Understanding Deadly Statistics: NYC Pedestrian Wrongful Death Cases
One of the many things that make New York City special is that residents can get around without a motor vehicle. This is a very pedestrian-friendly city in terms of public transport and proximity to everything you need. However, the increase in pedestrian traffic means an increase in pedestrians hit by cars. Our Queens pedestrian accident lawyers know this is a serious problem in New York City and Long Island. Last year there were 221 pedestrian fatalities in just New York City and in just the first two months of 2020** there have been 23 fatalities and 1,668 injuries to pedestrians.
Here at COHEN & COHEN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS, P.C. we understand the NYC pedestrian wrongful death cases are very serious and catastrophic. It is difficult to hear how many people are seriously injured or wrongfully killed in these types of motor vehicle collisions. The statistics are telling and frankly scary because many of the individuals who are hit by a car are vulnerable members of our societies such as children or elderly residents. If you or a loved one was hit by a vehicle in NYC, Queens, Long Island, or anywhere else in New York, ask our experienced Queens pedestrian accident lawyers for help with your case. We offer free consultations and only get paid once you get paid.
NYC Pedestrian Wrongful Death Statistics
Relatively speaking given the large number of residents, NYC streets are relatively safe in terms of pedestrian collisions. However, even just one wrongful death is too many. And 221 last year is a huge loss to our great City. NYC and the New York Times have compiled a list of the contributing factors for the fatal pedestrian collisions last year. Our Queens pedestrian accident lawyers have taken the list and turned it into percentages. The causes of NYC pedestrian wrongful death collisions last year is the following:
- Driver inattention or distraction – 34%
- Failure to yield – 27%
- Traffic signs disregarded – 8%
- Pedestrian of cyclist error – 8%
- Unsafe speed – 5%
- Alcohol – 5%
- Backing unsafely – 5%
- Other – 7%
Liability for NYC Pedestrian Wrongful Death Cases
Of the statistics above, distracted driving is the most common cause of all NYC pedestrian wrongful death cases last year. This is scary, as it is almost 7-times more likely than drunk driving or speeding. Under New York law, all motorist must exercise reasonable care in the use or operation of their motor vehicle. Distracted driving is not reasonable care because it could result in many serious types of collisions. This is also against the statutory law which prohibits the use of a cell phone except for emergency calls. We recently drafted a distracted driving article which focused on cell phone and provided the dangers and statutory sections; this may be useful for our readers to further review about the law and potential harms.
Victims of a Fatal Pedestrian Knockdown in NYC Need to Ask Our Queens Pedestrian Accident Lawyers for Help
Pedestrian knockdowns are a very serious type of motor vehicle accident because pedestrians do not have any type of protection like the walls of a vehicle, airbags, seatbelts, side curtains, or any other protection. This leads to serious personal injuries or the wrongful death of an innocent person in a collision. Anytime a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, even outside of a cross-walk, it is imperative that victims or their families contact our experienced law firm at COHEN & COHEN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS, P.C. Learn more about how we can help protect your rights to compensation, including in a wrongful death case for burial expenses and funeral costs, by calling 800-247-8164 for a FREE case evaluation or use our convenient and easy-to-use contact us box available here.
**NYC has only posted the January 2020 and February 2020 statistics at the time of writing this article.