According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a pedestrian is killed every two hours in a vehicle collision. Equally astonishing, every seven minutes, a pedestrian is injured by a negligent, distracted, or drunk driver.
In New York City, pedestrians are 10 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries than vehicle passengers, and pedestrian fatalities account for more than half of all traffic-related deaths citywide. The New York City Department of Transportation also reports that four times as many fatal pedestrian accidents occur in Manhattan as compared to the other boroughs.
Clearly, pedestrian accidents are a serious concern. As a victim, not only can pursuing a personal injury claim provide the money you need to cover your losses, but it can also help deter future negligent driving. If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed while walking or cycling, it is critical that you stand up for your legal rights.
Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident
There are several important steps that you should take following a pedestrian accident in order to preserve your best chance at obtaining maximum compensation for your injuries. After any accident, it is important to act quickly. If you wait, evidence can disappear and memories can start to fade, making it more difficult to prove both (i) who caused the accident, and (ii) the full extent of your injuries and other losses.
Following a pedestrian accident, you should:
- Call 911. The first thing you should always do after an accident is call 911. Even minor” accidents can cause serious injuries, and it will be important to have an accident report from the police to help with your claim for compensation.
- Take photos of the accident. Most cell phones these days have built-in cameras. Use your phone to take pictures of your injuries, the car that hit you, the location of the accident, street signs, stop signs, and anything else that might be relevant to your case.
- Collect contact information. Hopefully the driver stopped and you will be able to collect his or her contact and insurance information. In addition, you should seek to obtain names, phone numbers, and email addresses from anyone who witnessed the collision.
- Follow your doctor’s advice. Following your doctor’s advice is important for your health, and it is also important for your personal injury claim. Be sure to attend any follow-up appointments, and follow your doctor’s orders about resting and taking time off from work.
- Contact an attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner you can obtain financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
Remember, these are basic tips, and do not constitute legal advice. For a full case evaluation, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Schwartzapfel® Lawyers P.C. | Experienced New York Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
The attorneys at Schwartzapfel® Lawyers P.C. provide experienced representation for individuals who have been injured in pedestrian accidents in New York. Call us at 1-877-737-4806 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation about your case.
