Pedestrian accidents are inevitable in New York City

It’s a sad but true fact that many drivers do not respect the rights of pedestrians.  This can be especially challenging in New York City, where the pace is unmatched and the number of drivers and pedestrians makes accidents impossible to avoid.

While drivers have the responsibility to obey all traffic laws, pedestrians must obey laws directed at them as well.  They should always walk on sidewalks, and where there are none, they should walk facing traffic so that they can see oncoming vehicles.  Statistics show that about two-thirds of all pedestrian accidents take place at intersections, so pedestrians should be on an even greater defensive posture in this type of situation.

That said, most pedestrian accidents are the fault of drivers.  Most are caused by drivers driving too fast, running traffic signals, or not yielding the right of way to pedestrians, especially at crosswalks.  Drivers who are distracted by cell phones or texting are another primary reason for pedestrian accidents.

Pedestrians involved in an accident are entitled to have their medical bills paid for under an applicable no-fault insurance policy.  But to be able to collect from a no-fault provider, the victim must file a claim within 30 days of the accident taking place or they may be denied benefits.

A pedestrian accident lawyer is a necessity in helping a victim seek other compensation, including monetary awards for pain and suffering, lost wages, and long-term care if injuries are major and permanent.  Many times, the lawyer and his firm will retain financial experts to ensure that the best possible settlement will be reached, ensuring the financial safety of someone involved in the accident.