Many people take walking on the streets of New York for granted. Yet, it comes with certain hazards. Some drivers don’t yield to the right-of-way. Others are distracted by their mobile devices.
If you or a loved one was hurt as a pedestrian in New York, the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP is ready to advocate for you. With our help, you can recover the cost of your medical bills and other related expenses. We offer free case reviews where you can explore partnering with a pedestrian accident attorney.
We Offer Help on a Contingency-Fee Basis
Are you concerned about affording legal help after your pedestrian accident in New York? The Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP represents injured people on a contingency-fee basis. In this no-risk agreement, a percentage of your settlement pays for your lawyer’s time and efforts.
You can learn more about this arrangement during your no-obligation consultation. During our discussion, we can also talk about what your case needs to achieve a favorable outcome.
Recoverable Damages for a Pedestrian Accident in New York
We will seek two kinds of recoverable damages:
Your Monetary Losses
Economic damages have clearly defined costs and typically come with bills and receipts that determine their value. Examples include:
- Current and anticipated medical bills
- Present and expected income/wage losses
- Reduced earning capacity
- Loss of future earnings
- Treatment-related travel expenses
- Childcare expenses
- Transportation costs to and from appointments
Your Non-Monetary Losses
Non-economic damages are subjective. How much you can recover depends on your situation. Examples of non-economic damages include pain and suffering, disability, scarring, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
New York Statute of Limitations on Pedestrian Accident Claims and Deadlines
You generally have three years from the accident date to file a civil lawsuit, per CVP § 214. If you miss this deadline, you can’t file a lawsuit.
Other deadlines may apply if you’re suing a government agency. In that instance, you could have 90 days to file a lawsuit, per GMU § 50-E. An attorney can help you meet deadlines, guide you through the legal process, and ensure that you are eligible to receive compensation from the liable party.
We Will Investigate Your Pedestrian Accident in New York
Learning how your accident happened is crucial to its outcome. We will determine what caused the collision by reviewing your medical bills, the police report, and eyewitness testimony. We may also consult with accident reconstruction specialists to get their opinions, as well.
We may find that one or more of the following factors could have caused your collision:
- Speeding
- Driving while intoxicated
- Using a cell phone/texting while driving
- Road rage
- Not yielding to the right-of-way
- Driver inexperience
- Driver fatigue
- Disobeying traffic signals
Drivers are not the only parties that can be held liable for a pedestrian accident. We may find that a government agency caused your collision. For instance, if a non-functioning traffic light causes you to get hurt, we can pursue damages from the entity responsible for maintaining that roadway.
We Will Review Your Injuries’ Severity
Your pedestrian accident lawyer will consult with your healthcare team to learn more about your condition’s severity. This will give us insight into what you can recover, as well as the nature of the collision itself.
Common pedestrian injuries caused by motor vehicle collisions include, but are not limited to:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Punctured lungs (pneumothorax)
- Nerve and tissue damage
- Head and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Neck and back injuries
- Severed limbs or amputations
- Cuts and lacerations
One of our founding partners, Attorney Richard S. Jaffe, is a trained EMT and volunteer firefighter. He’s also a traumatic brain injury specialist, giving him unique insight into these conditions. With his help, you can recover everything you need to account for your past, present, and future medical care.
Steps to Take When You Are Injured in a Pedestrian Accident
We strongly recommend that pedestrian accident victims take the following steps to protect their rights:
Seek Medical Attention
Even if your injury appears relatively minor, be sure to get medical treatment. Many injuries are not immediately apparent. For example, you may have received a blow to the head and suffered a TBI without even knowing it.
Do not try to diagnose yourself. Instead, promptly seek medical advice, and be sure to follow your doctor’s recommendations.
Keep Everything Related to the Collision
Your lawyer will manage the investigative aspect of your case, such as requesting a copy of the police report and interviewing witnesses. However, as your case unfolds, you may gather various pieces of evidence that could help your case, such as:
- Your injury-related medical bills
- The time and dates of your doctors’ appointments
- Any correspondence between you and the involved parties
- Pictures of your injuries
Your testimony is important when supporting your case. If possible, write down what you remember happening before, during, and after getting hurt. Even the smallest detail could prove vital in proving fault and liability.
Leave All Insurance Matters to Your Legal Team
Our lawyers have more than 100 years of combined legal experience. During that time, we’ve dealt with our fair share of uncooperative insurance companies. Our advice? Leave all communications to us. Don’t give a recorded statement, and think twice about accepting that first settlement offer. Doing so could jeopardize your ability to recover fair compensation.
Begin Your Free Case Review with Our New York Law Firm
New York pedestrian accidents can be complicated. You can get a pedestrian accident attorney to handle the complex aspects of your claim and fight for what you deserve. We can discuss your options at no cost or obligation when you call us.
Get a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
We take pedestrian accident cases very seriously because we know how much these cases mean to victims and their loved ones. If you retain our attorneys, we will investigate your claim, calculate your losses, and advocate for what you need.
At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, your claim or lawsuit will receive our undivided attention. Learn more about how we can help you by contacting us today.
For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving New York, 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.
