A recent study indicated that an average of 20 people per day are killed by moving vehicles in the United States. Approximately 7,500 pedestrians are killed by drivers every year, a number that has risen since 2010. When pedestrians survive accidents involving motor vehicles, they may suffer catastrophic injuries that can permanently alter their lives.
If you or your loved one have been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident in New York, it’s crucial that you speak to an experienced attorney. The compassionate attorneys at Dell & Dean, PLLC, can help you understand your legal rights and pursue compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. New York has a strict time limit for pursuing accident claims, called the statute of limitations, so it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Most pedestrian accidents occur in heavily populated areas and at night. However, pedestrian accidents can happen nearly anywhere from a parking lot to a busy intersection. Most pedestrian accidents involve some form of negligence.
In some cases, motor vehicle drivers are negligent and fail to respect pedestrians’ legal right of way. For example, a distracted driver may enter a crosswalk and strike a pedestrian who has the right of way, causing severe injuries. Another common type of pedestrian accident occurs when a driver backs out of a parking lot and strikes a pedestrian behind the vehicle.
Pedestrian accidents can involve intoxicated drivers or pedestrians. An intoxicated driver may lose control of his or her vehicle and strike a pedestrian or bicyclist, resulting in a side-swipe accident. In some cases, pedestrians negligently walk into the roadway in front of vehicles due to intoxication or distraction, resulting in a dangerous collision.
Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accidents
Becoming injured in an accident is always stressful and shocking. However, when the at-fault driver engages in a hit-and-run, victims can be even more overwhelmed. If you were injured by a driver who struck you and then left the scene of the accident, you may be concerned about how to obtain compensation for your injuries.
Many hit-and-run accident victims are injured by drivers who are distracted, intoxicated, texting while driving, or who are not paying attention to the road. Drivers may try to flee the accident scene to avoid criminal consequences and legal claims against them.
If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian hit-and-run accident, it’s imperative that you call 911 and request that a police officer and an ambulance come to the scene. Write down any information you remember about the driver and his or her vehicle.
The police department may be able to help you track down the at-fault driver. In that case, you can pursue compensation from the driver’s insurance provider. You may be able to pursue a lawsuit against the driver or the driver’s employer. When a hit-and-run driver cannot be identified, your attorney can help you pursue compensation through an uninsured/underinsured claim through your insurance policy.
Pedestrian Accidents Can Cause Severe Injuries
When a car, truck, motorcycle, or bicycle collides with a pedestrian, the pedestrian will likely suffer significant injuries. Pedestrians do not have the same protection that passengers and drivers enjoy. There are no airbags, seat belts, or other safety features to protect pedestrians. As a result, pedestrians are more likely to become seriously injured in collisions involving motor vehicles.
Injuries caused by pedestrian accidents can vary, but they frequently include soft tissue damage, which can cause severe pain, scars, and, in some cases, long-term mobility problems. Victims can also experience bone fractures in their wrists, hands, shoulders, legs, and backs. Compound bone fractures can be extremely painful and cause long-term mobility problems. In severe cases, the victim may need to undergo amputation.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are another type of severe injury common in pedestrian accidents. Patients who’ve been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries can experience a wide range of symptoms, making it difficult to engage in activities they once loved. For example, TBIs can cause drowsiness, headaches, light sensitivity, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, vomiting, and fatigue.
Pedestrians may experience damage to their spinal cords, which can cause partial or total paralysis and can lead to death. Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries require ongoing medical treatment that can cost millions of dollars during a victim’s lifetime. Pursuing compensation can help victims obtain the medical care they need, as well as compensation for their lost earning capacity.
Proving Liability in a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident and intend to pursue a legal claim for compensation, you must prove liability. In other words, you have the burden to use evidence to show that the defendant is at fault for your injuries. Working with an experienced attorney can help you investigate the accident and gather important evidence you’ll need to prove liability and recover compensation.
When pedestrian accidents occur, police reports, witness statements, video footage, medical records, and other types of evidence can help you prove your claim. The attorneys at Dell & Dean, PLLC frequently work with accident reconstruction specialists, accident forensic scientists, medical specialists, and other professionals to demonstrate that the defendant’s negligence caused the accident that resulted in the victim’s injuries. We will handle every aspect of the investigation and negotiation process. We are prepared to take your case to court if necessary.
Discuss Your Case with a Personal Injury Attorney in New York
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Dell & Dean, PLLC, have a proven track record of recovering compensation for victims of pedestrian accidents. If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident or you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal pedestrian accident, our legal team is prepared to advocate for you.
We will handle every aspect of your claim while advocating for your rights and demanding justice from the person or company who caused your injuries. Don’t hesitate to contact the Long Island personal injury attorneys at Dell & Dean, PLLC, to schedule a no-obligation, complimentary case evaluation.
Dell & Dean, PLLC handles claims throughout Nassau County and Suffolk County on Long Island as well as the boroughs of New York City, and the surrounding areas.
