New York's Vision Zero and Pedestrian Rights
New York City launched Vision Zero to eliminate traffic deaths, strengthening enforcement of failure-to-yield laws and the rights of pedestrians in crosswalks. Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and exercise due care to avoid anyone on the roadway. When a driver violates these duties — speeding, running a red, turning without looking, or driving distracted — and strikes a pedestrian, that violation is powerful evidence of negligence.
How Pedestrian Claims Work Under No-Fault
If you are struck by a car as a pedestrian in New York, the no-fault insurance of the vehicle that hit you generally pays your initial medical bills and lost earnings, even though you were on foot. To recover for pain and suffering, you must still meet the serious-injury threshold — but pedestrian injuries are frequently severe enough to qualify easily. Identifying the correct insurer and filing timely no-fault paperwork is essential, and we handle it for you.
Injured in New York? You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Your case review is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.
Common Pedestrian Accident Scenarios
Drivers turning left or right into a crosswalk while watching for traffic instead of people, vehicles failing to stop at signals, backing-up collisions in parking areas and driveways, distracted drivers on phones, and buses or trucks with large blind spots. In some cases a poorly designed intersection or a malfunctioning signal can add a municipal defendant. We investigate every angle to identify all responsible parties.
Compensation for Pedestrian Injuries
Because a pedestrian absorbs the full force of a collision, injuries are often catastrophic: traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, internal injuries, and spinal damage. You may recover full medical costs and future care, lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, and wrongful-death damages for a family that has lost a loved one. We document the complete impact and pursue every available source of compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. In New York, the no-fault insurance of the vehicle that struck you generally covers your initial medical bills and lost wages even though you were a pedestrian. For pain and suffering, you must meet the serious-injury threshold, which severe pedestrian injuries usually satisfy.
You may still recover. New York's pure comparative negligence rule reduces but does not eliminate your recovery if you share fault, and drivers always have a duty of due care toward pedestrians on the road.
Generally three years, but if a city bus, MTA vehicle, or other government vehicle was involved, you may need to file a Notice of Claim within 90 days. Contact us promptly to protect your rights.
Ready to talk to a New York attorney? Call 973-566-5599 any time, or request your free case review online. A legal specialist will reach out within the hour.