Long Island Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

What Are Common Types of Pedestrian Accidents?

Everyone is a pedestrian from time to time. To help our Long Island neighbors understand what to watch out for when traveling on foot, here are four common types of pedestrian accidents:

Backing-up accidents – Backing-up accidents occur when drivers fail to check behind them when reversing out of driveways, parking spaces, or garages and collide with pedestrians passing by.

Dooring accidents – Dooring accidents tend to be less severe but can still result in painful injuries. A dooring accident happens when a negligent vehicle occupant opens their door directly onto or into the immediate path of a passing pedestrian.

Intersection accidents – Most pedestrian accidents happen at intersections where pedestrian and vehicle traffic meet. Intersection accidents can occur when pedestrians unexpectedly dart out into the road or when motorists run red lights.

Passing accidents – A passing accident can happen when one driver stops to allow a pedestrian to cross the road, the pedestrian is hidden from the view of motorists in other lanes by the stopped vehicle, and another driver strikes the pedestrian as a result.

Turn and merge accidents – This type of pedestrian accident occurs when a motorist is absorbed in timing other vehicles before merging or turning that they fail to register nearby pedestrians.

What Compensation Could You Receive After a Pedestrian Accident?

With a successful pedestrian accident claim, you could be entitled to financial compensation for the following accident-related losses:

Lost wages – The value of any reductions or losses in your take-home pay resulting from any time you miss at work while you recover from your accident-related injuries

Medical bills – The cost of any medical care you need to treat accident-related injuries, including costs of ambulance rides, hospital stays, and doctor’s visits

Out-of-pocket costs – Any out-of-pocket costs you pay for incidental, accident-related expenses, such as the costs of traveling to and from medical appointments

Pain and suffering – The intangible cost of the physical pain, emotional anguish, and psychological suffering you endure due to the accident

Projected future losses – The value of losses you will likely incur due to the accident, such as medical care you will probably need in the future and the projected reduction in your lifetime earning potential due to your injuries

Proving Negligence in a Pedestrian Accident Case

To obtain compensation in a pedestrian accident claim, you must be able to prove that the vehicle driver’s negligence directly contributed to your injuries. When you retain the services of Finz & Finz, P.C., we can help you identify and preserve helpful evidence to support your claim, such as:

Clothing and other physical evidence – The clothing, shoes, and other items you had on your person when the accident occurred often contain valuable physical evidence.
Eyewitness statements – Statements from witnesses who saw the crash can help corroborate your version of events and fill in the gaps for investigators.
Medical records – Your medical records show what your health was like before the accident and can illustrate the exact nature of any post-accident injuries or conditions you suffer.
Photo and video evidence – Photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and injuries can demonstrate the effects of the crash, while video footage from dashcams or traffic cameras can show what happened just before and during the crash.
Police accident reports – Accident reports prepared by police officers often contain helpful information, such as toxicology test results, citations issued for traffic violations, and official determinations of fault.
Testimony from expert witnesses – Testimony from highly-qualified experts such as accident reconstruction specialists can provide valuable insight into the causes and effects of the crash.

What to Do If You Have Been Injured in a Pedestrian Accident

The actions you take immediately after a Long Island pedestrian accident can have a significant impact on your health, your legal rights, and your financial recovery.

Here are some simple steps you can take to increase your chances of a favorable outcome in your pedestrian accident claim:

Seek prompt medical care – If you didn’t already receive emergency treatment, seek medical attention as soon as possible to determine the extent of your injuries, get the care you need, and establish a record of your condition.
Follow your doctor’s orders – Follow your doctor’s prescribed care plan and attend all follow-up appointments to speed your recovery and demonstrate that you are taking your health seriously.
Gather as much evidence as possible – Collect evidence from the crash scene, such as photos, the driver’s contact, insurance details, and names and statements from eyewitnesses.
Keep track of crash-related bills and papers – Hang on to medical statements, pay stubs, and other documentation of crash-related expenses and financial losses.
Watch what you say to others – Avoid apologizing or admitting fault when you report the accident to your insurance company and decline to provide any written or recorded statements. Also, be careful about sharing information about the accident or posting photos on social media while your claim is pending.
Contact our NY pedestrian accident lawyers – We can review your case, discuss your legal options, and provide clear, actionable advice during a free initial consultation.

New York Pedestrian Accident Statistics

The following data from the New York State Department of Health shed light on the dangers of pedestrian accidents:

Pedestrian accident injuries are among the top 10 causes of injury-related hospital visits and fatalities among nearly all age groups in New York.
Approximately 300 pedestrians are killed every year, and 15,000 more are injured in New York motor vehicle-pedestrian accidents. More than 3,000 pedestrians are admitted to New York hospitals annually with accident-related injuries.
6 of every 100,000 New Yorkers die each year in pedestrian accidents, and 15.4 of every 100,000 are hospitalized annually for pedestrian accident injuries.
The rates of pedestrian accident fatalities are highest among males and those aged 65 and older.

Most Dangerous Intersections in Long Island

Statistically, some of the most dangerous intersections for pedestrians on Long Island include:

Broadway and Oak Street in Amityville
Carleton Avenue and East Suffolk Avenue in Central Islip
Front Street and Franklin Street in Hempstead
Fulton Avenue and Clinton Street in Hempstead
Merrick Road and Main Street in Freeport
Middle Neck Road and Cutter Mill Road in Great Neck Plaza
New York Avenue and 15th Street in Huntington Station
West Hills Road and Route 110 in Huntington Station

What Are Common Types of Injuries Our Long Island Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Handle?

Pedestrians do not have seat belts, airbags, or steel vehicle frames to protect them in the event of a traffic collision. The personal injury lawyers of Finz & Finz, P.C. frequently handle pedestrian accident cases involving serious injuries such as:

Back and neck injuries
Bruises, lacerations, and puncture wounds
Chest injuries
Concussions
Dislocated or broken bones
Emotional trauma
Facial injuries and scarring
Head trauma
Herniated discs
Internal bleeding
Jaw injuries and dental trauma
Knee, elbow, and other joint injuries
Partial or total paralysis
Soft tissue injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Traumatic and surgical amputations
Brain injuries
Wrongful death

Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Occur?

Both pedestrians and drivers contribute to pedestrian accidents, but it’s safe to say most pedestrian accidents result from driver negligence. Common causes of Long Island pedestrian accidents include:

When drivers are focused on text messages, passenger conversations, personal grooming, or other distractions, they are more likely to overlook people walking in their surroundings and cause devastating pedestrian accidents as a result.

Alcohol, illegal drugs, and even particular prescription and over-the-counter medications can seriously impair safe driving abilities such as depth perception and reaction time. Drunk driving accidents are significantly more likely to happen with pedestrians on or near the road.

The effects of just 24 hours of sleep deprivation are roughly equivalent to the impact of having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above the legal limit. Drowsy drivers might experience blurred vision, reduced attentiveness, or fall asleep behind the wheel, leading to severe injury accidents.

Drivers are required by law to yield to pedestrians in certain circumstances. If drivers fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or otherwise crossing the road legally, they can be held responsible for subsequent pedestrian accidents.

In some cases, hazardous road conditions such as poor visibility around corners, missing road signage, and unmarked or poorly marked crosswalks can contribute to pedestrian accidents. When unsafe road conditions cause pedestrian accidents, the government agency responsible for road maintenance may be at fault.

Vehicle defects caused by inadequate maintenance or manufacturing flaws can lead to the failure of critical components and loss of driver control, resulting in catastrophic pedestrian accidents.

How a Long Island Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help

At Finz & Finz, P.C., we prepare every case we handle as though we were going to trial. Our nationally-recognized personal injury lawyers will fight for you every step of the way as we seek fair compensation on your behalf.

Contact us today for your free initial consultation to discuss the details of your Long Island pedestrian accident case with a member of our team.

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Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Long Island