Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are all too common in Valley Stream and throughout Long Island. Pedestrian accidents occur in places where people and motorists have to share space. Intersections and crosswalks are some of the most common sites of pedestrian accidents in Long Island. Often, a person on foot is injured because of negligence on the part of a motorist.
Pedestrian accidents can result in serious injuries and costly medical bills. Fortunately, pedestrian accident victims may have legal recourse. If you have been injured as a pedestrian, the Valley Stream pedestrian accident lawyers at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP understand your concerns. We understand the impact your pedestrian accident injuries can have on your life and well-being, and we want to help you rebuild your life. Our Valley Stream pedestrian injury attorneys fight for maximum compensation for our clients.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in Valley Stream, don’t try to deal with an insurance company on your own. Allow the highly skilled and compassionate pedestrian accident attorneys at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP to fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve. To schedule a free initial consultation, call (516) 358-6900 today. Our Valley Stream personal injury lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis. You won’t owe us anything until you recover compensation.
Why Do Valley Stream Pedestrian Accidents Happen?
Motorists are typically the ones who are at-fault for pedestrian accidents. The common causes of pedestrian accidents in Valley Stream include:
Distracted driving. Some drivers text, check email, fiddle with the radio, eat, and do other tasks while driving. As a result, they may run a stop sign or red light or fail to see a pedestrian crossing the street or walking beside the road.
Speeding. Drivers who speed cause many pedestrian accidents in Valley Stream each year. The faster a car is traveling, the less time a driver has to react to avoid hitting a person on foot crossing the road.
Left-hand turns. Significantly more people get hit by vehicles turning left than by vehicles turning right, even at intersections with crosswalks and signals. That is because, with left-hand-turns, drivers are focusing on whether other cars are coming and if it is clear to turn. They often neglect to watch for pedestrians.
Unmarked crosswalks. Crosswalks can reduce the risk of pedestrian accidents, but not all crosswalks have markings. Designating lines at crosswalks is an effective way to control this type of accident. Pedestrians have the right of way when crossing at an intersection with a light or signal. A driver should yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. But a driver may violate a pedestrian’s right of way.
Passing a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. Some accidents occur when pedestrians are crossing a crosswalk in front of a stopped vehicle. These accidents happen when the drivers approaching from behind the stopped vehicle fail to see pedestrians crossing the street. They may attempt to pass the stopped vehicle and hit the pedestrian.
Intoxicated drivers. Many pedestrian accidents occur at night, and intoxicated drivers frequently drive at these hours. Drunk drivers have impaired vision and reflexes, so they might not see a person on foot crossing the street. If they do, they may not stop in time.
Reduced visibility at night. The majority of pedestrian accidents happen during periods of low visibility including nighttime, dusk and dawn when pedestrians are harder to see. If you are walking during evening hours, it’s a good idea to wear reflective clothes or carry a flashlight.
For a free legal consultation with a pedestrian accidents lawyer serving Valley Stream, call 516-358-6900
Common Injuries from a Pedestrian Accident
Common pedestrian accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Cuts, scrapes, and bruises
- Soft tissue injuries
- Torn ligaments
- Amputations
- Facial and dental damage
- Road burn
If you have sustained injuries, you may be entitled to recover compensation, including:
- Past, present, and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In addition to these damages, you may be able to seek punitive damages in cases of gross negligence or misconduct.
After you have received medical treatment, consult with a Valley Stream pedestrian accident lawyer at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLC about the compensation you may be able to receive. A personal injury attorney at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe will fight to protect your rights.
Valley Stream Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me 516-358-6900
What to Do If You’re Injured in a Pedestrian Accident in Valley Stream
Many pedestrian accident victims are knocked unconscious when they are struck by a vehicle, while some may be dazed but conscious. If you are conscious after being hit by a vehicle, you will likely be in physical and/or mental shock.
Take the following steps if you have been the victim of a pedestrian accident:
Seek medical assistance. The physical and emotional shock that you will likely experience after the accident could cloud your judgment and your ability to recognize an injury. Call 911 for immediate medical assistance and get a full evaluation from a health care professional, even if you think you are uninjured. If you have been struck by a vehicle and are unconscious, it will be the responsibility of the motorist or witnesses to seek medical assistance for you.
Gather information. Try to get the driver’s name, driver’s license information, license plate number, vehicle registration and insurance information.
Obtain witness information. Get names and contact information from any witnesses who saw the pedestrian accident happen. This will be important for you and for the police. If an accident reconstruction report is developed, witnesses may be an important resource.
Take photographs of the accident scene. If you are able, use your phone camera to take photographs from various angles and distances of the scene of the pedestrian accident. Take photos of the immediate area where you were struck by the vehicle as well as anything else at the accident scene that could be relevant, such as obstacles in the roadway, weather conditions and traffic signals. Record the exact location of the accident and anything you recall about the accident. These photos and notes can make a significant difference during the claims process.
Call the police. No matter who appears to be at fault or how serious the injuries are, contact the police if they have not already been called. A police report will be critical to your insurance claim and any subsequent personal injury lawsuit.
Contact a pedestrian accident lawyer. You should consult with an attorney who has experience in handling pedestrian accident cases. The attorneys at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLC offer a free evaluation of your accident. It’s important to take advantage of the free consultation because your injuries could turn out to be more severe than you initially thought. We can help you secure compensation for long-term and costly medical care.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Valley Stream Hit-and-Run Accident Attorneys
Sometimes, drivers panic after a pedestrian accident and drive off. A hit-and-run accident involves a vehicle hitting a pedestrian and leaving the scene without stopping to provide contact information, insurance, and other important information, and without providing assistance. Even if the person is not at fault for causing the pedestrian accident, leaving the accident scene without exchanging information or providing assistance makes it a hit and run – and a crime.
A hit-and-run pedestrian accident can occur anywhere – a highway, a residential street, a parking lot, a crosswalk. If you have been injured by a hit-and-run driver in Valley Stream, the experienced pedestrian accident attorneys at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP can often help you identify sources of compensation to get your life back on track.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Contact Our Valley Stream Pedestrian Accident Law Firm
Pedestrian accident injuries can be very serious, requiring hospitalization, rehabilitation, surgery, and prescription drugs. Along with bruises, cuts, and fractures, accident victims may suffer severe injuries like TBIs and spinal cord injuries that often require costly long-term care. The victims may not be able to return to work as well, resulting in lost wages. The lawyers at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP will consider the long-term effects of your injury when figuring out the damages you are entitled to.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in Long Island, contact the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP today. Our highly skilled and compassionate Valley Stream pedestrian accident attorneys have helped thousands of people recover fair compensation after serious injuries. We can help you develop a case for full compensation for your injuries, and we’ll always be by your side. We return calls within 24 hours, and clients are given Richard Jaffe’s cellphone number for 24/7 accessibility. Call now at (516) 358-6900 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Call or text 516-358-6900 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
