Pedestrian Accident Attorney in New York City

Hit by a car while walking in NYC? Call (212) 725-8500 for a free consultation. We've won millions for pedestrian victims across all five boroughs. No fees unless we win your case.

Pedestrian Accident Attorney Michael Gunzburg

Who Needs a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in New York City?

You need a pedestrian accident attorney if a driver struck you while you were crossing the street, walking in a crosswalk, using a marked pedestrian path, or anywhere on foot in New York City. This includes NYC pedestrian accident victims hit in crosswalks with the walk signal, people struck while jaywalking or crossing mid-block, seniors knocked down at intersections, delivery workers and couriers hit on busy streets, and anyone injured by a hit-and-run driver in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island. If your injuries required medical treatment, caused lost wages, or continue to cause pain, a legal evaluation costs you nothing and could change the outcome of your case.

Common Situations We Handle

Drivers Who Fail to Yield at Crosswalks

New York law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks. At busy intersections throughout Midtown Manhattan, Downtown Brooklyn, Flushing, Fordham, and St. George, drivers making turns regularly fail to check for people in the crosswalk. This is one of the most common causes of serious pedestrian injuries in the city.

Vehicles Making Illegal or Unsafe Turns

Left turns at signalized intersections are among the most dangerous moments for NYC pedestrians. A driver focused on oncoming traffic often overlooks a pedestrian who legally has the walk signal. Gerard Avenue in the Bronx, Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, and Northern Boulevard in Queens see these accidents regularly.

Distracted Drivers

Texting, using GPS, or talking on a phone takes a driver's eyes off the road long enough to miss a pedestrian entirely. Distracted driving is documented through phone records, which the firm obtains when investigating your case.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

When a driver flees the scene, it doesn't mean you're out of options. New York's Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) exists specifically to compensate pedestrians when the at-fault driver cannot be identified or is uninsured. Strict deadlines apply, report to police within 24 hours and file your MVAIC claim within 90 days.

Bus and Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Buses, delivery trucks, and commercial vehicles move through NYC streets at high volume. When they strike pedestrians, the injuries tend to be catastrophic. The firm secured a $1.9 million post-verdict settlement for a Bronx pedestrian struck by a Liberty Lines bus in a crosswalk at Jerome Avenue and East Knightsbridge Avenue.

Speeding or Reckless Drivers

Drivers who run red lights or stop signs, especially near schools, hospitals, and residential areas across Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, cause some of the most devastating pedestrian accidents in the city.

Why Hiring a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Matters

Going up against an insurance company without legal representation puts you at a serious disadvantage. Adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. They will contact you quickly, often before you understand the full extent of your injuries, hoping you'll accept a settlement that doesn't come close to covering your actual losses. Once you sign, you cannot go back.

Studies consistently show that injured people represented by attorneys recover 2.4 to 3.5 times more compensation than those who handle claims alone.

Michael Gunzburg brings something most personal injury attorneys can't offer: he is both a licensed attorney and a Certified Public Accountant. That CPA credential matters in pedestrian cases because calculating the true economic impact of your injuries, including future medical costs, lost earning capacity, and long-term rehabilitation, requires financial precision, not just legal knowledge. A $3 million settlement for a Manhattan union porter who was hit at 59th Street and 2nd Avenue reflects that kind of thorough, complete valuation. The driver's insurer didn't offer that number voluntarily. It came from 39+ years of preparation, evidence, and trial readiness.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

Multiple parties may share responsibility for a pedestrian accident in New York City. The at-fault driver is the most common defendant, but that's often only the beginning. If the driver was operating a company-owned vehicle, the employer may be liable. If a government entity failed to maintain safe traffic signals or road markings at the intersection where you were struck, there may be a claim against the city. Rideshare drivers working for Uber or Lyft carry specific insurance coverage that may apply. In hit-and-run cases, MVAIC serves as the payer of last resort. A thorough investigation identifies every responsible party, because missing one can mean leaving significant compensation on the table.

What You May Be Entitled To Recoveryou deserve.

Pedestrian accident victims in New York City can recover compensation for a range of losses. Medical expenses, including emergency room treatment, surgeries, hospitalizations, physical therapy, prescription medications, and future care, are recoverable in full. Lost wages from time missed at work are compensable, as is loss of earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, PTSD, permanent disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. If you were struck by an uninsured or unidentified driver, MVAIC benefits are also available. No outcome can be guaranteed, but the firm's track record, including three pedestrian settlements of $2.5 million or more, reflects what thorough preparation and trial readiness can achieve.

Important Deadlines and Legal Rules

The most important deadline in a New York pedestrian accident case is three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit against a private defendant. Miss that window and your right to compensation disappears permanently.

If a city bus, MTA vehicle, NYPD car, or any other government-operated vehicle struck you, the deadline is far shorter. You must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident. The lawsuit itself must be filed within one year and 90 days. Many pedestrian accident victims in New York lose valid cases not because the evidence was weak, but because they waited too long to contact an attorney.

New York also requires no-fault insurance applications to be filed within 30 days of the accident to access Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits covering up to $50,000 in medical costs and lost wages.

To sue for pain and suffering, your injuries must meet New York's "serious injury" threshold. This includes fractures, significant disfigurement, permanent loss of use of a body part, or injuries preventing your usual activities for at least 90 of the first 180 days following the accident.

Evidence moves fast in NYC. Traffic and security camera footage is overwritten within days. Witnesses scatter. Call (212) 725-8500 as soon as possible.

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

A direct answer right upfront: you speak with an attorney, not a case manager or intake screener. Here is what the process looks like.

Free Case Evaluation With No Pressure

The firm reviews your accident, your injuries, and your situation honestly. You'll learn whether you have a viable case and what your legal options are, with no obligation to proceed and no legal jargon.

Immediate Investigation

Evidence disappears quickly in New York City. The firm moves fast, often visiting the accident scene within days, to photograph conditions, obtain police reports, identify surveillance footage from nearby businesses or city cameras, and secure witness statements before memories fade and recordings are deleted.

All Insurance Communication Handled for You

You will not have to talk to the driver's insurance company. Adjusters are trained to elicit statements that hurt your claim. The firm handles every call, letter, and negotiation so you are protected.

Medical Documentation and Expert Support

The firm works with your treating physicians to document every injury, and consults with medical experts when needed to establish the full scope of your current and future care needs. These details directly affect the value of your case.

Trial Preparation From Day One

Every case is prepared as if it's going to trial, even if it resolves in settlement. Insurance companies pay more when they know the attorney on the other side of the table has actually taken cases in front of juries, and won. Michael Gunzburg has been doing exactly that since 1987.

Benefits of Hiring an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

You Recover the Full Value of Your Injuries

Insurance companies calculate what cases "should" settle for based on what claimants typically accept. An experienced attorney changes that calculation by documenting every loss, including future surgeries, lifetime care costs, and lost earning capacity, and refusing to accept less. The firm recovered a $3 million settlement for a Manhattan pedestrian and $2.85 million for a Bronx pedestrian, both struck in crosswalks, and both cases involved multiple surgeries and long recovery timelines.

You Get Protection From Tactics Designed to Shortchange You

Quick settlement offers made before you understand your injuries, requests for recorded statements, and attempts to shift partial blame onto you are standard insurance industry tactics. With 39+ years of experience negotiating against these adjusters and their attorneys, the firm knows every move before it's made.

You Gain an Advantage in Hit-and-Run Cases

If the driver who struck you fled the scene, the firm handles the MVAIC claim process, strict procedural requirements, short filing windows, and all. You don't have to figure out an unfamiliar system while recovering from serious injuries.

You Have Real Courtroom Representation if Needed

Most pedestrian accident cases settle before trial. But when they don't, having an attorney who has stood in front of a jury matters. The $1.9 million result in the Bronx bus case came after a post-verdict settlement, meaning the firm actually took that case through trial. That track record creates leverage in every negotiation that precedes it.

Key Takeaways

• Pedestrian accident victims in New York City have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit against private defendants, but only 90 days to file a Notice of Claim if a government vehicle was involved.
• Insurance companies routinely offer quick, lowball settlements before injured pedestrians understand the full extent of their injuries, once you sign, you cannot seek additional compensation.
• Michael Gunzburg, P.C. has recovered multiple pedestrian settlements at or above $2.5 million, including cases involving crosswalk strikes, bus collisions, and turning vehicles.
• New York's pure comparative negligence rule means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, your award is simply reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
• Hit-and-run pedestrian victims in New York City have a path to compensation through MVAIC, but must report to police within 24 hours and file a claim within 90 days.

Proven Results and Client Experience

The results below are from the firm's actual pedestrian accident cases:

$3 Million Settlement: A 39-year-old union building porter was crossing 59th Street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan in the crosswalk with the pedestrian walk signal when a driver turned left and struck him from behind. The impact launched him into the air. He landed on his left knee, which struck a protruding metal bolt from a steel construction plate. He underwent four arthroscopic surgeries, eventually requiring a partial knee replacement, and lost approximately two years of work. The case settled after the jury was selected and the trial was ready to begin.

$2.85 Million Settlement: A 55-year-old woman was crossing at Gerard Avenue and 153rd Street in the Bronx when a company vehicle making a left turn struck her without warning. She sustained injuries to her head, neck, shoulder, lower back, and both knees, requiring arthroscopic surgeries to her shoulder, knee, and hip, as well as cervical spinal fusion surgery. The firm obtained partial summary judgment on liability before the case settled.

$2.5 Million Settlement: A 51-year-old woman was crossing at 7th Avenue and West 13th Street in Manhattan with a green light when a van struck her, causing bilateral knee injuries. The case included pre-existing conditions that the defense aggressively litigated. The firm prevailed on partial summary judgment and the case settled before the jury was sworn in.

$1.9 Million Post-Verdict Settlement: Nanette, a 57-year-old woman, was struck in a crosswalk at Jerome Avenue and East Knightsbridge Avenue in the Bronx by a Liberty Lines bus. The bus driver admitted the sun obscured his view; a witness stated the driver was holding a cell phone at the time. The case went to verdict before settling for $1.9 million.

Cesar, a client who was struck by a car and thrown into the air, leaving him with catastrophic knee injuries that ended his career as a union porter, described his experience this way: "Michael Gunzburg, P.C. was a breath of fresh air and provided me with a sense of stability when everything else in my life seemed to be falling apart. He took the time to go through every step of the legal process with me, and fought for me and my family every step of the way. In the end, this led to me receiving a substantial multi-million dollar settlement at trial which covered my medical costs and lost wages."

Common Questions About Pedestrian Accidents in New York City

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

Call 911 so police and EMS respond to the scene. Get medical attention, even if you feel okay, adrenaline can mask serious injuries like spinal fractures and traumatic brain injuries that may not be apparent for hours or days. Collect the driver's name, license plate, and insurance information if you are able. Take photos of the scene, any vehicles, traffic signals, and your visible injuries. Get names and contact information from witnesses. Do not give a recorded statement to the driver's insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Call (212) 725-8500 as soon as you're able, the sooner the investigation starts, the stronger your case becomes.

Who pays my medical bills after a pedestrian accident?

In New York, the no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage from the vehicle that struck you covers up to $50,000 in medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, regardless of fault. You must apply for these benefits within 30 days of the accident. If you own a vehicle yourself, your own policy may also provide coverage. No-fault benefits do not cover pain and suffering; a personal injury claim against the driver addresses those losses.

How much is my pedestrian accident case worth?

Case value depends on the severity of your injuries, total medical costs past and future, lost income and future earning capacity, the presence of permanent disability or disfigurement, and the strength of the evidence against the driver. The firm has recovered $1.9 million, $2.5 million, $2.85 million, and $3 million in pedestrian accident cases. Each was different. What they shared: thorough documentation, experienced valuation, and readiness to go to trial. During your free consultation, the firm will give you an honest assessment of what your case may be worth.

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

Three years from the date of the accident to file against a private defendant. If a New York City bus, MTA vehicle, or any government-operated vehicle was involved, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident and file the lawsuit within one year and 90 days. These deadlines are rigid. Failing to meet them almost always ends the case, regardless of how strong the evidence is. Contact an attorney immediately.

What if I was jaywalking when I was hit?

You can still recover compensation. New York's pure comparative negligence law allows you to recover even if you were partially at fault, your award is simply reduced by your percentage of responsibility. A pedestrian who was jaywalking but struck by a speeding, distracted, or reckless driver may still recover the majority of their damages. The key is proving the driver's negligence and minimizing any attribution of fault to you. Do not assume your circumstances disqualify you from pursuing a claim.

What if the driver who hit me doesn't have insurance?

You have options. If you own a vehicle with uninsured motorist coverage, that policy may apply to your pedestrian accident even though you weren't in a car. If no such coverage applies and the driver is truly uninsured or unidentified, New York's Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) can provide compensation. You must report the accident to police and file your MVAIC claim within 90 days. The firm handles every step of the MVAIC process for clients.

What if the driver's insurance company already called me?

Do not give them a recorded statement or sign anything. Insurance adjusters are gathering information to minimize what the company pays you. Anything you say can be used to challenge the severity of your injuries or shift blame onto you. Politely decline and call (212) 725-8500. The firm handles all communication with insurance companies from that point forward.

What injuries do pedestrian accident victims typically suffer?

Because pedestrians have no physical protection, the injuries tend to be severe. Common results include traumatic brain injuries from striking the pavement or vehicle, spinal cord injuries, multiple bone fractures (legs, pelvis, arms, ribs), internal organ damage, torn tendons and ligaments, severe lacerations, and permanent scarring. Many pedestrian accident victims require multiple surgeries, months of rehabilitation, and face long-term or permanent disability. These are not soft-tissue cases, they are serious, life-altering injuries that require serious legal representation.

Will my case go to trial?

Most pedestrian accident cases settle before trial, often during negotiation or after a lawsuit is filed. The firm prepares every case for trial regardless, that preparation is exactly why insurance companies take the demands seriously. When a company knows your attorney has actually tried pedestrian accident cases to verdict and won, the settlement negotiations are different. If the case does go to trial, Michael Gunzburg has 39+ years of courtroom experience and clients can expect thorough preparation and direct communication at every stage.

How much does it cost to hire a pedestrian accident attorney?

Nothing upfront. The firm works on a contingency fee basis: no hourly rate, no retainer, no upfront costs of any kind. The fee is a percentage of what the firm recovers for you, paid out of the settlement or verdict. If the firm doesn't win, you owe nothing. Your free consultation is exactly that, free, with no obligation.

Can I still file a claim if I was hit months ago and didn't see a doctor right away?

Possibly, but delayed treatment creates challenges. Gaps in medical care give insurance companies a basis to argue your injuries are unrelated to the accident or less severe than claimed. The sooner you begin treatment and the sooner you contact an attorney, the stronger your position. Even if time has passed, call (212) 725-8500 for an honest evaluation of where your case stands.

Areas We Serve

Michael Gunzburg, P.C. represents pedestrian accident victims throughout New York City, including all five boroughs. The firm handles cases in Manhattan, from Midtown crosswalks along 5th and 7th Avenues to intersections in the Financial District, SoHo, Harlem, the Upper East Side, and Greenwich Village. In Brooklyn, the firm serves clients injured in Williamsburg, Park Slope, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, DUMBO, and throughout the borough. Queens clients include those hit in Astoria, Long Island City, Flushing, Jamaica, and Forest Hills. Bronx cases regularly involve the Grand Concourse, Fordham Road, Pelham Bay, and Soundview neighborhoods. Staten Island clients come from St. George, New Dorp, and Tottenville. The firm also handles pedestrian accident cases in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Pedestrian accidents happen across the entire city, on sidewalks, in crosswalks, at dangerous intersections, and on streets where drivers routinely fail to yield. Wherever yours happened, the firm has the local knowledge and legal experience to build your case.

Other Personal Injury Services We Offer

• Car Accident Attorney in NYC
• Bicycle Accident Attorney in NYC
• Wrongful Death Attorney in NYC
• Bus & Train Accident Attorney in NYC
• Slip and Fall Attorney in NYC
• Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney in NYC