Unique Aspects of Long Island Pedestrian Accidents

Unfortunately, accidents involving pedestrians are too common. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 4,743 pedestrian deaths and an estimated 76,000 pedestrians injured in 2012. The most common ways pedestrian accidents happen include when someone is walking in the crosswalk and gets hit by a car, as well as when someone gets hit by a car while walking in the middle of the street.

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, it is crucial that you contact a seasoned lawyer who has the knowledge of the unique aspects of Long Island pedestrian accidents.

Pedestrian Guidelines and Regulations

As pedestrians, the common guidelines that they follow are generally common sense and standard. This means pedestrians should look both ways before crossing the street, make sure they are crossing with the light and not against the light, and make sure that they can see what can be seen. On Long Island, pedestrians have the right-of-way before any vehicle at a stop sign. Bicyclists are also considered pedestrians on Long Island and they do not have to abide by the same rules of the road as vehicles do.

How a Pedestrian Could be at Fault

There are many scenarios that could ultimately change the quality of the case and the injury that a pedestrian suffers. There are several circumstances where a pedestrian may not be able to recover damages, these can include:

• Not paying attention and watching where they are going
• Walking in the middle of the street between two cars
• Drinking and walking in the middle of the street
• Walking in the middle of the street at night

These are a few unique aspects of Long Island pedestrian accidents where the pedestrian could be at fault for the incident.

Bicycle Accidents

A bicyclist is considered a pedestrian and does not have to obey any traffic signals. Although bicyclists are considered to be pedestrians, sometimes bicyclists cause their own accidents. For example, if they were speeding or going the opposite direction of traffic. Sometimes drivers of motor vehicles are not careful when driving alongside bicyclists. Many times an accident occurs because the driver does not leave enough room for the bicyclist and drives too close to them. If the driver does this, it is easy for a bicyclist to receive significant injuries because it only takes a little bump to cause a serious accident.

If a bicyclist enters an intersection, they have the right-of-way. There are some cities on Long Island with bicycle lanes and bicyclists should be in those bicycle lanes for their own safety. There are no pedestrian lanes in the streets. A bicyclist should not be riding on a crowded sidewalk or in the street.

Contacting a Lawyer

For more information regarding the unique aspects of Long Island pedestrian accidents, contact a seasoned attorney today. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, a compassionate lawyer could assist you in your recovery by pursuing the compensation you deserve. Call today to schedule a consultation.