Being hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian can lead to catastrophic injuries that can change your life forever. Between surgeries, rehabilitation, and mounting medical bills, the road to recovery can be long and difficult. Pursuing financial compensation is often necessary, but it can be challenging to do alone.
Contacting our Nassau County pedestrian accident lawyers can remove much of the burden from you. With the right representation fighting for your compensation, you can hold the negligent driver fully accountable without taking on the stress of fighting for your rights.
At Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, we are committed to securing maximum compensation for clients injured by negligent drivers. Let us put our skills and knowledge to work for you so you can focus on what matters most – your health.
Suffolk County, NY, Can Be Dangerous for Pedestrians
According to the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, each year in New York, approximately 300 pedestrians are killed, 15,000 are injured, and 3,000 are admitted to hospitals. In 2023 alone:
- A female pedestrian was struck and killed in a pedestrian accident in Merrick at the intersection of Merrick Avenue and Miller Place.
- A female pedestrian was struck and sustained serious injuries when she was walking to her car, which was parked near Merrick Road and Unqua Road.
- A male pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run at the intersection of East Avenue and Rockaway Turnpike.
- A male pedestrian who was leaving a Long Island diner was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver.
Despite New York’s efforts to improve pedestrian safety, Walk Safe Long Island has reported that over the past three years, there have been 515 pedestrian and bicyclist injuries in Suffolk and Nassau Counties from 2020 to 2023.
As long as drivers continue to drive drunk, text while driving, speed, and engage in other reckless behaviors, pedestrians will continue to suffer. If you are a victim, you deserve compensation for your accident-related losses.
Possible Recoverable Damages in a Pedestrian Accident Case
For each case, we seek fair payment based on your unique damages. No two clients have the exact same losses, so we thoroughly investigate each situation. Doctors and experts help us value your damages, which may include:
- Lost income: Your injuries may prevent you from working, causing lost wages now and in the future, reduced promotions and bonuses, and other career impacts.
- Pain and suffering: Your pain, anxiety, depression, lower quality of life, and loss of physical and mental abilities all constitute as pain and suffering. We know how to accurately calculate this difficult-to-quantify loss.
- Medical costs: You may need an ambulance, hospital stay, surgery, medications, follow-up doctor visits, rehab, medical equipment, home care, and more. The expenses add up fast.
- Property damage: If your accident damages your belongings like a cell phone, jewelry, sunglasses, etc., we will seek coverage for those losses, too.
Our experience with pedestrian accident cases means we know how to fully account for all your damages. Our Nassau County personal injury lawyers will fight to get you fair compensation.
Damages You Can Recover After a Fatal Pedestrian Accident in Nassau County
There are two kinds of money damages in a wrongful death case in New York: wrongful death pecuniary loss and loss of consortium.
Wrongful death pecuniary loss is for the money the person’s spouse or children lost when that income stopped. In some cases, when a child’s income contributes to the family, parents may claim pecuniary loss. Loss of consortium is a type of damages that is meant to compensate for losing the love and companionship of a spouse or child.
In Nassau County, only an appointed representative of the deceased person’s estate can file a wrongful death claim. Although this representative must file, the payouts will go to the family members who are named in the claim.
Results Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Have Achieved for Injured Pedestrians
Here are some of our clients’ stories and the results we achieved for their pedestrian accident claims:
- Our client was hit while walking on a road, resulting in serious injuries that needed multiple surgeries. We negotiated a $2 million settlement.
- Our client was hit while walking in a crosswalk, resulting in a broken leg that required surgery. We negotiated a $1.2 million settlement.
- Our client was hit while walking in a crosswalk, resulting in soft tissue damage and a broken arm that required surgery. We negotiated a $475,000 settlement.
- Our client was hit by a distracted driver in a parking lot. We negotiated a $325,000 settlement.
- Our client was hit while walking in a parking lot, resulting in fractures that needed surgery and therapy. We negotiated a $300,000 settlement.
- Our client was hit by a drunk motorcyclist in a lot, resulting in leg injuries that needed surgery. We negotiated a $250,000 settlement.
- Our client was hit by a speeding car, resulting in a head laceration and a wrist injury that needed multiple surgeries. We negotiated a $230,000 settlement.
We are proud of our track record of successful settlements and court verdicts. Find out how much your claim could be worth by scheduling a consultation to learn more about your legal options.
Steps to Take to Maximize Your Pedestrian Accident Claim Settlement
Pedestrian accident cases make it very hard for victims to get justice. But our Nassau County pedestrian accident lawyers understand the law and can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Hire a Lawyer
The first thing to do is hire a lawyer. Lawyers know the laws and will fiercely defend your rights. They have lots of experience with cases like yours. You likely have never handled a case like this before. A lawyer makes it easier by using their expertise.
Get Immediate Medical Care
Right after your accident, get medical care immediately. Your health is the top priority. Call a lawyer the next day. Getting immediate medical attention is critical. All injuries need quick treatment, or they can worsen and cause permanent damage.
Delaying treatment can damage your case. Insurers will examine your medical records to see if you have continued treatment. If they see a delay, they may claim you lied about your injuries or how you got hurt.
Negligence in Pedestrian Accident Claims Explained
To bring a successful personal injury claim for a pedestrian accident, certain conditions must be met. This is what your lawyer will have to prove for you to be eligible for compensation:
- Duty of care: The first step is to establish that the other driver owed you a duty of care. Drivers have a general duty to operate their vehicles in a safe manner and avoid harming others on the road.
- Breach of duty: Next, you must show the driver breached their duty of care through negligent driving such as speeding, texting, failure to yield, etc. Evidence like police reports helps prove negligent behavior.
- Causation: You must then demonstrate that the driver’s negligence directly caused the accident and the resulting injuries. If necessary, an accident reconstructionist may analyze how the negligent acts led to the collision.
- Damages: Finally, you must prove your damages from the accident, such as medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, disability, etc. Medical records, income statements, and health provider testimony can help quantify your losses.
- Overcoming defenses: You may also need to rebut any defense arguments that you shared in fault, such as drunk walking. A skilled lawyer can undermine these claims.
By gathering evidence to prove each of these key elements, our team of pedestrian accident attorneys in Nassau County can build a strong negligence claim on the pedestrian’s behalf and fight for maximum compensation.
How Long You Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in New York?
Here are the key time limits for filing a pedestrian accident claim in New York:
- Personal Injury Lawsuit – You have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for your pedestrian accident injuries and damages.
- Wrongful Death – There is a two-year statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim related to a pedestrian fatality.
These varying time limits underscore why it’s critical to contact an experienced New York pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible after you are injured. They can advise you on all applicable deadlines and ensure the strongest claim is filed on time. Don’t risk losing your right to compensation – act now.
Speak With a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Nassau County for Free
If you or a loved one has been injured as a pedestrian in Nassau County, our legal team can help protect your rights. We offer free, no-obligation consultations to discuss the details of your accident and determine your best legal options.
Contact our office today to schedule your free case evaluation. Get legal guidance straight from a top Nassau County pedestrian accident attorney at no cost or commitment to you.
We operate on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing until we win you compensation. Don’t wait to get the personalized representation you deserve. Contact us today and Let Our Family Help Your Family.