Recent Accident Draws Attention to Bike-Pedestrian Collisions

A 59-year-old woman is on life support after being hit by a bicycle in Central Park on September 18. According to police reports, the woman was walking in the crosswalk at a light-protected intersection near W. 63^rd St. when the accident occurred, and she suffered severe head trauma. The cyclist remained at the scene of the crash.

This serious accident serves to highlight the ever-present risk of serious or even fatal injuries to a pedestrian as the result of being hit by a bicycle. A 2011 Hunter College study estimates that about 1,000 pedestrians each year require medical treatment in the aftermath of such collisions in New York State alone.

Although a number of factors can contribute to this type of accident, the truth is that pedestrians will almost always be at a disadvantage in a collision with a bicycle. It is impossible to prevent another person’s negligence, but fortunately there are some steps pedestrians can take to reduce the risk of accidents, and decrease their chances of being liable:

• Avoid departing from designated walkways
• Use crosswalks whenever possible, and wait for traffic signals to tell you it’s safe to proceed
• Never assume the driver of any vehicle notices you and plans to stop for you, even if you have the right of way
• Make yourself visible, especially when walking at night, by wearing brightly colored or reflective clothing
• Remain alert — put cell phones and other devices away when crossing streets or walking in areas with high levels of bike traffic

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian or bicycle accident in New York City, speak with a skilled attorney at [ln::firm_name] right away to learn more about potentially seeking compensation.