New York Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Pedestrian Accident LawyerBuffalo  Rochester  Syracuse  Albany  NYC  Long Island

At William Mattar, we handle motor vehicle accident cases involving one or more motor vehicle. This includes motor vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents. Drivers must obey traffic rules, including yielding to pedestrians who have the right-of-way. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents still occur when drivers either don’t see people crossing streets, or they don’t understand who has the right-of-way.

If you were injured in a pedestrian accident that wasn’t your fault, talk to a pedestrian accident lawyer to find out if you have a case. We have helped thousands of injury victims and know that when there are serious injuries, immediate action should be taken. At William Mattar law offices, we are here to help injured pedestrians 24 hours a day. Give us a call at (844) 444 – 4444, or fill out our  free initial consultation form.

New York Pedestrian Accident Laws

A New York personal injury lawyer can help you understand all pedestrian laws that may be relevant to your case. The New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law includes various provisions designed to protect motorists and pedestrians on the state’s roadways. These provisions include:

  • Pedestrians are subject to traffic control signals, signs, and pavement markings when crossing streets.
  • When traffic-control signals aren’t in place or in operation, drivers should yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, slowing down or stopping so pedestrians can cross roadways within crosswalks.
  • If there are no crosswalks, signs, or signals at mid-block locations, pedestrians should yield the right-of-way to vehicles.
  • Pedestrians are not allowed on expressways or interstate highways.
  • No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close it is impractical for the driver to yield.
  • Drivers emerging from or entering alleyways, buildings, private roads, or driveways shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on adjacent sidewalks.
  • Drivers approaching intersections or crosswalks must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians accompanied by guide dogs or using canes.
  • Pedestrians are required to use sidewalks where they are provided and safe to use. When sidewalks are not provided or are unsafe to use, pedestrians are required to walk on the left sides of roadways, facing traffic.

Have questions about New York’s pedestrian laws? Our attorneys have years of experience settling pedestrian accident cases, and we can help answer your questions.

Who is Responsible in a Pedestrian Accident? 

Who is responsible in a pedestrian accidentDrivers have a legal responsibility to be careful when encountering others on the road, including pedestrians. When a driver is not responsible, but is instead reckless, it can result in serious injury. For instance, if a motorist drives straight through a crosswalk, and strikes and injures a pedestrian, it’s safe to say that motorist was not exercising care. You could also say that this driver behaved in a “negligent” manner, and therefore may be liable for the accident. To receive compensation for a personal injury, a claim or lawsuit must establish liability.

Negligent driving behavior can include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Failing to yield the right of way;
  • Inattentive or distracted driving;
  • Drunk driving;
  • Speeding or aggressive driving; and
  • Failing to follow traffic laws or signals, such as red lights.

Pedestrians themselves can also be held responsible for an accident. In fact, in an accident case, more than one party can be considered partly liable. A pedestrian may carelessly walk out into the street, or fail to obey a traffic signal, and be injured by a motor vehicle. In this scenario, the motorist who struck them may not be entirely at fault. A pedestrian accident attorney at William Mattar can look at the facts of your case and help determine liability.

Am I Entitled to Compensation After a Pedestrian Accident?

Whether or not you are entitled to compensation may depend on the details of your pedestrian accident case. If the motorist who struck you was at fault, you may be able to file a claim against him or her. Also, New York is a “no-fault” insurance state. This means that regardless who is at fault, victims can receive damages for injuries sustained in an accident. However, no-fault insurance benefits may not cover all of your expenses.

If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical bills and other injury-related expenses;
  • Lost wages or income;
  • Pain and suffering; and
  • Loss in quality of life.

A personal injury lawyer at William Mattar can analyze your case for potential sources of compensation.

Safety Tips for Pedestrians 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shares a few pedestrian safety tips that may help reduce the risk of a pedestrian traffic accident. These include increasing your visibility when walking at night (such as carrying a flashlight), crossing streets at designated crosswalks, walking on the sidewalk when possible, and avoiding electronic distractions.

Another way to exercise caution is to always check around obstacles—such as parked vehicles—before crossing the road. This is important because a pedestrian may not be able to see oncoming traffic if it’s blocked by another object.

How Can a Lawyer Help? 

Don’t be forced into signing something from the driver’s insurance company because you need money to pay for medical expenses. At William Mattar, we can fight to help you get the compensation you need to fully recover, including current and future medical costs and pain and suffering.

Our pedestrian injury lawyers will work hard to determine why your accident occurred and help you prove who was at fault. We understand New York State laws and will use them to help protect your rights when you’ve been hurt. Call (844) 444 – 4444 today.

Pedestrian Accident FAQ

What are some common types of pedestrian accident cases?

At William Mattar Law Offices, we handle a variety of New York pedestrian accident cases, such as:

  • Failure to Yield to Stopped Traffic
    When vehicles stop to yield for pedestrians in crosswalks, drivers approaching from behind the stopped vehicles may fail to see people crossing the street.
  • Intersectional or Crosswalk Accidents
    Drivers must use care to avoid colliding with pedestrians, which includes yielding right of way at intersections, driveways, and crosswalks.
  • Reverse Collisions
    Accidents can happen in parking lots or alleys when drivers fail to see pedestrians before reversing their vehicles.

Does this sound like something you’ve experienced? Our car collision attorneys want to help protect your legal rights to the compensation you deserve. Contact us 24/7—just dial (844) 444 – 4444 or fill out a free initial consultation form today.

Do I have a claim if my accident was a hit and run?
Even if the driver who caused your accident fled the scene, you may still be entitled to compensation for your injury-related expenses. Our hit and run attorneys know New York law, and we have the resources to fully investigate your claim to determine whether or not coverage may be available.
What are some common types of pedestrian injuries?

Several types of injuries can result from pedestrian accidents, including:

  • Broken Bones
    Broken arms, legs, ribs, and other bones often result from pedestrian impacts with cars, trucks, or motorcycles.
  • Spinal Injuries
    Spinal discs can rupture or move out of place when vehicles strike pedestrians, causing severe pain and loss of mobility.
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
    TBIs resulting from pedestrian accidents can be severe and life-altering, affecting vision, hearing, and behavior.

At William Mattar, we know the pain and suffering and medical bills following pedestrian accidents can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help you get compensation for your injuries and to cover your expenses. Don’t wait. Contact our legal team today.

What kind of compensation can I get after a pedestrian accident?

If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, damages you may be able to recover can include:

  • medical bills
  • lost wages
  • pain and suffering
  • other expenses related to your injury

Insurance companies often try to quickly settle claims without taking all of your injuries and injury-related costs into consideration. Don’t give up your rights to the compensation you deserve. If you were injured in a motor vehicle vs. pedestrian accident in New York, Contact William Mattar, and let our  pedestrian accident lawyers fight for you.


Additional Pedestrian Accident Information:

Our Achievements
We are proud to share that William Mattar, P.C. has been recognized multiple times as one of the Best Companies to Work for in New York State. As a firm focused on helping people, we understand that this starts with how we treat each other. We’re happy to be recognized for creating such a notably positive work environment!

Start a Free Case Evaluation

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
844 - 444 - 4444
Here for you 24/7