One of the benefits of living and working in New York City is being able to get from point A to point B simply by walking. Although it is sometimes necessary to take the subway or bus, in many instances, you can get a lot of mileage out of walking around New York.
However, it is important to understand that in a busy environment like New York City, you must be cautious and account for any hazards that may cause injury. Unfortunately, even if you exercise the necessary degree of caution, you can still be involved in a New York City pedestrian accident through no fault of your own.
If someone else’s negligence was responsible for your accident, you may be entitled to compensation. One of our dedicated New York City personal injury attorneys at Shulman & Hill can review your case to determine the most effective way to pursue compensation.
Important Information about New York City Pedestrian Accidents
New York has more than earned its reputation for being one of the greatest and most vibrant cities in the world. Of course, such a destination will attract many who wish to live in, work in, or simply visit New York City.
As one might expect, this often results in a crowded urban landscape that puts pedestrians at greater risk of being involved in accidents than they might be in other parts of the country. Statistics certainly support this claim. According to the New York City Department of Mental Health & Hygiene, over a mere two-year span, nearly 500 pedestrians lost their lives in New York City. Many others were left seriously injured after being involved in accidents.
Why New York City Pedestrian Accidents Occur
There are many reasons New York City pedestrian accidents occur. The following are just a few noteworthy examples:
- A driver is intoxicated and strikes a pedestrian.
- A driver is distracted and does not see a pedestrian. Unfortunately, because smartphones are continuing to grow in popularity, this is an increasingly common problem.
- A driver is sleep-deprived.
- A defect in a driver’s vehicle prevents them from seeing or avoiding a pedestrian in their path.
That last point highlights just one of the reasons it may be wise to consult with a qualified New York City pedestrian accident lawyer. While it is often the case that a driver’s negligence caused an accident, sometimes another party is at fault.
For example, perhaps a driver who struck you tried to apply the brakes, but their brakes failed as a result of a defect. In this instance, the negligent party may be the car’s designer or manufacturer. A personal injury lawyer in New York City has access to the resources needed to investigate your accident and determine who may be responsible for compensating you.
Seeking Compensation After a New York City Pedestrian Accident
If you are ever involved in a New York City pedestrian accident, your chances of being seriously injured are relatively high. While car accidents can also cause serious injury, at least you have a steel frame protecting you when you are in a car or truck. Unfortunately, this is far from the case when you are on foot. Pedestrians are typically more vulnerable than drivers or occupants of other vehicles.
The injuries you may sustain in a New York City pedestrian accident will likely require some degree of medical treatment. Depending on what you do for a living, they might prevent you from working. Along with medical bills, you may be financially burdened by day-to-day expenses due to an inability to earn a paycheck.
Other struggles you might face if you are injured in a New York City pedestrian accident may not necessarily be financial in nature. These may include pain, mental or emotional trauma, and more. Working with a pedestrian accident law firm in New York City can maximize your chances of collecting an adequate settlement.
How a New York City Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help
By working with a personal injury law firm in New York City, you will know experts are investigating your accident to accurately identify the negligent party. You can only pursue compensation effectively if you genuinely know who is responsible for providing it.
Unfortunately, determining liability can be difficult due to a number of factors. Once you know who is responsible for compensating you after an accident, you can file a claim against their insurance. Just keep in mind that insurance companies do not always have your long-term well-being in mind. If an adjuster believes they can successfully justify denying your claim, their legal teams can take steps to bar you from receiving any compensation.
To avoid this, you may need to compile sufficient evidence proving another party’s negligence caused your accident. This can help to display that the amount of compensation you are seeking is appropriate given the nature of your losses.
This can be very challenging if you do not have the proper experience and training. Insurance companies prefer that claimants work directly with them instead of hiring attorneys. Convincing injured parties to accept low offers is generally much easier when they do not come from a legal background.
Our New York City pedestrian accident lawyers understand how insurers protect their own financial interests when injured parties file claims against them. Thus, we also know how to counter their defenses and negotiate aggressively on your behalf. While the ideal outcome is to reach an appropriate settlement, if an insurer will not budge, we can file a lawsuit and go to court instead.
Why Choose Shulman & Hill?
Choosing a personal injury lawyer in New York City qualified to handle your case is very important. Not all lawyers can offer the representation you need. Sadly, some will make empty promises that hurt both parties in the long run.
At Shulman & Hill, we have a proven track record of successfully helping clients secure compensation. Instead of making vague promises, we can point to similar cases that have yielded great results. However, each case is different. Learn more about how we can help by calling us at 212-221-1000 or scheduling a free consultation online.