Long Island Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Many areas throughout Long Island can have congested, high-traffic roads. When walking throughout Long Island, it is important to be aware of your surroundings.

Unfortunately, even if you are careful, you may still be injured in an accident. If you are ever hit by a motor vehicle while walking, you will likely sustain severe injuries. These may leave you with costly medical bills, an inability to work, immeasurable pain and suffering, and more.

You may be able to recover compensation for your losses accordingly. To learn more, contact us today and schedule your free legal consultation to see if you may qualify to file a lawsuit. If so, our Long Island pedestrian accident attorneys at Shulman & Hill are prepared to help you recover what you may deserve.

Long Island Pedestrian Accidents: Essential Information

Statistics indicate that pedestrian accidents in Long Island are substantially more common than they are in most other areas of New York State. Route 25 in Suffolk and Route 24 report the highest number of pedestrian fatalities of any other roads throughout New York State.

Being injured in an accident as a pedestrian can leave you with severe injuries. Drivers or passengers involved in a collision with another vehicle have some form of protection from the metal frame that surrounds them. You are far more vulnerable if a vehicle strikes you while you are walking.

The injuries you sustain in a Long Island pedestrian accident will likely require expensive medical treatment. They could prevent you from returning to work and earning an income as well. Along with your economic losses, you might also face non-economic challenges, such as pain and suffering.

You may be entitled to compensation if your accident occurred because a negligent party caused the collision—typically the driver who struck you. Our Long Island personal injury law firm can assist you in pursuing compensation.

How Long Island Pedestrian Accidents Happen

The potential causes of a Long Island pedestrian accident are wide-ranging. They may include the following:

• Distracted driving (due to smartphone usage, eating, talking, etc.)
• Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs
• Drowsy driving, which can be as dangerous as drunk driving
• Speeding
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Driving through stop signs or red lights
• Aggressive driving
• Driving without headlights on in dark conditions

These examples illustrate how drivers are often the liable parties responsible for compensating victims when Long Island pedestrian accidents occur. However, there may be exceptions.

If you were struck by a sleep-deprived truck driver, for example, the truck company that employed them may be considered at fault for failing to give its drivers appropriate rest breaks.

This highlights one of the many reasons it is wise to enlist the help of Long Island personal injury lawyers if you are involved in a pedestrian accident. We will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your accident to help identify the potentially liable parties.

The Most Dangerous Long Island Roads for Pedestrians

Pedestrian accidents on Long Island are particularly common on the following roads:

• Sunrise Highway
• Montauk Point State Highway
• County Road 39
• Route 1
• Route 24
• Route 27
• Hempstead Turnpike
• Merrick Road

The most dangerous road for pedestrians on Long Island is Jericho Turnpike (Route 25). Jericho Turnpike is not a major highway, so pedestrians can walk alongside it on sidewalks and cross it at a few designated crosswalks. However, it was designed to accommodate a high volume of traffic and it has a higher speed limit than many other non-highway roads on Long Island. All of these factors contribute to the high number of pedestrian accidents and fatalities on the road.

Long Island Pedestrian Safety Best Practices

There are many steps you can take as a pedestrian to minimize your chances of being injured in an accident on Long Island. They include the following:

• Use sidewalks and crosswalks where possible
• Walk against the flow of traffic when no sidewalk is present
• Do not look at your phone when walking even in a seemingly safe location, such as an empty parking lot
• Do not wear headphones when walking
• Try to cross the street in well-lit areas at night
• Before using a crosswalk, make eye contact with approaching drivers to confirm they see you
• Be careful when approaching driveways where drivers’ views may be obscured
• Avoid walking when impaired by alcohol or drugs

Remembering these tips can help you stay safe on Long Island. However, accidents can happen even when you are careful. If you were struck by a vehicle while walking, our Long Island pedestrian accident lawyers are here to help fight for compensation on your behalf.

How Our Long Island Pedestrian Accident Law Firm Can Help You

We can assist you in the following essential ways after a pedestrian accident on Long Island:

Investigating your accident

We will help you gather necessary evidence showing how you were struck by a negligent driver and how it directly resulted in your injuries. This may include interviewing witnesses, reviewing security camera footage and pictures of the scene (if available), obtaining medical reports, and more.

Handling key administrative tasks

Putting together and submitting a claim for compensation after an accident can be a tedious process. If you have been injured, you should focus on your recovery. We will handle necessary administrative tasks on your behalf.

Negotiating

This is perhaps the most significant reason to hire one of Shulman & Hill’s Long Island pedestrian accident attorneys when seeking compensation. It is important to have representation from lawyers who have years of experience negotiating with insurance companies. Your odds of receiving a fair settlement will be much greater if you allow a legal professional to handle all negotiations with insurers.

Why Choose Shulman & Hill?

At Shulman & Hill, we have a proven track record of success, having recovered more than $300 million for our various clients over the years. That is the degree of expertise you need on your side after a pedestrian accident. For more information, call us today at 516.613.3196 or contact us online to schedule your free legal consultation.