Buffalo, New York, Distracted Pedestrian Car Accident Injury Lawyers

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Well-known as a New York Super Lawyer, and His Team of Attorneys at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. Fight to Obtain Optimal Outcomes for Victims of Pedestrian Accidents in Buffalo, New York; Niagara Falls, New York; Rochester, New York; Throughout New York State and Beyond.

Even though walking seems like a healthier and more economical option, it can also be extremely dangerous when pedestrians are distracted. Every year, more and more pedestrians are seriously injured as a result of talking, listening to music, texting, or updating social media while walking. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 6,300 pedestrians suffered fatalities in car accidents in a single recent year. Pedestrians were involved in 13% of all vehicle accident-related deaths. While it is unclear how many of these fatalities resulted directly from distracted foot-travelers, the rate of pedestrian deaths compared to overall road fatalities has increased dramatically in recent years.

A study conducted by researchers at Stony Brook University uncovered that pedestrians who texted were 60% more likely to veer off course. New York, Arkansas, and Illinois are just a few of the states that have unsuccessfully tried to ban the use of mobile devices while walking. Even though distracted walking may not be against the law, it is still crucial for foot-travelers to protect themselves by avoiding unnecessary distractions and paying attention to their surroundings. Pedestrians should never assume that they are safe or that cars will notice them. Always remember that no call, text, or social media post is worth being severely injured or worse.

If you, or a family member, were hurt because of someone’s negligence, even if you were walking while distracted, you should consider contacting a highly experienced personal injury attorney. Under New York law, plaintiffs are not prohibited from recovering damages for injuries even if they are partially responsible. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s compassionate team recognizes that pedestrian accidents can cause life-changing injuries. No one should be forced to suffer the physical and psychological impacts of another’s carelessness or irresponsibility. Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party may be the only way to begin to reclaim your life.

Jed Dietrich, Esq. has exclusively handled serious personal injury claims throughout the United States for over 20 years, including numerous pedestrian injury cases. Our veteran team will do everything possible to help ease your stress and anxiety during this tough time so that you can focus on getting better. Give yourself the peace of mind that you deserve by having Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his seasoned team of attorneys aggressively litigate your claim and pursue the compensation that you deserve. Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his zealous lawyers have forced insurance companies to forfeit over $175,000,000.00 in verdicts and settlements to compensate clients for their injuries. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. is available twenty-four-seven by calling (716) 839-3939 or by filling out the online consultation form.

Not paying attention while walking can deprive walkers of the reaction time necessary to mitigate injuries. The human body is delicate and vulnerable to even relatively minor incidents. As a result, when distracted pedestrians are involved in accidents, they often suffer devastating injuries, including:

1. Traumatic brain injury (TBI);
2. Total paralysis;
3. Neck or back or injuries;
4. Fractured and broken bones;
5. Dental and facial damage;
6. Deep lacerations and bruises;
7. Torn tendons and ligaments;
8. Soft tissue damage;
9. Internal injuries; and
10. Even death.

The best way to reduce distracted walking and related injuries is by alerting the public about its dangers. If you know family members or friends who frequently walk around distracted, it is important to talk with them. Educate them on the importance of watching where they are walking and using reasonable care. The following is a list of suggestions that can help keep you and your loved ones safe and significantly reduce the risk of suffering a pedestrian accident:

1. Restrict Smartphone Usage: Whenever you are walking around outside, especially in crowded areas and places with lots of traffic, try to limit your smartphone and other electronic device usage.

2. Pushback On Push Notifications: When you receive numerous push notifications, even pocketed phones can be very distracting while walking. You may be getting them from emails, online media subscriptions, social networks, and other applications. Before leaving your office or home, turn off your phone’s notifications for all apps that are not necessary.

3. Avoid Wearing Headphones: Wearing headphones, particularly noise-canceling ones and earbuds, can place you in harm’s way. Headphones decrease your ability to pick up noises and block out vital alerts, such as sirens on emergency vehicles, oncoming cars, and drivers honking their horns. If you are inclined to listen to music while walking, ensure that the volume is not too loud.

4. Move Out of The Way: Before texting or updating your social media, move into a safe space, out of the way of others, and stop walking.

5. Pay Attention to Your Surroundings: Always remain focused on everything around you, especially when crossing the street.

6. Safety First: Following basic walking safety rules, such as crossing the street at available crosswalks, always looking both ways before crossing, never jaywalking, and observing all traffic signals and signs, can help you stay safe.

Abiding by the above advice can considerably mitigate your risk of being a distracted pedestrian. While the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s battle-tested lawyers hope that our suggestions will assist you in remaining unharmed, it is still impossible to predict the actions of others. Even if you pay attention while walking, there is no guarantee that you will not be injured by a negligent motorist.

The Dietrich Law Firm’s team of veteran attorneys will never allow another’s negligence or inattention to ruin your life. Our number one priority is to ensure that you obtain the compensation that you deserve for all of your economic and non-economic damages, such as hospital bills, physical therapy costs, lost wages, loss of consortium, permanent disfigurement, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and much more. Over and over again, former clients of the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. have stated that Jed Dietrich, Esq. is the best personal injury attorney in New York State. Please see our Google 5 Star rating and clients’ testimonials by clicking here. We are available twenty-four-seven by calling (716) 839-3939 or by filling out the online consultation form.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at (716) 839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!