During the late summer and early fall, people throughout New York state are walking outdoors for recreation, travel, or exercise. Unfortunately, a recent surge in reckless driving across the country appears to be putting other drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians at greater risk for injury or even death. With more employees working from home, traffic has substantially decreased on major highways, which seems to invite some drivers to speed or practice unsafe driving behaviors. If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident, here is a brief overview of the process for pursuing compensation and securing the resources you need to help you recover.
A Widespread Problem
Since late March of 2020, a number of cities across the country have reported a surge of speeding drivers. This uptick is likely correlated in some way with lighter traffic conditions, as many people have chosen to work from home to reduce their risk of contracting the coronavirus (COVID-19). For instance, automated speed cameras in New York City issued nearly 25,000 speeding tickets on March 27 alone, which is nearly double the number of speeding tickets issued on a single day during the previous month. Los Angeles has estimated that vehicles are traveling up to 30 percent faster on some streets, inspiring officials to make changes to traffic lights and pedestrian walk signals.
A Threat to Pedestrian Safety
Reckless driving and speeding are serious threats to pedestrian safety. According to the New York State Department of Health, there are approximately 12,506 emergency department visits per year involving pedestrian injuries incurred by motor vehicle collisions. Each year, over 3,000 hospitalizations occur from injured pedestrians who have been struck by motor vehicles. While the public may assume that such injuries are often the result of pedestrians who rush into traffic or fail to obey traffic signals, police officers in New York City cited pedestrian errors in less than 5 percent of fatal crashes in 2019. In fact, the majority of pedestrian injuries and deaths occur when drivers are distracted, inattentive, or otherwise reckless.
Obtaining the Support You Need
Suffering an injury as a pedestrian can be devastating, as you’re likely facing costly medical bills, lost wages, and a long period of physical recovery. It’s common to feel overwhelmed by financial stress as you struggle with these unexpected expenses. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to go through this difficult time on your own—working with an experienced attorney can give you the peace of mind you need to focus on your recovery. Reach out to a trusted personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your strategy for getting your life back on track.
If you or someone you love in the Westchester County area has suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, the dedicated personal injury attorneys at Gash & Associates, P.C. are here to help. We take all personal injury on contingency, so you’ll pay no fees until we win! Call (914) 328-8800 today to schedule a free consultation.
