In New York, the streets are busy and people are rushed. This can sometimes make it dangerous for pedestrians leading to an auto accident with serious injuries and death. Concern amount researchers, lawmakers and law enforcement is growing as there was a worrisome spike in these crashes over the past decade. Those who have been impacted should be cognizant of their options after a pedestrian accident.
Pedestrian safety is a concern across New York State
According to AAA Northeast, pedestrian fatalities in New York State fluctuated from 2010 to 2019 with the numbers increasing to a troubling degree by the end of the decade. During that time, there was a pedestrian-auto accident nearly every half-hour with almost 162,000 injuries or deaths. Initially, there was optimism that pedestrian safety was improving. In 2013, there were more than 16,000 such accidents. In two years, that lowered by 18%. Unfortunately, by 2019, it rose again almost to its 2013 levels with nearly 15,500 pedestrian crashes.
During the years that were studied, there were 400 pedestrian deaths in Suffolk County. That is the worst in the state. In Brooklyn, there were 396 such fatalities; Queens had 387; Manhattan had 270; the Bronx had 227; Staten Island had 66. AAA says that certain factors make it riskier for people to face the possibility of a pedestrian accident. That includes the person’s age and the time of day.
The highest number of pedestrian accidents happened between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. as the school day ended and during rush hour when there were nearly 33,000 pedestrian injuries and fatalities. Next came 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with just shy of 31,700. People over 70 were the most vulnerable to a fatality as 700 were killed in the decade. Factors in these accidents were driver distraction, not yielding, and confusion among pedestrians and bicyclists.
Legal assistance may be needed after a pedestrian accident
Pedestrians are constantly at risk for injuries and death in a car accident. It is important for those who have been hurt to understand what steps to take. Medical care can include surgical procedures, rehabilitation and professional assistance for basic tasks. The person might not be able to work or be an active part of a family. These can all be financially and personally costly. When there is a fatality, these issues are exacerbated as the family left behind must come to grips with the unexpected loss. Although it can be difficult to think about, it is imperative to be legally protected. Consulting with experienced legal professionals who understand how to investigate auto-pedestrian accidents can be helpful in moving forward with gathering evidence and filing a claim.