Pedestrian accidents in Brooklyn and New York City can cause life-changing injuries in seconds. As more New Yorkers walk to work, school, transit hubs, and local shopping areas—or run and exercise in their neighborhoods—serious collisions have become increasingly common on busy avenues, residential streets, and intersection corridors. When a driver fails to yield at a crosswalk, speeds through a turn, drives distracted, runs a red light, backs up carelessly, or mounts a curb, the consequences for a pedestrian are often catastrophic.
Our Brooklyn pedestrian accident lawyers represent injured walkers and families throughout Brooklyn, Staten Island, and NYC after crashes involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, rideshare vehicles, and commercial fleets. Common pedestrian injury scenarios include crosswalk strikes, “right hook” and “left hook” turning collisions, hit-and-run crashes, roadway shoulder impacts, and collisions near schools, parks, and transit stops. We investigate quickly to identify the driver, preserve video evidence, secure witness statements, obtain police reports and 911 records, and work with medical and accident reconstruction experts when needed.
Liability in pedestrian cases often comes down to proving negligence and countering insurance company tactics. Drivers and insurers may argue the pedestrian was “partly at fault” or blame visibility, clothing, or signal timing. New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule—meaning even if a pedestrian is alleged to share some fault, they may still recover compensation, reduced only by their percentage of responsibility. Building the strongest claim requires evidence of driver conduct such as speeding, distraction, failure to yield, reckless turning, intoxication, or violation of traffic control devices.
Pedestrian injuries also occur in public transportation settings and around mass transit operations—such as city buses, access roads, terminals, or transit facilities. If a city, state, or other government-related entity is involved, special rules and deadlines may apply, including a Notice of Claim that may need to be filed within 90 days. Acting early helps protect your rights and preserve critical footage and records.
If you or a loved one was hit while walking in Brooklyn or NYC, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, hospitalization, rehabilitation, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other damages. We offer confidential consultations and handle pedestrian accident claims on a contingency fee basis—so you pay no legal fee unless we recover compensation for you.
What should I do after a pedestrian accident in Brooklyn?
Call 911, seek medical care immediately, and request a police report. If you can, take photos of the scene, the vehicle, and your injuries, and get witness contact information. Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance company until you’ve spoken with a lawyer.
Who can be held liable for a pedestrian collision in NYC?
Liability may include the driver, a rideshare company, an employer (for work vehicles), a commercial fleet operator, or other responsible parties depending on who caused the crash. In some cases, roadway or transit-related entities may be involved.
What if the driver says I was partly at fault?
New York uses pure comparative negligence. Even if you are alleged to share some responsibility, you may still recover compensation—reduced by your percentage of fault. Evidence like video footage, witness statements, and crash reconstruction can be critical.
Can I recover compensation if the crash was a hit-and-run?
Yes, in many cases. There may be insurance options available, including coverage tied to a vehicle in your household or other applicable policies. A lawyer can help identify coverage and pursue the strongest available claim.
What injuries are common in pedestrian accident cases?
Common injuries include traumatic brain injury, fractures, spinal injuries, internal injuries, soft tissue damage, and severe lacerations. Many cases require surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term medical treatment.
Do special deadlines apply for bus or transit-related pedestrian accidents?
Yes. If a government entity or public transit operation may be responsible, strict rules and a Notice of Claim deadline (often 90 days) may apply. It’s important to speak with an attorney quickly to protect your claim.
What compensation can I recover after being hit by a car?
Depending on the case, you may seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, disability, scarring, and other damages related to how the injuries affect your life and work.