New York City is built for people on foot. Every day, millions of residents and visitors move through intersections, crosswalks, transit hubs, and neighborhood streets on their way to work, school, or home. But when a driver fails to yield, turns through a crosswalk, or enters an intersection without looking, the person walking has little protection.

We represent pedestrians who were seriously injured throughout Manhattan — including Lower Manhattan — and the five boroughs. These incidents often occur in places where foot traffic and vehicles constantly intersect — busy avenues, neighborhood crossings, transit entrances, and commercial corridors.

In recent years, New York has continued to see hundreds of pedestrian fatalities annually and thousands more serious injuries requiring emergency care or hospitalization. Older adults remain among the most vulnerable, but pedestrians of all ages are affected when drivers are distracted, impaired, speeding, or simply fail to see someone lawfully crossing the street.

These cases are often part of the broader category of motor vehicle accidents that occur across the city’s streets and intersections.

Pedestrian Accidents in Manhattan

Many of the pedestrian collision cases we handle occur in Manhattan — including Lower Manhattan neighborhoods where foot traffic and vehicle congestion intersect constantly. Busy corridors near transit hubs, commercial centers, and major downtown routes create conditions where turning vehicles and pedestrians interact at close range.

We frequently see collisions near signalized intersections, crosswalk-heavy avenues, and areas with high delivery and rideshare activity. In these environments, even a brief lapse in driver attention can result in serious injury.

Common Manhattan intersections where pedestrian crashes occur often involve turning Manhattan traffic, dense crosswalk use, and limited visibility.

Understanding how these collisions occur in Manhattan’s dense traffic patterns is an important part of building a strong case.

What To Do Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident in NYC

In the moments after being struck by a vehicle, most people are focused on their injuries — and understandably so. But the steps taken in the first hours and days can affect both medical recovery and legal rights.

If possible, or if someone can assist you:

• Call 911 so that police and medical responders create an official record
• Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor
• Identify the vehicle and driver, if the driver remains at the scene
• Photograph the intersection, signals, vehicle position, and surroundings
• Look for nearby cameras at storefronts, transit entrances, or traffic signals
• Avoid discussing fault at the scene
• Notify your own insurance carrier promptly

Pedestrian collisions often occur at busy Manhattan intersections where video evidence may exist — but that footage is frequently overwritten within days.

When a Pedestrian Is Struck in NYC

Many of the people who come to us were doing nothing wrong when the collision occurred. They were in a crosswalk, crossing with the signal, or walking along a sidewalk when a driver failed to yield.

We regularly see cases involving:

• Turning vehicles entering crosswalks
• Drivers proceeding through intersections while pedestrians have the right of way
• Distracted or inattentive driving
• Impaired driving
• Delivery and commercial vehicles operating in dense traffic
• Hit-and-run incidents

You can learn more about collisions involving fleeing drivers on our hit-and-run accidents page, and about crashes involving commercial vehicles on our delivery truck accidents page.

Many of these collisions occur alongside other roadway incidents involving car accidents, truck accidents, or rideshare accidents, particularly in high-traffic areas of Manhattan.

How No-Fault Applies to Pedestrians

Many people are surprised to learn that New York’s no-fault insurance system applies to pedestrians as well.

After a pedestrian collision:

• Medical bills may be covered through no-fault benefits
• A portion of lost income may be reimbursed
• Certain related expenses may be eligible for reimbursement

These benefits typically must be applied for within 30 days.

No-fault does not compensate for pain and suffering. When injuries meet New York’s serious injury threshold, additional claims may be pursued against the at-fault driver or other responsible parties.

When a Pedestrian Injury Becomes a Lawsuit

New York law allows injured pedestrians to seek compensation beyond no-fault benefits when injuries are serious.

A qualifying injury may include:

• Significant limitations in movement
• Fractures
• Long-term impairment
• Injuries preventing a return to work

New York follows comparative negligence, meaning a pedestrian may still recover compensation even if a driver claims the pedestrian contributed to the collision.

This is especially important in Manhattan, where drivers often assert that a pedestrian “entered suddenly” or was “outside the crosswalk,” even when signals or right-of-way rules favored the person walking.

The Injuries We Commonly See

Pedestrian collisions frequently result in severe trauma because there is no physical protection.

We often represent clients suffering from:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal injuries and herniated discs
• Fractures
• Knee and shoulder injuries
• Internal injuries
• Long-term mobility limitations

These injuries can affect the ability to work, commute, and carry out daily activities — much like serious injuries we see in bicycle accidents and motorcycle accidents throughout New York City.

Identifying Who May Be Responsible

Responsibility for a pedestrian collision is not always limited to the driver.

Depending on the circumstances, liability may involve:

• A private driver
• A commercial vehicle operator
• A delivery company or employer
• A municipal entity responsible for roadway design or maintenance

In some cases, even when the driver leaves the scene, recovery may still be available through uninsured motorist coverage.

How We Handle Pedestrian Accident Cases

When we represent someone injured as a pedestrian, our focus is on identifying how the collision occurred and preserving the evidence that explains it.

We investigate the scene, secure nearby surveillance and traffic camera footage, and review signal timing, vehicle movement, and witness accounts.

In some cases, responsibility may extend beyond the driver to include commercial operators or municipal entities.

We prepare each case to reflect the full impact of the injury — including medical needs, lost earning capacity, and long-term effects — because our clients are dealing with more than just the financial consequences of a collision.

Visiting Our Manhattan Office

Our Manhattan office is accessible from major routes such as the FDR Drive and the West Side Highway. Multiple subway lines and bus routes stop nearby, making it convenient for clients traveling from Midtown, Downtown Manhattan, Harlem, Brooklyn, and Queens.

Our office is located in Lower Manhattan, allowing us to meet with clients close to where many pedestrian collisions occur.

Meeting locally can make the process easier while you focus on recovery.