Car accidents can lead to very serious and painful injuries for drivers. However, when a car strikes a pedestrian instead of another vehicle, the pedestrian may be in catastrophic condition. Cars and trucks are big, heavy, and usually moving very quickly when they hit pedestrians. A person walking down the street or crossing a crosswalk is no match for a speeding vehicle.
If you were hit by a car, your injuries might be severe. Many victims of pedestrian accidents end up on very long roads to recovery. Some injured pedestrians never fully recover from their injuries. You can sue the driver of the vehicle that hit you and hold them liable for the accident. By doing so, you can make the driver’s insurance cover your medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Pedestrian accidents are often extremely serious for pedestrians, while drivers suffer little to no harm. Our Yonkers pedestrian accident lawyers can help you fight to recover damages to cover the costs of your medical bills and more. Schedule a free consultation with us at The Martello Law Firm, PLLC. Call our offices at (646) 396-0236 to speak with our team today.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Car Accidents in Yonkers, NY
Most car accidents with pedestrians occur because of a driver’s negligence. In a collision between a car and a person, the car will win every time. This is why drivers are responsible for looking out for pedestrians and allowing them to safely cross streets when needed. When crossing a street, pedestrians will have the right of way when they are in a crosswalk or drivers must stop at a light or stop sign.
Disaster strikes when drivers are not paying attention. A distracted driver, such as one on their phone, may blow through an intersection without checking for pedestrians. Other times, intoxicated drivers do not have the reflexes to stop in time to avoid hitting someone. When drivers are speeding, a pedestrian’s injuries only worsen as the force of impact becomes greater.
While most accidents are likely caused by a driver’s negligence, there could be more sinister reasons. Sometimes, drivers intentionally strike pedestrians because they want to hurt them. This may be because the two parties had a recent altercation, or the driver gave in to a fit of road rage. In either case, the driver may be criminally charged in addition to being sued in a civil action. Our Yonkers pedestrian accident lawyers can help you recover damages against the driver who hit you in your civil action.
Injuries and Damages in Yonkers Pedestrian Accidents
As can be expected, injuries from a pedestrian accident can be very serious. Even if the driver claims they were not going that fast, a car does not need a lot of speed behind it to cause serious damage to a person. Even cases that are considered “relatively minor” still tend to involve some significant injuries. Our Yonkers pedestrian accident attorneys will help you get fair compensation for all your injuries.
Head injuries are common in pedestrian accidents. The person is likely to be thrown at least several yards when struck by a car. Depending on how they land, they may severely injury their head. Concussions are very common in pedestrian accidents, and people often complain of recurring headaches and memory issues. More serious head injuries could involve brain damage that might cause permanent disabilities. If you are hit by a car, you must seek medical attention immediately.
Spinal cord injuries are also possible. When hit by a car, people tend to hit the pavement in unpredictable ways. Sometimes, people end up contorting in such a way as to hurt their spine. Spinal cord injuries may require surgery and extensive physical therapy. In many cases, people who suffer spinal cord injuries suffer lifelong back problems. In extreme situations, your spine might be severed or fractured, and you could lose the ability to walk.
Not every injury is visible from the outside. Internal injuries from pedestrian accidents can be life-threatening, especially if they are not detected quickly. People have literally bled to death without actually spilling a drop of blood due to internal bleeding.
Proving Liability for a Pedestrian Accident in Yonkers
When a pedestrian is struck by a car, people often assume the driver must have been negligent. However, this is not so in every case. Sometimes, pedestrians cross the street when they do not have the right of way or when it is obviously too dangerous. Drivers may not be liable if a pedestrian tries to run across a busy highway without using a crosswalk. However, just because people assume a driver is at fault does not mean you will not have to show proof of that fault.
Proving liability is hard, even when you think all the evidence is stacked in your favor. To demonstrate that the driver is to blame, you may need evidence, including photographs of the scene. Photos and videos can prove that there was indeed a crosswalk at the intersection where the accident occurred, or there was a stop sign that you claim the defendant ignored.
Our Yonkers pedestrian accident lawyers can help you track down surveillance footage of the accident if any exists. Surveillance cameras are common in storefronts and even private homes. It is very possible that your accident was recorded on video. If we can positively identify the driver in the video, we will have an easier time getting you compensation.
Sometimes, we do not need to establish liability. The driver may come forward with their own legal counsel, admit responsibility, and offer a settlement. This can be a great way to resolve your case because it allows us to circumvent a long and expensive trial. Our Yonkers pedestrian accident attorneys can help you negotiate a fair settlement that covers all your expenses.
Call our Yonkers, New York Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
If you were struck by a vehicle and suffered any injuries, you can hold the driver liable in a personal injury lawsuit. Our Yonkers pedestrian accident attorneys can help you get your claim started. Call The Martello Law Firm, PLLC at (646) 396-0236 to speak with us in a free legal consultation.
