuries sustained in pedestrian accidents are often severe and life-threatening. A motor vehicle tends to weigh around 4,000 pounds, and it can cause major damage to another car. Imagine the force it exerts upon a person walking through Manhattan.

Injured pedestrians often suffer from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) when their heads strike the pavement upon impact. This could lead to a mild TBI such as a concussion, or it could leave permanent effects. Severe injuries of this type can cause permanent memory loss, seizures, or brain damage. If you were in a pedestrian accident, you may have symptoms that include loss of consciousness, loss of balance or coordination, and nausea.

When an injured pedestrian suffers a spinal cord injury, this serious injury can cause paralysis. Even if you still retain your mobility, you may experience numbness, loss of bowel or bladder control, and breathing issues.

Damage to internal organs, facial disfigurements, amputations, and crushing injuries can all occur. If your loved one was fatally injured by a negligent driver, pedestrian accident lawyers can help you seek compensation for a wrongful death claim.

Understanding Who May Be Liable for Your Serious Injuries in a New York City Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit

In pedestrian crashes, those driving motor vehicles are most commonly at fault for the injuries sustained by the injured parties. This could be the driver of a passenger vehicle, bus driver, taxi driver, rideshare driver, or motorcyclist.

When a New York City pedestrian accident is caused by someone that is driving a company vehicle, that employer may face liability as a third party. If a government agency was negligent, it will face liability as would a manufacturer of a vehicle or parts if an investigation determined that defects ultimately caused the crash.

While you may be able to contact the auto insurance company of the driver who crashed into you to file a claim despite this being a no-fault insurance state, there are much greater complexities involved in pedestrian accidents. You should speak with a New York City pedestrian accident lawyer to determine all liable parties and fight for your proper financial compensation. A personal injury attorney is instrumental in situations that involve a hit and run accident or a fatal pedestrian accident as they will take over negotiations with the insurance company and work with the New York City Department of Law Enforcement to investigate the accident scene.

Additionally, pedestrian accidents are often blamed on the pedestrians themselves. Many New Yorkers multi-task while they walk and look at their phones or listen to music. However, even if your attention wasn’t fully where it should be, you can still collect compensation for your injuries. If you are deemed as partially at fault, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

It takes a pedestrian accident lawyer who knows the laws inside and out to help protect your legal rights. At the Law Offices of Robert E. Brown, PC, our pedestrian accident lawyers are ready to stand up for you in your personal injury lawsuit.

Financial Compensation for Pedestrian Accidents in NYC

If you were severely injured by a careless driver of a car, truck, or motorcycle, a New York City pedestrian accident lawyer can help you recover fair compensation. A personal injury lawyer will be able to help you calculate the full extent of your financial losses from these injuries.

Medical expenses are the most common damages that are awarded. A victim’s life may be forever changed even with broken bones. While some fractures are clean and will heal more easily, others may sustain crushing injuries where they must endure multiple reconstructive surgeries. These efforts may still mean you are left with chronic pain for the rest of your life.

Your medical bills will most likely be extensive, particular if your injuries are serious. Your pedestrian accident lawyer will fight to get you the money you deserve for all of these expenses including ambulance rides, hospital stays, surgery, prescriptions, physical therapy, and more.

Another commonly sought damage in New York pedestrian accidents is lost wages. Your injuries may be extensive and long-lasting. You will need to take the time to heal and rest, which could be anywhere from weeks to months. In the meantime, your lost wages will mean that you have no income coming in to support your family. When you’re not working and these expenses from your injuries are adding up, it can create a dire financial situation. Depending on your injuries, you may no longer be able to work in your former capacity, impacting your future earnings. Your New York pedestrian accident attorney can help you by showing how the injuries the at-fault party caused you have destroyed your earning potential.

Physical and emotional pain generally apply in these types of cases. Your level of pain and suffering, even though it is a non-economic type of damage, can be compensated. Our law firm will work tirelessly to help you get the money you deserve for this painful, life-altering event. When pedestrian deaths are the result of negligent driving, our personal injury attorneys in New York will represent you with compassion and personalized attention. We understand the depths of grief you are experiencing as you grapple with the sudden loss of your loved one. Turn to us in your time of need for legal representation that always puts you first.

Hit And Run

How Your New York Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help You

It may take many months for you to recover from the injuries you’ve sustained in a pedestrian accident. In some cases, it may be years or your injuries may be permanent. In New York, it is common for insurers to blame pedestrians for being distracted or failing to wait for the crossing signal at an intersection.

They often offer subpar settlements hoping that you’ll be desperate enough to take the money. Many victims in these situations often accept that first offer, not realizing just how much their medical needs will cost them. They may not realize that they will be out of work or that they can recuperate other costs they’ve incurred from this accident.

When you contact the Law Offices of Robert E. Brown, PC for legal representation, you will have an advocate for your legal rights. We will conduct a thorough investigation into your pedestrian accident, relying on accident reconstruction engineers and their expertise to prove the cause and who was at fault.

Once we identify all liable parties, we will relentlessly pursue them to get your compensation. We do this by building a strong case backed with evidence from the scene, witness testimonies, and expert witnesses. Our attorneys have solid negotiation skills to get a sufficient settlement, though we are always prepared to take your case to trial if the defendant refuses to settle for a fair amount.

Now Is the Time to Fight for Your Pedestrian Accident Compensation

The first step in your pedestrian accident case is to make sure you are treated for your injuries. The next step is obtaining legal representation from the Law Offices of Robert E. Brown, PC. Whether you were injured yourself or you lost a loved one in this tragedy, you have a limited amount of time to act during the statute of limitations.

You have three years from the accident date to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit. If you are filing a wrongful death claim, it is two years from the date your family member passed away. In the event that a government agency is among the liable parties, you will have even less time to file your lawsuit. Essentially, this means that you should take action promptly to avoid missing the deadlines. Once the statute of limitations runs out, you will be barred from pursuing compensation. Schedule your free consultation to discuss the particulars of your case and learn more about your legal options.