Brooklyn Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Compassionate Pedestrian Accident Lawyers In Brooklyn, NY

For Brooklyn residents, running errands or getting in a workout is as easy as taking a stroll down the block. That’s because many of the borough’s neighborhoods, like Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights, and Boreum Hill are extremely walkable. In fact, almost everything residents need on a day-to-day basis can be reached within a five-minute walk from their front door – including access to public transportation.

Despite cities like Brooklyn having pedestrians in mind, there is still a great chance of being hit by a car and enduring catastrophic injuries. In fact, New York is ranked within the top five states for pedestrian deaths annually; and unsurprisingly, most of those fatalities take place in New York City. If you were injured by a careless driver or bicyclist while walking in Brooklyn, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the person who caused your harm. The experienced Brooklyn pedestrian accident lawyers at Rosenberg & Rodriguez can help you recover losses resulting from your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation at (718) 509-4960 to learn more about how we can help.

Pedestrian Traffic Laws in New York

New York has very strict laws when it comes to pedestrians. According to the law, motorists must yield to pedestrians in nearly every situation and do whatever possible to avoid hitting them. In most cases, pedestrians have the right-of-way​when they are crossing at a crosswalk. Although this is true, pedestrians are still required to follow all traffic control signals, signs, and markings on the pavement. If you break any of these laws, it will decrease the chance of winning your case and how much money you could potentially receive.

Drivers must yield to pedestrians when there is no traffic control device, especially if the pedestrian is in a crosswalk. If the driver hits the pedestrian and causes any injuries or damages, they can be held liable and may need to pay for medical bills, lost wages, etc.  If you were hit by a car while walking in Brooklyn, an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Brooklyn can help you understand your rights and build a case against the at-fault driver.

Common Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents In Brooklyn

Pedestrian accidents in Brooklyn are frequently caused by cars that have drivers who aren’t paying attention, and they’re speeding, distracted, or under the influence. Pedestrians get hit while crossing streets legally or illegally all the time. Sometimes it’s a hit-and-run situation where the driver hits someone and then leaves immediately. Also, when drivers are texting instead of focusing on people walking on the road around them, pedestrian accidents frequently occur. From our experience with these types of cases in New York City specifically, below is an extensive list detailing the more common causes of pedestrian accidents:

Distracted Driving

Inattentive driving, or distracted driving, is the number one cause of pedestrian accidents in Brooklyn. Cell phone use while behind the wheel is a major distraction that can often lead to an accident, but as more states are cracking down on texting and driving, this behavior has decreased – especially among older drivers. Some other common distractions that take a driver’s focus off the road include adjusting vehicle features like the radio or climate controls, drinking, eating, putting on makeup, attending to backseat passengers, and looking at something happening outside of the car.

Failure To Yield To Pedestrians

Reckless driving is the number two leading cause of pedestrian accidents in Brooklyn, and it’s a city-wide issue. One of the first lessons student drivers learn is that pedestrians always have the right of way; however, some forget this fact. Everyone on the road – not just drivers – has a duty to be careful and stay alert. Many pedestrian accidents happen when innocent people are crossing crosswalks and following all traffic laws, yet a reckless driver still causes an accident.

Impaired Driving

Impaired driving, whether due to drugs, alcohol, prescription medication, or fatigue, can lead to a pedestrian accident because it causes processing problems for the driver. Normally, a driver has to process large amounts of visual and auditory information correctly in order to decide what to do next, like knowing when to stop for someone crossing the street. When that ability is impaired though, drivers might hit pedestrians even if they are trying not to.

Reckless Driving

Many drivers are dangerous because they’re careless and aggressive. They speed in bad weather, weave in and out of traffic, follow other vehicles too closely, and break road rules. Reckless driving habits like these make it especially hard for pedestrians to stay safe.

Traffic Devices

Although faulty traffic signals, indicators, and signs are less common causes of pedestrian accidents, they can still lead to injuries. For example, when pedestrians in Brooklyn cannot rely on these devices during heavy traffic times, they are at risk of being hit by cars. In such cases, the government entity responsible for maintaining the Traffic devices might be held liable for failing to keep pedestrians safe.

Defective Vehicles & Vehicle Parts

Automobile manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure that their products are safe for consumers and meet all safety standards. When there is a design or manufacturing defect, it can cause the vehicle to malfunction and ultimately put drivers, passengers, and pedestrians at risk for injury or death.

Common Injuries In Pedestrian Accidents

Since pedestrians have zero protection, crashes that involve a pedestrian and vehicle are always extremely dangerous for those on foot. Some of the most common injuries pedestrians sustain in these types of collisions include:

• Multiple broken bones that often require surgery
• Abrasions and lacerations that have the potential to cause disfigurement
• Dislocated and hyperextended joints
• Sprained ligaments
• Strained muscles or tendons
• Traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions
• Whiplash
• Herniated and ruptured discs
• Knee injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Back and neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
• Amputations
• Crush injuries
• Nerve damage
• Severe burns
• Sensory loss
• Psychological trauma

After a pedestrian accident, you may suffer from physical injuries, psychological trauma, or nerve damage. These are all valid injuries and you deserve compensation for them. A Brooklyn pedestrian accident lawyer can help ensure that you get the full amount of damages that you are owed.

Brooklyn Pedestrian Accident Statistics [Updated 2021]

Because pedestrians have no form of defense against oncoming vehicles, they are more likely to sustain injuries in a crash than any other car accident victim type. In fact, data from NYC crash reports between 2004 and 2018 shows that over 2,200 pedestrians died as a direct result of being hit by a motor vehicle. Although it’s not always the case, in 2019 95% of deadly pedestrian accidents were caused by drivers’ mistakes as opposed to 5% which were caused by pedestrians or cyclists.

NYPD reported 183 pedestrian accidents in Brooklyn last September. According to data, 22% more pedestrians died last year as a result of accidents, and this number is only increasing because people are walking more to avoid germs on public transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NYC DOT released some pedestrian accident statistics and key findings from their research, which are included below. This can help you understand how prevalent these accidents are in New York City and where your accident fits in:

• If you are hit by a car as a pedestrian in New York City, you are 10 times more likely to die than the driver who struck you.
• In New York City, around half of all traffic fatalities are pedestrians.
• New York City’s inattentive drivers cause more than one-third of pedestrian accidents resulting in injury or death.
• Drivers who do not give their full attention to pedestrians or yield the right of way are responsible for about 25% of all pedestrian accidents in New York City.
• A majority of New York drivers are unaware that the speed limit throughout the city is 30 miles per hour.

Hotspots For Brooklyn Pedestrian Accidents

Every year, hundreds of car accidents and several dozen fatalities occur because of busy roads and inattentive or careless drivers. These accidents don’t just happen in Brooklyn–they’re happening all over the borough. Some areas are more dangerous than others, though. Here are some hotspots for pedestrian accidents in Brooklyn:

• 18 Avenue & Ocean Parkway
• Flatbush Avenue & Glenwood Road
• Franklin Avenue & Eastern Parkway
• Liberty Avenue & Wells Street & Euclid Avenue
• Myrtle Avenue & Broadway & Jefferson Street
• Nostrand Avenue & Avenue Z
• Nostrand Avenue & Eastern Pkwy
• Ocean Parkway & Church Avenue
• Ocean Parkway & Kings Highway
• Parkside Avenue & Flatbush Avenue