New York City Improperly Marked Crosswalk Lawyer
A basic rule of traffic safety in New York City is that pedestrians should always cross the street at marked crosswalks whenever possible. While this is a good rule of thumb, it assumes the crosswalk itself is properly marked and maintained. Unfortunately, most pedestrians in this city can tell you that this ideal is not always followed in practice.
Indeed, dangerous and improperly marked crosswalks are often a significant contributing factor to pedestrian accidents throughout the five boroughs. In many of these cases, the City itself may be legally responsible for a pedestrian getting hit–and possibly killed. A qualified New York City improperly marked crosswalk lawyer can review your accident and advise you on the best course of action. Michael Gunzburg, P.C., is a personal injury firm that represents crosswalk accident victims in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.
How New York City’s Dangerous Crosswalks Can Lead to Pedestrian Injuries
Like all municipalities, New York City has certain legal obligations to keep public streets in reasonably safe condition. This includes keeping crosswalks in good condition for pedestrian use. Although the city is immune from most civil lawsuits, it is possible for an accident victim to sue if they can show that city officials had written notice of an improperly marked crosswalk and failed to take appropriate corrective action before the victim suffered injury.
Here are just a few examples of dangerous conditions that can affect public crosswalks in New York City:
- Lack of Traffic Signals: A marked crosswalk in and of itself is no guarantee of pedestrian safety. Ideally, a crosswalk should be controlled by a traffic light or other traffic signal, such as a “WALK” sign. Depending on the location, there should also be signage warning motorists they are approaching a marked crosswalk.
- Poor Lighting: Even in the City that Never Sleeps, crosswalk visibility at night is often lacking. A crosswalk should be designed to ensure it is adequately lighted during evening hours. Without such lighting, the crosswalk effectively offers no protection for pedestrians.
- Lack of Maintenance: A typical New York City crosswalk can see thousands of pedestrian crossings on any given day. This creates an enormous amount of wear-and-tear, requiring regular inspection and maintenance. Otherwise, what was once a properly marked crosswalk may no longer be identifiable as such and create its own risk of serious injury to pedestrians.
- Dangerous Intersections: Some New York City intersections are far more dangerous than others. Crosswalk design and markings must be regularly updated to account for real-world conditions. This includes taking additional steps to improve crosswalk markings in areas that are especially accident-prone or are near populations requiring special consideration.
Contact Our New York City Improperly Marked Crosswalk Lawyers for Help
Anytime someone is seriously injured in a crosswalk accident, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. It is also advisable to speak with a skilled New York City improperly marked crosswalk lawyer who can investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the accident. Call Michael Gunzburg, P.C., at 212-725-8500 today to schedule a free initial consultation.
