New York City is bustling with pedestrians. Less than 30% of NY residents commute to work using a personal vehicle, which means most of us walk, wheel, or ride the subway to our destinations.
Unfortunately, having so many pedestrians in New York means the potential for many pedestrian accidents. Every year, roughly 300 pedestrians are killed, and 15,000 are injured by motor vehicles in New York. Here are some of the most dangerous streets for pedestrians in New York City and the simple ways to prevent a tragic pedestrian accident.
Common NYC Pedestrian Accident Locations
According to data compiled from the NYC Crash Mapper and NYC Open Data, most fatal pedestrian accidents from June 2022 to June 2023 occurred at the following locations:
- Queens
- Jamaica Ave
- Roosevelt Ave
- Broadway
- Sutphin Blvd
- Main St & Northern Blvd
- Brooklyn
- Atlantic Ave
- Franklin Ave & Fulton St
- Eastern Parkway & Schenectady Ave
- Rockaway Parkway & Skidmore Ave
- Johns Pl & Utica Ave
- Manhattan
- E Houston St
- 8th Ave
- East 85th St
- Sherman Ave
- 7th Avenue & West 42nd St
- Bronx
- Jerome Ave
- Sedgwick Ave & W Fordham Rd
- Tremont Ave
- Grand Concourse
- East 149th St
- Staten Island
- Forest Ave
- Hylan Blvd & Bedell Ave
- Bay St
- Broadway
- Richmond Ave
This isn’t an exhaustive list: pedestrian accidents could happen anywhere and to anyone.
Why Are Pedestrian Accidents Dangerous?
Pedestrians are at a disadvantage during a collision with a motor vehicle. The average car weighs around two tons and travels faster than a person. Most vehicles also have crumple zones, airbags, and other safety measures that protect the driver, whereas pedestrians don’t have these defenses.
Pedestrian accidents are also dangerous because many drivers flee the scene. In 2021, almost a fourth (24%) of pedestrian accidents in the US were hit-and-runs. Abandoning an injured pedestrian could prevent them from receiving critical, potentially life-saving help in time.
Contributing Factors in Fatal Pedestrian Accidents
According to NYC DOT, pedestrians are ten times more likely to die in a crash than the driver of a motor vehicle. Speed is one of the main factors in whether or not a pedestrian accident will be fatal. The faster a vehicle moves, the more likely the impact will kill a pedestrian. Even a pedestrian-vehicle crash at 30 miles per hour is twice as likely to kill a pedestrian than a crash at 25mph.
Age also plays a factor in fatal pedestrian accidents. In 2021, the age group with the highest pedestrian fatality rates was the 60-64 age group. The elderly population may be more susceptible to severe injury or death in a pedestrian accident because many of them have health conditions that could affect their ability to recover fully.
Pedestrian Safety Tips
The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) continues taking initiatives prioritizing pedestrian safety, but these measures do not eliminate every risk. Each year, roughly 1,000 pedestrian accidents in NYC are caused by pedestrian error. Like drivers, pedestrians must take precautions to avoid accidents, especially when crossing a busy road or intersection with high traffic levels.
Keep in mind these pedestrian safety tips from the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- Obey all traffic laws and signs.
- Walk on a sidewalk or path when one is available. If one is not, walk on the shoulder, facing the direction of traffic as far away as possible.
- Avoid distractions or use alcohol and drugs.
- Watch for cars in all directions, including vehicles backing up or turning left.
- Don’t jaywalk. Cross the street at a crosswalk or intersection if possible. If there are no crosswalks or intersections, find a well-lit area, wait for a gap in traffic that will allow you to cross safely, and keep watching for traffic as you cross.
Additionally, you should wear reflective clothing or use a flashlight when walking at night. In 2021, 32% of pedestrian accidents in the United States occurred when it was dark outside, between 8 p.m. and 11:59 p.m.
Why You Need a New York Personal Injury Lawyer
New York is a “no-fault” insurance state, meaning all driver’s must carry personal injury protection insurance. However, many Big Apple residents don’t own cars, so they don’t have PIP policies. If that’s the case, you can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s policy to cover your economic losses, like medical bills.
It gets more complicated for any non-economic losses, the conceptual damages you experience because of your injuries caused in your accident. You should be compensated for the pain and suffering you’ve experienced because of your injuries. For instance, if you can no longer live independently, you deserve compensation for that mental burden you suffer from the crash.
An NYC pedestrian accident lawyer can help you calculate your claim’s value, determine how you should be paid, and how to effectively get your claim or settlement. Many insurance companies will argue you share blame to mitigate their client’s fault and payout. An experienced attorney will recognize and stop those tactics.
Call a Pedestrian Accident Attorney at HKD Today
The damages could be significant if you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident in New York. You may be facing hospital bills and missing out on work. Know that you are not without legal recourse. You may be entitled to compensation, and our experienced personal injury lawyers at Hecht, Kleeger, & Damashek, P.C. can help you recover the full amount you deserve.
Call an NYC pedestrian accident attorney at HKD today at (212) 490-5700 to schedule a consultation.