Being hit by a car, truck, or bus as a pedestrian is a terrifying and life-altering experience. In an instant, you can be left with catastrophic injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and an inability to work, all while the negligent driver’s insurance company works to protect its own profits. You do not have to face this alone.
At Stanley Law Offices, our dedicated Syracuse pedestrian accident lawyers fight to protect the rights of the injured. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll an accident takes, and we have a long, successful record of holding negligent drivers accountable. If you were hurt, we are prepared to demand the maximum compensation you are owed.
Hit by a Car in Syracuse, NY? We Fight for the Compensation You Deserve
The consequences of a serious pedestrian accident extend far beyond the initial impact. You may be facing a long road to recovery, unable to work, and unsure of how to support your family. During this vulnerable time, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will already be working to limit its financial exposure. Their adjusters may pressure you for a recorded statement or offer a quick, lowball settlement that fails to cover your long-term needs. Our role is to step in immediately, handle all communication with the insurers, and give you the space you need to heal while we build a case designed to secure your future.
Why Choose Stanley Law Offices for Your Pedestrian Accident Claim?
When you are choosing a pedestrian injury lawyer in Syracuse, you need a team with proven experience and a deep commitment to your community.
- Decades of Experience: Our firm has been recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Attorneys of America, reflecting decades of legal excellence and a commitment to our clients.
- Proven Results: We have recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for accident victims across New York, giving them the resources needed to rebuild their lives.
- Local to Syracuse: Our pedestrian accident attorneys, including founder Joe Stanley, live and work in the Syracuse community. We understand the local courts and fight for our neighbors in Onondaga County.
- No Fee Unless We Win: We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us nothing unless and until we win your case. Your initial consultation is always free.
Understanding Your Rights: New York Pedestrian Laws
Many pedestrian accidents happen because drivers are unaware of or ignore their legal duty to pedestrians. As your Syracuse personal injury lawyers, we use the law to build your case and prove negligence.
The Right-of-Way in Crosswalks and Intersections
Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in a crosswalk. This applies to both marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
A Driver’s Duty to “Exercise Due Care”
Even outside of a crosswalk, drivers have a legal responsibility to “exercise due care” to avoid colliding with pedestrians. This means a driver who is speeding, distracted, or otherwise negligent can be held liable for an accident no matter where it occurs.
What is New York’s Comparative Negligence Rule?
Insurance companies may try to argue that you were partially at fault to reduce their payout. New York follows a pure comparative negligence standard, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially responsible. Our job is to minimize any fault assigned to you and maximize your recovery.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Onondaga County
Our investigations often find that these “accidents” are the direct result of a driver’s careless or reckless actions.
Distracted and Inattentive Driving
This is a leading cause of preventable accidents. Drivers who are texting, adjusting the radio, or talking on the phone are not paying attention to the road and the people on it.
Failure to Yield at Crosswalks
Many drivers make turns at intersections without looking for people crossing the street, or simply ignore a pedestrian’s right-of-way.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Excessive speed is a major factor in the severity of pedestrian injuries. It reduces a driver’s reaction time and dramatically increases the force of impact.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
A driver impaired by alcohol or drugs lacks the judgment and coordination to operate a vehicle safely, posing a lethal threat to everyone around them.
Accidents in Parking Lots and Poorly Lit Areas
Parking lots at commercial centers like Destiny USA and poorly lit residential streets can be dangerous, as drivers may fail to see a pedestrian until it is too late.
New York Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Data from transportation safety agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlights the severe risks pedestrians face. These statistics paint a stark picture of the dangers on our roads:
- Speed is a Key Factor: A pedestrian’s risk of severe injury or death increases dramatically with vehicle speed. Accidents occurring at 40 mph are significantly more lethal than those at 20 mph.
- Time and Place Matter: The vast majority of pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas and at non-intersection locations. Furthermore, most fatal incidents happen at night, when visibility is reduced.
- Alcohol Impairment: A significant percentage of crashes resulting in pedestrian fatalities involve a driver or pedestrian with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit.
Pedestrian Accidents Can Cause Life-Altering Injuries
Unlike the occupants of a car, a pedestrian has zero protection. This defenselessness is why pedestrian collisions so often result in devastating harm.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): A forceful impact to the head can cause a Traumatic Brain Injury, leading to permanent cognitive or physical disabilities.
- Spinal Cord Damage and Paralysis: Damage to the spinal cord is one of the most severe outcomes of a pedestrian accident, potentially resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- Broken Bones and Orthopedic Injuries: Victims often suffer multiple complex fractures to the legs, arms, and pelvis, requiring extensive surgery and long-term physical therapy.
- Internal Damage and Wrongful Death: Blunt force trauma can cause life-threatening internal bleeding and organ damage. Tragically, many of these accidents are fatal, leaving families to pursue a wrongful death claim.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Pedestrian Accident?
Our goal as your Syracuse pedestrian accident attorneys is to secure a settlement or verdict that covers every single loss you have suffered, past, present, and future.
Economic Damages: Covering Your Financial Losses
- All Medical Bills (hospital stays, surgery, medication, therapy)
- Future Medical Needs (ongoing care, medical devices)
- Lost Wages from being unable to work
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity if you cannot return to your job
- Rehabilitation and Vocational Training
Non-Economic Damages: For Your Pain and Suffering
- Physical Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress, Anxiety, and PTSD
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life
- Permanent Disfigurement and Scarring
Confused about what your claim is worth? Let us evaluate your case for free. Call Stanley Law Offices now to learn more.
What to Do Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident in Syracuse, NY
The steps you take in the minutes and hours after being hit by a car are crucial for protecting your health and your legal rights.
- Call 911 and Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your priority is your health. Get evaluated by a medical professional even if you think your injuries are minor.
- Document the Scene and Gather Witness Information: If you are able, take pictures of the vehicle, its license plate, your injuries, and the accident scene. Get names and phone numbers from any witnesses.
- Report the Accident to Law Enforcement: An official police report provides critical evidence for your claim.
- Do NOT Give a Statement to the Insurance Company: The adjuster’s goal is to get you to say something that undermines your claim. Politely decline to give a recorded statement.
- Contact a Syracuse Pedestrian Injury Lawyer: Before you sign anything, speak with an attorney. Call Stanley Law Offices for a free, no-obligation case review.
Should You Accept an Insurance Company’s First Offer?
Absolutely not. After an accident, the negligent driver’s insurance company may contact you quickly with a settlement offer. It is crucial to understand that this first offer is not an act of goodwill; it is a business tactic. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts and close cases as cheaply as possible. They know you are likely facing medical bills and lost wages, and they use this financial pressure to push you into accepting a fast settlement before the full extent of your injuries and long-term costs are known.
Accepting that offer means signing away your right to any future compensation for this accident. If you later require another surgery or cannot return to work, you will have no further recourse. Before you even consider an offer, you need an experienced lawyer to calculate the true value of your claim, including future medical needs and lost earning capacity. We handle all communications with the insurance company, protecting you from their tactics while we fight for the full compensation you are truly owed.
High-Risk Intersections for Pedestrians in Syracuse, NY
While an accident can happen anywhere, certain areas in Syracuse see a dangerous combination of heavy vehicle traffic and pedestrian activity. Based on traffic data and accident reports, several intersections are known for being high-risk, including:
Destiny USA Area Exits: The roadways surrounding the Destiny USA mall are often congested with drivers who may be distracted or in a hurry, posing a risk to shoppers walking to and from the parking lots.
Erie Boulevard East & South Crouse Avenue: This area near University Hill has complex turning lanes and high vehicle volume, creating a hazardous environment for students and residents on foot.
South Salina Street & West Adams Street: As a major downtown artery, this intersection sees constant bus and vehicle traffic, increasing the risk for pedestrians navigating the city center.
Contact Our Syracuse Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today (No Fee Unless We Win)
Don’t let an insurance company decide your future. Take control. If you’ve been injured, contact the dedicated and experienced Syracuse pedestrian accident lawyers at Stanley Law Offices now. We are ready to listen to your story and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Call us 24/7 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is my pedestrian accident case worth?
The value depends on the severity of your injuries, your total medical bills, lost income, and the degree of the driver’s negligence. A lawyer for a pedestrian hit by a car or any motor vehicle can evaluate your specific case to estimate its potential value.
How do you prove the driver was at fault?
We use evidence like the police report, witness testimony, traffic camera footage, and expert accident reconstruction to prove the driver breached their duty of care.
What is the statute of limitations for a pedestrian accident in NY?
In New York, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. It is critical to contact a pedestrian accident lawyer long before this deadline expires.
What if I was partially at fault or not in a crosswalk?
Even if you were not in a marked crosswalk, you might still have a strong case. Under New York’s laws, we can fight to ensure you are not assigned an unfair percentage of fault.
