You were walking with the light in a marked crosswalk. The signal was on your side then, and the law is on your side now. Yet, you’re the one in the hospital. In busy cities like New York City, pedestrians are constantly at risk, even when they follow the rules.
At Hofmann & Schweitzer, our motor vehicle accident attorneys help injured pedestrians take legal action. If you were hit while crossing the street, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and long-term recovery needs.
Why Are Pedestrians Vulnerable in Urban Areas?
Urban traffic patterns create constant conflict points between vehicles and foot traffic. In places like New York City, Newark, and Hoboken, pedestrians don’t just share the road; they compete with vehicles for safe space.
Several factors increase the danger to pedestrians in cities, including:
- High volume of intersections. More intersections mean more potential for driver error, especially when turning.
- Limited visibility. Parked cars, delivery trucks, and traffic congestion often block a driver's view of pedestrians.
- Driver distractions. Phones, navigation systems, and food often take attention off the road, even in heavy traffic.
- Pressure to beat the light. Urban drivers often try to “make the light,” increasing speed at the most dangerous moment.
Crosswalk injuries can cause devastating injuries such as broken bones, brain injuries, and long-term disability. Even if you feel okay right after the impact, it’s critical to get checked by a doctor because some injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, may not be immediately apparent.
Who’s Liable in a Crosswalk Accident?
In New York and New Jersey, drivers are legally required to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. If a driver hits someone while turning, speeding, or running a red light, they are often at fault. For example, a driver may:
- Fail to yield. Turning drivers must wait for pedestrians to cross, even if they have a green light.
- Drive distracted. If the driver uses a phone, eats behind the wheel, changes music, talks to passengers, or is otherwise distracted, their inattention may cause a crash.
- Drive under the influence. Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or fatigue can be dangerous.
- Speed in a pedestrian zone. School zones, parks, and high-foot-traffic areas often have reduced speed limits that must be obeyed.
Eyewitness accounts, surveillance footage, and traffic signal data often play a key role in proving the driver’s fault. An experienced accident lawyer can help preserve evidence and build a strong claim.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
After a pedestrian accident, you may be able to recover damages. In New York and New Jersey, your compensation depends on how severely you were hurt and how the accident affects your ability to work, move, and enjoy life.
Compensation may include:
- Medical expenses. This includes your healthcare costs, including emergency transport, hospital stays, surgeries, doctors’ visits, medications, physical therapy, and long-term care.
- Lost income. You may miss time from work because of your injury and be able to recover for lost wages, benefits, and self-employment income.
- Loss of future earning capacity. If your injuries permanently limit the work you can do, you may be able to recover for your lost future income.
- Pain and suffering. You may experience physical pain and emotional suffering from the accident. While these damages are hard to quantify, an experienced lawyer can help you put a number on these intangible damages so that you can recover fair compensation.
In tragic cases involving fatal pedestrian accidents, families may be able to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of their loved one. This can include funeral costs, loss of companionship, and the financial impact of losing a primary earner.
Why Hire a Hofmann & Schweitzer Accident Lawyer?
Insurance companies often work hard to minimize payouts, even when the facts seem clear. They may blame you, question the severity of your injuries, or offer quick settlements that don’t reflect your long-term needs.
A skilled crosswalk accident lawyer can:
- Negotiate with insurers.
- Gather evidence and build a case
- File a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires if a fair settlement can’t be reached
Hofmann & Schweitzer has decades of experience fighting for injured people in New York and New Jersey. If you were hurt in a crosswalk accident, don’t try to handle it alone. Let our team stand up for your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
