Brooklyn Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Representing Clients in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and all New York City
When you are walking down a sidewalk or at a crosswalk, you expect vehicles to obey pedestrian right-of-way laws and to watch out for pedestrians. In some cases, drivers behave recklessly and end up hitting a pedestrian. These collisions are some of the most devastating because they can cause catastrophic injuries - and could have been prevented if the driver had not acted in negligence.
If you have been in a pedestrian accident and have sustained serious injuries, it is very important to seek medical attention first and then retain legal counsel right away. A competent and skilled Brooklyn pedestrian accident attorney at Belushin Law Firm is ready to help.
Negligence that leads to pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Excessive speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Violating traffic laws
Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured pedestrians, including winning a $3.5 million pedestrian accident settlement. Whether it is negotiating aggressively with insurance companies or litigating on your behalf, we know exactly what it takes to get you the maximum recovery possible.
New York City’s Right of Way Law
This law is designed to help protect pedestrians on hazardous city streets, making it a misdemeanor criminal offense when a driver fails to yield and kills or injures an individual walking in the crosswalk with the right of way.
Under this law, pedestrians are given right-of-way protection for the duration of the countdown clock or the flashing red hand. However, when the law was first enacted, pedestrians crossing a street at a crosswalk with a “Walk, Don’t Walk” sign only have the right of way if they’ve started crossing when the sign shows a white walk signal.
Researchers of pedestrian accidents determined that real consequences of careless driving are the best way to encourage safe decisions behind the wheel. Before there even was a Right of Way Law, most of these drivers would only face a small fine and three points on their driving record, or even no consequences whatsoever. Nowadays, the city is doing their best to ensure that pedestrians are protected by the law.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Understanding the factors that lead to pedestrian accidents can aid in determining fault and pursuing a successful claim. Common causes often include:
- Driver Distractions: Activities such as texting, talking on the phone, or interacting with in-car technology can divert a driver's attention away from the road and pedestrians.
- Excessive Speed: When drivers exceed speed limits, their reaction times are diminished, making it harder to avoid pedestrians crossing the road.
- Ignoring Traffic Signals: Disregarding red lights or stop signs can result in accidents where pedestrians lawfully crossing the street are struck by vehicles.
- Driving Under the Influence: Drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs have significantly reduced judgment and reaction times, which heightens the risk of causing pedestrian accidents
- Unsafe Road Conditions: Poorly lit streets, obstructed crosswalks, and damaged sidewalks can contribute to accidents involving pedestrians.
- Failure to Yield: Not yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks or intersections can result in severe injuries and collisions.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Victims of pedestrian accidents may be entitled to various types of damages based on their circumstances and the severity of their injuries. Potential recoverable damages include:
- Medical Expenses: Reimbursement for medical treatments, including hospital bills, surgeries, medications, and ongoing therapy related to the accident.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to the inability to work while recovering from injuries sustained in the accident.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical discomfort and emotional distress resulting from the accident. This can impact your daily life and overall well-being.
- Property Damage: You will be reimbursed for any personal belongings, including clothing and personal effects, that were damaged or lost during the accident.
- Future Medical Costs: Payment for anticipated medical treatments and rehabilitation necessary for ongoing recovery.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Damages for reducing your ability to engage in activities and hobbies you previously enjoyed before the accident.
Belushin Law Firm, P.C. is committed to helping you understand your rights and pursuing the compensation you need to move forward. If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident in Brooklyn, contact us for a consultation. Our experienced team is here to guide you through the legal process and work toward achieving a favorable resolution for your case.
Discuss Your Accident Free of Charge
Our Brooklyn pedestrian accident lawyers are incredibly compassionate to what you and your family are going through. We truly care about helping our clients gain proper compensation and see that justice is served. When another party behaves negligently, they should be held accountable. We understand that a financial settlement cannot change what happened, but it can help to handle the medical bills and various related expenses, as well as help ease your pain and suffering.
Our firm has more than a decade of experience representing cases like yours. We take every case seriously and want to see that you are able to afford quality medical treatment. You deserve to have exceptional legal representation on your side. To make our counsel accessible to anyone, we only charge you if we win your case. We also speak Chinese, Russian, Italian, Spanish and Ukrainian.
*If you would like to reach our Chinese line, please call (718) 866-3003.
Give us a call today at (888) 918-9890! We have offices in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
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