When a driver fails to pay attention or ignores the rules of the road, the consequences can be devastating for the person on foot. If you’ve been injured because of someone else’s negligence, the Hempstead pedestrian accident attorneys at Trantolo & Trantolo are ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve while guiding you through every step of the legal process.
Our Hempstead personal injury lawyers understand the challenges you’re facing and know what it takes to build a strong claim. Whether negotiating with the insurance company or preparing your case for trial, we’ll fight to protect your interests and help you move forward. Contact Trantolo & Trantolo today for a free consultation with our team.
How Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Hempstead
Whether you’re crossing Hempstead Turnpike on your way to work, walking through a neighborhood, or using a marked crosswalk near a shopping center, you have the right to expect drivers to pay attention. Unfortunately, it only takes a moment of carelessness for a routine walk to become a life-changing accident.
Unlike the occupants of a vehicle, pedestrians have very little protection in a collision. Even crashes at lower speeds can result in serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment and months away from work. That’s why it’s so important to identify exactly what caused the crash and who should be held responsible.
Our attorneys have seen pedestrian accidents happen in many different ways, including:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failing to yield the right-of-way at intersections or crosswalks
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Failing to check for pedestrians before turning or pulling into traffic
After a serious pedestrian accident, answers matter. Our Hempstead pedestrian accident lawyers work to uncover what happened, identify who is responsible, and build a case that reflects the full impact this collision has had on your life.
Compensation Available After a Hempstead Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrians have little protection when they’re struck by a vehicle, which is why these accidents often result in life-changing injuries. Victims may suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal injuries, or permanent scarring. Many require surgery, lengthy rehabilitation, or ongoing medical care that affects nearly every part of their lives.
A successful pedestrian accident claim is about more than paying today’s medical bills. It should reflect the full impact the accident has had on your health, your ability to work, and your future. Potential damages we can seek on your behalf include:
- Medical expenses, including future treatment
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Reduced quality of life
- Other accident-related losses supported by the evidence
Insurance companies don’t always see the full picture. They may calculate what your claim is worth based on the bills they’ve received instead of considering how your injuries will affect your life months or even years from now. At Trantolo & Trantolo, we take the time to understand the lasting impact of your injuries so we can pursue compensation that truly reflects what you’ve been through. If the insurance company refuses to make a fair settlement offer, we’re prepared to take your case to court.
What If Your Loved One Died From Pedestrian Accident Injuries?
Because of the high risk of catastrophic injuries in these collisions, some injured pedestrians do not survive. Unfortunately, the New York State Department of Health reports that about 300 pedestrians die in accidents each year statewide. If this happened to your family member, we are here for you.
Per EPTL § 5-4.1, only the accident victim’s personal representative—the executor of their estate as recognized by the courts—can file a wrongful death lawsuit. For this reason, our Long Island team works with this party to seek fair compensation and accountability after a loved one’s death.
Contact our team to learn more during a free consultation. We have someone available now to take your call and discuss your next steps.
Hear from Our Happy Clients
How Trantolo & Trantolo Helps After a Hempstead Pedestrian Accident
The weeks after a pedestrian accident can feel overwhelming. You may be trying to recover from serious injuries while dealing with medical appointments, missed work, and calls from the insurance company. The last thing you should have to worry about is navigating the legal process on your own.
When you choose Trantolo & Trantolo, you gain a team that has been fighting for the rights of injured accident victims since 1938. We take the time to understand what happened, explain your options in clear terms, and develop a strategy that’s built around your goals. As your case moves forward, we’ll keep you informed, so you always know where things stand.
Our attorneys handle the legal work from start to finish. We communicate with insurance companies and other parties involved in your claim, prepare the documentation needed to support your case, and protect your interests during settlement negotiations. If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we are prepared to take your case to court.
Building a Strong Case Starts With a Thorough Investigation
A successful pedestrian accident claim depends on more than showing that a crash occurred. We work to uncover how it happened, identify everyone who may be responsible, and document the full impact the accident has had on your life. Some of the evidence we can gather on your behalf includes:
- Police accident reports
- Traffic camera or surveillance footage
- Medical records and treatment documentation
- Eyewitness statements
- Accident reconstruction analysis
- Evidence of your financial and personal losses
Every piece of evidence helps tell the story of what happened and why you deserve compensation. Whether we’re negotiating with an insurance company or presenting your case in court, we build each claim with the goal of putting you in the strongest possible position.
A Winning Tradition of Standing Up for Injury Victims
For more than 85 years, Trantolo & Trantolo has helped injury victims pursue the compensation they deserve. Our firm has recovered millions of dollars through settlements and verdicts, and we have the experience, resources, and reputation to handle even complex pedestrian accident claims.
We also believe quality legal representation should be available when people need it most. That’s why we handle pedestrian accident cases on a contingency-fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and you won’t owe attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
When Should You Contact a Hempstead, NY, Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
We recommend pedestrians injured by a careless or reckless driver call Trantolo & Trantolo as soon as they can following an accident. We often take calls from victims in the hospital, rehabilitation facilities, or who just got home following treatment.
If your loved one suffered catastrophic injuries and cannot make the call to our team right now, we will discuss the case with you and provide guidance about your next steps. Under some circumstances, family members may need to make legal decisions and act on behalf of a catastrophically injured loved one. We can help you navigate this process.
We also encourage you to contact us even if it has been more than a few weeks since your accident. You still have rights, and our Hempstead pedestrian accident lawyers can protect them and help you with your case. Reach out to us today to learn more about recovering compensation for your expenses and losses.
You Must File Your Case According to the Statute of Limitations in Hempstead
Per CVP § 214, most victims have up to three years to file a personal injury lawsuit against an at-fault driver. You generally have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit if your loved one passed away, per EPT § 5-4.1. However, we need to begin work on your case long before this deadline arrives. Getting an early start on your case means:
- You protect your right to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit
- Our legal team has ample time to collect time-sensitive evidence
- We can discuss your accident with witnesses while their memories are still fresh
Discuss Your Hempstead Pedestrian Accident Injuries With Our Team for Free
At Trantolo & Trantolo, we provide free, no-obligation initial case consultations for pedestrian accident victims. If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries after being struck by a vehicle in Hempstead, we are here for you. Our Hempstead pedestrian accident lawyers can file a claim or lawsuit on your behalf.
Get started today with your free consultation with our team. Contact us via telephone or use our online contact form to connect with our team now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does a Pedestrian Accident Settlement Take in Hempstead, NY?
It can take months or years to get a settlement for a pedestrian accident in Hempstead, NY. Complex cases with serious damages, questions of liability, or compromised evidence may go to trial. Trials typically take longer than out-of-court settlements. Talk to an attorney at Trantolo & Trantolo to learn more about the legal process.
Can I Recover Compensation If I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?
You can still recover compensation after a Hempstead pedestrian accident if you were partly responsible, as long as your share of the fault is not greater than the fault assigned to the responsible driver or drivers. Under New York’s law for motor vehicle injury cases, someone found more than 50% at fault generally cannot recover damages.
When an injured pedestrian is 50% or less at fault, any compensation awarded will be reduced by that percentage. For example, someone found 20% responsible would generally receive 80% of the damages awarded.
Questions about fault are often disputed. A driver’s insurer may argue that a pedestrian crossed outside a crosswalk or entered the road without enough time for the driver to stop. Trantolo & Trantolo will examine the evidence and challenge attempts to place more blame on you than the facts support.
What Not to Say to an Insurance Company After a Pedestrian Accident in Hempstead?
We recommend consulting with a lawyer before you speak with the insurance company. If you must give an account of the accident, stick to the facts and avoid the following:
- Admitting fault
- Pointing fingers
- Downplaying your injuries
- Discussing existing health issues
- Agreeing to a settlement
- Signing a waiver
Insurance agents can be persuasive, but their motivation is to protect their company’s profits. The pedestrian accident lawyers with Trantolo & Trantolo are here to protect your legal rights. We will vigorously advocate for maximum compensation, and we will not settle for less.