As you might guess, New Yorkers walk much more than the average American. Recent figures show that residents beat the national average by about 1,500 steps.
However, navigating the constant traffic and bustling activity raises the risk of pedestrian accidents. Resulting injuries are one of the top 10 reasons for hospital admissions and deaths in the state.
If you or a loved one is dealing with the aftermath of a pedestrian accident in Manhattan, you should understand common injuries to make sure you’re getting sufficient treatment. You also have the right to compensation if the incident was due to a driver’s negligence. Learn which injuries are most common and how Cellino Law helps you get justice.
How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents in New York?
Every New Yorker is going to have to cross a street on foot at some point. With so much pedestrian traffic, the city and state make great efforts to keep such travel safe. Still, no one can eliminate the possibility of an accident.
Regrettably, these occurrences are more prevalent in New York City, and that’s not just because of a higher population. Consider that 71% of the state’s pedestrian injuries occur here even though the five boroughs only have 43% of the population.
If you include Long Island, the area has 55% of the state’s population. However, reports show this region has 62% of the fatalities and 77% of the injuries. Therefore, pedestrian accidents are clearly more common in the city, so residents should prepare to get help if an incident occurs.
Which Pedestrian Accident Injuries Are Most Common?
Pedestrians usually experience the worst wounds from motor vehicle collisions. Even so, not all of the consequences are immediately visible. If you or a loved one is recovering from a pedestrian accident, be sure to check for these common injuries.
Head Trauma
Traumatic brain injuries, concussions and contusions can lead to a number of lifelong challenges. Persistent headaches and a loss of equilibrium might be early signs of a brain injury.
Such damage could impair your ability to do the same kind of work because of cognitive and motor deficits. Difficulty with communicating and expressing emotions might even negatively impact your relationships.
Even worse is the fact that brain cells do not seem to have the capacity to regenerate and recovery is not predictable at the time of injury. Long-term rehabilitation is often necessary for even minor brain injuries and requires a team of skilled professionals.
Spinal Cord Damage
Similar to brain injuries, spinal cord damage can permanently affect motor skills and even make even it difficult to manage simple tasks. For example, some with spinal cord injuries have begun to have trouble with something as basic as brushing their teeth.
The worst cases of spinal cord injury end up in paralysis or death. Less severe cases still have distressing consequences, like weakness in the body, difficulty breathing and trouble with bladder and bowel control. Treatment involves counseling and skill-building activities to restore one’s independence and quality of life.
Other Internal Injuries
Organ damage and other internal physical trauma might not display themselves immediately, but they, too, can have life-changing or fatal consequences. Symptoms vary widely, depending on the type of injury. Such harm might show up as a loss of appetite, constant drowsiness or a sudden fever and chills.
Physicians may have to use a variety of scans and tests to get to the root of the problem. If they cannot prevent organ failure, you may require a transplant or long-term therapies to deal with the injury.
Burns and Bruises
Some people have a tendency to dismiss burns and bruises as minor injuries. While they might not cause as much pain or be as debilitating as other wounds, they can still affect your quality of life and be dangerous.
For instance, you have to be sure to keep the injured area clean. If you don’t, you might get an infection, which could trigger organ failure or sepsis. Even though such wounds might not be as deep, the liable party must compensate you for those damages.
Broken Bones
You can sustain a fracture and not even notice it. Other injuries might mask a broken bone, as can a high pain tolerance. As a result, you might not be able to perform certain duties or enjoy activities as you did before but not understand the underlying reason.
Leaving the area untreated could cause additional damage. You might start compensating for the fracture by overexerting other body parts, thereby straining muscles and tendons. If the bone heals incorrectly, you could have lifelong issues with balance and ergonomics.
Such injuries usually require a cast, brace, splint or boot for immobilization, which would interfere with your normal daily activities. You may also need surgery and physical therapy, as well as medication for pain management.
Mental and Emotional Trauma
You should not overlook the psychological effects an accident can have. Pedestrian accidents can cause phobias that also interfere with daily life. You might not be able to pass through the same locations without anxiety or panic attacks. Simply seeing a vehicle of the same make and model might trigger you as well.
If an accident causes depression or post-traumatic stress, ongoing therapy and support may be necessary. Treatment with medication can also help, but that’s another expense in time and money to get the prescription.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?
Many factors can contribute to pedestrian accidents. However, the most common causes are:
- Distracted or drowsy driving
- Failing to yield
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Such negligence often confirms that you have a valid pedestrian accident case.
What Are Your Rights to Compensation After a Pedestrian Accident?
When someone’s wrongful act or carelessness injures you or a loved one, that person should pay for any resulting expenses. These include:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The challenge lies in the fact that gathering evidence, filing claims and negotiating with the other parties or their insurance companies takes a lot of work. That work can be especially overwhelming as you’re recuperating.
When you get help from a competent and compassionate law firm, such as our team at Cellino Law, you have someone to take the burden off of you so you can focus on getting better. All the while, you can have confidence that you are presenting a strong case and fighting for the highest possible recovery of damages.
How Has Cellino Law Helped Pedestrians After Accidents?
Our team has years of experience helping pedestrians get justice after collisions. For example, a car ran a red light and hit a pedestrian. This accident resulted in spinal injuries, requiring cervical and lumbar fusions. After working with our firm, our client was able to recover $6 million in damages.
We helped a different person recover $2.4 million after a driver struck her while she was crossing the street. These are just two examples showing that we understand what it takes to win pedestrian accident cases.
Do You Need the Help of Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers?
If you’re coping with injuries from a pedestrian accident in the Manhattan area, our team at Cellino Law can help you fight for a fair payout. We have the skills and experience, as well as a long track record of success. Contact us for a free consultation so we can put our knowledge and passion to work for you.