Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Manhattan, NY

Fighting for Injured New Yorkers for Over 39 Years

Personal Injury Attorney Michael Gunzburg

What Our Clients Say

Who Needs a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Manhattan?

You need a Manhattan pedestrian accident lawyer if a vehicle struck you while you were walking, crossing a street, or standing on a sidewalk anywhere in the borough. This includes a Manhattan pedestrian accident victim hit by a car making an illegal turn in Midtown, someone struck in a crosswalk on the Upper East Side, a pedestrian knocked down by a delivery truck in the Financial District, a tourist hit near Times Square by a distracted driver, a worker crossing Canal Street and struck by a commercial vehicle, or a resident walking in Chelsea or Greenwich Village injured by a driver running a red light. Seniors, commuters, food delivery workers, and anyone on foot near major intersections in Midtown, Lower Manhattan, or Harlem all face real risk every day.

Common Situations Michael Gunzburg, P.C. Handles

Failure to Yield at Crosswalks

Drivers turning at intersections are required by law to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. This failure is one of the most common causes of pedestrian injuries in Manhattan, particularly at high-traffic corners like 5th Avenue and East 42nd Street and along Broadway through Times Square, where vehicle and foot traffic collide constantly.

Distracted Driving

A driver looking at a phone, adjusting a GPS, or reaching for something in the car can travel the length of a city block without ever looking up. In a dense borough like Manhattan, where pedestrians are everywhere, that lapse of attention can be catastrophic.

Drivers Running Red Lights and Stop Signs

Manhattan's grid of intersections means pedestrians cross with the assumption that vehicles will stop. When drivers run signals on corridors like 3rd Avenue near 50th Street or along upper Broadway, the results are often severe injuries.

Rideshare and Taxi Vehicles

Uber, Lyft, and yellow cab drivers frequently pull over, accelerate from stops, and change lanes abruptly in Manhattan traffic. Pedestrians stepping off curbs, entering or exiting vehicles, or crossing near pickup zones are particularly vulnerable.

Delivery Trucks and Commercial Vehicles

Large delivery vehicles making stops throughout Midtown and Lower Manhattan create blind spots and narrow lanes that put pedestrians at risk. Canal Street and the areas surrounding major office buildings see a disproportionate volume of these incidents.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

Some drivers flee the scene after striking a pedestrian. This does not eliminate your right to compensation. New York's Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) program may provide a path to recovery, but strict reporting and filing deadlines apply.

Why Hiring a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Matters

Without legal representation, injured pedestrians are left to deal directly with insurance adjusters whose job is to pay as little as possible. Insurance companies often contact accident victims within days, sometimes hours, of an incident, offering fast settlements that fail to account for the full cost of treatment, lost income, or long-term disability.

The difference between handling a claim alone and having experienced legal representation is not minor. It is frequently the difference between a settlement that barely covers emergency room costs and one that accounts for years of rehabilitation, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

Michael Gunzburg, P.C. has been representing Manhattan pedestrian accident victims for over 39 years. The firm secured a $3 million settlement at trial for a 39-year-old union building porter who was crossing at 59th Street and 2nd Avenue in the crosswalk with the pedestrian walk signal when a driver turned left and violently struck him. The impact sent him airborne. He suffered serious knee injuries requiring surgery. That outcome required investigation, expert testimony, and the willingness to take the case all the way to trial. That is what experienced representation looks like in practice.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for Your Injuries

Multiple parties may be responsible for a pedestrian accident in Manhattan, and identifying all of them is part of building a complete case. The driver who struck you bears the most direct liability. But responsibility can also extend to the vehicle's owner if they entrusted their car to a negligent driver, a rideshare company if the driver was on duty, a trucking company if a commercial driver caused the crash, the City of New York if a poorly designed intersection, malfunctioning traffic signal, or inadequate crosswalk markings contributed to the accident, and the MTA or a private bus company if a transit vehicle was involved.

Thorough investigation from the start, gathering surveillance footage, police reports, witness statements, and vehicle records, is what identifies all liable parties and preserves your right to pursue full compensation.

What You May Be Entitled to Recover

Pedestrians injured in Manhattan by negligent drivers are entitled to pursue compensation for the full scope of their losses. Financial damages include all medical expenses, from emergency treatment and surgery to physical therapy, medications, and any future care your injuries require. If your injuries have kept you from working, or will limit your ability to work going forward, those lost wages and lost earning capacity are recoverable as well.

Non-financial damages account for the pain and suffering you have endured, the emotional trauma of the accident, the impact on your daily life and relationships, and any permanent disability or disfigurement. In cases involving the death of a pedestrian, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim that covers funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.

New York's pure comparative negligence rule means that even if you were partially at fault, such as crossing mid-block or against the signal, you can still recover compensation. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault, not eliminated.

Important Deadlines and Legal Rules for Pedestrian Accident Cases

The deadline to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit in New York is three years from the date of the accident. Missing that deadline permanently eliminates your right to compensation.

If a city-owned vehicle, such as an MTA bus or a New York City sanitation truck, struck you, a much shorter and stricter deadline applies. You must file a Notice of Claim against the City of New York within 90 days of the accident. After that, you have one year and 90 days to file the lawsuit itself. These timelines are enforced strictly, and missing them is almost always fatal to the case.

Beyond deadlines, evidence disappears quickly in Manhattan. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras is routinely overwritten within days. Witnesses become harder to locate. Skid marks and road conditions change. Contacting a pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible after your injury protects the evidence that supports your claim.

What Happens When You Call Michael Gunzburg, P.C.

Calling Michael Gunzburg, P.C. starts a straightforward process designed to take the legal burden off you while you focus on recovering.

You Speak Directly With the Attorney

From the first call, you work with Michael Gunzburg directly, not a paralegal or intake coordinator. You get honest answers about your case from an attorney with 39+ years of experience, not a sales pitch.

The Firm Investigates Immediately

The firm moves fast to visit accident scenes, secure surveillance footage, obtain police reports, and identify witnesses before evidence is lost. In Manhattan, where camera footage is often the most important evidence, that speed matters.

All Insurance Communication Is Handled for You

Once you retain the firm, you stop talking to insurance adjusters. Michael Gunzburg, P.C. handles every communication so adjusters cannot pressure you into recorded statements or early settlements that undervalue your case.

Your Case Is Built for Maximum Recovery

Medical records, expert testimony, and a full accounting of your economic and non-economic damages form the foundation of the claim. Every case is prepared as if it will go to trial, which strengthens the firm's negotiating position whether the case settles or proceeds to a jury.

You Pay Nothing Unless the Firm Wins

Michael Gunzburg, P.C. works on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs. No fees unless the firm recovers compensation for you.

Benefits of Hiring a Manhattan Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

You Get the Full Value of Your Claim

Insurance companies do not voluntarily offer what a case is worth. Having an attorney who knows how to document damages, counter lowball tactics, and present a case persuasively in court is what drives larger outcomes. The firm has recovered millions for pedestrian victims across Manhattan and the five boroughs.

You Are Protected From Insurance Company Tactics

Adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. They may tell you that you were partially at fault, that your injuries are pre-existing, or that the settlement offer they are presenting is as good as it gets. None of those statements deserve to go unchallenged.

You Can Focus on Recovery

Managing medical appointments, missing work, and dealing with financial pressure after an accident is already a lot. Having experienced legal representation handling the claim allows you to put your energy toward healing.

Your Case Is Backed by 39+ Years of Trial Experience

Knowing that your attorney has taken pedestrian accident cases all the way to trial, and won, changes how insurance companies engage. That track record is not incidental. It is the reason settlements are larger when represented by this firm.

Key Takeaways

• Pedestrian accident victims in Manhattan have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit, but if a city vehicle was involved, a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the accident.
• New York's pure comparative negligence law allows you to recover compensation even if you were partly at fault for the accident.
• Michael Gunzburg, P.C. secured a $3 million settlement for a pedestrian struck in a Manhattan crosswalk at 59th Street and 2nd Avenue.
• Insurance companies contact accident victims quickly and with low offers; having legal representation before responding to any adjuster protects the value of your claim.
• Surveillance footage, witness statements, and physical evidence disappear fast in Manhattan; contacting an attorney immediately after the accident preserves what is needed to prove your case.

Proven Results and Client Experience

Michael Gunzburg, P.C. has a documented record of results in Manhattan pedestrian accident cases. The firm's $3 million settlement at trial involved a union building porter struck in the crosswalk at 59th Street and 2nd Avenue with the pedestrian walk signal in his favor. The driver turned left and struck him violently enough to throw him into the air. The case required surgical treatment for serious knee injuries, expert testimony, and full trial preparation before the matter resolved.

The firm has also recovered a $2.5 million settlement at trial for a woman struck by a van while crossing at 7th Avenue and West 13th Street in Manhattan, and the firm has secured verdicts and settlements totaling more than $40 million in personal injury and medical malpractice cases across New York City.

Client Corinne, who worked with Michael Gunzburg, P.C. on a separate matter, described the experience this way: "The legal assistance doesn't get any better than what was provided by Michael Gunzburg, P.C. He was always there to respond to my needs." The firm's 24-hour callback commitment and direct attorney access are consistent across every case, from initial call through resolution.

Common Questions About Pedestrian Accidents in Manhattan

What should I do immediately after being hit by a car in Manhattan?

Call 911 and request both police and medical assistance. Do not tell the responding officers or anyone at the scene that you feel fine, even if you do not feel seriously hurt. Adrenaline masks pain, and symptoms from head, neck, and spinal injuries often appear hours or days later. Get the driver's name, insurance information, license plate number, and contact information for any witnesses. If you are able, photograph the scene, your injuries, and the vehicle. Then contact a pedestrian accident attorney before speaking to any insurance company.

Who pays my medical bills after a pedestrian accident in Manhattan?

Under New York's no-fault law, the at-fault vehicle's Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays for your initial medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, up to $50,000, regardless of who was at fault. If your injuries qualify as "serious" under New York law, which includes fractures, significant disfigurement, or permanent limitation of a body organ or member, you can also pursue a liability claim directly against the negligent driver for full compensation including pain and suffering.

Can I sue the driver if I had the walk signal?

Yes. Having the pedestrian walk signal is strong evidence of the driver's negligence, though drivers and their insurance companies routinely dispute it. A lawsuit requires proving that the driver's negligence caused your injuries and that those injuries meet New York's serious injury threshold for a liability claim. Having legal representation from the start protects that evidence and prevents you from making statements that could later be used to minimize your claim.

What if I was partly at fault, like crossing mid-block?

You can still recover compensation. New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, not eliminated entirely. Even if a jury found you 30% responsible for the accident, you would still recover 70% of the total damages awarded. The driver's obligation to exercise reasonable care does not disappear simply because a pedestrian was crossing mid-block.

What if the driver fled the scene?

A hit-and-run does not prevent recovery. New York's Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) compensates pedestrian accident victims when the at-fault driver cannot be identified or located. You must report the accident to police within 24 hours and file a MVAIC claim within 90 days of the accident. These are strict requirements that an attorney can help you meet correctly and on time.

How long does a Manhattan pedestrian accident case take to resolve?

Most cases resolve within one to three years, depending on the severity of injuries, how clearly liability is established, and how aggressively the insurance company contests the claim. Cases that involve disputed liability or serious long-term injuries typically take longer because thorough documentation of future damages takes time and because insurance companies often require more evidence before making reasonable offers. The firm prepares every case for trial, which drives better outcomes whether the matter settles or proceeds to a jury.

How is the value of a pedestrian accident case determined?

Case value is driven by the severity and permanence of your injuries, the total cost of past and future medical treatment, your lost wages and reduced earning capacity, and the impact the injuries have had on your daily life, relationships, and quality of life. Cases involving permanent disability, brain injuries, or the death of a family member typically carry the highest values. Manhattan cases can also involve greater lost wage calculations given the earning levels of workers across the borough.

Why choose Michael Gunzburg, P.C. over another personal injury firm?

Michael Gunzburg holds dual credentials as both a licensed attorney and a CPA. That combination gives the firm a distinct advantage in calculating and presenting economic damages, including lost earning capacity and the financial impact of long-term disability, in ways that most personal injury attorneys are not equipped to do. Combined with 39+ years of Manhattan and NYC trial experience, membership on the Brooklyn Bar Association referral panel since 1989, and admission to the Appellate Division Second Department, the firm brings depth that generalist personal injury attorneys cannot match.

What does it cost to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer?

Nothing upfront. Michael Gunzburg, P.C. works on a contingency fee basis, meaning attorney fees and case costs are only collected if the firm recovers compensation for you. If there is no recovery, you owe nothing. This allows injured pedestrians to pursue full legal representation regardless of their financial situation.

What if the driver's insurance company contacts me before I hire a lawyer?

Do not give a recorded statement, sign any documents, or accept any settlement offer before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to gather information that can be used to reduce or deny your claim. A recorded statement made while you are still in shock or unaware of the full extent of your injuries can significantly damage your case. Refer all communications to Michael Gunzburg, P.C. once you retain the firm.

Areas Michael Gunzburg, P.C. Serves in Manhattan

Michael Gunzburg, P.C. represents pedestrian accident victims throughout all of Manhattan, including Midtown neighborhoods surrounding major pedestrian corridors like 5th Avenue, Broadway, and 3rd Avenue; the Upper East Side near the intersection of 2nd Avenue and 59th Street, one of Manhattan's most documented high-risk crossings; the Financial District and Tribeca, where delivery truck traffic and narrow streets create ongoing hazards; Greenwich Village and the West Village, where residents and visitors navigate a dense mix of vehicles and foot traffic daily; Chelsea, Hudson Yards, and Hell's Kitchen; Harlem and East Harlem; and the Lower East Side, Chinatown, and SoHo. The firm's office is located at 950 3rd Avenue in Midtown Manhattan and serves clients across all five boroughs and Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Other Personal Injury Services We Offer in Manhattan

• Car Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Wrongful Death
• Slip and Fall Accidents
• Construction Accident Attorney in NYC
• Mass Transit Accident Attorney in NYC
• Wrongful Death Attorney in NYC
• Premises Liability Attorney in NYC