Queens Pedestrian Collision Lawyers

If you’ve been injured by a car while out walking, you should consider speaking with one of our Queens pedestrian collision lawyers.

Like many big cities, New York is often easier to travel on foot than in a car. Unfortunately, with so many people pounding the busy streets of the Big Apple, pedestrian accidents are a common occurrence. Even minor collisions can cause you serious injuries as a pedestrian. We have helped many New Yorkers who have undergone life-changing harm due to a pedestrian accident.

Don’t pay the bill for someone else’s negligence. If you’ve suffered a pedestrian injury in Queens, contact a lawyer to discuss your options in terms of pursuing compensation.

Pedestrian Collision Statistics

Pedestrian accidents in Queens occur most commonly in the borough’s active, densely populated areas, like Elmhurst, Flushing, and Jamaica.

Queens is the borough with the second-most road accidents each year, with Brooklyn having the most. Staten Island is the safest borough for road users.

Accidents involving cyclists are a major issue in New York. According to Transportation Alternatives, 18 cyclists died on the roads of New York City in just the first six months of 2023, which is more than the overall number of cyclist road deaths for the entire previous year.

This report also revealed that cyclists and pedestrians are most at risk from accidents involving SUVs and other larger vehicles. Their risk is also much higher on roads without dedicated cycle lanes.

Negligent Driver Behavior That Commonly Causes Queens Pedestrian Accidents

Queens pedestrian accidents can happen for a wide variety of reasons, and drivers aren’t always at fault when they do. However, the responsibility for keeping pedestrians safe ultimately falls on those using cars, trucks, and motorcycles, and there are a number of common types of negligence these road users commit that can lead to serious pedestrian injuries.

They include:

• Distracted driving: Distractions (such as from using a phone or eating while behind the wheel) increase a driver’s reaction time and reduce their awareness of pedestrians, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
• Speeding: Speeding drivers have less time to react to pedestrians crossing the road. Additionally, the faster a vehicle is moving, the more serious the injuries it’s likely to cause if it hits a pedestrian; according to studies cited by AAA, a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 32 mph has a 25% risk of serious injury, but this rises to 50% when the vehicle is moving at 42 mph.
• Failure to yield right of way: Drivers often fail to notice pedestrians using crosswalks, and this is often the cause of serious accidents.
• Driving under the influence: Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction times, greatly increasing the likelihood of pedestrian accidents. It’s a criminal offense to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of more than 0.08% in the state of New York; if the driver who was at fault for your pedestrian accident was over this limit, you stand a much better chance of establishing negligence and securing punitive damages.
• Ignoring traffic signals or signs: Drivers who run red lights or stop signs, or who fail to follow other traffic signals, can unexpectedly enter pedestrian pathways, leading to dangerous collisions.
• Poor visibility driving: Neglecting to use headlights at night or in bad weather reduces visibility for drivers, making it harder to see pedestrians.
• Reversing recklessly: Accidents often occur when drivers reverse their vehicles without properly checking for pedestrians, particularly in parking lots or driveways.

If there is evidence that one or more of these factors had a role to play in your Queens pedestrian accident, you’re significantly more likely to succeed in an attempt to establish negligence on the part of the at-fault driver. However, this may prove more difficult than it sounds. To discuss the type of case you’ll need to build to successfully prove negligence, you’ll need to consult with a top-class Queens pedestrian accident attorney.

The Impact of Vision Zero on Pedestrian Accidents in Queens

Vision Zero is an international movement seeking to reduce the number of people who lose their lives on the road. New York City adopted measures in line with Vision Zero principles in 2014. The project has seen the adoption of initiatives on four fronts; engineering, enforcement, education, and legislation. Policymakers reduced speed limits in most parts of the city to 25 mph, installed hundreds of bike lanes, speed bumps, and pedestrian plazas, and massively increased the number of intersections at which pedestrians are prioritized ahead of turning vehicles.

So, has Vision Zero been a success in the Big Apple?

When then-Mayor Bill de Blasio introduced Vision Zero in 2014, he did so with the stated intention of eliminating traffic deaths altogether within 10 years. Per a New York Times report, there were 257 road deaths in the city in 2022, just one fewer than in 2014.

Sadly, despite the efforts of New York’s rule makers to make things safer, the city remains a dangerous place to be a pedestrian.

What You Should Do Following a Pedestrian Accident in Queens

The moments that follow a pedestrian accident are obviously highly stressful for everyone involved, so it’s understandable that you might not be in a calm, collected headspace. However, there are certain simple steps you can take at this time that may be massively beneficial to you down the line.

These include:

• Reporting the accident: You should call the police as soon as you can after a Queens pedestrian accident. A report from the authorities will serve as a crucial piece of evidence if you decide to pursue legal action later on. You should ensure your version of events is included in the report.
• Gathering information: If you can, collect the contact and insurance information of the driver involved, as well as names and contact details of any witnesses. Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to the vehicle(s).
• Keeping your thoughts to yourself: It’s important to avoid making statements that could be interpreted as admitting liability. Even a statement like “I’m fine” can be used against you later. You should also avoid trying to blame the driver or anyone else for what happened; making a scene directly after the accident won’t help you, even if what you’re saying is correct and fair. Once the police arrive, you’ll have the chance to discuss the facts of what happened; until then, say as little as you can.
• Keeping documentation: Save all medical records, receipts related to the accident (including transportation to and from medical appointments), and any other documents that could be relevant to your case.
• Avoiding social media: Do not discuss your accident or post any details about it on social media. Such posts can be used against you in any legal action you decide to pursue.

Once you feel well enough to do so, it’s time to call a Queens pedestrian collision lawyer. You’ll get a free initial consultation, which means there’s no financial risk for you. Seeking legal help immediately will give you the best possible chance of a successful insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What types of compensation can I receive for a pedestrian accident in Queens?

  You may be eligible for various types of compensation, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and rehabilitation costs. In some cases, compensation for emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life may also be available.

• Who can be held liable for pedestrian accidents in Queens?

  Liability in pedestrian accidents in Queens can fall on drivers, property owners, municipal entities, or even pedestrians themselves.

• What role does ‘comparative negligence’ play in pedestrian accident lawsuits in New York?

  New York’s comparative negligence law allows for the possibility of shared fault in pedestrian accidents. This means that if a pedestrian is partially at fault for an accident in which they suffer injuries or other compensable losses, their compensation may be reduced in line with their percentage of fault for the accident.

• What if the driver who hit me was uninsured or underinsured?

  If the driver involved in your accident was uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to seek compensation through uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. You may also be able to recover damages by filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party.

• Can I claim compensation if a family member was fatally injured in a pedestrian accident?

  Wrongful death lawsuits give bereaved family members a means to pursue compensation for medical costs, funeral expenses, loss of future earnings, and loss of companionship or consortium related to the death of their loved one.

• What are the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Queens?

  The most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Queens include distracted driving, speeding, failure to yield right of way to pedestrians, and pedestrians crossing streets outside of crosswalks or against traffic signals. Environmental factors like poor lighting or bad weather can also contribute.

Our Queens Pedestrian Collision Lawyers are Here to Help

At Tucker Lawyers, we frequently deal with clients in incredibly difficult circumstances. A pedestrian accident can change your life in an instant, and trying to pick up the pieces is a huge challenge for many people.

However, if you come to us, you can be confident that we’ll work on your case with the utmost diligence and compassion. We’ll do everything we can to get you the compensation you need.

Contact Tucker Lawyers today for a free initial consultation. You can reach us over the phone at (516) 399-2364 or via the contact form on our website. Don’t delay!

Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.

John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]