Pedestrian accidents hurt or kill tens of thousands of people each year in the United States. The New York law firm Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman represents individuals and families who have been impacted by pedestrian accidents, whether vehicle or nonvehicle-related.

Five Thousand Fatalities a Year
Nearly 80,000 pedestrians are hit by a car or other type of vehicle on the road each year, and another 5,000 are killed in such pedestrian accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA). In addition, thousands of nonvehicle-related pedestrian accidents occur, such as when a pedestrian is hurt passing a construction site, or by tripping on poorly maintained walkways or other property. Pedestrian accidents also occur in parking lots and parking structures.

Vehicle-Related Pedestrian Accidents
When a driver hits a pedestrian, it may be because the driver:

• did not obey a stop light or stop sign
• didn’t signal while turning
• failed to yield the right of way to the pedestrian
• was distracted or inattentive (e.g., using a cell phone, eating, etc.)
• was driving too fast for the road conditions or weather conditions
• was driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
• was speeding

Determining Who Is at Fault
It must be noted, however, that in some cases a pedestrian who is hit was also at fault for the collision, in part or completely. For example, in a vehicle-related accident, the pedestrian may have:

• ignored "walk/don’t walk" signals
• failed to use marked pedestrian cross walks
• darted in front of a vehicle
• entered a street from between two parked vehicles

It’s a good idea to discuss the circumstances of a pedestrian accident with an experienced personal injury attorney in order to determine which party or parties are liable for the accident.

Nonvehicle-Related Pedestrian Accidents
When a pedestrian is hurt or killed on the premises or property of another individual or company, it is considered an issue for premises liability law. Our attorneys have extensive experience with this area of law, and can help the injured party receive the compensation they deserve.

Discuss Your Situation with an Experienced Attorney
Whatever the circumstances of your pedestrian accident, you have legal rights that should be protected. Contact our New York City personal injury attorneys today to schedule a consultation to discuss your situation.