In New York City, many different kinds of vehicles travel on the road alongside pedestrians, which makes auto-pedestrian accidents common. On January 2, a 51-year-old woman sustained a pedestrian accident injury in New York. According to the report, the woman was hit by a van.
The accident occurred when she walked across West Hoffman Avenue near the New York Avenue intersection. The victim suffered serious injuries and was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center. There, she was listed in critical condition but is now reported as stable.
Neither the 50-year-old driver of the vehicle nor his 36-year-old passenger was injured in the incident. Suffolk County Police are investigating the accident and asking for any information regarding the crash. Police took possession of the van that struck the victim in order to assess its safety.
Any person behind the wheel has the duty to exercise reasonable care. Drivers are required to follow traffic laws and regulations such as speed limits, traffic signals and prohibitions against driving while intoxicated. A driver's compliance with these rules helps to prevent accidents and injuries to other motorists and pedestrians.
Motorists are required to yield to pedestrians crossing the street. Drivers should also be attentive while operating a vehicle. A driver's full attention to the road will help him notice pedestrians and react quickly to any given circumstance on the road.
If it can be proven that traffic laws and regulations were not strictly followed, or that the driver was not paying full attention to the road, the driver may be liable for negligence in the case of an accident. If it can be proven that the accident was caused by a negligent driver or a distracted driver, the driver can be liable for damages prior to the injury or death of an accident victim.
Pedestrians injured in an accident may be entitled to compensation. Compensation may help the victims in terms of medical costs, lost wages or emotional distress. Victims and their families can receive such compensation until they achieve a full recovery. Accident awards may vary depending upon the law and the situation. If the pedestrian accident led to death, the loved one's family can file a wrongful death claim against the negligent party.
Source: Wantagh-Seaford Patch, "Wantagh Man Strikes Pedestrian in Lindy," Scott P. Moore, Jan. 3, 2013
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