If you need a pedestrian accident lawyer in White Plains, you deserve someone who fights back hard. Drivers and insurers often shift blame onto pedestrians. They claim you jaywalked or stepped out too quickly. However, New York law protects your rights as a pedestrian. As a result, an experienced attorney can challenge those tactics and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Why Pedestrian Accidents Are So Serious
A person weighs around 150 pounds. In contrast, a car weighs 3,500 to 5,000 pounds. The physics leave pedestrians at a severe disadvantage. For example, pedestrians hit at 30 mph face a 40% fatality risk. At 40 mph, that number rises to 85%. Survivors often suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, broken bones, and internal organ injuries. Therefore, the medical costs alone can reach six or seven figures. Additionally, lost income and long-term rehabilitation add even more financial pressure on victims and their families.
Who Is Liable in a Pedestrian Accident
In most cases, the driver bears primary liability for a pedestrian accident. Specifically, right-of-way violations, failure to yield, distracted driving, and DWI all create strong claims. However, other parties may share fault as well. For instance, municipalities may hold liability if a broken signal or missing crosswalk caused the crash. Similarly, construction companies face responsibility when work zones create hazards. Furthermore, property owners may owe damages if defective sidewalks played a role. An attorney identifies every liable party before any settlement discussion begins.
Comparative Fault and Your Pedestrian Accident Claim in White Plains
New York follows a pure comparative fault rule. As a result, you can still recover damages even if you were jaywalking or outside a marked crosswalk. However, the court reduces your award by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies try to inflate that percentage to minimize what they owe. Therefore, an attorney counters this strategy with accident reconstruction, traffic camera footage, and witness testimony. In addition, the police report narrative often supports the pedestrian version of events.
Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident
First, call 911 and request a police report. If you can move safely, photograph the scene, the vehicle, and the license plate. Also capture any crosswalk markings or traffic signals nearby. Next, get the driver’s insurance information and collect contact details from witnesses. Then, go to the emergency room that same day. Even if you feel fine, internal injuries and concussions often show no immediate symptoms. Finally, contact an attorney before speaking with any insurance company. Early legal guidance protects your claim from common adjuster tactics.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in White Plains
At GMR Law Office, we represent pedestrian accident victims in White Plains, Yonkers, and throughout Westchester County. Furthermore, we handle cases on a contingency basis, so you pay no fee unless we win. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian fatalities have risen sharply in recent years. Therefore, getting legal help quickly matters. Call (914) 342-7004 for a free consultation today. We speak English and Spanish.
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