Bronx Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
No one on a city street is more vulnerable to injury than a pedestrian. They have no protection from the impact of a motor vehicle. If a pedestrian survives a vehicle accident, they’ll likely face a long and difficult road to recovery. Our skilled Bronx pedestrian accident lawyers can help if you’ve been hurt.
Quick Links
- Dangerous Intersections for Pedestrians in the Bronx
- Pedestrian Safety in the Bronx
- How common are pedestrian accidents in the Bronx?
- Common Causes of Bronx Pedestrian Accidents
- How can I get compensated for a pedestrian accident in the Bronx, NY?
- How long do I have to file a Bronx pedestrian accident lawsuit?
- What if a Bronx pedestrian accident killed my family member?
- Why should I hire the Bronx personal injury attorneys at Meirowitz & Wasserberg to handle my pedestrian accident case?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) After a Pedestrian Accident in the Bronx
From December 2019 to December 2020, there were 1,394 accidents involving pedestrians in the Bronx. Of that number, 13 of those accidents were fatal. If you or a loved one was hurt or killed in a pedestrian accident, call Meirowitz & Wasserberg. The skilled team of Bronx personal injury lawyers at Sam N’ Dan can help you get the compensation you or your loved one deserves.
Dangerous Intersections for Pedestrians in the Bronx
Pedestrians should always exercise extreme caution. A 2010 study revealed the following dangerous intersections for pedestrians in the Bronx:
- East 170th Street and Grand Concourse
- East 183rd Street and Grand Concourse
- White Plains Road and East Gun Hill Road
- East Fordham Road and Webster Avenue
Pedestrians are vulnerable on crowded city streets, but these intersections in the Bronx are particularly dangerous.
Pedestrian Safety in the Bronx
Many citizens in the Bronx choose to walk, so certain laws have been passed to ensure their safety.
Laws specific to pedestrians include:
- Use sidewalks where they’re provided
- Walk on the left side of the roadway when no sidewalk is present
- Only cross the street when the safety light shows the walking person icon
- If the safely light shows a red hand, don’t cross the street
- A flashing red hand means to quickly move through the crosswalk if you’ve already started, or wait for the next signal if not
Pedestrian safety laws for motorists include:
- Yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk where there’s no traffic light
- Yielding to pedestrians when crossing with a signal where there is a traffic light
- Keep crosswalks clear for pedestrians when stopped at an intersection
- When entering a street from an alley, building, driveway, or road, always yield to pedestrians
Although laws exist that are intended to protect pedestrians in the Bronx, work remains to be done to keep them safe.
New York Pedestrian Safety Improvement Efforts
Pedestrians are an important part of the New York City transit system. In light of this, the city is continually working to improve conditions for pedestrian safety. There are projects designed to improve intersection safety that include:
- Retiming of traffic signals
- Adding or updating crosswalks for higher visibility
- Restricting parking near intersections
- Installing signals specifically for pedestrians
- Installing signage to remind drivers to yield to pedestrians
- Adding markings on the pavement ahead of crosswalks
- Adding pedestrian refuge islands and curb extensions
These intersection improvement projects are in keeping with a commitment on the part of the city and its lawmakers to make the streets safer for pedestrians. In addition to these local efforts, there are national campaigns like Vision Zero with a goal to increase roadway safety for all.
How common are pedestrian accidents in the Bronx?
In the Bronx, there were 6,269 total motor vehicle accidents from December 2020 to December 2021. Of these, 1,428 (23%) were injury accidents involving pedestrians. In addition, 15 of these accidents resulted in fatalities.
Common Causes of Bronx Pedestrian Accidents
Of the pedestrian accidents that happened in the Bronx between December 2020 and December 2021, several causes appeared more common than others.
These causes include:
- Driver distraction or inattention
- Failure to yield or give right-of-way to pedestrians
- Unsafe backing
- Pedestrian error or confusion
- Speeding
- Obstructed or limited view
- Disregarding traffic lights
If you or a loved one was a victim of the irresponsible actions of motorists in the Bronx, you may be entitled to compensation.
How can I get compensated for a pedestrian accident in the Bronx, NY?
A pedestrian who has been the victim of an accident involving a motorist has various options for recovering damages under New York law. New York is a no-fault state, meaning insurance companies will pay up to $50,000 toward medical bills related to pedestrian accidents regardless of who’s at fault.
For a pedestrian to be able to file a personal injury lawsuit, the injuries must meet New York’s “serious injury” threshold. If this threshold is met, a victim could receive compensation for a greater range of damages.
In New York auto accidents, a “serious injury” is one in which more than $50,000 in economic damages occurred, or there was:
- Death
- Dismemberment
- Significant disfigurement
- Fracture
- Loss of a fetus
- Permanent loss of use or consequential limitation of a body part or body system
- Non-permanent injury preventing one from performing normal daily activities for 90 out of 180 days immediately following the accident
In addition to recovering compensatory damages, a pedestrian accident victim can also pursue punitive damages. Compensatory damages are intended to protect a victim from out-of-pocket expenses. Punitive damages are awarded to victims to punish wrongdoers and to discourage others from demonstrating irresponsible behavior.
Under New York law, there is no cap on either type of damages for personal injury plaintiffs.
How long do I have to file a Bronx pedestrian accident lawsuit?
In the State of New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident. Should you try to file a claim after that time, you’ll most likely be unable to pursue legal action against the responsible party.
What if a Bronx pedestrian accident killed my family member?
Any at-fault driver who causes the death of a pedestrian may face a wrongful death lawsuit. Just as in a non-fatal accident, it must be proven that the negligence of the driver caused the accident that resulted in the death of your loved one. You may be compensated for funeral expenses, wages the deceased might have earned, and loss of companionship.
Why should I hire the Bronx personal injury attorneys at Meirowitz & Wasserberg to handle my pedestrian accident case?
Personal injury cases can be complex. There are processes, deadlines, investigations, and negotiations to contend with. You may not have the time to keep up with the various procedural and legal requirements, and any misstep could mean dismissal of your complaint or lower compensation than you deserve.
The highly skilled attorneys at Meirowitz & Wasserberg have recovered millions in compensation for injury victims. Our lawyers are compassionate when they meet with you, but are highly aggressive in the courtroom. We live by our mantra, “We Represent People, Not Corporations.”
Sam N’ Dan have a reputation for excellence in practicing law in New York. They’ve both been selected for inclusion in the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list. Sam is ranked as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by The National Trial Lawyers. Daniel has a reputation for reliably and consistently delivering substantial results for his clients.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident in the Bronx, contact the Bronx injury attorneys at Meirowitz & Wasserberg today for a free consultation. Learn how we can help you get justice and the compensation due to you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) After a Pedestrian Accident in the Bronx
After a pedestrian accident, it’s natural that you’d have questions about your accident and the claims process. Some of these frequently asked questions may be on your list.
Any accident should be reported to the police. After an accident, you should contact the authorities and insist that a police report be filed.
Yes, jaywalking is illegal. It poses a threat to both drivers and pedestrians and results in many traffic accidents. Jaywalking is the illegal crossing of a roadway without a crosswalk or other traffic signal designating your right-of-way to cross the street.
Yes. New York is a comparative fault state, meaning that if you’re found to be 10% at fault for an accident, your award could be reduced by your proportionate responsibility, or 10%. Often, defense lawyers will use this to reduce the defendant’s liability and your compensation.
It’s not uncommon for a driver to flee the scene of a pedestrian accident. If this happens and you have a vehicle that has insurance, your uninsured motorist benefits could cover your claim.
In New York City, there is a fund called the New York Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corp. that provides minimum insurance coverage for victims of a pedestrian hit and run.
Yes. Some injuries take time to show up, so it’s important to go to an emergency room or your primary care physician for a thorough examination. Even if no injuries are obvious at the time of the exam, a medical professional can tell you what to watch for in the days following an accident.
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