Brooklyn Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you or a family member were hurt in a pedestrian accident in Brooklyn, you may have the right to hold the at-fault party responsible for damages. An experienced Brooklyn pedestrian accident lawyer at Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. will fight to get the fair compensation you deserve.
If you were hurt, call us today for a free consultation. We’ll sit down and determine the best strategy for pursuing a financial settlement or award in your case.
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Why Should I Call a Personal Injury Lawyer if I Was Hurt in a Pedestrian Accident in Brooklyn?
New Yorkers know that walking is often the best way to get around. You can’t avoid it. Drivers on the roads have a responsibility to drive safely to prevent accidents. If you’re hurt while walking in Brooklyn, you may have the right to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions.
That isn’t always as easy as it sounds.
The insurance company will challenge you at every turn. They might even try to blame you for getting hurt–and they’ll certainly try to pay less than you deserve. Hiring an experienced Brooklyn personal injury lawyer can make all the difference.
You could be facing a long road to recovery if you were seriously injured in a pedestrian accident. Our lawyers have over 40 years of experience fighting for clients–and we’ll stand by your side every step of the way. When you choose Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C., we will:
- Launch a comprehensive investigation to find out what caused the accident
- Identify all sources of insurance compensation so that everyone responsible can be held liable
- Provide legal advice and critical information about your options so that you can make smart choices
- Listen carefully to your goals and respect what you need from the legal process
- Work with experts to evaluate the value of your claim and any settlement offer the insurance company makes so that you know what’s fair
- Negotiate with the insurance company to get the maximum available compensation
- Defend your rights when the insurance company uses the “blame the victim” strategy to scare you into accepting a lowball settlement
Standing up to insurance companies can be intimidating if you don’t have much experience handling these types of injury cases. Our lawyers have been at work developing practical, real-world legal experience for decades. We know what it takes to persuade the insurance company to offer a fair settlement–and we won’t stop until we get what’s right for you.
If you’re ready to learn more about how an experienced personal injury attorney can help, give us a call today. You can also connect with our law firm online to schedule your free case review.
How Dangerous Are Pedestrian Accidents in NYC?
Pedestrians have nothing to protect them from injuries in a crash. Pedestrians are much more likely to be seriously hurt than other car accident victims. Between 2004 and 2018, NYC crash reports show that over 2,200 pedestrians died after being struck by a motor vehicle.
Despite the city’s Vision Zero action plan, pedestrian accidents are on the rise in NYC once again.
NYPD reported over 183 pedestrian Brooklyn accidents in September of 2020 alone. Pedestrian accident fatalities increased by more than 22% last year and continue to rise as more people avoid public transportation in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Unfortunately, 95% of the most serious pedestrian accidents are caused by drivers in motor vehicles–errors made by pedestrians and cyclists caused only 5% of fatal accidents in 2019.
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Pedestrian Accident Injuries?
Under New York law, anyone who was responsible for the accident can be held accountable for their share of the damages. Responsible parties may include:
- Negligent drivers in a passenger vehicle
- Bus drivers
- Employers of negligent drivers
- NYC transit authorities
- Someone on an electric scooter or moped
- Motorcyclists
- Bicyclists
- A government agency
- The manufacturer of a defective vehicle component
At Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C., our pedestrian accident attorneys in New York City will launch a full investigation into the accident. We’ll work to hold every responsible party accountable for their fair share of the damages. Contact our law offices to learn more about how we can help.
Common Causes of Brooklyn Pedestrian Accidents
Insurance companies often try to claim that pedestrian accidents are caused by pedestrians darting into the road. This is rarely the whole story. Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Brooklyn are:
- Driver inattention or driver distraction
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Disregarding traffic signs and signals
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Unsafe backing up
- Unsafe or illegal turns
- Hazardous road conditions or sidewalks
Distracted driving is by far the most common cause of motor vehicle accidents in New York. In September 2020 alone, 846 distracted drivers caused accidents in the borough.
It isn’t always easy to prove what caused the crash.
Our injury lawyers at Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. will subpoena cell phone records, locate video surveillance footage, and interview witnesses. We’ll do everything we can to get the evidence necessary and hold the at-fault driver accountable.
Frequently Reported Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Brooklyn, NY
The severity of pedestrian injuries is impacted by a number of different factors. The victim’s height, the direction of the crash, and the vehicle’s speed all play a significant role. If the victim’s head hits the ground, the injuries can be particularly extensive.
Some of the serious injuries commonly sustained by NYC pedestrian accident victims include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Chest injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Burn injuries
- Organ damage
- Broken bones
- Joint injuries, including pelvic injuries
- Paralysis
- Loss of limbs
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
You can be seriously hurt in a pedestrian accident even if the car was traveling at relatively low speeds. Our lawyers will fight to get fair compensation for all of your injuries. We’ll work to learn how the injury is likely to impact your life–both now and in the future. The insurance adjusters might contact you while you’re still recovering from your injuries.
They might even visit you in the hospital. It’s important to remember that these parties don’t have your best interests in mind. Their goal is to convince you to accept the lowest possible settlement.
If you were seriously hurt, call an experienced personal injury lawyer right away. We’ll make sure you know your rights so that you don’t leave money on the table.
How Long Do I Have To File a Claim for Compensation After a Pedestrian Accident?
You have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. After three years have passed, you lose your right to compensation. If the pedestrian accident was fatal, you only have two years to file an action for wrongful death of your loved one.
What Types of Compensation Can I Recover if I Was Hurt in a Pedestrian Accident?
It’s important to understand your rights and the insurance laws if you were injured in an accident. The at-fault driver is responsible for paying all of the expenses associated with your injury. Your compensation award may include money for:
- Medical bills
- Future medical costs
- Long-term care needs
- Rehabilitative care
- Physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- And more
If you or a family member were hurt in a pedestrian accident, you already know the serious damage these crashes can cause.
You’re entitled to compensation for both past and future expenses–but it can be hard to know what the future holds.
Our lawyers work with respected medical, financial and psychological experts to approximate the fair value of your claim. We want to make sure your family is protected both now and in the years to come. Give us a call today to learn more about what we can do to help.
Can I Recover Damages if I’m Blamed For the Accident?
Most pedestrian accidents are caused by a negligent driver. However, if you do share fault, you can still make a claim for compensation. New York is a pure comparative negligence state.
You have the right to hold every responsible party proportionately responsible for their fair share.
In other words, where multiple parties share fault, a percentage of fault will be assigned to each party. Each party is responsible for paying that percentage of the overall damages award.
If your compensation award is $100,000 and the judge finds you 20% to blame for the accident, your damages award will be reduced by your 20% share of fault. You can still take home $80,000.
The percentage of fault isn’t assigned in a vacuum.
Our lawyers will fight to make the strongest pedestrian accident case for you. We’ll work to minimize your role in the accident so that you can take home the most compensation possible.
Contact an Experienced Brooklyn Pedestrian Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Facing off against an insurance company can be overwhelming if you’re injured. Call an experienced Brooklyn pedestrian accident lawyer at Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. to get the support you need during this challenging time. Your initial consultation is free, so call us anytime.
