Pedestrian Safety in NYC: By the Numbers

10,000+ Pedestrians Injured/Year NYC DOT
100+ Pedestrian Deaths/Year Vision Zero Data
51% Of NYC Traffic Deaths Are Pedestrians
28% Failure to Yield Top Driver Error

Walking Shouldn't Be Dangerous

Eight million people walk NYC streets every day. For most, it's routine. For over 10,000 each year, a driver's negligence turns an ordinary moment into a life-altering injury.

Pedestrians account for more than half of all traffic deaths in New York City. They face distracted drivers, speeding vehicles, trucks making blind turns, and cyclists on sidewalks. When a 4,000-pound vehicle hits an unprotected person, the injuries are catastrophic.

At AEE Law, we've represented pedestrians struck by negligent drivers for over 35 years. We understand the severity of these injuries, the complexity of these claims, and the tactics insurance companies use to blame injured pedestrians. We fight back.

NYC's Most Dangerous Streets for Pedestrians

Some locations see far more pedestrian injuries than others:

Location Borough Key Hazards
Queens Boulevard Queens Wide lanes, fast traffic, limited crossing time
Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn High traffic volume, truck routes
Grand Concourse Bronx Multiple lanes, speeding vehicles
42nd Street Manhattan High pedestrian volume, tourist confusion
Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn Mixed commercial/residential, bus routes

Queens Boulevard earned its grim nickname for decades of pedestrian fatalities. Our analysis of Brooklyn's most dangerous intersections documents where pedestrian crashes concentrate. If you were injured at a known dangerous location, the documented hazards strengthen your case.

Don't Accept Blame

Insurance adjusters routinely argue pedestrians were jaywalking, distracted by phones, or wearing dark clothing. Even if partially true, these factors don't eliminate driver liability. Drivers must exercise due care regardless of pedestrian behavior. We fight victim-blaming tactics.

Common Pedestrian Accident Scenarios

  • Crosswalk collisions. Driver fails to yield at marked or unmarked crosswalk
  • Left-turn strikes. Driver focuses on traffic, not pedestrians in crosswalk
  • Right-turn-on-red. Driver rolls through while pedestrian has walk signal
  • Backing accidents. Driver reverses without checking behind vehicle
  • Truck blind spots. Large vehicles can't see pedestrians beside or behind them
  • Distracted driving. Phone use, GPS, eating while driving
  • Speeding. Higher speeds dramatically increase injury severity
  • Running red lights. Driver enters intersection against signal

The Impact of Speed

Speed kills pedestrians. The relationship between vehicle speed and pedestrian survival is stark:

Impact Speed Fatality Risk
20 mph 5%
30 mph 45%
40 mph 85%
50+ mph Nearly 100%

Source: NHTSA pedestrian safety research

This is why NYC's Vision Zero initiative lowered the default speed limit to 25 mph. Speeding in the city isn't just illegal, it's deadly.

NYC's Right of Way Law

Under Local Law 29 (2014), drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians or cyclists with the right of way face criminal charges. It's a misdemeanor carrying up to 30 days in jail and a fine. This criminal liability demonstrates negligence and strengthens civil claims for damages.

Injuries We See

Pedestrian injuries are often severe because the human body has no protection against a moving vehicle:

What Compensation Is Available?

Injured pedestrians may recover:

  • Medical expenses. Emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, future treatment needs
  • Lost wages. Time missed from work during recovery
  • Reduced earning capacity. If injuries permanently affect your ability to work
  • Pain and suffering. Physical pain and emotional trauma
  • Loss of enjoyment of life. Activities you can no longer do
  • Disfigurement. Permanent scarring or physical changes

Special Cases: Hit and Run

If the driver fled the scene, you still have options:

  • Uninsured motorist coverage. Your own auto policy (if you have one) likely covers you as a pedestrian
  • MVAIC. The Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation provides coverage when no other insurance is available
  • Crime Victims Compensation. May cover some medical expenses

We identify every available source of compensation for hit-and-run cases.

What We Do for You

We investigate immediately, obtaining traffic camera footage, building surveillance video, 911 recordings, and witness statements before evidence disappears. We document the scene and work with accident reconstruction experts when needed.

We handle all insurance communications. We document your injuries with medical records, expert opinions, and life care plans for serious injuries. We calculate full damages including future medical needs and long-term impact.

And we prepare every case for trial. Insurance companies know which firms fight, and they offer our clients fair settlements because they know what happens if they don't.

Related Practice Areas

Pedestrian Safety Data and Analysis

Pedestrian Accident Lawyers by Location

References

NYC DOT. (2024). Vision Zero: Pedestrian safety action plan.

https://www.nyc.gov/content/visionzero/pages/

NYC Council Local Law 29 of 2014. Right of Way Law.

https://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=1669761

NHTSA. (2024). Pedestrian safety research.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I was jaywalking when I was hit?

You may still recover compensation. New York uses comparative negligence, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault but not eliminated. Even if you were crossing mid-block, the driver still had a duty to exercise due care and avoid hitting pedestrians. Insurance companies exaggerate pedestrian fault to pay less. We fight back.

What is NYC's Right of Way Law?

Under NYC's Right of Way Law, drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians with the right of way can face criminal charges, a misdemeanor carrying up to 30 days in jail. This law gives extra leverage in civil cases because the driver's criminal liability demonstrates their negligence. We use this to strengthen your claim.

How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim?

You have 3 years to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York. But if a city vehicle or employee hit you, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days. Evidence disappears quickly, traffic camera footage gets overwritten, witnesses forget details. Contact an attorney immediately.

What compensation can I recover after being hit by a car?

You may recover medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, future treatment), lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, disfigurement from scarring, and loss of enjoyment of life. Serious injuries like TBI or spinal cord damage often warrant compensation in the hundreds of thousands or millions.

The driver fled the scene. Can I still get compensation?

Yes. File a claim under your own uninsured motorist coverage, most auto policies include UM coverage that protects you as a pedestrian. If you don't have auto insurance, the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) may provide coverage. We identify all available sources of recovery.

I was hit in a crosswalk. Is the driver automatically at fault?

Hitting a pedestrian in a crosswalk creates a strong presumption of driver negligence. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. However, insurance companies still try to shift blame. We document the scene, obtain video evidence, and build an airtight case for liability.

What if I was hit by a city bus or MTA vehicle?

You can sue the city, but strict deadlines apply. File a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident, miss this and you lose your right to sue. The lawsuit must be filed within 1 year and 90 days. These cases have additional procedural requirements. See our <a href='/bus-accidents/'>bus accidents page</a> for details.

Should I give a statement to the driver's insurance company?

No. Insurance adjusters are trained to get you to make statements that hurt your claim. They may record the call and use your words against you. They'll ask leading questions designed to shift blame. Tell them you have an attorney and direct all communication to us.