4 Concerning New York City Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Lever & Ecker, PLLC August 11, 2022 Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents and fatalities have turned into a statewide epidemic over the last several years. New Yorkers are tired of seeing tragedies in the news headlines due to negligent drivers. Residents are calling for harsher penalties for negligent driving and infrastructure tailored to the safety of pedestrians. The New York State Department of Health reports around 300 pedestrian fatalities and 15,000 severe injuries yearly due to motor vehicle accidents.

Due to their lack of safety equipment, pedestrians suffered severe, life-threatening injuries that cause long-term disabilities. You have the right to hold the negligent party accountable for their actions. If a careless driver causes you to suffer severe injuries, speak with a highly-qualified lawyer as soon as possible.

4 Concerning New York City Pedestrian Accident Statistics

New York City has a massive population, and most individuals walk, ride a bicycle, or use public transportation as their primary means of travel. Pedestrians in New York City walk dangerously close to motor vehicles and are exposed to severe dangers. 

Consider the following four concerning statistics from the annual Spotlight on Highway Safety report on pedestrian accidents in New York City:

• Pedestrian deaths per billion miles traveled in 2021 is 2.3 deaths per billion vehicle miles traveled.
• In 2021, there were 1.04 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people, increasing 15.5 percent from the following two years.
• In the first six months of 2021, 3,441 pedestrians were killed by motor vehicle accidents, increasing by 17% from the following year.
• Throughout the United States, 11 states had a decrease in pedestrian fatalities in the first half of 2021.

One of the best parts about living or visiting the city is the ability to walk everywhere. People from all over the world enjoy New York City on foot. However, dangers continue to threaten pedestrians and New York City’s way of life. If you require medical attention for injuries caused by a motor vehicle, speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.

How Is New York City Protecting Pedestrians

New York’s Mayor Eric Adams announced a significant investment into pedestrian safety at intersections throughout the state at the beginning of 2022. Studies have shown that intersections are leading locations for pedestrian fatalities in New York. In an attempt to lower the number of pedestrian accidents, Mayor Adams hopes the following implementations to 1,000 intersections will stop negligent drivers:

• ​​Bike corrals at intersections
• Doubling the Turn-Calming Program
• Improved traffic signals
• Raised crosswalks
• Stop. Let Them Cross Public Awareness Campaign
• Strict enforcement within intersections
• Visibility measures

Protests and activists continue to push for more pedestrian protections throughout the city. Speak with your lawyer about how you may recover compensation for the injuries you suffer in an accident.

Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced New York Pedestrian Injury Lawyer Today

Pedestrian accidents can be dire and may cause debilitating injuries. Even with thousands of precautions and warnings for drivers, they still may act recklessly and cause you to suffer injuries. You deserve to seek justice for your losses. Our award-winning Lever & Ecker, PLLC lawyers have 60+ years of combined legal experience advocating for New Yorkers’ rights. We have developed a team of extraordinary and professional lawyers with knowledge of various types of law. 

With legal services tailored to your needs, you may depend on our team to provide you with the best possible settlement for your claim. Call (914) 288-9191—or (718) 933-3632 if you are in the Bronx—and fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation today.