Staten Island Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

New York City’s Vision Zero initiative aims to reduce traffic and pedestrian accidents to zero. Based on the most recent statistics, however, the City has a long way to go. Every day, dozens of pedestrians are injured in collisions with motor vehicles on the road, sustaining serious injuries and lost income.

If you were injured in a crash, contact The O’Connor Law Firm today. Brian J. O’Connor helps injured pedestrians just like you get the compensation you need when injured by a negligent or careless driver.

Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

New York City has tried to reduce the accident rate facing pedestrians by creating a pedestrian safety plan for each of our five boroughs. The government has improved safety by adding pavement markings to clarify where pedestrians should walk and adding other features that separate pedestrians and cyclists from motor vehicles.

Despite these improvements, accidents continue to occur. Many pedestrians are injured by dangerous drivers who:

• Drive onto the sidewalk
• Run a red light
• Make a right-turn on red without checking to see whether traffic is clear
• Fail to yield the right of way
• Make illegal turns
• Drive while distracted
• Drive while intoxicated or high
• Fall asleep behind the wheel

Many times, victims have no idea why they were hit. As they lie in the road in pain, all they know is that they need an ambulance — immediately. Fortunately, the right pedestrian accident lawyer in Staten Island can fully investigate a crash to determine fault.

Pedestrian Accident Injuries

In any crash involving cars and pedestrians, it is the pedestrian who will suffer the brunt of the collision. Pedestrians have no airbags, no side-impact panels, and no steel cage to absorb the forces generated by cars that collide with them.

Some of the accident injuries are devastating:

• Traumatic brain injuries. A victim can slam their head onto the ground or another vehicle, suffering devastating brain injuries. They might experience impaired movement, loss of memory, and mood changes.
• Head injuries. Common complications of head trauma include bleeding in the brain, contusions, and concussions.
• Fractures. A pedestrian can break one or more bones in a collision. Some fractures require surgery to promote bone fusion.
• Abrasions. If a pedestrian is tossed down the road, any exposed skin can peel back. Abrasions often become infected with dirt and germs.
• Back injuries. Sprains, strains, contusions, and spinal column injuries can lead to disabling pain. Some back injuries require surgery.
• Spinal cord injury. The cord is critical for movement and sensation around the body. Any damage can lead to paralysis and possibly permanent disability.
• Catastrophic injuries. Some injuries require reconstructive surgery or skin grafts to heal. Some injuries may require long-term care.

These physical injuries do not even account for the emotional distress experienced following a crash. Many pedestrians need six months or more to recover from an accident. Others will experience permanent physical limitations and disabilities.

Compensation for Staten Island Pedestrian Accidents

Any negligent or reckless motorist who strikes a pedestrian should pay compensation to their victims. That is the point of personal injury law. Victims who did nothing wrong shouldn’t be forced into bankruptcy because of their sky-high medical bills or lost income.

Our Staten Island pedestrian accident lawyer can seek money damages for:

• All medical care to treat your injuries, including future medical treatment or rehabilitation. Medical costs include surgery, hospital stays, doctor appointments, specialist appointments, prescription drugs, and other expenses.
• Lost income caused by the accident. Pedestrian accidents can cause injuries so serious that victims cannot return to work.
• Pain and suffering. This is an umbrella term that covers the suffering a person endures due to bodily injuries. A back injury, for example, can cause intense pain, disrupt sleep, and make a person grouchy or depressed.

Some clients wonder what the “average” settlement is for a pedestrian accident. Instead of looking at averages, we take a deep dive into the particulars of your case. By reviewing your injuries, medical bills, pay stubs, and other information, we can better evaluate what constitutes a fair settlement.

The Problems of the Uninsured Driver

According to the Insurance Information Institute, about 4% of New York drivers do not have insurance. This number does not include the out-of-state drivers who travel through Staten Island and can end up crashing into pedestrians. Either way, many injured pedestrians are struck by someone who does not carry insurance — and who might lack any funds to pay out a settlement.

If you are hit by an uninsured motorist, you might be worried about how you’ll receive compensation. That’s perfectly understandable. Fortunately, most people who register a vehicle should have supplemental uninsured motorist coverage. In essence, you will make an insurance claim on your own policy even though a driver was at fault for the wreck. These claims cause headaches and confusion for many people, so hiring legal help is best.

How Our Staten Island Legal Team Strengthens Your Case

If you decide to hire the O’Connor Law Firm, you will have an attorney who can work on your case from start to finish. We are prepared to:

• Investigate the accident to identify witnesses and pinpoint the cause of the crash.
• Analyze your rights under the New York personal injury law.
• Identify all applicable insurance policies, including no-fault personal injury protection and supplemental uninsured motorist policies.
• Collect evidence documenting your physical injuries and emotional distress.
• Negotiate with insurance adjusters for fair compensation.
• Put our client’s well-being at the forefront of everything we do, including communicating regularly with our clients.
• Draft and/or review settlement documents to ensure they benefit our client’s best interests.
• File a lawsuit in the correct court before applicable deadlines if settlement negotiations break down.

Obtaining compensation is difficult. Many insurers like nothing better than to have victims unrepresented by legal counsel. That way, they can offer a bare-bones settlement that reduces their financial exposure. Unfortunately, these offers do not remotely make up for the losses a pedestrian has suffered in a crash.

Unrepresented victims also run the risk of not filing a lawsuit in time. New York requires most lawsuits against negligent drivers to be filed within three years. If you delay, you can lose out on your right to compensation — and ignorance of the law is no excuse.

Hit While Visiting Staten Island? No Problem

New York City sees millions of visitors every year, and many of the people struck in pedestrian accidents do not live here. When shopping for an attorney to represent you, accident victims should seek out local counsel instead of flying home to hire someone who lives nearby.

Any negotiations will likely take place with insurers in Staten Island or the other boroughs. If you need to file a lawsuit, the lawsuit will probably take place here as well. Hiring a Staten Island pedestrian accident lawyer streamlines the process and ensures that victims have an advocate with the right experience negotiating with New York insurers. The time and money saved are well worth it.

Our firm can meet with anyone visiting the City or, if you’ve already returned home, we can connect via Zoom or email. Our initial consultations are free and confidential.

Contact a Staten Island Pedestrian Accident Attorney Now

Brian J. O’Connor has been helping those injured in Staten Island accidents for over 20 years. He appreciates the struggles his clients endure following a serious accident, and he does everything in his power to obtain fair compensation for clients. Contact The O’Connor Law Firm today to learn more about how we can help.