Pedestrian Knockdown

Hit by a Car? Brooklyn Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Can Help

Aggressive litigators represent New Yorkers who are struck by vehicles while walking

The sidewalks and crosswalks of Brooklyn and the rest of New York City are teeming with pedestrians – and every one of them is at risk from aggressive and careless drivers. In just the four years from 2013 through 2016, more than 13,000 pedestrians were injured and 142 were killed in accidents in Brooklyn alone. At Goldberg Sager & Associates, we understand the danger New York pedestrians face every day, and we bring more than 70 years of combined experience to representing them and their families in claims against negligent motorists.

What causes pedestrian accidents?

Pedestrians are struck by vehicles for many reasons, nearly all of them the result of driver negligence, such as:

• Failure to stop at an intersection – drivers who run a stop sign or red light endanger pedestrians lawfully crossing the street.
• Careless turns – even with the right of way, a driver who fails to look before turning can strike a pedestrian in the crosswalk.
• Speeding – drivers who go too fast for conditions cannot stop in time, and may lose control and jump the curb.
• Distracted driving – a driver looking at a phone can drift onto a sidewalk or miss a pedestrian entirely.
• Driving under the influence – an impaired motorist lacks the judgment and reaction time to keep those nearby safe.

If you have been hit by a car while walking, we will investigate what caused your accident, determine who is at fault, develop a plan to prove what happened, and bring claims for your damages against every liable party and insurer.

What if the pedestrian was partly at fault?

Sometimes a pedestrian is accused of sharing the blame – for crossing outside a crosswalk, for example, or against the signal. Under New York’s pure comparative negligence rule, a jury can assign a percentage of responsibility to each party, and your recovery is reduced only by your share of fault. Even if the driver bears only part of the blame, you may still recover. We work hard to minimize our clients’ share of liability by showing how the driver’s negligence caused the crash.

What injuries do pedestrians suffer when hit by a car?

With no protection against thousands of pounds of moving steel, pedestrians often suffer catastrophic harm, including:

• Broken bones
• Concussions and other head trauma
• Spinal injuries
• Amputations
• Loss or impairment of the use of arms, legs, or other body parts
• Wrongful death

Insurance and your right to sue

A pedestrian struck by a vehicle in New York can typically turn to no-fault (PIP) benefits to cover initial medical bills and lost earnings – often through the vehicle’s insurer, or through their own auto policy if they have one. To pursue a claim against the driver for pain and suffering, an injured pedestrian generally must have sustained a ‘serious injury’ as defined by New York law. We help you document your injuries, secure your no-fault benefits, and pursue every dollar of additional compensation you are owed.

How a Brooklyn pedestrian accident lawyer can help

We handle the insurance companies for you, investigate immediately to preserve evidence, and prepare every claim for trial. Personal injury matters are accepted on a contingency fee basis – if there is no recovery, there is no fee except for expenses, payable at the conclusion of the matter. We will even come to your home or hospital room if that is more convenient.