Pedestrian Accident Attorney New York

Serious Help For Injured Pedestrians In The City

A collision between a person on foot and a moving vehicle can change a life in seconds. If you were hit while crossing the street, walking near traffic, or simply going about your day here in New York, you may be facing hospital visits, time away from work, and a long recovery. In this moment, you need clear information and a trusted legal team that knows how to handle serious pedestrian accident cases.

Godosky & Gentile is a powerhouse personal injury trial firm in New York that represents people hurt in high-stakes accidents, including devastating pedestrian collisions. Our attorneys are known for record-breaking verdicts and significant settlements for accident victims, and we bring that same level of preparation and focus to pedestrian cases. We work to hold careless drivers and other responsible parties accountable and to pursue the compensation our clients need to move forward.

If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, don’t face the recovery process alone. Put a powerhouse trial firm on your side. Contact Godosky & Gentile today for a free consultation to hold negligent drivers accountable and pursue the record-breaking compensation you deserve.

Why Injured Pedestrians Turn To Our New York Trial Firm

After a serious pedestrian collision or car accident, many people quickly realize that the stakes are high. Medical bills arrive while paychecks stop, and insurance companies often look for ways to limit what they pay. In that situation, the lawyer you choose matters. You want a firm that is respected in the courts here and that is prepared to take on complex, hard-fought cases.

Godosky & Gentile is widely regarded as a premier New York trial firm. We have secured record-breaking results in high-value injury and civil rights matters, including major construction accident and police misconduct cases. The same courtroom skill and strategic thinking that drive those outcomes are brought to pedestrian injury claims, where liability may be disputed, and the injuries are often life-changing.

After A Pedestrian Accident In New York: Steps To Protect Yourself

The hours and days after a fatal car accident are often confusing. You may be in pain, unsure what to say to the police or insurers, and worried about missing something important. While every situation is different, certain steps often help protect your health and your legal options after a pedestrian collision in the city.

1. Prioritize Medical Care & Safety

Accept immediate help: Follow the guidance of emergency responders at the scene.

Go to the hospital: If recommended, seek professional evaluation immediately.

Watch for "hidden" injuries: Remember that conditions like internal bleeding or concussions may not show symptoms right away.

Establish a medical record: A prompt evaluation creates essential documentation for future treatment payment claims.

2. Document the Incident

Report the accident: Ensure the incident is officially recorded (e.g., an NYPD collision report).

Be truthful but cautious: Provide officers with factual information; do not guess if you are unsure of the details.

Gather driver details: Collect the driver’s name and insurance information.

Identify witnesses: Get contact information for anyone who saw the event.

Take photos of:

The scene of the crash.

Relevant traffic signals or signs.

Any visible injuries.

3. Manage Insurance Contacts

Exercise caution: Be wary of insurance adjusters who contact you shortly after the crash.

Avoid early statements: Do not give recorded statements or sign documents without legal advice.

Protect your claim: Understand that casual conversations can be used to evaluate or contest your claim later.

Consult an attorney: You have the right to seek legal counsel before engaging with insurance companies to review your case and plan next steps.

How Our Attorneys Build Strong New York Pedestrian Accident Cases

Once your immediate medical needs are addressed, the next question is often how a legal claim will work. Pedestrian cases can look simple at first glance, but responsibility is not always clear in the eyes of insurers or the court. Our attorneys approach these claims with the same seriousness we bring to other high-stakes litigation.

Investigating How The Collision Happened

We analyze how the collision occurred, including driver behaviors like failing to yield, turning through crowds, or distracted driving. We also investigate employer liability, unsafe property conditions at driveways or lots, and deficiencies in traffic control or street design. 

Understanding Injuries & Long-Term Impact

Serious pedestrian injuries involve complex medical questions. Our lawyers analyze how injuries affect your daily life, work capacity, and future health needs. We account for long-term costs including rehabilitation, surgery, and permanent limitations to ensure your claim reflects total losses, not just current bills.

Preparing For Trial When Necessary

prepares every case for trial. While many matters resolve through negotiation or mediation, our thorough preparation strengthens our clients' positions at every stage. Our reputation in New York courtrooms helps us secure fair outcomes for injured pedestrians and their families.

Common Causes & Injuries In New York Pedestrian Collisions

Pedestrians in the city face constant interaction with traffic. Busy intersections, multi lane avenues, double parked vehicles, and turning cars all create risks. Understanding the patterns we often see can help you recognize that what happened to you is a known problem, not an isolated event.

Frequent Causes Of Pedestrian Collisions

Many pedestrian collisions occur when drivers fail to yield in crosswalks, especially when turning right or left while focused on oncoming traffic instead of the people crossing in front of them. Others happen when drivers roll through stop signs, speed to beat a changing light, or drive while looking at a phone around bus stops or subway entrances. Nighttime visibility issues, blocked sight lines from parked vehicles, and delivery activity on narrow streets can all contribute.

Serious Injuries Pedestrians Often Suffer

Because pedestrians have little protection, the injuries from these impacts are often severe. Victims may suffer broken bones, pelvic or hip fractures, internal organ damage, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord harm, or serious damage to knees, ankles, and shoulders. Even injuries that doctors describe as soft tissue can lead to lasting pain and limitations, especially when they prevent someone from returning to physically demanding work.

Who May Be Liable For A Pedestrian Accident In The City

One of the most stressful parts of any pedestrian crash is being blamed for what happened. Drivers sometimes insist that a person came out of nowhere or was not in a crosswalk. In reality, responsibility under New York law can be shared among several parties, and pedestrians often have rights even when the situation is complicated.

Drivers & Employers

An individual driver is frequently one of the people or entities at fault, for example, when they speed, fail to yield, or drive while distracted or impaired. If that driver was working at the time of the collision, such as driving a company vehicle or making deliveries, their employer may also be responsible for the harm. In some cases, rideshare or transportation companies can be involved when their drivers injure people on foot.

Property Owners & Public Bodies

Liability can also extend to property owners or businesses that create unsafe conditions near sidewalks or entrances, such as poorly designed parking lot exits or blocked sightlines that make it hard for drivers to see pedestrians. In certain situations, public bodies that control traffic signals or street design may play a role if dangerous configurations contribute to repeated crashes in the same area. Determining who may be held accountable usually requires careful review of the facts and the applicable New York rules.

What Compensation Can Be Pursued After A Serious Pedestrian Injury

Many clients come to us asking how they will keep up with medical expenses and support their families when they cannot work. While no lawyer can promise a specific outcome, it is important to understand the types of compensation that may be available in a pedestrian injury case.

Economic Losses

Economic damages often include past and future medical costs, such as emergency care, hospital stays, specialist visits, rehabilitation, and needed medications or equipment. They can also involve lost wages for time you could not work, as well as reduced earning capacity if your injuries limit the type of work you can do in the future. In some cases, additional expenses like transportation to appointments or modifications to your home may be part of a claim.

Non Economic Harm

Non economic damages recognize harms that are not captured by bills and receipts. These can include physical pain, emotional distress, interference with your ability to enjoy daily activities, and the impact on relationships with loved ones. The value of these losses varies from case to case and depends on the severity and duration of your injuries, as well as how they change your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have a case if the driver says I stepped into traffic suddenly?

It is still possible to have a case even if the driver claims you stepped into traffic without warning. New York uses comparative negligence rules, which means more than one party can share fault for a collision. A court or jury may look at the conduct of both the driver and the pedestrian and assign percentages of responsibility based on the evidence.

In practice, drivers have legal duties to watch for people on foot, obey signals, and adjust their driving to conditions. A brief moment when a pedestrian is outside a crosswalk or crosses near an intersection does not automatically erase those duties. Our attorneys review details such as traffic light timing, vehicle speed, sightlines, and witness statements to understand what really happened. Even if someone suggests you were partly at fault, you may still be able to pursue compensation, although any recovery can be adjusted based on the level of responsibility assigned to you.

How will your team help me deal with insurance companies after this crash?

If we represent you, our role typically includes guiding communications with insurance companies related to your pedestrian accident. Insurers often seek statements, medical authorizations, or quick settlements that do not fully reflect what you are going through. Having a trial firm behind you can help level that playing field.

What does it cost to hire your firm for a pedestrian injury case?

For injury cases, our firm typically works on a contingency fee. That generally means you do not pay upfront legal fees, and our fee is a percentage of the recovery if we obtain compensation for you through a settlement or judgment. If there is no recovery, you ordinarily do not owe a legal fee, although case specific costs and expenses are handled according to the agreement we discuss with you at the beginning.

How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit in New York?

The time you have to file a lawsuit after a pedestrian accident is limited, and the exact deadline depends on who is being sued and the nature of the claim. New York law sets specific time periods within which injury and wrongful death cases must be started in court. If a public body is involved, such as a city agency, there can also be notice requirements that apply much earlier than the main filing deadline.

Will my case go to trial or can it be settled out of court?

Many pedestrian cases resolve through settlements without a full trial, but no one can say in advance exactly how a particular claim will end. The likelihood of settlement or trial depends on factors such as how clearly fault can be shown, how serious and well documented the injuries are, and how willing the defendants and their insurers are to offer fair compensation.

What makes Godosky & Gentile different from other injury firms I see online?

One key difference is the level of trust placed in our firm by people inside the legal system itself. Lawyers and judges across New York have turned to Godosky & Gentile for their own legal representation, particularly in sensitive disciplinary matters that can affect their licenses and careers. That kind of peer confidence is not common and speaks to the judgment and ethics we bring to our work.

Can you help if my loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident?

We do handle cases for families who have lost someone in a fatal pedestrian collision. These matters are often brought as wrongful death claims under New York law and can involve both economic losses, such as the support the person provided, and the profound impact of losing a family member because of someone else’s conduct.

When families contact us after a death, we know they are managing grief along with practical questions about finances, paperwork, and investigations. Our role includes examining how the collision occurred, identifying who may be held responsible, and explaining what legal options exist. We work to handle the legal burdens so families can focus as much as possible on supporting one another.

Talk With Our New York Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

If you or someone you care about has been struck by a vehicle while on foot, you are likely facing pain, uncertainty, and financial pressure all at once. You should not have to sort through legal rules and insurance tactics on your own while you are trying to heal. Speaking with a trial proven team can help you understand your options and give you a plan for what comes next.

Godosky & Gentile is a powerhouse personal injury firm in New York that fights to maximize compensation for people harmed in serious accidents, including pedestrian collisions. With former judges on our team and a reputation for record breaking results, we are prepared to stand up for you in negotiations and, when necessary, in court. We offer free consultations, and if we handle your injury case, you typically pay no upfront legal fees.

To discuss your situation with a pedestrian accident lawyer New York residents trust at Godosky & Gentile, call (212) 742-9706 today.