If you or a family member was recently hit by a car or other vehicle while walking or legally standing, you need nothing less than a pedestrian injury attorney with a successful track record to obtain the personal injury compensation you deserve. The vast majority of citizens residing in North America rely on walking as their primary means of transportation. Of the many pedestrians wandering the streets of New York City every day, on average one is seriously injured or dies from a vehicle every two hours. If you need it, you should contact the Conexión Legal team as soon as possible by calling 1800 201 1220 or write to us via WhatsApp so you can receive the best free legal advice, and in this way we will help you obtain the highest personal injury compensation possible and fair.
Factors Contributing to Pedestrian Mortality
- 53% - Decisions by reckless drivers
- 30% - Reckless pedestrian decisions
- 17% - Reckless decisions by drivers and pedestrians
Drivers have the absolute obligation to watch for all road hazards, including pedestrians. However, pedestrians must understand that they have the responsibility to protect themselves from any harm and not commit reckless acts that could put them in danger. To travel in the safest way possible, pedestrians must recognize the numerous hazards that exist on the roads and educate themselves about safe practices, as well as the laws that apply to prevent accidents. General safety considerations for pedestrians include:
Make Sure You Are Visible
- Wear reflective clothing or bring light when walking at night
- Cross at well-lit intersections
- Stay alert; do not get distracted by electronic devices
Understand New York Traffic Laws
Each state has its own set of laws designed to protect citizens as they navigate the roads. The New York Traffic and Vehicle Law (NY V.T.L) and the City of New York Traffic Rules and Regulations govern the actions of drivers and pedestrians. Laws related to pedestrian travel include, among others, the following:
- VTL § 1146: All drivers must exercise due care to avoid collisions with any pedestrian and must warn by honking the horn when necessary.
- VTL § 1150: Pedestrians must obey all traffic control signals when crossing roads.
- NEW YORK. R.R. Section 4-04 (b) (1): The operator of a vehicle shall yield the right of way to a pedestrian crossing the street within a pedestrian crossing.
- NEW YORK. R.R. Section 4-04 (b) (2): No pedestrian shall abruptly leave a sidewalk or other safe place and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield the right of way.
- NEW YORK. R.R. Section 4-04 (b) (3): When any vehicle stops at the pedestrian crossing to allow a pedestrian to cross the street, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from behind in the same lane shall not pass the stopped vehicle.
When a pedestrian accident occurs, the driver's and pedestrian's compliance with these laws is taken into account when determining liability. If an injured pedestrian decides to take legal action after an accident, their compliance with traffic laws will be a decisive factor for your personal injury attorney to be able to request compensation for your losses.
If you still have doubts about hiring a legal representative, discover how a personal injury attorney can help you with your case.
Accident Prevention Strategies in New York
Although traffic laws were created with pedestrian safety in mind, NYC.gov still reported 115 pedestrian deaths in New York City in 2018. Unfortunately, more action is needed as many people do not fully comply with traffic laws and are often negligent on the road.To further prevent pedestrian accidents, there are a number of government-sponsored projects and prevention strategies aimed at improving urban design, law enforcement, and public education. The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) has several urban design improvement projects that include:
- Pedestrian ramps
- Improved crosswalks
- Left turn traffic obstruction
- Traffic-calmed areas in neighborhoods.
- Safe roads for seniors
- School safety
- Projects such as safe streets for seniors and school safety services are aimed at helping the two groups of population most vulnerable to pedestrian accidents.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pedestrians aged 65 and older represented 20 percent of all pedestrian deaths in 2016, while one in five children under 15 years of age who died in traffic accidents was a pedestrian.
The choice of your attorney is one of the aspects that can contribute to the final decision of your case. For this reason, if you or a loved one need it, you should contact the Conexión Legal team as soon as possible so we can provide you with the best free legal advice, and likewise, legal representation by a personal injury attorney in case you suffer any type of accident as a pedestrian.This will help you correctly request and obtain the best personal injury compensation possible.Follow the steps in the following form to schedule your free consultation appointment.
