Concerns rise as yet another tragic pedestrian accident occurs at notorious Bronx crossing.
A recent fatal pedestrian accident in the Bronx shows just how dangerous New York City's streets remain for people throughout the city. Fortunately, New York City pedestrian fatalities decreased last year. But the number of pedestrians fatally struck on city streets still remains relatively high.
"Even as we see significant progress, our North Star remains Vision Zero, and we will continue working towards a day when no one dies from traffic violence in New York City," Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement about the number of pedestrian fatalities in New York City last year.
Reducing the number of pedestrian fatalities in New York City should always be a priority. The Bronx pedestrian accident attorneys at Giampa Law support such initiatives because we have seen firsthand just how devastating these accidents can be for New York City families.
Understanding the recent fatal pedestrian accident
The recent fatal pedestrian accident in The Bronx occurred around 4:30 a.m. on New Year's Eve at the intersection of Broadway and W. 238th Street under the elevated 1 train tracks. This is "a notoriously dangerous Bronx intersection," according to NYC Streets Blog. The injured pedestrian was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital (Allen Pavilion) by ambulance, but their life could not be saved.
Many pedestrian accidents often occur along this section of Broadway in The Bronx. For instance, last year, six pedestrians were injured in accidents along a six-block stretch of Broadway between W. 234th Street and Van Cortlandt Park South, according to New York City pedestrian accident statistics. Since 2019, there have been 202 reported accidents in this same location, resulting in 23 pedestrian injuries.
What are the common causes of NYC pedestrian accidents?
In many cases, pedestrian accidents occur because a driver is behaving recklessly or dangerously. Failure to yield to pedestrians, for example, is one of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in New York City. Other common causes include:
- Speeding drivers who do not slow down and hit pedestrians who are crossing the street.
- Texting drivers who are not aware of pedestrians, even though texting while driving has been against the law in New York for years.
- Tired drivers who are too fatigued or fall asleep at the wheel and strike pedestrians, especially late at night.
- Aggressive or reckless drivers who don't share the road with pedestrians, resulting in serious or fatal collisions.
Pedestrian injuries and fatalities have long been a serious problem in the Bronx and throughout New York City. For example, in the last 15 years, an average of 137 pedestrian fatalities have occurred each year in New York City, according to pedestrian accident data compiled by the city between 2008 and 2022. Likewise, an average of 20 pedestrians died in accidents in The Bronx between 2016 and 2020, according to the latest National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, including 21 pedestrian fatalities in 2020 alone.
What factors are considered when determining compensation?
Expenses can add up fast after a serious or fatal pedestrian accident, especially in New York City. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, expenses may include:
- Cost of medical bills, including emergency medical care and future medical expenses.
- Physical therapy, especially for pedestrians who have mobility issues due to their injury.
- Replacement income for pedestrians who need time off from work to rest and recover from their injuries.
- Lost future income.
- Funeral expenses, if applicable.
- Money for pain and suffering.
Add all these expenses, and a pedestrian accident claim can easily be worth thousands or more.
Get legal help if you were hit by a car in NYC — contact a lawyer today.
At Giampa Law, we understand that New York City pedestrian accidents can quickly become complicated legal cases. From insurance companies offering lowball settlements to at-fault drivers denying responsibility, injury victims often struggle to get the compensation they deserve.
That's why our Bronx pedestrian accident lawyers are here to fight for you. We're not afraid of complex cases and will work tirelessly to help you recover the compensation you need to get your life back on track. In addition, we handle cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs, and you pay no fees unless we win your case. It's that simple.
To learn more about how we can help with your potential legal case, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.