Brooklyn Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Compassionate Support & Strong Advocacy When You Need It Most

When you've been hurt on Brooklyn's streets, you don't just need a lawyer — you need someone who will fight for you personally. At the Law Office of Seni Popat, P.C., that's exactly what you get. Attorney Seni Popat has spent over 15 years going toe-to-toe with insurance companies on behalf of injured New Yorkers just like you. He has earned a spot on the prestigious Super Lawyers list for nearly a decade — not for the plaques on the wall, but because his clients get results.

When insurance adjusters realize that we are fully prepared to aggressively litigate your case in the courtroom, it forces them to take your claim seriously. Whether negotiating an elite settlement or fighting before a judge, we deliver aggressive advocacy designed to hold negligent drivers accountable.

$30 Million Recovered. Real Cases. Real Brooklyn Families.

Numbers tell a story. Ours says we deliver. The Law Office of Seni Popat, P.C. has recovered over $30 million for injured New Yorkers across Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and beyond. That includes a $2.1 million settlement for a motor vehicle accident, a $1.7 million recovery in a commercial auto case, and a $1.2 million result in a rideshare collision.

Pedestrian accident claims are among the most serious we handle — and we treat them that way. We don't rush your case toward a lowball settlement. We build it to win, and insurance companies know it.

These aren't just numbers. They're medical bills paid off. Lost wages replaced. Lives put back together.

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward recovery and compensation. We are accessible 24/7 to answer urgent questions, explain your next steps, or offer reassurance whenever you need us.

What is a Pedestrian Accident?

A pedestrian accident occurs when a motor vehicle—such as a car, truck, SUV, motorcycle, or bicycle—collides with someone who is not inside a vehicle. This includes individuals walking, jogging, running, sitting, or standing on a sidewalk, crosswalk, shoulder, or roadway.

Because pedestrians have absolutely no structural protection to shield them from an impact, these accidents often result in severe, life-altering injuries or fatalities, even when vehicles are traveling at relatively low speeds.

New York Pedestrian Laws

New York Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) establishes clear rules designed to protect pedestrians and regulate how drivers must behave around them. Key regulations include:

• VTL § 1151 (Pedestrians’ right-of-way in crosswalks): When traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation, drivers must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
• VTL § 1152 (Crossing at other than crosswalks): Pedestrians crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway. However, this does not absolve drivers of their duty to exercise care.
• VTL § 1146 (Drivers to exercise due care): This is one of the most critical laws in New York. It mandates that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, every driver must exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian, cyclist, or domestic animal, and must give warning by sounding the horn when necessary.

What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?

While some collisions are due to poor weather or infrastructure failures, the vast majority of pedestrian accidents in Brooklyn are caused by driver negligence. Common causes include:

• Distracted Driving: Texting, looking at GPS devices, adjusting the radio, or talking on the phone takes a driver’s eyes and mind off the busy Brooklyn streets.
• Failure to Yield: Many drivers fail to look for pedestrians before making a right or left turn at an intersection, striking people who have the legal right-of-way.
• Speeding and Aggressive Driving: Speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time and exponentially increases the severity of the pedestrian's injuries upon impact.
• Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s judgment, coordination, and reaction time, frequently leading to devastating pedestrian strikes.
• Disregarding Traffic Signals: Running red lights, blowing through stop signs, or failing to stop for a school bus puts pedestrians directly in harm's way.

Where Do Pedestrian Accidents Often Occur in Brooklyn?

Brooklyn features some of the most congested roadways in New York City. Pedestrian accidents can happen anywhere, but certain corridors and intersections see disproportionately high rates of traffic violence, including:

• Atlantic Avenue: A major thoroughfare with high-speed traffic and complex intersections that are notorious for pedestrian accidents.
• Flatbush Avenue: Spanning across the borough, Flatbush handles heavy vehicle volume alongside dense pedestrian foot traffic near Barclays Center and shopping districts.
• Eastern Parkway and Ocean Parkway: Wide roadways where drivers often treat local lanes like highways, endangering pedestrians attempting to cross.
• Intersections Near Highway Off-Ramps: Areas where vehicles exit the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) or the Belt Parkway onto local streets frequently catch pedestrians off guard as drivers fail to slow down quickly enough.

Liability for a Pedestrian Accident

Determining who is at fault for a pedestrian accident requires a thorough investigation. While the driver is often the primary liable party, New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This means that even if a pedestrian is found partially at fault for the accident (e.g., crossing outside of a crosswalk), they can still recover compensation. However, their ultimate financial recovery will be reduced by their percentage of fault.

At the Law Office of Seni Popat, P.C., we investigate every aspect of your case—securing traffic camera footage, interviewing witnesses, analyzing police reports, and consulting accident reconstruction experts—to establish clear driver liability and maximize your claim’s value.

Compensation Available for Injured Pedestrians

Because New York is a "no-fault" insurance state, your initial medical bills and a portion of lost wages are typically covered by the insurance policy of the vehicle that hit you, regardless of fault. 

However, if your injuries meet the state's "serious injury" threshold, you have the right to step outside the no-fault system and file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver for full damages, which may include:

• Past and future medical expenses (surgeries, physical therapy, medications)
• Full lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Permanent scarring, disfigurement, or disability
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Pedestrian Accident FAQs

How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in New York?

In most cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, if a government entity is involved, shorter deadlines may apply.

What should I do after a pedestrian accident?

Seek immediate medical attention, report the accident to the police, gather evidence (photos and witness information), and contact a Brooklyn pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible.

Can I still recover compensation if I was not in a crosswalk?

Yes, you may still be eligible for compensation. Liability depends on the facts of the case, including whether the driver was negligent.

How much does it cost to hire a pedestrian accident attorney?

At Law Office of Seni Popat, P.C., we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.

Will my case go to court?

Many claims are resolved through settlement, but if a fair offer is not made, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial.

Real Advocacy with Zero Upfront Costs

At the Law Office of Seni Popat, P.C., we believe that high-quality legal representation should be accessible to every injured pedestrian in Brooklyn, regardless of their financial situation. That is why we handle all personal injury and pedestrian accident claims on a contingency fee basis.

This means:

• You pay $0 upfront to retain our firm.
• We cover all costs associated with investigating your crash and building your case.
• We only get paid if we win a financial settlement or verdict for you.

Call (718) 866-3186 to connect with our Brooklyn pedestrian accident attorney now.