New York City’s streets are some of the busiest in the world, and unfortunately, pedestrian accidents happen daily. Whether you were hit by a car, taxi, bus, or commercial vehicle, you have the right to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Understanding New York’s pedestrian laws and liability rules is essential, and you should contact a knowledgeable and nearby pedestrian accident lawyer to protect your rights.
Call HKD at 212-490-5700 or contact us online to request your free consultation. We won’t charge you up-front costs, and you won’t owe us anything unless you recover compensation.
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New York has strict traffic laws regarding pedestrians. These traffic laws require motorists to yield to pedestrians in almost every situation and to do everything possible to avoid pedestrian accidents. Even with these laws, 9% of NYC traffic accidents involve an injured or killed pedestrian, resulting in more than 8,000 injuries and 116 pedestrian deaths in 2022.
New York traffic law prioritizes pedestrian safety, and motorists are required to yield to pedestrians in most situations. However, disputes over right-of-way frequently arise in pedestrian accident cases, with drivers and insurance companies shifting blame onto victims. Understanding when pedestrians have the legal right-of-way is crucial for proving fault and securing compensation.
Pedestrians always have the right-of-way at marked and unmarked crosswalks when following traffic control signals. Drivers must:
Many pedestrian accidents occur when drivers fail to stop before turning, speed through intersections, or ignore crosswalk laws.
Pedestrians must obey all traffic signals, including Walk/Don’t Walk signs. However, even when a pedestrian crosses against a signal, drivers are still required to take reasonable action to prevent a crash.
Insurance companies often argue that pedestrians are at fault for ignoring signals, but comparative negligence rules allow pedestrians to still seek compensation, even if partially responsible.
While pedestrians should use designated crosswalks, jaywalking does not automatically prevent an injury claim. New York follows comparative negligence laws, meaning a pedestrian can still recover damages even if crossing outside a crosswalk.
For example, if a pedestrian is 20% at fault for jaywalking, but the driver was texting and speeding, the pedestrian could still recover 80% of the damages.
In many NYC pedestrian accidents, negligent drivers are responsible, but other parties may also share liability. New York’s comparative negligence laws allow injured pedestrians to seek compensation from multiple sources. Identifying all liable parties is essential for maximizing compensation and proving fault.
Most pedestrian accidents result from driver negligence, including:
New York City and local agencies may be liable if poor infrastructure contributed to an accident. Common issues include:
Rideshare and taxi drivers frequently cause pedestrian accidents, and liability may extend to:
Large trucks and commercial vehicles pose a severe risk to pedestrians. Liability may fall on:
Walking in New York City’s busy streets, intersections, and parking lots can be dangerous, even when pedestrians follow all traffic laws. While pedestrians have the right-of-way in many situations, reckless or inattentive drivers frequently cause serious injuries. Even if you cross legally in a marked crosswalk or obey pedestrian signals, you may still be hit due to driver negligence.
Many pedestrian accidents occur because drivers fail to pay attention or follow traffic laws. The most common causes include:
Even if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may still have legal options. A Manhattan pedestrian accident lawyer can investigate the crash, gather evidence, and prove the driver was reckless or violated New York traffic laws.
Don’t let a negligent driver or insurance company deny your claim. At Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., we fight to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Contact HKD today to discuss your pedestrian accident claim in a free, no-risk consultation.
Pedestrian accidents often cause significant injuries. Whether in a wheelchair, on a skateboard, walking, or running, you likely had minimal defenses against a moving car. The impact can be traumatic.
Common injuries in a pedestrian accident include:
Unfortunately, pedestrian accident injuries can be fatal. When you lose a relative in a Manhattan pedestrian accident, you could be entitled to compensation. Contact a compassionate New York wrongful death attorney for legal guidance. We know your grief might feel overwhelming. We’re here to help however we can.
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If you’ve been hit by a car in New York City, knowing what steps to take can protect your rights and maximize your compensation. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, so it’s essential to gather evidence and seek legal help as soon as possible.
If you were hit by a car in New York City, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries, financial losses, and emotional suffering. The amount you recover depends on factors like medical expenses, lost income, and the severity of your injuries.
These cover out-of-pocket expenses directly related to your accident, including:
These compensate for the physical and emotional toll of your accident, including:
If a pedestrian accident results in a fatality, surviving family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover:
Insurance companies often undervalue pedestrian accident claims to minimize payouts. At Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., we fight for the full compensation you deserve and won’t settle for less.
When you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, choosing the right law firm can maximize your compensation. At Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., we have a proven track record of winning tough cases and holding negligent drivers and insurance companies accountable.
How to Handle a Pedestrian Accident Claim
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212-490-5700A hit-and-run pedestrian accident occurs when a driver strikes a pedestrian and flees the scene without providing aid or exchanging information. This is illegal under New York Vehicle & Traffic Code § 600 and often leads to severe or fatal injuries due to delayed medical response.
Drivers involved in an accident must:
Finding a hit-and-run driver can be difficult due to:
If the driver is not found, injured pedestrians may rely on:
Don’t wait to take action if you were injured in a hit-and-run. Our attorneys at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. can help investigate your case and explore all available compensation options.
NY Pedestrian Accident FAQs
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Taxis, Uber, and Lyft drivers often drive closer to sidewalks than they should. They also fail to adhere to the rules of the road when trying to pick up riders. If you were a pedestrian and got hit by a taxi or Uber/Lyft driver, then you should contact a pedestrian accident attorney right away.
Most pedestrian accident cases rely heavily on evidence collected from the scene, which is why an investigation is important. We will collect information from eyewitnesses, traffic cameras, dash cams, accident reconstructionists, and expert witnesses to prove you deserve compensation.
Pedestrians can be hit by any vehicle whenever they travel across a vehicle’s path. That might sound like common sense, but that means any time a pedestrian enters a lane where a vehicle will travel, they could become a victim. That means sidewalks, parking lots, streets, public paths, or even bike lanes could all be areas where an accident could happen.
Navigating the aftermath of a hit-and-run pedestrian accident can be overwhelming. Hiring an attorney can provide invaluable support and guidance. Your lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation to gather important evidence. They can also communicate with insurance companies to maximize your compensation. You will have less stress when you work with a lawyer so that you can focus on healing and moving forward with life.
Who Pays For Your Medical Bills After A Pedestrian Accident?
Video Transcript
Accidents involving pedestrians and accidents involving other motor vehicles are similar in that you're looking to the negligence of the person driving the motor vehicle. However, there's other considerations ... when it comes to no fault, which is who pays your medical bills, who pays your lost earnings, aside from your claim against the driver of the other vehicle. For example, if you're in a pedestrian accident, the car that hits you is responsible for up to $50,000 of your medical expenses and lost earnings. However, in a vehicle on vehicle accident, it's the host vehicle who will be responsible for the medical expenses and the lost earnings. And that's aside from your lawsuit for pain and suffering and other expenses relating to the accident.
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