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New York City is one of the most visited places in the world. Even though this year was a bit slower when it came to tourist traffic over the holidays, the dangers of visiting such a bustling, busy place were still present.
Thousands of visitors are injured in pedestrian accidents every year in New York. If you’re ever one of them or have been, then there is some important information you need to know in order to protect yourself and your future interests.
Take a look at some of the common dangers, how to prevent accidents, and what you should do if you were involved in a pedestrian accident in New York over the holiday.
There are many ways that someone can become injured in New York. There are transportation dangers, such as walking, riding a bike, taking a rideshare or taxi, or taking the subway.
There are slip and fall dangers at New York City attractions, from Times Square to the Empire State Building, too. The most common injuries that tourists sustain in New York include:
Of course, being involved in a pedestrian accident is one of the most serious.
If you plan to visit New York, the best thing you can do is try to avoid being involved in a pedestrian accident in the first place. To help reduce the chances of being struck by a vehicle, you should follow these preventative tips:
When walking down the street, it’s best to avoid looking at your phone. If you don’t see danger ahead of you, then it can be more difficult to avoid. When walking, put the phone away and pay attention to the things around you.
When you can, you should always stick to sidewalks. They’re there to keep you out of the path of vehicles, after all.
If you’re going to be out walking at night, then wear the right clothing. That means bright colors or reflective clothes so cars can see you. If you don’t have that, then a small flashlight may be a good idea so cars will take notice.
When crossing the street or simply walking, make sure to pay attention to the signs and signals along the way. Know when it’s safe to walk and when it isn’t so that you don’t increase your risk of being struck by a vehicle.
If you are involved in an accident, then make sure to take the following steps to ensure your best chances at protection during an accident, and the proper care immediately following the accident and over the long haul.
If you see an accident occurring and don’t have time to get out of the way, take quick action to protect your most sensitive parts such as your head. Cover your head with your arms or move your body in such a way as to not have the vehicle hit you directly on your head.
If you do have time to leap, roll, run, or jump out of the way, then do it. Leaping onto the hood of the car if you can is known to sometimes help to reduce injuries primarily because doing so can prevent a car from running you over.
After the accident, make sure you are OK. Get medical help immediately. If you aren’t taken directly to the hospital, make sure to see a doctor as soon as you can to be probably diagnosed and have your injuries documented. Make sure any emergency responders examine you even if you feel OK as some injuries may not be evident immediately and trained medical professionals can help to assess you completely.
Call the police to the scene to take a report. Law enforcement will come to the scene to gather evidence and information. They will gather witnesses and get your statement as well. They may need to complete the paperwork at the station, but be sure to ask for a copy of the police report while they are there and call to ask again within a couple of days for a copy of the final report.
Get the driver’s information or have someone get it for you. That includes their driver’s license number, license plate number, phone number, and insurance information. Never volunteer that you’re OK after an accident since it can impact any future claims for damages. Also, never admit fault. That’s for other parties to determine after the accident.
If you are struck by a car, you need to think about your legal options. Often, the medical bills associated with these types of accidents become high rather quickly and treatment can last for months to even years. An experienced personal injury attorney can help guide you through the process of filing your claims and getting a settlement that covers all of your damages, including pain and suffering.
