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In recent years, the number of pedestrians killed by cars in New York has been increasing at an alarming rate. From 2016 to 2019, pedestrian deaths rose from 115 to 132. That’s a staggering 14 percent increase – and it’s a trend that needs to be addressed.
It doesn’t seem to be getting better, either. On Monday, January 23, a car in Astoria hit a woman after jumping a curb. This increase in pedestrian deaths is being called a national “crisis,” and 2021 was the deadliest year for NYC in an entire decade. Even when pedestrians live through a car accident, there is a high chance of serious injury since pedestrians don’t have the same protection that people in vehicles do.
With all of this going it is important to understand the laws regarding pedestrians, how they are protected from injury by drivers, and what you need to do to get compensation if you or a loved one has been injured. Let’s take a closer look at these important topics.
Pedestrian knockdown laws refer to the laws that govern how drivers must interact with pedestrians on the roads. These laws provide protection for pedestrians who may not be aware of their surroundings or who may not have enough time to react in order to avoid being hit by a car.
For example, in New York City there is something known as the “right-of-way law” which states that drivers must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian within an unmarked crosswalk whenever it is safe for them to do so. This means that drivers must give up their right-of-way when they see a pedestrian in an unmarked crosswalk, even if they have a green light or the right-of-way according to traffic signs.
It is important for drivers – and pedestrians – to understand these laws because they can help protect both parties from harm and can help prevent costly accidents that could lead to injuries or even death.
If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of a pedestrian accident, then you may be entitled to compensation for your losses, such as medical bills, lost wages due to missed work, pain and suffering, and more. Moreover, filing a personal injury claim against the responsible party helps to hold them accountable and potentially prevent someone else from being hurt the way you were.
Thinking about pursuing a claim? Contact an experienced NY personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the accident so they can review your case and explain your rights under New York law. Your lawyer will also be able to advise you on what steps you need to take in order to fight for the compensation you need and deserve.
This crisis of pedestrian deaths is something that impacts all of us. In order to get it under control, it will take strong efforts from a number of different sides, including stronger laws and enforcement. One element of this, however, is going to have to be injured individuals doing what they can to make sure negligent parties are held responsible for their actions.
