According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), each year, an average of 59,000 pedestrian accidents occur in the U.S., and result in approximately 4,000 deaths. Over 72 percent of these accidents occur in urban areas, making residents in densely-populated areas at a much higher risk of sustaining serious injuries while walking. Recently, the New York City (NYC) police department has taken steps to crack down on jaywalkers to reduce the likelihood of traffic-related fatalities.
Whether you are hit by a vehicle or you have lost a loved one due to a pedestrian crash, the consequences can be devastating. If you are injured at the fault of another, contact Attorney Group to learn more about your legal rights and be connected with an affiliated pedestrian accident attorney. You may be entitled to recover damages for your condition, and it’s important to seek help from personal injury attorneys.
Concerns Raised in NYC
On January 19, 2014, a doctor was hit while walking in New York City on 96th Street. According to a report from the New York Daily News, the victim was the third pedestrian to be killed within a two-block radius of 96th and Broadway within the past nine days. The death has prompted police to tighten up on jaywalkers in the area.
According to reports, the 26-year-old was crossing the street when the side mirror of an ambulance knocked her down to the ground. The victim allegedly rolled into the opposite lane, where a red Dodge Charger struck her and killed her. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
As a result of the victim being the ninth pedestrian in NYC to be killed so far this year in an auto accident, police have begun to enforce laws for jaywalkers by putting barriers down in the middle of city streets and by handing out tickets. A spokesperson for the mayor also announced in early 2014 that they would be working with the police department to stop traffic-related fatalities.
Establishing Liability in Pedestrian Accidents
While pedestrians aren’t always blameless, it is the case in many accidents that drivers struggle to safely operate their cars around pedestrians. Common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Running red lights and hitting pedestrians in the crosswalk
- Intoxicated driving
- Distracted driving, such as eating or driving while texting
- Right turns through crosswalks while failing to look for pedestrians
- Illegally-parked cars, making it difficult to see bicycles or pedestrians
In a pedestrian accident, the process of determining who should be held liable may be complicated. If a pedestrian was crossing on a walk signal or was in the middle of a crosswalk, a pedestrian accident attorney should have no difficulty in establishing liability. However, many of these accidents involve situations where pedestrians walk outside of established pedestrian areas or cross against traffic.
If a driver is not paying adequate attention to the road or is speeding, you may still be entitled to pursue a claim even if you are partially to blame for your accident. Furthermore, if the incident caused severe injury such as broken bones or spinal cord or brain injuries and the accident was partially your fault, you may be eligible to work with a pedestrian accident attorney and pursue a claim that asserts contributory negligence. Should you proceed to file this claim, your responsibility percentage will be subtracted from your settlement.
However, victims should not attempt to pursue a negligence claim on their own. It is important to work with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney who is qualified to determine fault and investigate the accident to assist victims in attempting to recover the most compensation to which they may be entitled.
A Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help You to Pursue a Claim
If you or a loved one were injured while walking and you would like more information about seeking compensation for damages you have incurred from your injury, contact Attorney Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will help you to determine if you have a valid case and will connect you with an affiliated pedestrian accident attorney who will handle your claim throughout the legal process. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, you may be entitled to seek compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages and medical expenses.
