High Risk of Fatal Pedestrian Accidents in New York
Recent research studies show that the number of car crashes in the last couple of years has decreased, which is obviously very good news. Every year nearly 36,000 people die from car collusions, so any decrease in the number of fatalities is to be lauded. On the other hand, the number of pedestrian fatalities on public highways is on the rise. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, in 2018 alone, about 7,400 pedestrians succumbed to their road accident injuries.
How a Fitness Tracker Can Impact Your Pedestrian Injury Case
Wearable fitness applications, such as Mio Fuse, Garmin Vivosmart, and Fitbit along with several cellphone applications have become a salient way of monitoring the number of steps you take in a day. They also offer a wide array of health information in terms of burned calories and heart rate while engaged in any activity.
Risk of Elderly Pedestrian Accidents in New York
Seniors account for 13% of the total population in the United States as per the US Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nearly 16% of traffic fatalities in 2009 involved people aged 65 and above. This same age group also made up for 8% of the total population injured in traffic accidents during the same year.
Falling Debris from Building Killed Manhattan Woman
In Jan. 2020, a 60-year-old woman from Manhattan was killed when falling debris hit her while she was walking next to a building. Reports of the accident concluded that the pedestrian lost her life at the scene due to blunt force trauma to the skull. The debris came off a W. 49th Street building and was a part of the building’s façade that suddenly broke off.
What Are The Causes and Risks Involved in New York Pedestrian Accidents?
According to a survey conducted by the New York Department of Transportation, more than one-fifth of all pedestrian accidents in the state involve large commercial vehicles, buses, delivery trucks, and taxis. The survey also showed that nearly one-third of all accidents occur due to the vehicle driven by distracted drivers. The rate of fatalities in pedestrian accidents is also significantly higher in New York compared to other types of automobile crashes.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in New York
Pedestrian accidents may occur for a number of reasons. However, as per the reported data and studies conducted over the years, the majority of these accidents occur due to driver’s negligence. At times, pedestrians are also injured by vehicles in acts of intentional violence. Let us delve deeper into the primary causes of pedestrian accidents in New York City.
Distracted Driving
The use of smartphones and other portable handheld devices while driving contributes to a majority of pedestrian accidents, and it has been getting worse in recent years. In a dense cosmopolitan city like NYC, distracted driving can be more damaging and can quickly lead to a crash. It is not surprising that one-third of all pedestrian accidents in NYC occur due to distracted driving.
NYC Pedestrian Accidents: Frequently Asked Questions
Pedestrian accidents are a common sight on the roadways of New York City. Data from the Department of Transportation (DOT) shows that every year, at least 100 pedestrians are killed and thousands are injured in accidents involving motor vehicles and pedestrians.
In this article, we have answered the most commonly asked questions regarding pedestrian accidents in NYC.
Why Do So Many Pedestrian Deaths Occur in New York?
New York City is generally considered the most walkable city in the country. No other city in the country boasts of so many walkable urban spaces as NYC does. Data from the US Census shows that over 60% of NYC residents walk or take transit to work, rather than relying on a personal vehicle.
Unfortunately, NYC also happens to be a city where a large number of pedestrian accidents take place every year. In 2018, 114 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents, accounting for 57% of all traffic-related fatalities in the city.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that the pedestrian fatality rate in NYC is higher than that of any other city in the country. This is one of the reasons why NYC came up with Vision Zero – a policy which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities altogether.
The Vision Zero policy was implemented in NYC back in 2014. While some progress has been made, pedestrians still continue to bear the brunt of traffic accidents in most cases.
Who Is At Fault In a Pedestrian Accident In New York?
New York City is known for its pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. Data from the US Census Bureau shows that nearly 10% of NYC residents walk to work every day. Unfortunately, the city’s heavy pedestrian traffic increases the risk of motor vehicle – pedestrian collisions considerably.
Every year, hundreds of pedestrians are killed, and thousands are injured in motor vehicle crashes in NYC. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that pedestrians account for 48% of all traffic-related fatalities in the city.
Determining Fault in Pedestrian Accidents in New York
New York City Announces Plans to Make Intersections Safer for Bicyclists and Pedestrians
In September 2018, the New York City Department of Transportation and Vision Zero released a report titled “Cycling at a Crossroads: The Design Future of New York City Intersections.” Focusing on protected bike lane intersections, this report highlights ways that intersections serving motor vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians operate. It provides a comprehensive look into the city’s future urban planning operations. At Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff, LLP, our New York City personal injury attorneys hold decades of experience representing clients suffering from injuries or the loss of a loved one because of pedestrian and bicycle accidents. Contact our law firm as soon as possible to discuss your case. We will work with you to recover the damages you deserve.
Cycling at a Crossroads: An Overview
“Cycling at a Crossroads” acknowledges that the growing network of cyclists in New York City presents significant design challenges for the city government. According to commissioner Polly Trottenberg, the number of cyclists killed in accidents has increased over the past several years, while other traffic fatalities have decreased. The study attempts to find solutions to this issue by examining various intersection designs using three research lenses and associated methodology:
New York Mother Uses Personal Tragedy to Teach Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrian accidents present a significant risk to victims who are hit by vehicles because pedestrians have no protection from the force of the collision. These accidents are often fatal for pedestrians. If a driver is responsible for causing a pedestrian collision because that driver was not paying attention at the time when the incident happened, the driver can be held responsible for resulting losses. New York City pedestrian accident lawyers can provide representation to victims or to family members of victims killed in pedestrian accidents. Victims and their families may be able to obtain compensation if they can prove a driver was to blame for the accident occurring. Both drivers and pedestrians can take steps to try to reduce the risk of a pedestrian accident occurring. As WCAX reported, one mother whose son was killed in a pedestrian accident is trying to educate the public on some of the key ways that pedestrians can help contribute to the effort to stay safe while walking on the roads.
