Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the results are almost always serious. Pedestrians have no protection against the force of a car or truck, and the injuries that follow can be life-altering. If you were hit by a driver in Yonkers, you may have the right to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and everything else the accident has cost you.
Our pedestrian accident lawyer in Yonkers can help you do that. At Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers, we’ve served 26,000–plus clients and recovered over a billion dollars for working New Yorkers. Reach out to a personal injury lawyer in Yonkers today for a free case review.
What Drivers Are Required to Do Under New York Law
New York law imposes specific duties on drivers to protect pedestrians. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians anywhere on the roadway. These obligations apply whether a pedestrian is crossing legally or not, though the specific circumstances affect how liability is assessed.
Drivers in school zones, near crosswalks, and in residential areas are held to a heightened standard of care. Failure to yield, failure to look before turning, and distracted driving are among the most common violations that lead to pedestrian accidents.
When a driver breaches these duties, and someone is hurt, the driver and their insurer can be held responsible for the resulting harm. Pedestrian accident cases can also involve municipal liability when dangerous road design, missing crosswalk markings, or malfunctioning traffic signals contributed to the crash.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Yonkers
Yonkers has busy corridors, dense intersections, and high foot traffic in many neighborhoods, all of which create frequent opportunities for driver error to harm pedestrians.
The most common causes of pedestrian accidents we handle include:
- Failure to yield at crosswalks and intersections throughout the city
- Drivers making right or left turns without checking for pedestrians in the crosswalk
- Distracted driving, particularly phone use on busy commercial streets
- Speeding in residential neighborhoods and school zones
- Drivers running red lights at high-traffic intersections
- Backing vehicles in parking lots and driveways without checking behind them
Establishing exactly how the accident happened is the starting point for any pedestrian injury claim. We investigate the scene and reconstruct the sequence of events based on physical evidence, witness accounts, and available footage.
Injuries That Commonly Result From Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents produce some of the most serious injuries seen in personal injury law. The force of a vehicle traveling at even a moderate speed is enormous relative to the human body. Injuries we frequently see in these cases include:
- Traumatic brain injuries range from a concussion to a severe TBI
- Spinal cord injuries, which can result in partial or complete paralysis
- Pelvic and hip fractures, particularly common when the lower body absorbs initial impact
- Multiple bone fractures requiring surgery and extended rehabilitation
- Internal organ injuries that may not be immediately apparent at the scene
- Severe road rash and soft tissue injuries from contact with the ground
Many pedestrian accident victims face extended recovery periods, ongoing medical treatment, and permanent limitations that affect their ability to work and live as they did before the accident.
How We Investigate a Pedestrian Accident Case
Thorough investigation is the foundation of a strong pedestrian accident claim. We do this work in-house, which means our team is hands-on from the earliest stage of your case. The investigation typically involves:
- Obtaining and reviewing all available surveillance and traffic camera footage from the scene
- Requesting the driver’s cell phone records to check for distracted driving at the time of impact
- Interviewing witnesses who were present at or near the accident location
- Reviewing the police accident report and following up on any citations issued
- Documenting road conditions, traffic signal timing, and crosswalk markings
- Consulting with accident reconstruction professionals when the facts are disputed
The sooner this process begins, the more complete the picture we can build. Some evidence, including camera footage and traffic data, is lost quickly if not secured in time. Hiring our Yonkers pedestrian accident lawyer is the best way to get it because we can demand its preservation for your case.
What Compensation May Be Available
Pedestrian accident victims in Yonkers may be able to recover compensation for a range of losses. These include current and future medical expenses, lost income from time away from work, and reduced earning capacity if the injuries have lasting effects on your ability to work. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
In cases involving catastrophic injuries, the long-term costs of care, rehabilitation, and daily assistance can be substantial. We work with medical and financial professionals to calculate what your case is genuinely worth, not just what the insurer is willing to offer early in the process.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Yonkers
If you are struck by a vehicle in Yonkers, call 911 and remain at the scene if you are able. Get the driver’s name, license plate, and insurance information. Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and the vehicle before anything is moved. Get the names and contact details of any witnesses.
Seek medical care immediately, even if you feel you can manage. Adrenaline can mask pain, and injuries like internal bleeding or traumatic brain injury may not be fully apparent right away. Do not give a recorded statement to the driver’s insurer before speaking with an attorney. Early statements are often used to undercut valid claims.
Talk to a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Yonkers Today
Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers was founded in 2013 and has recovered $1 billion-plus for clients across New York. Our attorneys bring 200–plus years of combined legal experience to pedestrian accident and personal injury cases. We serve communities across all five boroughs and the greater New York area, including Yonkers.
If you were hurt by a driver in Yonkers, don’t let time work against you. A pedestrian accident attorney in Yonkers at Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers is ready to review your case and pursue what you’re owed.
Contact us today for a free consultation and let us get started on your behalf.