New York Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

New York tourists and residents alike often walk to their destination rather than drive or take the subway. However, pedestrians must be particularly vigilant when navigating New York, crowded areas in particular. The risk of being injured in a pedestrian accident is simply greater in a busy area.

If you are ever harmed in such an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for a range of losses. Maximize your chances of collecting what you may be owed by hiring a New York pedestrian accident attorney. At Shulman & Hill, our personal injury lawyers are prepared to offer aggressive representation to help your case, as well as be your source of legal advice.

New York Pedestrian Accidents: What You Need to Know

While statistics prove pedestrian accidents are relatively common in New York state, one is more likely to be injured in an accident when walking in New York City than in a less-crowded area.

According to data from the New York City Department of Mental Health & Hygiene, in over a span of two years, nearly 500 pedestrians died in NYC. During those years, Staten Island reported the fewest pedestrian deaths, while Brooklyn reported the most.

It is crucial that pedestrians exercise caution to avoid putting themselves in a dangerous situation. If one is intoxicated, they may be unable to properly judge the speed of an oncoming car, stepping out in front of it before the driver has time to stop. A heavily intoxicated pedestrian may not notice the car at all.

Causes of New York Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents can occur in New York for many potential reasons. The following are among the more common:

• A driver was intoxicated and struck a pedestrian.
• A driver did not notice a pedestrian because they were distracted. Due to such factors as the increasing popularity of smartphones, accidents resulting from distracted driving are more common now than they once were.
• The driver was sleep-deprived. Many do not realize that, according to experts, driving while sleep-deprived can be just as dangerous as driving while drunk.
• A driver was not obeying the speed limit or was driving aggressively.

Determining Liability

While some drivers may be negligent, it is important to understand that this is not always the cause of pedestrian accidents. There may be another party liable for your injuries, such as the vehicle’s manufacturer. A driver may have struck you while you were crossing the road due to the inability to hit the breaks because of a technical defect.

This is one of the reasons it can be helpful to coordinate with a pedestrian accident law firm in New York when seeking compensation. You may need assistance from experts who have the resources and skills necessary to conduct a thorough investigation. That is key to determining who you should seek compensation from.

How a New York Pedestrian Accident Affects Your Life

If you are involved in a pedestrian accident in New York, you may sustain a range of potential injuries. Examples include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Broken bones
• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Cuts and abrasions
• Internal organ injuries
• Disfigurement

Such injuries will likely require immediate or prolonged medical treatment. They may also force you to stay home and refrain from work, temporarily or permanently. You might not be able to earn a paycheck to cover your bills while you recover.

You should not have to accept the cost of these losses if someone else’s negligence caused the accident. Instead, you may seek compensation from the negligent party by filing a lawsuit.

How a New York Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help

Securing compensation after a New York pedestrian accident can be challenging if you do not have legal representation. You will need to start by accurately identifying the negligent party, which is a complex task if you lack access to key resources.

Depending on the circumstances, after you have identified the negligent party, pursuing compensation may require negotiating with an insurance company. This is another challenging task for those without the necessary experience or legal background. Insurers may not be inclined to pay claimants appropriately. They may make a lower offer or deny your claim altogether, potentially using your words against you to justify their actions. In many instances, it may be necessary to go to trial instead of settling.

These are more potential reasons to hire a personal injury lawyer in New York if you are injured in a pedestrian accident. We can help by:

• Collecting evidence to illustrate why you may be entitled to the amount of compensation you are seeking
• Corresponding with the insurance company and other relevant parties on your behalf, as well as working through needed paperwork
• Enlisting the help of medical experts when necessary
• Rejecting unfair, low offers and negotiating on your behalf
• Representing you in a trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached

Why Choose Shulman & Hill?

When hiring a New York pedestrian accident attorney, you need to be confident you have chosen to work with someone who can deliver results and does not merely promise to do so.

Shulman & Hill has successfully helped injured parties secure compensation for their losses in the past. To learn more about what our personal injury law firm in New York can do for you, call us today at 212.221.1000 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.