Accident victims do not only include the passengers and drivers of the vehicles involved in a crash. Pedestrians can also suffer greatly from someone’s negligence on the road. Sidewalks, bus stops, and crosswalks bring pedestrians dangerously close to vehicles and the potential of an accident. The same forms of negligence, such as engaging in distracted driving, can pose as much of a risk to bystanders and pedestrians as they do to other motorists on the road.
As a pedestrian, you have the right to expect motorists to drive safely and afford you a duty of care. When they fail to do so, you may be able to seek compensation from them. You do not have to fight alone, though. A Garden City pedestrian accident lawyer can help you determine liability for your accident, negotiate with insurers, and even represent you in a trial.
You can call the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP for help with your case. Call a team member at (516) 358-6900 to learn more. We offer free, no-obligation consultations so that you can discover how we can help you seek compensation for your losses.
Data on Pedestrian Injuries and Fatalities
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a total of 6,283 pedestrian fatalities occurred in 2018, which saw the highest number of deaths since 1990. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 137,000 pedestrians required emergency room treatment for non-fatal injuries in 2017.
Due to the dangers that pedestrians face, NHTSA outlined several preventative measures all pedestrians should take note of, which include:
- Never assume a motorist can see you. Making eye contact can help, but you should always exercise the utmost caution when crossing a street.
- Always follow the rules of crosswalks.
- Wear bright clothing during the day or reflective materials at night. Consider carrying a flashlight with you when you walk at night.
- Watch for cars backing out of a parking space or exiting off of a highway ramp.
- Do not let yourself become distracted by cell phones or other electronics when crossing a street. Take your headphones or earbuds out while crossing.
Even when pedestrians follow these preventative measures, accidents can still occur. A Garden City pedestrian accident lawyer may be able to help. If you suffered injuries as a pedestrian, you can call the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP for help with your case. Dial (516) 358-6900 as soon as possible after your accident.
How a Lawyer Can Help You
After a pedestrian accident, you may qualify to seek compensation from the driver who hit you (or another liable party). In some accidents, determining who was liable requires some analysis of the evidence from the accident and consideration of local or state laws. You have a right to seek legal representation to help you determine liability in your accident.
You may suffer from a traumatic brain injury (TBI), broken bones, internal bleeding, or worse. Aside from determining liability, a lawyer can help you assess the full costs of your injuries and calculate what fair compensation would look like in your case. This is particularly important because injuries could lead to temporary or permanent disabilities that require extensive, long-lasting rehabilitation and therapy. As a pedestrian, the injuries you incurred could be severe, and you may be facing extensive medical bills, lost wages, and a reduction in earning capacity.
Medical costs that you may be able to recover include expenses related to:
- Emergency room visits
- Hospitalizations
- Surgeries
- Medical equipment, such as braces or wheelchairs
- Physical therapy
- Visits to a doctor
- And more
A lawyer will fight for fair compensation that will take both your current and future losses into account. You may also qualify to seek non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering, and a lawyer can help you establish proof of these types of losses as well as your economic expenses related to your injuries.
To build your case, a lawyer can use medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and even expert testimony to show the impact the accident had on your life as well as the other party’s liability for your losses.
Having a lawyer by your side during the legal process can afford you the time and energy to focus on recovering from your injuries and spending time with your loved ones. While you rest, a lawyer can pursue fair compensation on your behalf.
Call the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP for Representation
You should never have to fear the simple act of enjoying a walk or commuting to your destination on foot. If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one due to a motorist’s negligence, you may want to look into your legal options.
Allow the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP to handle all the aspects involved in your legal case. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to help you discover how a Garden City pedestrian accident lawyer can help you.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, the statute of limitations typically requires you to file a personal injury lawsuit by a certain time after your accident. If you miss this deadline, you risk losing your right to take any legal action at all. A lawyer can help you understand the laws that may affect your case as well as any deadlines that apply to your circumstances.
Our lawyers can help you with an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. Call us as soon as possible so we can get started on your case and begin building evidence for your compensation. You can reach a team member at (516) 358-6900. Let us handle the legal process while you rest and recover from your injuries.
For a free legal consultation with a pedestrian accidents lawyer serving Garden City, call 516-358-6900
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information and may not be applicable in your jurisdiction.
