New York Pedestrian Injury Claims Cost City Millions

In the past seven years, New York City has addressed over 1,200 pedestrian injury suits and claims because of accidents by city vehicles, including police cars, garbage trucks, and buses. Recently, a national newspaper reported that Mayor de Blasio’s “Vision Zero” plan can be seriously hindered by actions of the city’s employees.

The City Comptroller reported that about 22 pedestrians have incurred fatal injuries as a result of accidents by these various city vehicles. He goes on to explain that these accidents have caused the city to pay out almost $90 million to the injured individuals and their families. For the 2014 fiscal year, the city has reported 145 pedestrian injury claims. To reduce the number of claims, the city is about to reduce the speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph.

In line with the Mayor’s “Vision Zero” plan, the city is attempting to redesign certain streets, increase the amount of signs, and implement new requirements for city drivers, including equipping city vehicles with devices that would indicate when they are driving dangerously.

Lawsuits against City Vehicles

As the above article explains, New York City bus and city vehicle accidents are unfortunately common. These types of accidents can result in serious injuries or even death.

Many city vehicles, specifically buses and other large vehicles, are governed by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). This agency creates and oversees the rules and regulations that these drivers are supposed to abide by. However, many times they are neglected, and drivers operate their vehicles in a negligent manner.

Some examples of negligence by these drivers include fatigued driving, texting or talking on the phone, aggressive driving, and ignoring posted speed and safety signs. However, often people fail to realize that many times the negligence occurs not only because of the actions of the drivers but those who hired or trained them. For example, the driver may not have been trained properly, or he or she may not have been reprimanded for prior occasions when he or she engaged in the negligent operation of a vehicle. In both of these instances, a claim for negligence against the driver and the city may be appropriate.

Have You Been Hurt by a City Vehicle?

If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident or other accident with a city vehicle, you may be eligible for compensatory damages. These damages include payment for your past medical bills, future medical expenses, and possibly other damages for the pain and suffering you endured as a result of the accident. These types of cases can often be time-consuming and involve a series of mandatory deadlines called the “statutes of limitations.” Additionally, preparing for a case of this nature can involve a significant amount of researching and investigation. To increase your chances of success, you should contact one of our experienced and dedicated attorneys here at Duffy and Duffy. Contact our office at (516) 394-4200 to schedule your free initial consultation.

See Other Blog Posts:

New York Nursing Home Successfully Sued for $2 Million After Negligent Care Led to Stage-IV Bedsore, Long Island Injury Lawyers Blog, September 29, 2014.

“Special Knowledge” Jury Instruction Required Reversal of Verdict in Plaintiff’s Favor, Long Island Injury Lawyers Blog, September 29, 2014.