Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in New York

The city has seen a decline in traffic fatalities since implementing Vision Zero, an initiative aimed at enhancing safety across the boroughs. Still, pedestrian accidents remain too common and have devastating consequences. Many leading causes of pedestrian accidents are tied to driver behavior. Common causes in New York include:

• Distracted driving: Pedestrians can be struck by vehicles when drivers engage in behavior that takes their attention away from the road. Distracted driving includes texting while driving, adjusting a GPS or radio setting, having conversations with passengers, or eating while driving. Distracted drivers have less time to react, often leading to broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and other serious harm.
• Failure to yield at crosswalks: Drivers who fail to give pedestrians the right of way while crossing a crosswalk or intersection are among the most common causes of pedestrian accidents. According to a study of driver behavior in New York City, drivers failed to yield to pedestrians in approximately 30% of pedestrian injury crashes. Even at low speeds, failure to yield can cause sprains, fractures, and head or neck injuries.
• Speeding and aggressive driving: Speeding, tailgating, weaving through traffic, and road rage can reduce a driver’s ability to react and stop in time for pedestrians. Aggressive driving can happen anywhere, and the city has lowered speed limits to 20 mph in some parts of Manhattan to improve safety. Higher speeds increase the force of impact and can lead to catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord damage, internal injuries, or wrongful death.
• Left-hand turns at busy intersections: Pedestrians are three times more likely to be killed or severely injured by a left-turning vehicle compared to a car turning right in the city, according to the New York City Department of Transportation. In the majority of these accidents, a one-way street was involved, and a traffic signal was present. Drivers may have limited visibility when turning left or may not be looking for pedestrians when driving through an intersection.
• Running red lights or stop signs: Drivers who ignore traffic signals create sudden, unexpected dangers for pedestrians lawfully crossing the street. These accidents are most common at intersections and can result in a range of injuries, from minor to severe, depending on the severity of the impact.
• Driver impairment: Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs exhibit reduced reaction times, impaired judgment, and compromised coordination. Pedestrians struck by impaired drivers commonly suffer life-altering injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol-impaired-driving traffic fatalities accounted for 29% of traffic fatalities in New York in 2023.
• Large vehicle blind spots: Larger vehicles like buses, trucks, and delivery vans often have bigger blind spots and limited visibility, but drivers still must watch for pedestrians. These vehicles can be especially dangerous at intersections, where pedestrians may be harder to see. When a crash occurs, injuries are often more severe. Pedestrian collisions involving trucks or other large vehicles may cause crush injuries, internal bleeding, broken bones, traumatic injuries, and in some cases, wrongful death.
• Poor street design or inadequate lighting: Despite initiatives to enhance New York City’s road safety through improved street design and safety measures, many locations still have poor visibility, insufficient lighting, and unmarked crosswalks. Pedestrians are at greater risk of accidents when waiting space is limited or lighting is inadequate. Factors such as poor weather, construction, or parked vehicles can also obstruct visibility. Reduced visibility can lead to severe injuries if drivers fail to see pedestrians in time.
• Distracted walking: Pedestrians who wear headphones, look down at their phones, or otherwise lose focus may cross at the wrong time. While distraction can increase the risk of an accident, it does not automatically relieve drivers of responsibility. Drivers are still required to exercise reasonable care and take steps to avoid a collision when possible. That said, pedestrians who cross illegally or against a signal may share fault for the crash.
• Improper backing or parking lot collisions: Pedestrians in parking lots or near vehicles backing out can be at risk when drivers fail to watch their surroundings. These crashes often happen at lower speeds, but they can still cause injuries such as whiplash, road rash, and concussions.