Valley Stream Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
All car accidents have the potential to cause serious injuries. Certain types of collisions, however, are notorious for causing particularly devastating injuries. Pedestrian accidents, for instance, almost always result in serious injuries for the person who was struck. This is an especially serious problem in New York, which sees some of the highest rates of pedestrian activity in the country. In fact, according to the New York State Department of Health, around 12,506 pedestrians visit the emergency department (ED) every year after being involved in a vehicle traffic-related accident, with another 3,027 requiring hospitalization.
Fortunately, pedestrians who find themselves in this situation are not without legal recourse, so if you or a loved one were hurt in a pedestrian-motorist collision and have questions about your options, don’t hesitate to reach out to our dedicated Valley Stream pedestrian accident lawyers today for a review of your case.
What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?
Pedestrian accidents can almost always be attributed to at least one party’s negligence. In many cases, it is drivers who fail to yield or who otherwise violate traffic laws who cause these collisions. In other cases, a pedestrian may bear some responsibility for an accident, or a traffic light malfunction could even result in a government agency being held at least partially responsible for pedestrian injuries. Certain activities are, however, known for being especially dangerous. Distracted driving, for instance, has become the leading contributor for motorist-pedestrian accidents, while drunk driving, which is usually accompanied by delayed reflexes, impaired judgment, and reduced peripheral vision, also causes thousands of accidents every year. Speeding through intersections and turning without checking for the presence of pedestrians also contribute to serious accidents, even in marked crosswalks.
Pursuing Compensation
The application of New York’s no-fault auto insurance laws is not limited to drivers. In fact, these laws also specifically apply to pedestrians, who are entitled to the benefits of the driver who struck them. Unfortunately, pedestrian injuries are notorious for being extremely serious, often resulting in permanent disability or even death. For this reason, it is not uncommon for injured pedestrians to exceed the $50,000 minimum limits of many drivers’ policies. In these situations, injured pedestrians can still hold negligent drivers, city officials, or another careless entity or agency accountable by filing a tort claim in court, as the injuries sustained by pedestrians are almost always severe enough to satisfy New York’s serious injury threshold.
Unlike no-fault auto insurance policies, damages awarded in court often cover far more of a person’s losses, including not only medical expenses, lost wages, and legal costs, but also pain and suffering and emotional distress. Fortunately, injured pedestrians may still qualify for damages even if they are deemed to be partially at fault for an accident, although they can expect their awards to be reduced in proportion to their degree of fault in causing the crash.
Get Help After a Pedestrian Accident
To speak with an experienced Valley Stream pedestrian accident attorney about holding someone accountable for your medical bills and other losses, please call Giuffre Law Offices, P.C. today. You can reach a member of our dedicated legal team by calling 516-802-9912 or by filling out one of our online forms with your case details.
