Have you ever rushed to work, phone in hand, trying to send a last-minute email? This common habit can put you at serious risk on New York City’s busy streets.
Distracted walking is a growing problem in cities like New York. It happens when you do not pay full attention to your surroundings while walking, often occurring when you use your phone or listen to music. This can lead to accidents and injuries.
New York law says pedestrians must take reasonable care for their own safety. If you get into an accident while distracted, you might be partly at fault. This could reduce the money you get in a lawsuit.
Safety tips
Here are some tips to stay safe and protect your rights:
- Put your phone away: It is safer and shows you are being careful.
- Use headphones wisely: Using both ears can make you less aware of your surroundings.
- Follow traffic signals: Jaywalking or crossing against the light can make you responsible if an accident happens.
- Stay alert: Courts look at how aware you were of your surroundings.
- Document everything: If you have an accident, take photos, get witness information and file a police report.
If you get injured in a pedestrian accident, act fast: seek medical care, document the scene, gather witness information, file a police report and contact a personal injury attorney.
These steps are crucial for your health and your potential claim. New York’s comparative negligence laws mean your level of fault could reduce your compensation. For example, if you are 30% at fault, you would get 70% of the awarded damages. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, but with proper legal representation, you can fight for fair compensation.
Take action to protect yourself
Your safety and legal rights matter. Stay alert, know your rights and if you get hurt, seek legal help promptly. Experienced personal injury lawyers can help protect your interests and fight for the compensation you deserve.