driver texting on phone with pedestrian crossing road in front of her about to get hit by vehicle

Long Island Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

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When a car hits a pedestrian on Long Island, the pedestrian pays the greater price every time. Even a low-speed collision can leave a pedestrian with devastating injuries, costly medical bills, lost income, severe pain, and long-term psychological trauma.

Many pedestrian accidents are the fault of negligent drivers who should have been more careful. If you were hit by a negligent driver while walking on Long Island, talk to The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., right away. Our pedestrian accident attorneys have more than 40 years of experience and have recovered more than $500 million in compensation for our clients.

We can handle all aspects of your case, so you do not have to worry about anything except getting better. Because we take cases on contingency, you do not owe us any fees unless and until we get you money for your injuries.

Contact us today to get started with a free consultation with a Long Island pedestrian accident attorney from The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C.

Why You Need an Experienced Attorney on Your Side

Being hit by a motor vehicle can have a devastating effect on your future. You may not be able to work again, and your injuries may cause severe pain and prevent you from doing many of your favorite activities. Filing an insurance claim or pedestrian accident lawsuit will not erase the pain you have endured, but it can provide you with the means to care for yourself and rebuild your life.

The experienced pedestrian accident lawyers at The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., can help you with your case by:

Identifying all the liable parties – The driver who hit you likely bears most of the responsibility for the accident, but they may not be the only responsible party. For example, bars, liquor stores, and other alcohol vendors can sometimes be held liable for a pedestrian accident if they served someone who was obviously intoxicated or underage. Local governments could be at fault if poor road design or maintenance played a part. Our attorneys will conduct a detailed investigation to hold everyone responsible for your injuries to account.
Documenting all your injuries – As part of our investigation, we will gather evidence of how the accident has affected your life. That includes your physical injuries, financial losses, and emotional pain.
Filing an insurance claim – Before taking your case to court, we will attempt to obtain a fair insurance settlement on your behalf. That can avoid the expense and risk of a trial. We can take care of all the necessary paperwork for your claim to avoid any potential technical errors.
Negotiating for a fair settlement – We have seen how insurance companies pressure injured pedestrians to accept unreasonably low settlements. If you were injured and someone else was to blame, you deserve full compensation for your losses. We will fight to secure you a fair settlement.
Bringing your case to trial – There are times when taking a case to trial is the only way to obtain fair compensation for a pedestrian accident. Our team has extensive courtroom experience and will develop a comprehensive strategy to help you pursue maximum compensation.

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Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents on Long Island

New York State averaged more than 14,500 pedestrian accidents annually in one recent five-year stretch, according to the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research. Research also shows that 23 percent of all pedestrian fatalities in one recent year occurred on Long Island. Driver negligence is the cause of most Long Island pedestrian accidents.

Some of the specific factors that lead to these crashes include:

Intersection accidents – Although drivers are supposed to yield to pedestrians crossing at intersections, many do not follow the rules of the road. Intersections are one of the most common sites of pedestrian crashes on Long Island.
Drivers backing up without looking – A driver who backs their car out of a driveway or parking spot without looking risks striking a pedestrian crossing their path.
Distracted driving – Drivers texting, talking on a cell phone, messing with in-vehicle controls, or distracted in some other way are much more likely to overlook a nearby pedestrian.
Road rage – Drivers who cannot control their emotions are much more prone to aggressive, irrational driving maneuvers that may lead to a pedestrian crash.
Not using a signal – Pedestrians often rely on drivers using their turn signals to know if it is safe to cross the street. If a driver does not use their turn signal, a pedestrian may walk into the driver’s path without realizing they are in danger.
Failure to yield the right-of-way – Generally, drivers are supposed to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, particularly in crosswalks and certain intersections. When drivers ignore right-of-way laws, pedestrians are in extreme danger.
Speeding – There is a reason speed limits are usually reduced in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic. Speeding drivers take longer to slow down, are more likely to not notice pedestrians in their path, and are more likely to inflict severe injuries in a crash. Research indicates that a person hit by a car traveling at 30 mph is 70 percent more likely to die than someone hit by a vehicle traveling at 25 mph.
Driving under the influence – Drivers intoxicated by alcohol or drugs have diminished perception, impaired judgment, and dulled reflexes. An intoxicated driver is much less likely to notice a pedestrian. They also may not be able to react in time to avoid a collision even if they do see the pedestrian.
Fatigued driving – According to the National Safety Council, going more than 20 hours without sleep is equivalent to driving with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent – the legal limit in New York. Consequently, overly tired drivers are more likely to hit pedestrians.
Passing accidents – Drivers who make aggressive passing maneuvers may not see a pedestrian crossing in front of the vehicle they are trying to pass, leading to a collision.
Turning accidents – Drivers who do not keep an appropriate lookout or do not stop before turning may hit pedestrians trying to cross at an intersection.

The Seriousness of Pedestrian Injuries

Cars and other vehicles can inflict massive injuries on pedestrians they hit. Some of the injuries pedestrians often sustain in collisions include:

Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal injuries and paralysis
Internal bleeding
Damage to internal organs
Amputation
Disfigurement
Broken bones
Soft-tissue injuries
Significant skin abrasions and lacerations
Emotional suffering
Wrongful death

Insurance Coverage for Pedestrians Hurt in Crashes

Several types of insurance coverage may apply if you are injured in a pedestrian accident. As a no-fault insurance state, New York requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which covers all occupants in their vehicle in the event of an accident and extends to any pedestrian they hit. These no-fault benefits will cover up to $50,000 in lost wages, medical bills, and other expenses related to a pedestrian accident. Pedestrians injured in an auto accident must file for PIP benefits with the insurance carrier of the vehicle that struck them within 30 days.

New York allows anyone who suffers “serious injuries,” as defined by the state, or more than $50,000 in economic losses in a motor vehicle accident to step outside the no-fault insurance system and file a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance policy. These policies are subject to different minimums than PIP insurance, including an additional $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person and $50,000 per accident, and can go into the millions, especially when the at-fault vehicle is commercially owned or operated.

If PIP coverage is fully exhausted or denied for certain reasons, you can likely use your personal health insurance to pay your medical bills. Health insurance will not cover losses like lost income or pain and suffering.

If other available insurance coverages are too low to cover the full extent of your losses, you may be able to turn to the supplemental uninsured/underinsured motorist (SUM) coverage on your auto policy, even if you were a pedestrian at the time of the crash. Most vehicle policies in New York automatically have this SUM coverage now, unless the insured opted out.

Dangerous Intersections for Pedestrians on Long Island

While pedestrian accidents can happen anywhere on Long Island, certain intersections are more hazardous. Some examples include:

West Hills Road and Route 110 in Huntington Station
New York Avenue and 15th Street in Huntington Station
Middle Neck Road and Cutter Mill Road in Great Neck Plaza
Merrick Road and Main Street in Freeport
Fulton Avenue and Clinton Street in Hempstead
Front Street and Franklin Street in Hempstead
Carleton Avenue and East Suffolk Avenue in Central Islip
Broadway and Oak Street in Amityville

Time Limitations for Filing a Long Island Pedestrian Injury Claim

In most circumstances, you have three years from the date of a pedestrian accident to file a lawsuit against a negligent driver or any other at-fault party. If the at-fault vehicle was owned or driven by a government employee or company, you will have less time. You do not want to miss this deadline, as you will be unable to recover any compensation through the court system if you do.

Potential Compensation for an Accident Involving a Pedestrian

Our Long Island pedestrian accident lawyers can help you recover compensation for many kinds of losses, including:

Lost wages
Medical bills
Lost future earnings
Pain and suffering
Reduced quality of life
Emotional distress

Contact Our Long Island Pedestrian Accident Lawyers for Help

Were you injured in a pedestrian accident? Was someone else at fault? You deserve compensation and justice from the responsible parties. Let the Long Island pedestrian accident lawyers of The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., help you demand it. Contact us today for a free consultation.