Accidents at intersections and during left turns are among the most serious incidents in New York. In 2022, there were 12,036 traffic fatalities involving unsignalized intersections. These accidents often result in severe injuries because pedestrians have no protection against the force of a vehicle.
If you or a loved one has been injured in such an accident, you are not without hope. You may be entitled to compensation. At Cellino Law, our attorneys have over 60 years of experience in representing accident victims throughout New York. Talk to us to learn your rights and how we can build a strong case.
How Do Left-Turn Pedestrian Accidents Happen?
Left-turn accidents occur when a driver turns left at an intersection without properly checking for pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Many left-turn pedestrian accidents happen when:
- A driver turns left on a green light without yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk
- A driver rushes through a yellow light while pedestrians are still crossing
- A driver fails to check blind spots before completing the turn
- A driver cannot see due to weather conditions or blocked views
- A driver gets distracted while making the turn
Common Injuries From Left-Turn Accidents
Intersection accidents can be devastating. The turning motion and acceleration create an impact that leads to serious injury. These injuries often require immediate emergency care and long-term medical treatment.
Common injuries from left-turn pedestrian accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Hip fractures and pelvic injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal bleeding
- Shoulder and arm fractures
- Road rash and deep cuts
- Psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety about crossing streets
After an accident like this, it may be difficult to think of starting the legal process. However, Cellino Law’s lawyers are here to fight for compensation while you focus on recovery.
What Is an Intersection Pedestrian Accident?
Intersection accidents involve more than bad left turns. An intersection pedestrian accident is when a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle at or near a roadway intersection.
The most common causes of these accidents are:
- Drivers running red lights or stop signs
- Right-turn accidents caused by drivers who look left for traffic but fail to check right for pedestrians
- Vehicles blocking crosswalks while waiting to turn
- Poor intersection design or broken traffic signals
- Multiple-threat accidents where one stopped car blocks the view of another moving vehicle
- Reversing without checking for pedestrians
Every pedestrian accident is unique. It may be hard for accident victims to understand what caused their accidents. But an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can investigate the cause and determine who is at fault.
Who Is Liable in Left-Turn and Intersection Accidents?
Determining who is at fault in pedestrian accidents requires careful analysis of several factors, which include:
- Traffic laws
- Witness statements
- Physical evidence
Dealing with one party vs. multiple parties
In most cases, drivers bear primary responsibility. New York’s traffic laws place a high responsibility on drivers to watch for and yield to pedestrians.
In some cases, multiple parties may share blame in pedestrian accidents. The driver is usually responsible, but other potentially liable parties include:
- Pedestrians who did not exercise caution or were intoxicated
- Vehicle owners who let unsafe, unlicensed, or reckless drivers use their cars
- Employers whose workers cause a crash while driving as part of their job
- Government agencies responsible for unsafe road conditions, such as broken traffic lights
Legal rights of pedestrians in crosswalks
New York follows a comparative negligence system. This means pedestrians can recover damages even if they were partially at fault for the accident. However, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
New York law provides strong protections for pedestrians who are lawfully crossing in marked or unmarked crosswalks. Important legal protections for pedestrians include the following:
- Drivers making left turns must yield to pedestrians who have entered the crosswalk with a walk signal
- Vehicles stopped at crosswalks cannot be overtaken by other vehicles approaching from behind
- Even unmarked crosswalks at intersections are legally protected crossing areas
- Drivers must exercise due care even when pedestrians enter crosswalks improperly
The law understands that pedestrians don’t always follow every rule. According to New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1151(b), pedestrians should not suddenly leave the curb and walk into the path of a vehicle when the driver doesn’t have enough time to stop safely.
Still, drivers have a legal duty to drive with reasonable care. That means they can’t assume they’re off the hook just because a pedestrian made a sudden or unexpected move.
What Should You Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
Taking the right steps immediately after a pedestrian accident protects both your health and your legal rights. Your priority should always be getting medical attention, even if you feel your injuries are minor. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries, and some conditions may not show immediate symptoms.
Here are some essential steps to take after an accident:
- Call 911 to report the accident and request medical help
- Stay at the scene unless taken by ambulance
- Get the driver’s name, contact information, and insurance details
- Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and the vehicle
- Collect contact information from witnesses
- Contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney before speaking with insurance companies
Proving your injuries in a pedestrian accident case
Seeking immediate medical treatment creates important documentation linking your injuries to the accident.
Medical documentation important to your case may include:
- Emergency room records and discharge instructions
- X-rays, MRIs, and other diagnostic test results
- Doctor’s notes about work restrictions
- Physical therapy progress reports
- Prescription receipts and pharmacy records
- Travel expenses for medical appointments
- Documentation of pain levels and daily limitations
Emergency room visits establish the severity of initial injuries, while follow-up appointments track your recovery progress. Missing appointments or delaying treatment gives insurance companies ammunition to claim your injuries aren’t serious.
Dealing with insurance companies
Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly after an accident, often while you’re still in pain and on medication. They use friendly conversation to gather information that reduces your claim value. Remember that adjusters work for profit-driven insurance companies, not for injured pedestrians.
Common insurance company tactics to watch for:
- Calling immediately after the accident when you’re vulnerable
- Recording conversations without a clear notification
- Asking for broad medical record authorizations
- Offering quick, lowball settlements before you know your full injuries
- Blaming you for the accident to reduce their payout
- Delaying the claim to pressure you into accepting less money
These insurance giants can take advantage of victims without legal representation. Pedestrian accident victims should seek help from a skilled accident attorney before speaking to insurance adjusters.
How Cellino Law Can Help With Your Pedestrian Accident Case
We are on the side of justice. Our goal is to ensure maximum compensation for accident victims. Cellino Law’s experienced attorneys bring extensive resources and proven strategies to pedestrian accident cases.
We handle every aspect of your case, allowing you to focus on recovery. We may also hire highly experienced professionals from around the country to review your case and provide expert testimony when necessary.
We work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. This allows accident victims to access high-quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss how we can fight for the compensation you deserve. Our legal team is available 24/7 to talk to you.