Avoiding Pedestrian Accidents in New York City

May 2, 2019 |

Personal Injury

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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 60 percent of fatal traffic accidents in New York City involve pedestrians. That’s more than any other city in the United States.

While some accidents are unavoidable, many are preventable. Both motorists and pedestrians are responsible for knowing and following all of the traffic rules in New York City.

Even if you have the right of way, never assume that the others around you will obey the law. If you’re a pedestrian, you need to take extra precautions before walking.

Safety Tips for Walking

Table of Contents

1 Safety Tips for Walking
- 1.1 Avoid Distractions
- 1.2 Be Predictable
2 How Can Belluck & Fox Help Me?

Avoid Distractions

One of the primary dangers for pedestrians is not paying attention while they are walking. Anything that takes your attention away from the sidewalk, crosswalk or road can be hazardous to your safety. One particularly common distraction is pedestrians using their smartphones while walking.

While you might think that talking, texting or using navigation and social media apps on your cell phone is harmless, these activities can be tremendously distracting and could easily put you in danger if you are not paying close attention to your surroundings.

Focus on getting to your destination safely. Put away the phone or stop on the sidewalk if you must respond to something urgently. Be on the lookout for motorists who may not be paying attention themselves. Don’t trust that others are being cautious and responsible. It’s up to you to keep yourself safe while walking on busy streets.

Be Predictable

Everyone must follow the rules of the road, pedestrians included. Be predictable by:

Always obeying all traffic signs and signals
Using sidewalks when available
Scanning the road from all directions to look for potential hazards
Wearing brighter clothing to increase visibility
Checking for vehicles entering or exiting parking lots
Walking with a friend if you have been drinking to avoid slips or poor judgment calls
Cross With Care
Pedestrians must use extra caution when crossing New York City streets. Traffic from cars, taxis, trucks and bicyclists can easily lead to crashes.
Cross only at marked crosswalks or intersections when possible.
Obey the WALK/DON’T WALK sign on traffic signals.
Look left, right and left again before crossing a street.
Beware of all turning vehicles. Don’t walk until you are certain that the driver has spotted you.
Make sure the entire way is clear for you to cross, not just the first lane of traffic.

How Can Belluck & Fox Help Me?

Pedestrian accidents can cause catastrophic and life-changing injuries. If you or a loved one was hurt in a pedestrian accident in New York City, the dedicated attorneys at Belluck & Fox can help you get the justice you deserve.

Victims of pedestrian accidents can obtain compensation to help cover the cost of medical expenses, lost wages, property damage and pain and suffering. Most importantly, compensation can ensure that you have the financial security you need as you recover.

Our lawyers have more than two decades of experience representing injured New Yorkers. Contact us today to arrange a free consultation.