Preventing Pedestrian Accidents in the Bronx

Bronx pedestrians face serious hazards while traveling down city sidewalks. Speeding vehicles can jump curbs and hit them or collide with those who are simply crossing the street. Even teens and adults riding scooters or bicycles on sidewalks can cause tragic harm.

Although some studies indicate that Brooklyn still reports the most annual pedestrian accidents, Bronx residents and those living in every borough must always walk around with great caution, especially at night.

Fatal pedestrian accidents still occur each year

On January 13, 2024, a Bronx pedestrian accident proved fatal to a 53-year-old woman simply trying to cross the street at the intersection of 157^th St. and Melrose Avenue. After first being struck by a hit-and-run driver in an SUV, the female victim’s body was then tossed in front of a Jeep that was traveling in the opposite direction. She was soon declared dead.

New legislation and key safety tips can help us all save pedestrian lives

Given our law firm’s desire to help decrease all pedestrian accidents, we’ve published this article describing new safety legislation. It also reviews the types of harm Bronx pedestrian accident survivors often suffer, along with the types of diagnostic tests they usually need to provide them with proper treatment.

This article also provides a list of some of the most dangerous Bronx intersections that pedestrians should either avoid during rush hours – or move through with added caution. Crucial safety tips are also reviewed to help decrease all Bronx accidents.

New safety legislation — Sammy’s Law – offers new hope for fewer accidents

An April 2024 CBS news story states that new pedestrian safety legislation (known as “Sammy’s Law”) may soon decrease sidewalk and street dangers by lowering the driving speed in approved parts of New York City. As grateful as many are for this new law, it has taken over 10 years to pass this important legislation. It is named for young Sammy Cohen, a 12-year-old boy who was killed by a speeding Brooklyn driver more than 10 years ago.

Funds have now been approved within New York State’s final budget agreement allowing New York City to lower the speed limit from 25 mph to 20 mph. Of course, there’s still some pushback from residents who complain that the current speed limit is already too slow. Sadly, some of these same individuals are also (incorrectly) claiming that this new measure was only passed to help make more money off New York City’s many traffic speed cameras.

Fortunately, Governor Kathy Hochul and most residents recognize that saving the lives of children and adults is the most important focus of all. Had young Mr. Cohen’s life been spared, his mother, Amy Cohen (of Families for Safe Streets), said he would have turned twenty-four this year.

Proponents of the new legislation called “Sammy’s Law” also assert that slower speed limits are especially useful in reducing the degree of harm young children’s bodies often sustain when they’re hit by moving vehicles.

Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Council must approve this bill before it can go into effect. Between Sammy’s death and today, 96 other children (out of a total of 2200 people) have died due to what this same CBS news report refers to as New York City’s “traffic violence.”

Exercise caution when walking near these dangerous or busy Bronx intersections

• Webster Avenue and East Fordham Road. With as many as eight different bus lines letting passengers off in this area, it can be difficult to quickly reach safe sidewalk areas. While boarding or getting off buses, try to avoid standing in dangerous parts of the street.
• White Plains Road and East Gun Hill Road. An elevated subway line in this area, along with difficult turns and visibility issues make this an area that pedestrians should try to avoid whenever possible.
• Grand Concourse and East 170^th Street. The intersections in this area are often part of wide streets that require extra crossing time. One lengthy accident study ranked this as one of the three most dangerous Bronx intersections.

Pedestrians should also avoid spending time walking in or around major tourist attractions, especially during late afternoon and evening rush hours. These spots include Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo, Little Italy, the New York Botanical Gardens, the Bronx Museum of the Arts, the Hip Hop Museum, and other popular destinations. Buses and cab rides offer much safer ways of visiting these and other familiar landmarks.

Bronx pedestrian accident survivors often report similar injuries

Here’s a closer look at the types of injuries that many of our clients describe to us.

• Basic head wounds and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). While a limited number of these injuries are minor and heal within a few months, others can result in brain swelling that can cause permanent brain damage. Complications like strokes or seizures can also develop. Some TBI clients may require rehabilitative therapies lasting months or years. Sadly, when serious cognitive impairments develop, survivors often find it hard to return

to their former type of work. However, a significant percentage of head injury survivors

can successfully be trained to manage new part-time or full-time jobs.

• Spinal cord injuries (SCIs). When pedestrians are hit, run over, and possibly dragged by speeding drivers, their SCIs can be quite serious. Some survivors must even learn to cope with quadriplegia or paraplegia. Paralysis can also develop in other parts of patients’ bodies.
• Bone fractures. Nearly all our Bronx pedestrian accident clients report some bone fractures. These recovery times are often determined by the precise nature of each bone fracture. If there are any open wounds near the bone fractures, recovery can sometimes take much longer.
• Internal injuries. Rib fractures, brain bleeds, crushed bones, and even some organ failures can occur.
• Pelvic fractures. Although these don’t usually develop, clients hit extremely hard by trucks can suffer multiple types of pelvic fractures. Doctors tell patients that their pelvic bones include the tailbone (coccyx), the sacrum, and the hip bones. The sacrum is the large triangular bone located at the base of the spine. Stated generally, the pelvic bones are the ring of bones located beneath our body trunks (between our spines and legs). A fractured pelvis can be very painful. If there’s an open wound in the area, infections can quickly develop – often complicating the healing process.
• Severe cuts and lacerations. While these aren’t always serious, some of them can require multiple corrective surgeries.
• Wrongful death. While some injured pedestrians are declared dead at the scene of their

accidents, others often linger in hospitals for weeks before finally dying of all the harm

they’ve suffered. Speeding trucks and van drivers often cause the deadliest accidents.

Accurately diagnosing pedestrian accident injuries often requires key imaging tests

When first examining injured pedestrians, doctors will often perform one or more of the following diagnostic tests.

• The Glasgow Coma Scale. Physicians often administer this exam when trying to determine if the patient suffered any significant brain function injuries. During this test, people are asked to move several parts of their bodies, in keeping with both questions and directions. Among other unique medical problems, doctors use this to try to determine if the patient suffered any speech impairments – especially following significant head trauma. The assigned test scores can help doctors decide what other tests should be run.

• CT (computerized tomography) scans. These are often performed along with several types of X-rays.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans. Magnets and powerful radio waves are used during these scans to help doctors create detailed views of parts of the brain and body tissues that may have suffered damage.
• Different sets of blood work. These can help doctors more accurately decide which serious medical conditions may be present so they can choose appropriate treatments.

Regularly reviewing these and other pedestrian safety tips can help save lives

• Whenever possible, only cross streets at intersections or in marked crosswalks. If you do not see any crosswalks – you must cross the street using extra caution – constantly looking to see if any passing vehicles can see you.
• Always wear some type of bright clothing and closed–toe shoes. Even if it’s a bit warm, it’s wise to wear a bright, lightweight cloth jacket to be sure all drivers can easily see you. Wearing tennis shoes and carrying your dress shoes can save your life, especially in areas where the streets and sidewalks have potholes or broken slabs.

• Use sidewalks whenever you can; when there aren’t any, always walk facing traffic

so the drivers can see you. Whenever possible, try to make eye contact with drivers. When you do this, they’ll be more likely to keep their eyes fixed on your location.

• Before crossing any street, look to your left and then glance to your right. You should do this first, even if the light has changed and you have the right of way. When we forget to do this, we are all more likely to be hit by someone speeding around a corner in a car or truck — or riding aboard a fast motorcycle or scooter.
• Never stare at your phone screen (or try to manipulate it) while walking in any city – especially one as busy as New York City. When you ignore this critical rule, there’s a strong chance you’ll trip and fall – or otherwise fail to safely reach your destination.
• While walking, take the time to use the “pedestrian pushbuttons.” Once they show it’s safe to cross – glance around quickly – and then walk steadily across the street.
• Never daydream or make serious plans while walking. You must keep your eyes focused on looking for unexpected vehicles. And always glance down driveways and alleyways before crossing over them.

If you have suffered serious injuries after an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you need to contact our Bronx pedestrian accident law firm. We will carefully investigate all the facts of your case, review all your medical records, and then fight hard to win the maximum compensation available to you. We want every client to fully recover for all lost wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other losses.

FAQ:

1. Q: What is Sammy’s Law and how can it help reduce pedestrian accidents in the Bronx?
   A: Sammy’s Law is new legislation that allows New York City to lower the speed limit from 25 mph to 20 mph in approved areas. This law is named after Sammy Cohen, a 12-year-old boy who was killed by a speeding driver in Brooklyn over a decade ago. Slower speed limits can help reduce the severity of injuries sustained by pedestrians, especially children, when hit by moving vehicles.
2. Q: What are some of the most dangerous intersections for pedestrians in the Bronx?
   A: Some of the most dangerous intersections for Bronx pedestrians include Webster Avenue and East Fordham Road, White Plains Road and East Gun Hill Road, and Grand Concourse and East 170th Street. These areas often have heavy traffic, multiple bus lines, elevated subway lines, and visibility issues that can make it difficult for pedestrians to safely navigate.
3. Q: What types of injuries do Bronx pedestrian accident survivors commonly suffer?
   A: Bronx pedestrian accident survivors often report injuries such as head wounds and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries (SCIs), bone fractures, internal injuries, pelvic fractures, and severe cuts and lacerations. In some cases, pedestrian accidents can even result in wrongful death.
4. Q: What diagnostic tests are typically used to assess pedestrian accident injuries?
   A: Doctors often use the Glasgow Coma Scale to determine if a patient has suffered significant brain function injuries. Other common diagnostic tests include CT scans, MRI scans, and various blood work to help identify serious medical conditions and determine appropriate treatments.
5. Q: How can wearing bright clothing help prevent pedestrian accidents?
   A: Wearing bright clothing, such as a lightweight cloth jacket, can make it easier for drivers to see pedestrians, especially in areas with poor visibility. Closed-toe shoes, like tennis shoes, can also help pedestrians safely navigate streets and sidewalks with potholes or broken slabs.
6. Q: Why is it important to make eye contact with drivers when crossing the street?
   A: Making eye contact with drivers when crossing the street can help ensure that they see you and are aware of your presence. This can reduce the risk of being hit by a driver who may not be paying attention or who is speeding around a corner.
7. Q: What should pedestrians do before crossing a street, even if they have the right of way?
   A: Before crossing a street, pedestrians should always look to their left and then to their right, even if the light has changed and they have the right of way. This can help prevent accidents caused by drivers who may be speeding or not paying attention.
8. Q: Why is it dangerous to use a phone while walking in a city like New York?
   A: Using a phone while walking in a busy city like New York can be dangerous because it can distract pedestrians from their surroundings. This can lead to tripping, falling, or failing to notice oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.
9. Q: What should pedestrians do when using pedestrian pushbuttons at crosswalks?
   A: When using pedestrian pushbuttons at crosswalks, pedestrians should wait for the signal to indicate that it is safe to cross. Before stepping into the street, they should quickly glance around to ensure no vehicles are approaching, then walk steadily across the street.
10. Q: What should pedestrians avoid doing while walking to stay safe?
    A: To stay safe while walking, pedestrians should avoid daydreaming, making serious plans, or becoming distracted. They should keep their eyes focused on their surroundings, watching for unexpected vehicles and glancing down driveways and alleyways before crossing over them.