Injured While Walking in NYC? What You Need to Know About Pedestrian Accidents

In a city that moves as fast as New York, walking is often the most reliable way to get around. But for all its convenience, being a pedestrian comes with serious risk. From congested intersections to impatient drivers and distracted delivery vehicles, pedestrian accidents are a daily reality in all five boroughs.

If you or a loved one has been hit by a car, truck, bike, or scooter while walking, the consequences can be devastating. A single moment can lead to months of recovery, lost income, and permanent disability. At The Law Offices of Darren T. Moore, we fight for victims of pedestrian accidents by demanding full accountability and seeking the kind of outcome we call Moorejustice—real results for real people.

Why Pedestrian Accidents Are So Common in New York City

The layout of New York—packed sidewalks, tight intersections, dense traffic—creates constant interactions between pedestrians and vehicles. Add in distracted driving, failure to yield, and speeding, and the risk for pedestrian accidents becomes dangerously high.

Many pedestrian accidents happen in marked crosswalks, right near schools, bus stops, or subway entrances—places where people should feel safest. But drivers often ignore right-of-way laws or make hurried turns without checking for foot traffic.

Even more concerning, many of these accidents occur during daylight hours and in areas with clear signage. That’s why victims of pedestrian accidents need strong legal support to fight back against careless or reckless drivers—and to recover the compensation they deserve.

What Makes Pedestrian Accidents So Dangerous?

Unlike motorists, pedestrians have no protective barrier. There’s no seatbelt, no steel frame, no airbag. When a person is struck by a moving vehicle, even at low speeds, the physical damage is often catastrophic.

Victims of pedestrian accidents commonly suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal bleeding, and severe emotional trauma. Many face months in recovery, permanent physical limitations, or long-term disabilities that change their ability to work or live independently. For serious injuries like traumatic brain trauma, consulting a specialized brain injury lawyer is crucial.

A pedestrian accident may seem like a brief moment—but the medical, financial, and psychological consequences can last a lifetime.

What to Do After Pedestrian Accidents Occur

The aftermath of pedestrian accidents is chaotic. Victims are often taken away by ambulance before they can speak to police or gather information. That’s why early legal intervention matters.

At The Law Offices of Darren T. Moore, we move quickly to collect evidence, identify witnesses, retrieve traffic camera footage, and secure police reports. Our goal is to preserve every piece of proof needed to support your claim before it disappears.

Even if you were unable to get driver information at the scene, our team can work to locate the responsible party and hold them accountable. Whether your accident involved a private driver, a rideshare vehicle, or a commercial delivery service, we’re prepared to take legal action and pursue the full value of your claim.

Who’s at Fault in Pedestrian Accidents?

New York law requires drivers to exercise caution around pedestrians at all times. That includes yielding the right of way at crosswalks and avoiding actions that put pedestrians at risk. When drivers fail to uphold this duty, they can be held legally liable for the harm they cause.

In pedestrian accidents, fault may lie with:

• Drivers who fail to yield

• Drivers distracted by phones or GPS

• Speeding motorists

• Vehicles making illegal turns

• Rideshare or commercial vehicles under pressure to meet deadlines

Sometimes, poor street design, lack of signage, or malfunctioning traffic signals can also contribute. In such cases, municipalities or third-party contractors may share liability.

Our legal team conducts a full investigation into every pedestrian accident to uncover all contributing factors and pursue all possible sources of compensation.

What Can Victims of Pedestrian Accidents Recover?

The damages in pedestrian accidents can be extensive. Beyond the initial medical bills, many victims require surgery, rehabilitation, psychological support, and ongoing care. Others are unable to return to their previous jobs—or work at all.

That’s why we fight to recover compensation for:

• All medical expenses, current and future

• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress and trauma

• Permanent disability or disfigurement

• Loss of quality of life

At The Law Offices of Darren T. Moore, we work closely with medical professionals, financial experts, and life care planners to document the full impact of your injuries. We don’t settle for what the insurance company offers—we pursue Moorejustice.

Why You Should Never Settle Without a Lawyer

Insurance companies often try to resolve pedestrian accidents quickly and cheaply. Their first offer might sound fair—but it rarely reflects the long-term cost of a serious injury. Once you accept a settlement, you give up the right to ask for more—no matter how severe your condition becomes.

Our job is to protect your interests, push back against lowball offers, and prepare your case for trial if necessary. When we take on pedestrian accidents, we commit to full preparation, aggressive negotiation, and, if required, litigation. That’s what makes Moorejustice more than just a phrase—it’s our promise.

The Importance of Acting Quickly

In New York, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, if your pedestrian accident involved a city bus, MTA vehicle, or any municipal agency, you may have as little as 90 days to file a Notice of Claim.

Don’t wait. The sooner you contact our office, the sooner we can start protecting your rights, building your case, and securing the evidence you’ll need to succeed.

Get the Moorejustice You Deserve After a Pedestrian Accident

Every pedestrian should feel safe crossing the street. When drivers ignore the law, they put lives at risk—and they must be held accountable. If you or someone you love has been hurt in one of the many pedestrian accidents that occur in NYC every day, don’t face the aftermath alone.

Contact The Law Offices of Darren T. Moore for a free consultation. We’ll explain your rights, investigate your case, and fight for the compensation—and the Moorejustice—you deserve. You don’t pay unless we win.

Call today and let us take the next step with you.