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Lever & Ecker, PLLC July 21, 2021 Car Accidents
Walking, jogging, and running are great for our health and for getting around town. However, they may lead to a tragic pedestrian accident. These accidents can cause severe injuries or even death. In 2019, there were 268 pedestrian deaths, with thousands more suffering injuries. Understanding what causes a pedestrian accident is vital to keeping yourself safe when walking.
If a car does hit you in New York, contact the pedestrian accident attorneys at Lever & Ecker. Our team of experienced injury attorneys can launch a thorough investigation into the accident, determine liability, and pursue compensation on your behalf.
It is important to remember that sustaining injuries in an auto accident does not automatically entitle you to financial compensation. You must prove that the other party caused the accident, and your injuries were a direct result to obtain a settlement. Below are some of the common causes of accidents involving pedestrians.
When a driver is distracted, they pose a significant risk to other drivers and pedestrians. Remember, distracted driving is not just taking your eyes off the road. It is also taking your mind off driving and hands off the wheel, and most distractions take a driver’s full attention away from the road. Examples may include cell phone use, eating, interacting with passengers, or daydreaming. A driver who is not paying attention may run a red light and hit a pedestrian legally crossing the street.
Speeding is not only a traffic violation, but it might fall under reckless driving. Pedestrians struck by a speeding vehicle often suffer more severe injuries due to the force on impact. Speeding is dangerous because a driver has less control over their vehicle, and it takes more time to come to a safe stop.
Whenever a driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, their reaction times decrease. Therefore, it might take them more time than usual to brake for a pedestrian crossing at a designated intersection. An intoxicated driver might also accidentally swerve onto the sidewalk, colliding with a pedestrian.
New York pedestrians have the right of way at all crosswalks, even when a driver has the green light. However, pedestrians should use common sense and wait until there is no oncoming traffic to cross. Drivers who roll through stop signs or fail to yield to pedestrians might be held liable for an accident.
Even when walking on the sidewalk, a pedestrian still might sustain injuries from a driver or passenger opening their door. Too often, vehicle passengers open doors without checking to see if anyone is coming. Depending on how hard or fast the person is opening the door, it might cause severe injuries.
New York sees all types of weather, and it may be extreme at times. When drivers fail to reduce their speeds in hazardous weather conditions, they might be unable to stop or slow down in time to avoid colliding with a pedestrian. Additionally, a speeding vehicle might hit a slick patch of road, causing the car to spin out of control.
A pedestrian-car accident does not need to occur on a busy street. They may also happen in a residential neighborhood. Depending on the vehicle size and the pedestrian’s height, the driver might not be able to see crossing pedestrians when backing out of a driveway. Similarly, pedestrians are also at risk of being hit by cars backing up while in parking lots.
At Lever & Ecker, we understand the challenges and stress that victims face after an accident. Our goal is to make the claims process as easy as possible. With offices in White Plains, we help injured victims all across New York, including the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester County, and the surrounding area.
While we cannot guarantee any specific outcome to your case, you can be confident that we will commit the time and resources to your claim. To schedule a free consultation, call (914) 288-9191 or (718) 933-3632, or complete our online contact form today.