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Pedestrian accidents happen every day across the United States, and NY is no exception.
According to the New York State Department of Health, injuries to pedestrians are among the top 10 leading causes of injury-related hospital admissions and death for almost all age groups In New York State. Approximately 300 pedestrians are killed and 15,000 are injured by motor vehicles each year on New York roadways, and more than 3,000 pedestrians are admitted to the hospital annually.
With its sheer number of people and large amount of traffic in the streets, New York City is particularly dangerous for pedestrians. A man was recently struck and killed crossing Grand Central Parkway, and a hit-and-run driver who killed a pedestrian in Manhattan was nabbed after his car broke down on FDR Drive.
Pedestrian accidents happen frequently elsewhere in the state as well. Two people recently died in Warrensburg as the result of an accident involving a logging truck.
If you’re the victim of a pedestrian accident in NY, what should you do? Here are the steps you need to take after the incident.
The first thing you should do if you’re involved in an accident as a pedestrian is call the police (or have someone else do it if you’re unable to). They will be able to assess the situation, make out an accident report, and direct traffic out of the way.
If it was a hit-and-run accident, don’t take the law into your own hands and pursue the driver. Stay at the scene and let the police handle it.
If you sustain injuries as a result of a pedestrian accident, immediately call emergency medical services. Even if you only appear to have a few bumps and bruises, it is important to be treated by an EMT, as you may actually have more severe injuries, such as a concussion.
If you are not attended to by medical personnel on the scene, make sure you visit your health care provider as soon as possible after the accident so they can assess the extent of any injuries you may have incurred.
Make sure you get all relevant details from the driver, including their name and contact information, license plate number, and insurance information. If the driver has left the scene before you can collect the information, you may be able to get at least the license plate number from an eyewitness or traffic cameras.
If the pedestrian accident occurred in a busy area, you will likely have one or more eyewitnesses. This includes not only other pedestrians, but also motorists, bicyclists, and employees of nearby businesses. Get their names and contact information, and see if they’ll stay to provide a statement to the police.
Get a copy of the accident report from the police officer at the scene. If they can’t provide a copy to you, you can request it from their precinct. If you require medical care after the accident, be sure to keep any and all records and receipts for any treatment, medication, or therapy required to treat the injuries.
Finally, contact a lawyer with experience in traffic injuries. He or she will be able to assist you in pursuing a claim against the driver, allowing you to focus on healing and recovering instead.
