Blog / Pedestrian Injury / Do You Need a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in NYC?

November 8th 2021

Do You Need a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in NYC?

Motor vehicle operators have a responsibility to drive carefully, responsibly, and watch for pedestrians. When a motor vehicle strikes a person, the sustained injuries are often catastrophic. Victims of these accidents are left with broken bones, bodily, and brain injuries. These injuries often result in permanent disability or death. In these cases, it’s strongly encouraged to seek an experienced pedestrian accident attorney.

In New York City, the number of pedestrians killed by motor vehicles continues to steadily increase every year. Many of the deaths are a result of a driver’s negligence, including failure to follow traffic laws, recklessness, and/or drugs and alcohol. The horrific results of this negligence are inexcusable.

Someone should be held liable when a pedestrian is injured by a vehicle. You must reach out to an experienced pedestrian accident attorney if you or a loved one has suffered from injuries or wrongful death due to a driver’s negligence.

What Causes Pedestrian Accidents

When an accident occurs, pedestrians are not protected by the steel body of a vehicle. This makes it especially important for drivers to watch for them in all situations. Carelessness is usually to blame when a driver strikes a person on foot.

The most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

Distracted Driving (Calls, Texts, Eating)
Failure to Yield
Speeding
Reckless Driving (Careless, Aggressive)
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and/or Alcohol

Rain, ice, and snow also play a role in these accidents but are only particularly to blame. Drivers have a responsibility to drive slower and more attentively when these conditions exist. The driver is still liable for reckless driving when they are traveling too fast to safely stop during adverse weather conditions.

Where Do Most Pedestrian Fatalities Occur?

It is common to travel on foot in the city because it is faster, cheaper, and the most practical option for many individuals. Many people commute on foot to the subway, to work, and to run errands. On these routes, there are several common places that pedestrian accidents are most likely to occur.

Common Locations Include:

Crosswalks
Parking Lots
Stop Signs
Shoulder
Shared-Use Paths
Driveways

The majority of all pedestrian-related automobile accidents occur in urban areas.

How To Prevent Road Accidents as a Pedestrian

Accident prevention is a critical element in curving the excessive number of pedestrian deaths that continue to occur in NYC. Practicing preventive measures may help prevent the likelihood that you will be involved in an accident and save your life.

Nighttime

The majority of pedestrian-related automobile accidents occur in poorly-lit areas at nighttime. You should avoid walking in the dark, but if you must travel, make sure to cross only well-lit roads and intersections.

You should also wear high-visibility clothing and carry a flashlight to make it easier for vehicles to identify your presence.

Sidewalks

Many accidents occur on the shoulder or side of the road. Use sidewalks wherever they are available. If no sidewalk is available, walk towards traffic and stay as far away from traffic as possible.

Crosswalks

Many accidents occur because the driver did not anticipate that pedestrians would cross in the area. Use crosswalks and designated crossing intersections whenever they are available.

Parked Cars

There are numerous reports by drivers that they did not have to stop after a pedestrian became visible. Never walk out between parked cars. This applies to pedestrians when crossing the road and in parking lots.

Attentiveness

Always stay attentive and recognize that you are at an increased risk as a pedestrian. Never use electronic devices while walking, including cell phones and music devices. These electronics are distracting and could result in an inability to hear impending danger, such as a car horn.

Pedestrian Accidents in NYC

There have been countless reports filed of pedestrians hit by motor vehicles, many of these injuries suffer death as a result of their injuries. The following are recent fatalities that have occurred in the city.

West Street Near Canal Street, Manhattan- November 11, 2021

2:45 PM An elderly woman was crossing the west street, near canal street, when she was struck, ran over, and killed by the driver of a large pickup truck.

There is no intersection present or crosswalk to protect pedestrians because the city does not want to hinder the flow of traffic.

This is a particularly infuriating occurrence because city advocates have been pushing to have this intersection fixed for years. They argue that this is a popular crossing site because of nearby recreational areas, including Hudson River Park, and should be made safe for pedestrians.

Ocean Ave. and Avenue Z, Brooklyn- November 14, 2021

5:50 AM A man was struck by a BMW while crossing the intersection of Ocean Ave. and Avenue Z. The man suffered from fatal head and bodily trauma.

Bushwick Avenue Near Meserole Street, Brooklyn- November 16, 2021

12 AM A 32-year old man was crossing Bushwick Avenue near Meserole just after midnight when he was struck and killed by a black Camero. The driver, identified as 18-year-old Tyler Patrick, has been arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment, and DUI. The 18-year-old was driving under the influence of drugs at the time of the accident.

Pedestrian Accident Lawyers NYC

There is no excuse for the excessive number of people that are injured and killed on foot by motorized vehicles. You must reach out to an experienced pedestrian accident attorney if you or a loved one has suffered injuries as a result of a pedestrian/vehicle-related accident.

Someone is to blame for the accident, whether it be the other driver, the city, or several parties. Goidel and Siegal fight for their clients, going after all the parties involved, and not settling until their clients are duly compensated for their injuries.

Contact Goidel and Siegal today for a free consultation with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney to get you the compensation that you deserve.

July 20th 2021

What You Need to Know About New York Sinkhole and Sidewalk Accidents

While they are not all that common, these accidents are almost always significant and can impact someone’s life for many years. Sinkhole accidents are very serious and can result in physical injuries as well as property damage and lasting mental health problems.

Sinkhole accident lawyers know that there are almost always warning signs for these problems, and sadly, those warning signs are often ignored. Warning signs are frequently missed or ignored by local or state government inspectors, and by the building owners, managers and contractors.

If you have been involved in a sinkhole accident and need legal representation, contact our New York lawyers as soon as possible.

What Is A Sinkhole?

A sinkhole, as the name implies, is a depression or hole in the ground with no natural drainage. Because of this, when it rains, the water collects inside the sinkhole and drains into the subsurface. Eventually, this will give way and the ground will dip and form a large opening. The opening forms quickly and can be quite dangerous.

Who is Responsible for a Sinkhole Accident?

The business owner, a construction company, or another corporation could all be held liable for a sinkhole accident. Carelessness, neglect, and a general disregard for safety can lead to the creation of a sinkhole, and there is almost always someone who knows about the danger of a sinkhole.

It is important for a sinkhole accident lawyer to get all the facts about the case and go after who is responsible. This means investigating the construction site, maintenance, and any warnings that may have been present but ignored.

NYC Sidewalk Accidents Caused by Sinkhole

So many people think that sinkhole accidents only impact cars and drivers, but people walking down the street also have to worry about sinkholes, including people in New York City. In October 2020, a man walking in the Bronx fell 15 feet below the ground when the sidewalk under his feet gave way. FDNY rushed to the scene and they were able to save him, though he did sustain several injuries that required medical attention.

When the Department of Buildings investigated the site, they found that the sidewalk vault was neglected and needed maintenance. They issued a full vacancy order for multiple buildings on the block. The building itself was later sold.

Recently, there was an accident in July 2021 on the Upper East Side (89th Street) where the road caved in. Thankfully in this case, the street was a quiet one, and there was no one around when the sinkhole gave way – no cars were damaged either. However, a sinkhole opened up just days before on Riverside Drive and West 97th Street, where two cars were partially swallowed into the sinkhole.

Over the years, we have handled a wide variety of cases, including personal injury cases, bicycle accidents, and cases involving bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists who have been injured as a result of roadway defects and neglectful maintenance and repairs. Do not allow insurance companies to settle with you before you speak with a lawyer – you need an experienced lawyer on your side to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

What Responsibility Do Property Owners Have?

When someone owns a property, particularly in a place like NYC where people will be walking in front of that business regularly, property owners are responsible for maintaining those sidewalks and keeping the public safe. This includes all sidewalks adjacent to their buildings. This may not be the responsibility of people who rent the building, but instead the owners, many of whom do not physically see the location on a daily basis. Even so, property owners are responsible for:

Installing sidewalks around new construction
Constructing the sidewalks to all best practices
Reconstructing sidewalks that have been destroyed or damaged
Repairing sidewalks that are in less than good condition
Repaving sidewalks that have been damaged
Denoting any sidewalks that are not safe to walk on while waiting for fixes

If building owners are aware that there is an issue, they are likely to have at least a share of the liability for the accident in question. The city itself is responsible for maintaining the infrastructure that supports the sidewalk systems, so it is likely that in many instances, they will share some of the liability for the accident and resulting injuries as well.

In the case of the accident in the Bronx, it is likely that both the city and the property owners failed to live up to their responsibilities. There are other accidents and injuries that can result from sidewalks that are not taken care of properly, including slip and fall accidents caused by uneven, broken, sloping, cracked, icy, and loose sidewalks. New York sinkhole or pothole accidents are not a new phenomenon, and while most people have learned to pay attention to their surroundings, sometimes dangerous situations are not always visible.

Were You Injured in A Sinkhole or Sidewalk Defect Accident?

If you were injured in a sinkhole or sidewalk defect accident and need legal representation, contact Goidel and Siegel, New York sinkhole and sidewalk defect accident lawyers. With over 30 years of experience as trial lawyers and a multilingual staff with Zoom meeting capabilities, we will meet you wherever you are and however you are comfortable.

You need the best legal representation possible. We will work with you to determine the best course of action for you and your loved one. Call us today at (929) 593-2024 to schedule a free consultation!

July 25th 2016

Stoned Driver Found Guilty of Murder

In 2013, a stoned driver plowed into an East Village Deli, killing one man and injuring three others. The man was high on PCP and meth as he barreled down second avenue at 80mph. The reckless driver smashed into the East Village Deli, injuring a worker who spent his final six months of his life in the hospital. The court found the man guilty of murder in the second degree.

Each day in the United States, over 8 people are killed and 1,161 injured in crashes that involve an intoxicated or distracted driver. If you have been injured by a careless driver, the personal injury lawyers at Goidel & Siegel, LLP, may be able to help you obtain financial compensation.

July 22nd 2016

Tour Bus hits Tree in Central Park

A double-decker bus hit a tree Thursday afternoon and injured 11 people. The cause of the accident seems to be that a yellow cab cut off the bus near Fifth Avenue and 63rd Street. The injured passengers were all transported to area hospitals and they were listed in stable condition. A number of the passengers that were injured were on the top deck of the bus when it hit the tree.

“Photos posted to social media showed the green Go New York Tours bus wedged up against a tree near the eastern border of the park as authorities assessed the damage.”
For more information visit the NY Post website here.

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