Every pedestrian has the right to feel safe when they are walking, but, unfortunately, pedestrians are increasingly injured by accidents caused by negligent drivers. When a motor vehicle collides with a pedestrian, the pedestrian is likely to suffer long-term, debilitating injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and bone fractures. These injuries in a pedestrian accident can result in significant medical bills and leave victims unable to return to work.
If you or your loved person has been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident in Central New York, you aren’t alone. CDH Law PLLC is prepared to advocate for you and your rights. You may have a right to file a claim with the driver’s insurance policy or a civil personal injury lawsuit in New York civil court. Contact CDH Law PLLC today to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation case evaluation to determine the best strategy for you.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Syracuse
Many factors have caused dangerous pedestrian accidents over the years. Pedestrians can become injured nearly anywhere from an intersection to a parking lot. Drivers are more distracted than ever by texting, watching videos, and not focusing on the road. It only takes a few seconds before a driver collides with a pedestrian. Some of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents include the following:
- Making unsafe or illegal U-turns at intersections
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive drivers who speed in an attempt to get through an intersection
- Failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Brake failure or other mechanical failures
Negligent drivers are responsible for many pedestrian accidents, but drivers aren’t always responsible. Damaged sidewalks, limited visibility because of darkness or bad weather, hazardous road conditions, and defective products can also cause pedestrian accidents. Determining the cause of your accident and who is at fault is a crucial step in recovering the compensation you need and deserve.
Determining Liability After a Pedestrian Accident
There are two main ways to recover compensation after a pedestrian accident: an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. The first step to pursuing compensation is to work with an attorney who can investigate the circumstances of the accident and determine which party or parties are at fault. Under New York law, when a person’s negligence results in another person’s injuries, the negligent person is liable for paying for the resulting damages.
Any person or company that contributed to the accident that caused your injuries could be financially responsible for your medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and more. Depending on the facts of your case, you may have a right to pursue compensation from one or more of the following parties:
- Passenger vehicle driver
- City bus driver
- Transit Company
- The negligent third party’s employer
- Motorcyclist
- Bicyclist
- Electric scooter or moped operator
- Another pedestrian
- Manufacturer of a defective product or vehicle
- Government entity
Pedestrian Accidents Can Result in Debilitating Injuries
When pedestrians are involved in motor vehicle accidents, they are more likely to suffer severe injuries than drivers and passengers. There is no external protection for pedestrians. When drivers strike pedestrians at high speed, the pedestrian may suffer dangerous bone fractures, spinal cord injuries, and injuries from forcefully landing on the ground. In many cases, a motor vehicle will cause injuries to the pedestrian’s knees, legs, and feet when the front end of the vehicle collides with a standing pedestrian. Injured pedestrians may suffer severe injuries that lead them to be permanently disabled and unable to return to work. Some of the most common types of injuries among pedestrians include the following:
- Brain injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Head injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Limb amputations
- Neck and back injuries
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death
Recovering Compensation for Serious Injuries
If you have suffered one of the injuries listed above or another serious injury, you may be facing hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses. A spinal cord injury can result in over a million dollars of medical and rehabilitative expenses over a person’s lifetime. Recovering compensation is critical to ensuring you receive the medical care you need in the future.
You can recover compensation for your economic and non-economic damages by pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. Economic damages include easily quantifiable damages such as medical expenses, property damage, lost income, and the cost of durable medical equipment. You can also recover non-economic damages for your pain and suffering. Additional punitive damages can be awarded when the defendant’s conduct was intentional or reckless, such as intoxicated driving.
The Benefits of Working with a Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Working with an attorney can increase the likelihood of recovering the total compensation you need and deserve. If another person negligently caused you to become injured, you can hold them liable for the damages you suffered because of their negligence. Even if it’s clear that the other party’s negligence caused the accident that resulted in your injuries, obtaining compensation isn’t always easy. For example, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may try to fight you every step of the way and drive down the value of your claim. In some cases, the insurance company may deny your claim entirely, placing the blame for the accident on you.
Working with an experienced attorney can help you level the playing field and protect yourself and your rights. The litigators at CDH Law PLLC will act as your fiercest advocates throughout the process, advocating for your rights. When you work with our legal team, you can rest assured that we will take all the following steps:
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Ensure insurance companies take your claim seriously
- Provide you with up-to-date communication about your case’s status
- Thoroughly investigate the accident to determine the cause and who’s at fault
- Pursue compensation from every liable party
- Protect you when others try to blame you for your injuries
- Consult with leading medical and financial experts to determine your case’s value
Discuss Your Case with an Experienced Central New York Pedestrian Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, it is important to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. The experienced Central New York personal injury attorneys at CDH Law PLLC have a proven track record of recovering significant compensation for our clients. Contact CDH Law PLLC to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal rights.