Forest Hills is an area that blends residential streets with commercial activity. As a result, it draws constant foot traffic, especially around its shopping corridors like Austin Street, Continental Avenue, and areas surrounding the Forest Hills-71st Avenue subway station. While these hubs contribute to the neighborhood’s vibrancy, they have also become sites of pedestrian accidents.
The combination of dense vehicle movement and a high volume of shoppers creates a setting where one moment of inattention or poor judgment can lead to serious injury. An attorney from Poltielov Law Firm can help you understand how these pedestrian accidents occur and make informed decisions about pursuing legal action for compensation.
Continue reading to understand how these accidents happen and the legal remedies available to injured individuals under New York law.
Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen
Shopping centers naturally attract a steady stream of pedestrians, especially during weekends and holidays. Forest Hills’ local hubs, such as the Rego Center, Queens Place, and areas surrounding 71st Avenue and Continental Avenue, are filled with people on foot throughout the day. Unfortunately, this foot traffic intersects with several risk factors that may contribute to serious injury. Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents near Forest Hills shopping centers include:
Failure to Yield at Crosswalks
Many intersections near retail plazas and shopping centers are equipped with crosswalks and pedestrian signals, but that doesn’t always guarantee safety. Drivers may fail to yield, either out of impatience or distraction, and strike someone who had the right of way. In particular, intersections at Queens Boulevard and 63rd Drive, as well as Yellowstone Boulevard and Austin Street, have seen repeated pedestrian incidents.
Left-Hand Turns Without Proper Scanning
A significant number of pedestrian accidents occur when drivers making left-hand turns fail to check for pedestrians already in the crosswalk. Because their attention is often split between oncoming traffic and the intersection itself, drivers may miss someone crossing directly in their path. This is especially problematic at busy junctions like 108th Street and 68th Avenue, where vehicles frequently turn into shopping centers or parking garages.
Parking Lot Collisions
Unlike marked city streets, shopping center parking lots lack uniform traffic controls. Drivers reversing without checking blind spots, racing to find spots, or failing to slow down can seriously injure pedestrians. These accidents are often underreported and dismissed as minor, but the injuries sustained can be just as severe as those that occur in formal crosswalks.
Distracted Driving and Cell Phone Use
In retail-heavy areas, the temptation to check GPS, respond to texts, or manage a call while behind the wheel leads to inattention. Drivers scanning for parking spots or looking up store locations may miss pedestrians entering or already within their path. This lapse in attention is one of the most preventable yet dangerous contributors to pedestrian injuries.
Impatient or Aggressive Driving
Pedestrians crossing legally in front of an impatient driver may be hurried, honked at, or even hit by a car creeping forward. This type of aggressive driving is especially dangerous in commercial corridors where drivers face congestion and delays. Areas around Continental Avenue and Queens Boulevard can become particularly hazardous when drivers attempt to inch their way through crowds of walkers.
Poorly Timed Signals and Obstructed Views
Even with traffic control devices, problems can arise when pedestrian signals do not provide enough time to cross wide intersections or when visibility is blocked by illegally parked vehicles or delivery trucks. When drivers can’t see a pedestrian due to a blocked sightline, the consequences can be devastating.
What Kinds of Injuries Are Common in These Accidents?
Victims of pedestrian accidents near shopping centers are frequently left with injuries that disrupt their daily lives and require prolonged medical care. These can include:
- Broken bones, particularly in the legs, arms, or pelvis
- Concussions or other traumatic brain injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Lacerations and facial injuries
- Spinal injuries, including herniated discs or fractured vertebrae
For many individuals, the full impact of these injuries may not be immediately visible. Medical expenses, time away from work, and loss of mobility can significantly affect a person’s livelihood and long-term health.
Who Is Legally Responsible?
The cause of the crash determines who acted with negligence or violated a legal duty, which is the foundation for assigning liability. On establishing how and why the collision occurred in Forest Hills, it’s possible for liability for pedestrian accidents to rest with a variety of parties. A negligent driver is the most obvious, but property owners, parking lot managers, or even municipal agencies could also bear responsibility.
For instance, if a crosswalk signal was malfunctioning or if a delivery vehicle created a visual obstruction in a no-parking zone, these details may shift or expand legal liability. To determine who is legally at fault, your pedestrian accident lawyer will carry out an investigation involving:
- Reviewing surveillance or traffic camera footage
- Interviewing eyewitnesses
- Examining police reports
- Inspecting traffic signal data and maintenance logs
- Documenting vehicle damage and skid marks, if applicable
These steps are not something most victims can pursue alone while trying to recover. This is why it’s important to seek counsel from a personal injury lawyer who has handled pedestrian accident cases in Forest Hills and understands how to apply local knowledge to each individual case.
What Should I Do After Being Injured In a Pedestrian Crash?
If you were hit while walking near a Forest Hills shopping center, there are immediate and ongoing steps you can take to protect your legal interests. These steps are key in preserving your right to pursue compensation as well as safeguarding your health. The recommended steps include:
- Request a copy of the police report as soon as it’s available.
- Follow all prescribed medical treatments and attend follow-up appointments. Gaps in treatment can harm the strength of your claim.
- Keep a record of all expenses, including medical bills, out-of-pocket costs, and lost income.
- Photograph visible injuries and consider maintaining a journal that details your recovery, physical limitations, and emotional stress.
Very importantly, be cautious when dealing with insurance companies during the claims process. Avoid speaking with insurance companies before consulting with a pedestrian accident attorney. They may attempt to get statements or offer quick settlements that fall short of your true damages. Ensure that your attorney manages all communication with the insurers involved to safeguard your claim from any potential manipulation.
A Forest Hills Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help
To successfully file a personal injury claim following an accident near Forest Hills shopping centers, you need to understand the laws governing these claims. When that safety is compromised by driver carelessness or hazardous conditions, the law offers a path forward. An attorney from Poltielov Law Firm can initiate a pedestrian accident claim to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions.
Contact a personal injury lawyer who can assess your case and guide you through your legal options.