Pedestrian Accidents

Most pedestrian accidents are caused by the carelessness or inattention of motorists, but some are caused by the negligence of third parties. Sullivan and Sullivan LLP fought for our client, a 61-year man, who was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street in Queens. This accident caused our client a fracture of the left ankle requiring surgery. The driver was held liable and we won $185,000 on behalf of our client. If you would like us to fight for you, contact us for a free case evaluation. We will provide a translator if you need one.

Our lawyers have been representing injured pedestrians for decades, so we know the many factors that contribute to these potentially fatal collisions, such as:

– Speeding
– Distracted Driving
– DUI/DWI
– Drowsy Drivers
– Ignoring Stop Signs and Traffic Signals
– Failure to Exercise Caution in Pedestrian Areas
– Vehicles Turning Left
– Defective Vehicles (e.g., nearly silent electric cars)
– Unsafe Roadways & Intersections

Drivers of vehicles often hit pedestrians out of carelessness or recklessness. Even if someone is using a crosswalk, they can be hit by a vehicle turning a corner too quickly and failing to yield the right of way. Pedestrians also are injured when a driver backs up without looking behind them or drives on a roadway shoulder or even a sidewalk, as many accidents involve cars leaving a roadway.

These injuries are not the fault of the pedestrian, and legal options need to be considered in these cases. The pedestrian has a right to claim financial compensation for the losses, including medical expenses, lost present and future salary, and pain and suffering. Though many pedestrians are injured or killed while jaywalking, or crossing a street without a legally protected crosswalk, about half of all auto/pedestrian accidents are the fault of the driver.

A pedestrian accident can forever impact a life. Claims, settlements, and lawsuits surrounding these issues are among our main areas of practice, so contact Sullivan and Sullivan LLP today for a free case review. We can provide legal advice and insight if someone in your family was injured or killed in an auto/pedestrian accident that wasn’t their fault.

No one is more vulnerable in a traffic accident than a pedestrian. Pedestrian injuries often involve the head, legs, and arms. If a pedestrian is hit by a car, injuries are likely in the legs. If they are hit by a larger vehicle, pedestrian injuries are usually higher on the body. Pedestrians are at greater risk when it’s dark or near dusk and are more likely to be hit in cities, which have more foot traffic. Pedestrian accident rates are higher among vulnerable populations. Seniors age 65 and older face a 50 percent higher risk of being hit by a car while walking than do younger adults. The probability of serious injury or death for a 70-year-old pedestrian at 25 mph is substantially higher than the risk to a 30-year-old pedestrian at 35 mph. The auto accident attorneys at Sullivan and Sullivan LLP can help you receive the compensation you deserve if you have been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident.

Some potential third-parties who might be financially responsible for pedestrian injuries include:

– Public entities for roadway defects
– Car and component manufacturers for defective vehicles (e.g., brakes that fail to engage)
– Passengers for distracting a driver
– Vehicle owners for negligently entrusting their car to a driver they know or should know is incompetent

A personal injury sustained in a vehicle accident might become formal civil court case/proceeding or may be solved through an informal settlement prior to a lawsuit being filed.