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Albany Pedestrian Car Accident Attorney

NY Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Legal Options for Pedestrians and Bicyclists Hit by a Car

From our experience, lawsuits filed by pedestrians and bicyclists hit by a car in Upstate New York happen more frequently than you would think. Unfortunately, drivers accused of running into a pedestrian will blame the victim, the glare of the sun, an obstructed view, or anything but themselves. If your family member was a pedestrian or bicycle rider hit by a car, a lawyer with a successful track record handling these cases can keep the focus on the carelessness or recklessness of the driver.

The legal team at E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy has handled a significant number of pedestrian and bike accidents in decades of personal injury litigation, including wrongful death lawsuits for fatal accidents. Our attorneys work diligently to establish fault and convince the insurance companies to award full and fair compensation for the devastation.

We’ve prepared a valuable list of things to do (and not do) in the case of an automobile accident.

Download a copy for easy reference.

If a loved one was badly hurt in a bicycle or pedestrian accident, contact us now. Time is of the essence.

Injured Riding Your Bicycle in NY? Know Your Legal Rights

Our attorneys work fast to obtain witness statements, examine the vehicle, preserve debris, and document conditions at the site of the accident, with the help of expert investigators if necessary. We are skilled at establishing the failure to yield, lane change, illegal turn, sudden right turn, or other kinds of aggressive or inattentive driving that led to impact.

Our veteran trial lawyers are well aware of the drastic injuries to pedestrians and bike riders hit by cars: head trauma, spinal cord injuries, broken limbs, severe lacerations, scarring, and secondary injuries from striking the pavement. Usually, the initial settlement offer will not adequately compensate our client’s for their damages. Our lawyers prepare a comprehensive case that seeks damages for future medical care, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other appropriate compensation.

Under New York law, the actions of the victim do matter. Crossing against a light, jaywalking or other comparative negligence can reduce compensation. The amount of compensation awarded will be reduced by the percentage of a victim’s comparative fault. In such cases, we believe that our experience can make the difference between partial recovery and no recovery.

If the driver fled the scene without being identified, we will pursue compensation under the family’s underinsured/uninsured motorist policy or other avenues of recovery including the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC).

Pedestrian Car and Bicycle Accident Lawyers with Experience

Our practice welcomes clients from the Capital District and Upstate, Central New York, and the Hudson Valley. Contact us for a free consultation by phone or schedule a confidential in-person meeting with an attorney at one of our four convenient offices in Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and Saratoga Springs.

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Have Questions?

We Have Answers!
  • If I hire an attorney but do not want to go to trial, can I settle?
    In the course of preparing a case for trial, your personal injury attorney will work with the defense attorneys and insurance companies in an effort to secure a fair settlement for you and your family. The final decision to accept an offer of settlement or go to trial is yours alone to make.
    Contact us now to discuss your case with one of our experienced attorneys.
  • If arrested, what steps can I take on my behalf?

    1. Do not discuss your situation with anyone except your attorney.

    2. Unless your attorney says otherwise, do not discuss your case with law enforcement.

    3. Request to have your attorney present if you are to be put in a lineup or subjected to testing.

    4. Remain calm and courteous. Allow your attorney to speak for you to ensure that your rights are protected and you are given all the benefits afforded to you under the law.
    Contact us now to discuss your case with one of our experienced attorneys.

  • What is the difference between criminal procedure and civil procedure?
    When a crime has been committed, action is taken by a government agency against the person, persons, organization or other entity that violated the law. The first purpose of a criminal prosecution is punishment, which frequently consists of a fine or jail time. In a civil matter, the dispute is between two or more individuals or entities. The first purpose of a civil prosecution is obtaining compensation for the wronged person or entity. Settlement in a civil matter is generally an award of a money judgment. A criminal sentence is not imposed in a civil matter.
    Contact us now to discuss your case with one of our experienced attorneys.