Our Professional Pedestrian Accidents Attorney in Long Island, New York

Pedestrian accidents may leave plaintiffs with serious, life-altering injuries. While motorists may be relatively safe behind shields of metal and safety features, pedestrians are virtually defenseless against a range of vehicles. These include not only passenger vehicles, but also e-scooters, bicycles, trucks, and motorcycles. Those who have suffered injuries in pedestrian accidents may consider working alongside personal injury attorneys in Long Island.

How Can a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Long Island Help Me?

Long Island is one of the most heavily-populated areas on the planet, and it is home to over 8 million people. It also has a very active economy with a GDP of almost $1 trillion. During any given day on Long Island, there are countless pedestrians walking the streets. Some are on their way to work, some are enjoying the fresh air, and others are viewing the wonderful sights as tourists. Unfortunately, all these individuals are at risk for pedestrian accidents.

Those who choose to work with pedestrian accident attorneys in Long Island after experiencing injuries can expect a number of important benefits:

  • Informed Advice: A pedestrian accident attorney can begin providing advice to injured pedestrians from the moment of the very first consultation. During this initial meeting, injured victims are free to ask important questions they may have about the legal process. Lawyers can also assess the circumstances of the accident and recommend certain courses of action. Plaintiffs may be advised to either move forward with a personal injury lawsuit or pursue other forms of compensation. If they move forward, they can expect continued guidance from their attorney along every step.
  • Evidence Gathering: Pedestrian accident attorneys in Long Island can also help victims gather the evidence and documentation they need as they pursue compensation. For example, an attorney might investigate the circumstances of the crash by contacting eyewitnesses, speaking to first responders, and perhaps collecting surveillance footage from the crash scene. Attorneys may also instruct plaintiffs to gather documentation that supports their injuries, their income, and other important factors.
  • Negotiation Skills: An attorney typically brings strong negotiation skills to the table. These skills are important because most injury cases are settled out of court. This means that victims negotiate with insurers and their representatives behind closed doors with the goal of receiving a financial settlement. This settlement must cover the plaintiff’s total damages. A lawyer can fight for their client’s best interests, ensuring the settlement covers these damages.
  • Trial Representation: Although most cases are settled out of court, there is always the chance that it may progress to a trial. This typically occurs when negotiations break down for whatever reason. If a trial is inevitable, a pedestrian accident attorney in Long Island can represent you in court. This may involve closing arguments, opening arguments, calling upon witnesses, cross-examining witnesses, presenting evidence, and so on.

What Kinds of Damages Might an Injured Pedestrian Claim?

The amount of compensation that an injured victim receives depends on their “damages.” In the legal world, damages are essentially losses that the victim suffers. These losses may be either financial or psychological in nature. Financial losses are called “economic damages,” while psychological losses are called “non-economic damages.” Examples of economic damages include:

  • Missed past wages
  • Missed future wages
  • Medical expenses
  • Funeral expenses

Note that funeral expenses only apply to wrongful death lawsuits. Family members file wrongful death lawsuits when they lose loved ones to fatal pedestrian crashes.

Examples of non-economic damages include:

All non-economic damages are psychological or emotional in nature. This makes them difficult to define in clear dollar amounts. However, non-economic damages still lead to compensation for pedestrian victims.

A victim’s economic damages and their non-economic damages combine to provide them with either a settlement or a jury award, depending on whether the claim proceeds to a trial.

Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit after a Fatal Pedestrian Accident in Long Island

Because pedestrians have no protection against impacts from vehicles, these accidents are often fatal. Family members must then deal with a range of issues, including unpaid medical expenses, missed future wages, funeral expenses, and the psychological impact of losing a loved one.

Only certain family members are allowed to file wrongful death lawsuits. Those who file these lawsuits are typically spouses, children, or parents of the deceased pedestrian. A spouse may need to file this lawsuit to help support surviving children, especially if the deceased victim acted as the primary wage earner in the family. A wrongful death lawsuit can provide compensation for the wages that a family member would have earned in the future.

Deceased victims may also leave behind considerable medical expenses. In many cases, pedestrian victims are airlifted to nearby hospitals, where they receive extensive life-saving treatment before their eventual deaths. Family members must pay these medical expenses, even if life-saving treatment was not successful. This is another reason why wrongful death lawsuits may be important after a fatal pedestrian accident.

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Suing for Head Injuries After a Pedestrian Accident

Pedestrians may suffer head injuries after being struck by vehicles. These head injuries may leave them with a number of issues, including:

  • Hematomas (brain bleeds)
  • Brain damage
  • Aneurysms
  • Skull fractures
  • TBIs
  • Personality changes
  • Mental health issues
  • Cognitive issues
  • Motor control issues

Note that almost any vehicle is capable of causing head injuries to pedestrians. This includes e-scooters, bicycles, and motorcycles. Even though these vehicles are not as heavy as passenger cars, they are still capable of throwing a pedestrian onto the sidewalk.

What Can a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Do for Me in Long Island?

If you have been searching for an experienced pedestrian accident attorney in Long Island, look no further than the Law Office of Frank A. Cetero. Over the years, we have assisted numerous injured plaintiffs throughout Long Island, including those who have been harmed by pedestrian accidents.

We know that these accidents can leave victims with serious disabilities and life-altering injuries, not to mention psychological trauma. To explore your options for compensation, be sure to book your consultation today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Long Island:

How common are pedestrian accidents?

In 2020 there was an estimated 104,000 injuries that lead people to the emergency room, and of those 7,000 people were killed. Pedestrian accidents are more common than one might think. Anytime you are out walking you are putting yourself at some sort of risk.

Is Jaywalking legal in New York?

Jaywalking is illegal in New York, if you are caught jaywalking you could be given a ticket or fined.

Is it still a pedestrian accident if I was hit by a bicycle?

Yes, if you were walking and you were hit by a bicycle you would still want to call a Long Island pedestrian accident lawyer to assist you.

Do I still have a case if there were no witnesses?

Having witnesses and their testimonies are great resources to your case. If you do not have any that does not mean you don’t have a case, it just means you will need to rely on other evidence to help your case.

What causes most pedestrian accidents?

Most pedestrian accidents are caused by distracted driving. Other common reasons are drivers who fail to stop at a stop sign or run a red light.

Should I call a Long Island lawyer before I get my injuries assessed?

You can call to set up an initial consultation, but it is best to have seen a medical professional first. This will give you and your attorney an idea of how bad your injuries are and what the medical costs will be.

What age range is most likely to be involved in a pedestrian accident?

Both the elderly and young children are among the age groups that are most likely to be in a pedestrian accident as well as be killed in a pedestrian accident.

How much are pedestrian accident cases worth?

Every pedestrian accident case is different and therefore there is no average amount of what they are worth. It depends on how minor or major the injuries are. It could be as little as ten thousand dollars and up to a million. The only way to know for sure if to contact a Long Island pedestrian accident lawyer to see what your case could be worth.

Should I file a police report after a pedestrian accident?

Yes, if you were injured in a pedestrian accident it is very important that you file a police report. You need to do so within ten days of the accident, but it is best to get the police to the scene of the accident.

How can pedestrian accidents be avoided?

As a pedestrian you can help lower your risk by only crossing the street in crosswalks and designated areas, wear visible clothing, and walk on sidewalks wherever possible. As a driver you can help avoid causing an accident by being extra cautions when making left turns, checking the crosswalks when driving, driving while being fully alter and under no influence of drugs or alcohol.

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