New York City is a walking city, and as the foot traffic grows, the chances of pedestrian accidents increases. The NYC Department of Transportation, which has been officially studying pedestrian volume since it created the Pedestrian Volume Index in 2007, reports a 13 percent increase in sidewalk traffic, further stating that City sidewalks are more crowded now than at any time since the study began.

Crosswalks: Help or Hindrance?

Even designated crosswalk areas can be hazardous when one car slows or stops to yield to a pedestrian, but the negligent driver behind the slowing vehicle does not consider there may be a pedestrian in the street and decides to swerve around the slow or stopped car, striking the pedestrian.

Other common crosswalk accidents occur when cars rush through an intersection to make a light, or make a left-hand turn without first checking whether the crosswalk is clear. Pedestrians themselves, of course, must take care to only cross when the street lights permit it, and to exercise care and caution at all times. Pedestrians in general should possess the right of way at crosswalks and in theory are the safest places for pedestrians to cross the street.

Sidewalk Dangers, Premises Construction and Repair

In addition to the risk of collision with an automobile or bus, pedestrians face other dangers from slip and fall or trip and fall accidents on sidewalks or unsafe premises. These accidents can occur due to icy, wet, cracked, broken or obstructed sidewalks, or upon entering or exiting a bus or stepping onto or off of a curb.