Why Choose Us After a Pedestrian Accident
Your City. Your Case. Our Fight. Here’s why we’re the team you want on your side after being hit by a car:
- Decades of experience: We’ve been fighting for injured New Yorkers since 1967, giving you access to a trusted team backed by nearly 60 years of local experience.
- Litigation-forward approach: Our team is always ready to go to trial to pursue the compensation you deserve.
- Resources to go the distance: We collaborate with a network of medical experts and investigators to build strong, well-supported cases.
- Clear communication: We keep you informed at every stage so you can have peace of mind while you focus on your recovery.
- Accessible representation: Our firm provides multilingual support in Spanish, French, Russian, Korean, and other languages to help you navigate your case with clarity.
Proven Results in Pedestrian Accident Cases
Our firm has recovered billions in verdicts and settlements for New Yorkers facing serious injuries, including people harmed in pedestrian accidents. We have deep knowledge of the local traffic patterns, laws, and court systems that influence these cases, which positions our team to pursue the best possible compensation for our clients.
In one case, we recovered $1.95 million for a 40-year-old woman who was struck by a car while crossing the street and suffered multiple injuries to her neck, back, shoulders, and knees. The driver claimed she ran into the road without looking, but our trial team secured video footage proving otherwise.
We also recovered $1.5 million for a mother of a child who died after being hit by a truck within a crosswalk. The mother had witnessed the tragic accident and recovered compensation for her emotional distress under New York’s Zone of Danger rule.
I am forever thankful. Big thanks for Jakhona.
Thank you so much Kalant office, I am so grateful with you. You settled my case in 3 months and you guys got the full policy.
Fayyoz M.
Why Pedestrian Accidents Are So Common in New York City
New York City’s streets feature a unique mix of high vehicular traffic and large volumes of pedestrians. Drivers have to navigate tight turns, frequent stops, delivery and rideshare congestion, construction zones, and confusing intersections—all while watching for people on the road. The risk is especially high on straight stretches of road where drivers are tempted to speed, such as Queens Boulevard, and chaotic tourist areas like Broadway.
The margin of error is low in this fast-paced environment. Pedestrians are vulnerable to severe injury, and even a low-speed crash can create a lifetime of medical needs, work limitations, and pain. Uncovering the factors that contributed to your pedestrian crash is critical to recovering full compensation for these losses, and proving that connection is a central part of how we build strong cases.
Who May Be Liable for Your Pedestrian Accident Injuries?
To recover compensation beyond what Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers, you must show that someone else is legally responsible for your injuries. This is called liability.
Most liability cases are based on negligence. Drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and act in a way that prevents avoidable harm to others. Failure to yield to pedestrians, ignoring traffic signals, speeding, drunk driving, or driving while distracted could be considered negligence if it results in injury to a pedestrian.
While reckless drivers are often liable for pedestrian accidents, other parties may also share responsibility. For example, a government agency may be liable if negligent road maintenance contributes to the crash. Vehicle manufacturers may also be at fault if defective parts played a role. If the pedestrian stepped into moving traffic without giving oncoming vehicles time to stop, they may also have some liability.
Can You Still File a Claim If You Were Partially at Fault?
New York now follows a modified comparative negligence rule in personal injury cases, which means multiple parties can share fault. You may still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident, as long as you were no more than 50% at fault.
However, your recovery will be reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages are worth $100,000 and you’re 20% at fault, your total compensation would be $80,000. If you were 51% at fault, you would not be able to recover any compensation at all.
We Have Your Back
Founded in 1967, The Sanders Law Firm has grown into a large, thriving organization of attorneys, paralegals, medical consultants, and support staff – all committed to providing the highest level of legal representation to injured New Yorkers.
How New York's No-Fault Insurance Works in Pedestrian Cases
Under New York’s no-fault auto insurance system, all drivers are required to carry PIP insurance. This coverage pays for the policyholder’s medical expenses and a portion of their lost wages after a car accident, regardless of who’s at fault.
PIP also covers those damages for any pedestrians injured by the policyholder’s vehicle. If the driver who hit you is uninsured or fled the scene, you may seek compensation through your or a household member’s PIP coverage.
To claim PIP benefits, you must submit written notice of the accident to the appropriate insurer as soon as possible, and no later than 30 days after the crash. If you miss this deadline, you must provide a clear and reasonable explanation for the delay to preserve your claim.
No-fault insurance only covers basic economic losses. If your injuries meet New York’s serious injury threshold, you may step outside the no-fault system and seek compensation for other damages through the at-fault driver’s liability coverage. Examples of injuries that may meet this threshold include bone fractures, significant disfigurement, and loss of a limb or organ.
What Compensation May Be Available After Pedestrian Accident?
Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages you’ve suffered because of your pedestrian accident injuries, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages for the work you missed while recovering
- Reduced earning capacity, if your injuries limit your ability to earn the same income long-term
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life for the injury’s impact on the types of activities you can participate in
- Scarring or disfigurement
If a loved one was killed after being hit by a car, your family may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim. This type of legal action allows immediate family members to seek compensation for the economic losses they’ve experienced because of their loved one’s death. These often include funeral expenses and loss of financial support from the deceased’s income. Your wrongful death damages may also reflect the financial value of the deceased’s household services, such as childcare or cleaning, and parental guidance if the deceased left behind minor children.
How Long Do You Have To File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in New York?
New York’s statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is three years. That means you typically have three years from the date of your pedestrian accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death lawsuits, the filing deadline is two years from the date of death.
Cases against government entities have much stricter deadlines. If your accident involved a city-owned vehicle, an MTA bus, or unsafe public road conditions, you may be required to file a Notice of Claim within 90 days. You’ll also need to file your injury lawsuit within 1 year and 90 days of the accident.
If you miss your case’s filing deadline, you may lose your right to pursue compensation. It’s important to consult our pedestrian accident attorneys as early as possible so we can identify how long you have to file and act quickly to protect your case.
Common Injuries in New York Pedestrian Accidents
Unlike occupants of enclosed vehicles, pedestrians have little protection against the force of a collision. As a result, injuries are often catastrophic. Our pedestrian accident law firm represents people facing a wide range of serious injuries after being hit by a car, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons
- Road rash and scarring
- Amputations
These injuries often involve extended recovery periods, ongoing medical treatment, and permanent changes to a person’s quality of life. Each of those factors can influence how much your injury claim is worth. The more severe and lasting the impact, the more compensation you may be entitled to.
What To Expect When You Pursue a Pedestrian Accident Claim
When you turn to us for help after a pedestrian accident, we’ll handle every aspect of the legal process on your behalf. Here’s what you might expect after you reach out to our pedestrian injury lawyers:
- Free consultation: You’ll meet with our attorneys and explain what happened. We’ll listen attentively and outline your rights, options, and next steps.
- Investigation: Our team will investigate the accident to determine who’s at fault and gather evidence to support your claim.
- Insurance claim: We’ll prepare and file a claim with all applicable insurance policies. Our attorneys will then negotiate a fair settlement with the insurers.
- Lawsuit and trial: If the insurer refuses to settle for what your case is worth, we’ll be ready to file a lawsuit. Many cases still settle after a lawsuit, but your case could go all the way to a judge and jury.
Speak With a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer About Your Case
You deserve trusted guidance after being hit by a car in New York City. The Sanders Law Firm is here to help you make sense of your options and pursue fair compensation for your losses.
Contact us online or call (833) SANDERS for a free consultation. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you start moving forward.