Brooklyn Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Like most of New York City, Brooklyn has a dense population with thousands of pedestrians. Common locations for pedestrian accidents include bike lanes, busy intersections, and parking lanes. If this has happened to you, you can use your PIP policy to cover economic damages, such as medical bills and a portion of lost wages. If you don’t have auto insurance, you can still file a claim for damages against the insurance of the motorist who hit you. However, you must meet New York’s threshold for a serious injury.
It’s best to consult a personal injury lawyer at Douglas & London. Since opening our practice in 2002, we have secured more than $1 billion for our clients. Our attorneys work tirelessly for those injured due to another party’s negligence. Contact us today for a free consultation. We are happy to assess your case and answer your questions.
Negligent Motorists in Brooklyn
Dangers to pedestrians abound in Brooklyn, even in walkable neighborhoods like Bed-Stuy and Prospect Park. A stretch of Rockaway Avenue between Belmont Avenue and Herkimer Street is especially perilous–at least six lost their lives between 2001 and 2016. Despite the safety improvements by Vision Zero, a mayoral initiative to accelerate the city’s ongoing efforts to make streets safer for all New Yorkers, negligent drivers still pose a threat, such as those who engage in the following:
- Texting while driving
- Speeding
- Failure to yield
- Running red lights
- Driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs
- Disregarding crosswalks
- Drowsy driving
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, the experienced New York injury lawyers at Douglas & London are here to handle all aspects of your legal claim, such as investigating the facts and evidence to determine liability.
Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accident
According to the National Safety Council, in 2021, an estimated 8,984 pedestrians died in traffic and non-traffic incidents. With nothing to protect them, they often sustain severe injuries, including fractures, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, soft tissue injuries, and psychological trauma. However, with a skilled lawyer as your advocate, you can maximize your chances of obtaining compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages due to another party’s negligence.
Assessing Liability in New York
New York is a pure comparative negligence jurisdiction, meaning an injured plaintiff can recover from a negligent defendant regardless of the amount of fault attributed to the plaintiff. So, even if you are concerned that you may bear some liability, you should still speak to a lawyer.
For example, a drunk driver hit you as you were crossing a busy intersection on Atlantic Avenue. However, you were texting while walking. In that case, you may be found to be 20 percent at fault. Your monetary damages would be reduced by the same percentage. So, a $100,000 damages award would be reduced to $80,000. Consult a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer before accepting a small settlement offer that will not cover your damages. Your case may be stronger than you think.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New York is generally three years. Make sure you consult with a Brooklyn pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible after your injury. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your legal standing to file a personal injury claim.
Contact Douglas London for a Free Consultation
At Douglas & London, we are prepared to handle the most complex pedestrian accident claims involving catastrophic injuries and even wrongful death. Contact us today to arrange a free consultation with an experienced lawyer in Brooklyn. Since we work on a contingency basis, there are no upfront legal fees. We do not take any money from you unless and until we are successful in winning your case.
