New York City Crosswalk Accident Lawyer
Despite the never-ending traffic congestion of the five boroughs, New York City remains a city of pedestrians. Millions of people cross the city’s streets every day. Most do so safely and without incident. That said, there are still thousands of reported pedestrian accidents each year, many occurring within the city’s designated crosswalks.
Everyone who drives in New York City knows they have a responsibility to yield to pedestrians lawfully in a crosswalk. Yet still we see innocent pedestrians seriously injured–even killed–by reckless motorists. If that describes you or someone that you are close to, our New York City crosswalk accident lawyer is here to help. Michael Gunzburg, P.C., is a New York City personal injury law firm with 37 years of experience in handling complex personal injury and civil litigation. Our team will fight for full and just compensation for your injuries and other accident-related losses.
Who Can Be Held Legally Responsible for a Crosswalk Accident in New York?
The most common cause of a crosswalk accident in New York City is a driver failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian. The underlying cause may be something else, such as the driver was drunk, distracted, or simply driving too fast to come to a complete stop before entering a clearly marked crosswalk.
In some cases, New York City itself may also be legally liable for a crosswalk accident. Such liability can arise if there is evidence the crosswalk itself was not properly maintained. For example, if there was a malfunctioning traffic signal or the crosswalk was simply poorly designed or the area it was meant to serve, an injured pedestrian may be entitled to recover compensation from the city.
Of course, the defendant in a crosswalk accident lawsuit may try to blame the pedestrian for what happened–e.g., the pedestrian was jaywalking or suddenly darted into the crosswalk when the signal was red. Under New York’s comparative fault rules, a jury can apportion some–or all–of the blame onto an accident victim, which reduces their damages accordingly.
So as a pedestrian, it is critical that you always remember the rules of the road and not take any action that could not only put your life at risk, but also open you up to claims that you caused your own accident. Here are just a few tips:
- Always obey crosswalk signals. Never initiate a crossing when the “Don’t Walk” signal is flashing or steady.
- Jaywalking may be common in New York City. But it is still illegal. Always cross at a designated crosswalk.
- If there is no pedestrian signal at an intersection, always wait until the vehicular traffic gets a green light in the direction you are crossing. Never attempt to cross in front of traffic that has a green light.
Our New York City Crosswalk Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help
Pedestrians who are hit by a car often face substantial medical bills and other out-of-pocket losses following an accident. That is why you should never hesitate to work with a skilled New York City crosswalk accident lawyer who can assist you in fighting for the compensation that you deserve. Call Michael Gunzburg, P.C., today at 212-725-8500 to schedule a free initial consultation.
