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Too Many Injuries and Deaths to People Hit by a Car While Crossing the Street

Too Many Injuries and Deaths to People Hit by a Car While Crossing the Street

In many ways, New York City is fantastic for pedestrians. The city is easy to navigate, and moving through the city by foot can be a pleasant activity. Unfortunately, pedestrians are also very vulnerable in New York. According to the New York City Department of Transportation, pedestrians accounted for 52% of all fatal traffic accidents in the city between 2005 and 2009. More than a third of the time, when people were hit by a car while crossing the street, it was because a driver was inattentive or reckless in operating the vehicle. Sadly, pedestrians are ten times more likely to be killed than the driver in such a collision. If you were hit by a car while crossing the street, and the driver was at fault, you have a right to pursue compensation for damages.

How Pedestrian Accidents Are Caused

Most New York City intersections are well sign-posted, and it is clear when pedestrians have the right of way to cross a street. Nonetheless, even the most careful pedestrian who only crosses legally can be at risk of being hit by a car while crossing the street. Some common ways these accidents happen include:

  • Speeding: When drivers speed through busy intersections, they risk hitting pedestrians who have the right of way. A speeding driver is unable to stop the vehicle fast enough, and may not even check for oncoming cars or pedestrians.
  • Drivers failing to yield: It’s common to see cars and taxis alike edging into the crosswalk on a red light, quickly turning right or left, and failing to observe a pedestrian. Even at low speeds, drivers who fail to yield can cause serious injuries to those who are hit while legally crossing the street.
  • Driver errors while turning: Even when vehicles have the green light, drivers must check carefully to ensure that no pedestrians are crossing at the intersection.
  • Distracted driving: If a driver’s hands and eyes are on a cellphone, a conversation, or other distraction, rather than the road ahead, it becomes far more possible to miss the presence of a pedestrian, and cause a serious injury accident.

Hit By a Car While Crossing the Street? Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

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