There is a real concern about the numbers of pedestrian accidents taking place on Long Island, where there is the highest rate of pedestrian injuries in the state, when New York is excluded from the calculation. Between 1991 and 2000, 27% of all traffic fatalities were pedestrians. There were about 71 pedestrian accident injuries per year, where in other areas, including NYC and throughout the state, the numbers had declined. Hempstead, Uniondale and Roosevelt are the cities with the highest rate of injuries requiring hospitalization. The next most dangerous areas for pedestrian accidents with injuries requiring hospitalization and care were the communities of Rockville Centre, Freeport, Bellemore, Mineola, Westbury, Glen Cove, Lawrence and Long Beach.
Some of the contributing factors that were found include higher levels of pedestrian traffic as well as density of population in some of these communities. It is believed that the higher rates of speed of vehicles travelling the streets and highways in Nassau County, as compared to NYC traffic which moves slowly, could be one of the factors that contribute to the higher rate of pedestrian accidents in the county.
Statistics mean little when your family member has been injured. These are highly personal and emotional situations, with a great deal of upheaval for the entire family, who must deal with either serious or permanent injuries, or loss of a loved one. Any such accident should be managed with the assistance of a legal professional with a high level of experience in litigating in civil court. It is likely that the insurance company for the negligent driver could try to pay out far less in a settlement that could be achieved with the help of a legal professional that has extensive trial experience.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, it is advised that you contact Attorney Charles R. Gueli, a Nassau County personal injury lawyer with decades of litigation experience (516) 628-6402.