New York City has a population of 8.4 million people with about two thirds of the population using public streets or transit to get around. On average there are 15,000 people injured each year in pedestrian accidents with approximately 300 pedestrians being killed in these accidents.

Accidents involving pedestrians can be extremely tragic and drastically change the lives of those involved, leaving victims with serious injuries as well as astronomical medical expenses. New York Law acknowledges the vulnerability of pedestrians and provides them with various paths for compensation by means of personal injury claims.

If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident in New York and experienced injuries, you may qualify to file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for your damages. This includes pedestrians who have been struck by automobiles, bicycles, motorcycles, trucks, or any other vehicles. While a pedestrian may be partially at fault for the accident, that does not necessarily bar them from receiving compensation. Damages such as pain and suffering which may encompass physical pain, emotional distress, and worsened quality of life. medical expenses including ongoing treatment, doctors and hospitals bills, lost earnings or income due to a diminished capacity to earn or time off, as well as property damage to personal belongings.

In New York City there have been over 8000 motor vehicle collisions as of May 2023, with around 15% involving pedestrians and bicyclists. In accidents involving automobiles, trucks, or motorcycles the injuries sustained by a victim can be very serious depending on the size and speed of the vehicle. Possible injuries include whiplash causing neck pain and a limited range of motion, spinal cord injuries due to the force of impact, internal damage to blood vessels and organs, lacerations and abrasions due to contact with the vehicle or road, brain injuries including concussions and traumatic brain injuries, and broken or fractured bones specifically in the legs, hips, arms, and ribs area. Accidents involving automobiles may also cause emotional trauma.

As experienced personal injury attorneys, we have encountered several scenarios in which pedestrians have been seriously injured after being struck by a bicyclist. Generally, bicycles are regarded as a safer mode of transportation than automobiles, however they can cause serious injury when colliding with pedestrians. Head injuries are among the most common injuries sustained by pedestrians after being struck by a bicycle. Even when travelling at a low-speed bicycle-pedestrian collisions can result in concussion or other traumatic brain injury. In some instances, the injury can be severe enough to cause irreversible brain damage and result in long-term disabilities.

Pedestrians who are struck by bicyclists frequently sustain injuries such as contusions and abrasions from direct contact with the bicycle, soft-tissue injuries which cause damage to muscles ligaments and tendons. Sprains and muscle contusions are all common soft tissue injuries which can later lead to swelling, pain, and lessened mobility which can have lasting effects for months. Fractured and broken bones are also a common injury which may be painful and require an extended period to heal; in extreme cases, the injuries may necessitate surgery or other medical procedures. The incident may also cause emotional trauma inducing disorders such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Another common injury is internal bleeding which may cause organ damage, internal hemorrhaging and trauma to the spinal cord or spine. These injuries can be very difficult to identify and may not exhibit symptoms immediately.

In New York, in order to file a pedestrian accident case, you will likely want to engage with a personal injury attorney who specializes in this field. Your attorney can assist you in assembling evidence, filing paperwork, negotiating with insurance providers as well as representing you in court, if necessary. It is imperative to initiate proceedings quickly, due to New York’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian-accident or a pedestrian-automobile accident in New York, It is essential that you understand your rights and consider your legal options for recovering damages. Our firm has the knowledge and experience to assist you in going through the legal system and fighting for the compensation you deserve.