Brooklyn Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Walking is one of the most popular ways to get around Brooklyn. It isn’t unusual to see children walking to school or adults headed to work early in the morning or late at night. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are a reality in Brooklyn, just as they are in the other boroughs. The mayor has attempted to reduce the number of pedestrian accident deaths and injuries, but change is difficult. If you were hurt in a pedestrian collision, please contact The O’Connor Law Firm. We have the right mix of negotiation and courtroom experience to fight for a settlement following a pedestrian accident.

How Pedestrian Accidents Happen

Pedestrian accidents should be rare. After all, Brooklyn has established crosswalks at most intersections, and lights should instruct motorists when to stop and tell pedestrians when it is safe to cross. Sadly, hundreds of pedestrian accidents continue to occur each year in Brooklyn.

There are some common reasons for these collisions. Many motorists fail to use appropriate care when behind the wheel:

• Driving too fast for conditions. A motorist who is traveling too fast will be unable to stop in time and could clip a pedestrian.
• Driver distraction. Major sources of distraction include electronic devices of all kinds, especially cell phones. Texting or talking on the phone can take someone’s eyes off the road and hands off the wheel.
• Haste. A driver who is in a hurry is more likely to make a right-on-red turn without fully stopping or even blow right through a red light.
• Failure to yield. Motorists must yield to pedestrians the right of way when they are crossing in a crosswalk. Some motorists refuse to but try to squeeze past.
• Chemical impairment. A drunk or stoned driver could have much slower reflexes and fail to stop. They could also engage in riskier driving behavior, like trying to beat a light.
• Inclement weather. Snow or ice on the road can cause a motorist to skid, sending them into an intersection filled with pedestrians.
• Fatigue. Tired drivers are at risk of nodding off for even a few seconds, which is all it takes to collide with a pedestrian.

We also see some pedestrians contribute to their accidents. They might jaywalk or cross after a light tells them not to. Other pedestrians are as distracted by cell phones as drivers are.

In some accidents, it isn’t obvious who or what is to blame. You might have been walking and minding your own business only to wake up in the back of an ambulance. Our legal team can find the evidence necessary to determine the fault for your crash.

Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Unsurprisingly, pedestrians can suffer serious injuries in a crash. Although a motorist might walk away unharmed, pedestrians can suffer horrifying injuries which require emergency medical treatment. Due to their vulnerability, pedestrians can be stuck with expensive medical bills and have no way to get back to work. Some of the more serious injuries we have seen include:

• Head injuries and brain bleeding
• Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
• Strains, sprains, muscle tears, and contusions
• Fractures and related complications
• Whiplash and other neck injuries
• Spinal column injuries, including herniated discs
• Knee and joint injuries
• Nerve damage
• Paralysis

Injuries lead to crippling physical pain but also emotional distress. We won’t minimize the psychological pain many pedestrian accident victims suffer. They can sink into depression or even struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder. Many pedestrians need psychological counseling and medication to help them with their recovery.

Brooklyn Pedestrian Safety

The city has dedicated itself to improving pedestrian safety in the borough. According to its most recent Brooklyn Pedestrian Safety Accident Plan, the city has committed to improving safety by analyzing the most dangerous areas and adding safety upgrades:

• Markings and painted medians
• Pedestrian refuge islands
• Pedestrian crossings
• Concrete medians
• New traffic control devices

The city has also made changes to signal to time and has even converted some streets to one way traffic.

The plan has had some success. The number of fatalities has dropped by about 17% in dangerous, “high priority” corridors. Still, there is much more work to be done.

How We Can Help After a Brooklyn Pedestrian Accident

Following a pedestrian accident, it is very difficult for many people to secure favorable compensation in a settlement. Although you might be tempted to negotiate your own case, that is usually a mistake. Most people must focus on their recovery and don’t have the necessary time to gather evidence and submit a claim with full documentation.

At The O’Connor Law Firm, we can immediately get to work building a case against a negligent driver or other people responsible for your accident. Some of the services we provide include:

• Investigating a crash, which might require visiting the accident scene and speaking to witnesses, among other steps.
• Analyzing applicable insurance policies to uncover the amount of compensation available to our clients.
• Gathering evidence about your injuries and other losses, including pain and suffering.
• Filing insurance claims and answering questions or concerns expressed by adjusters.
• Sitting by your side as you tell the insurance companies what you remember of the lead-up to the accident.
• Clarifying any confusing questions an insurance adjuster asks or unclear answers you might give.
• Keeping you updated on the status of your case, including settlement offers.
• Negotiating a fair settlement with insurance companies that do not have your best interests at heart.
• Structuring a settlement so you receive the most benefit out of it;
• Litigating a claim in court, if necessary, to protect your ability to receive compensation.

With our Brooklyn personal injury law firm by your side, you can fully focus on your recovery and begin to make strides to return to normal. Unlike other law firms, we have dedicated our practice to personal injury cases, so we know how to efficiently resolve a dispute. This helps you get money in your hands as soon as possible.

Injured pedestrians also have deadlines they must meet to successfully receive compensation. The state’s statute of limitations provides only three years to file a personal injury lawsuit in court. Claims against government agencies are much shorter – as little as 90 days to file a claim.  When accident victims go over these deadlines, their cases get dismissed. To make sure you have enough time, reach out to a personal injury attorney today.

Compensation for Brooklyn Pedestrian Accident Victims

Our goal is to get our clients the compensation they need to turn the page after their Brooklyn pedestrian accident. Many of our clients struggle with large medical bills. They cannot pay for their care and might be unable to put food on the table or keep a roof over their head. Their financial distress is acute.

We seek compensation for the following:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages and income
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement
• Emotional distress

New York’s comparative negligence law can have a dramatic effect on the amount of money you receive. If your own negligence contributed to an accident, you might receive less compensation. In fact, the amount you receive gets reduced by your percentage of fault. Someone who is 50% to blame will get half the compensation they otherwise might. Do not be surprised if a defendant blames you for the crash. Fortunately, we can use our experience to push back on any claim that you share blame for the crash.

Speak with an Experienced Brooklyn Pedestrian Accident Attorney

The O’Connor Law Firm has built its reputation helping people like you following a Brooklyn pedestrian accident lawyer. Don’t let a pedestrian accident permanently damage your life. It’s possible to get compensation to cover your bills and pain while holding a negligent person responsible for the crash. To learn more about how we can help, contact us today to schedule a free case review.