If you were hit by a car as a pedestrian, move out of traffic if you safely can, then call 911. Accept medical care even if you feel fine — adrenaline suppresses pain, and serious injuries like internal bleeding or concussion may not hurt right away. At the scene: get the driver's information, photograph the area, and write down the police report number. File a No-Fault insurance claim within 30 days.
The seconds after a pedestrian accident are overwhelming. The impact, the shock, bystanders crowding in — it is hard to think clearly. This guide walks through every step, from the moment of impact through the days that follow.
What's in this video?
An attorney from The Orlow Firm explains what happens legally when someone is injured while crossing an intersection in New York City, including the insurance process and what evidence matters.
What to Do After Being Hit by a Car as a Pedestrian
Step 1: Get to Safety — But Don't Move If You Suspect a Spine or Neck Injury
Your first priority is avoiding a second impact.
If you are in a traffic lane and can move without pain, get to the nearest sidewalk, median, or curb. Ask bystanders to warn oncoming traffic.
If you feel pain in your neck or back, or cannot feel your legs, stay still. Call out for help and wait for emergency responders. Moving with a potential spinal injury can cause permanent damage.
If you cannot call for help, make noise. Someone at the scene will call 911.
Step 2: Call 911 — Even If You Think You Are Okay
Call 911 and tell the dispatcher you are a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle. Give your location. The dispatcher will send both police and an ambulance.
Do not skip this step because you feel fine. Adrenaline is a powerful pain suppressor. Many pedestrian accident victims walk away from a crash, decline the ambulance, and end up in the ER a few hours later when the adrenaline wears off.
The police report is an official record of what happened — who was involved, where, when, and what the officer observed. Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 600, drivers who injure a pedestrian must stop, provide their information, and report the accident to police. The police enforce this requirement.
Ask the responding officer for the police report number before you leave. You can get a full copy later through the NYPD's online portal or your local precinct.
Step 3: Get Medical Care — The Same Day, Without Exception
This is the most important step for your health after being hit by a car as a pedestrian.
Accept emergency transport if it is offered. If you decline at the scene, go to an emergency room or urgent care that same day — not the next day.
Here is why: the most serious injuries from a pedestrian accident are often invisible at first.
Traumatic brain injury and concussion. A blow to the head from a vehicle impact can cause a brain injury that feels like a mild headache at first. According to the CDC, concussion signs and symptoms "may not show up right away — they may take hours or days to appear." Symptoms include confusion, nausea, light sensitivity, and memory gaps.
Internal bleeding. A hard hit to the abdomen or chest can damage organs or cause internal bleeding. You may feel okay right after the accident but develop stomach pain, dizziness, or faintness as blood builds up.
Whiplash and soft-tissue injuries. The neck and back are frequently injured when a pedestrian is struck. These injuries often feel stiff or mildly sore on day one and become significantly worse on days two and three as inflammation sets in.
Fractures. Bones that break but do not shift may not cause severe pain right away, especially in the hands, feet, or ribs.
Tell the doctor you were struck by a vehicle, even if you feel fine. Ask for a full evaluation. Follow up with your own doctor within 48-72 hours and attend every follow-up appointment.
What's in this video?
An Orlow Firm attorney discusses the types of pedestrian accidents that occur most frequently in New York City — including intersection collisions, crosswalk incidents, and parking lot accidents — and what factors typically determine who is responsible.
Step 4: Document the Scene If You Are Physically Able
Your health comes first. Only do this if you are stable enough. If not, ask a bystander to help.
From the driver, get:
- Full name and driver's license number
- License plate number
- Auto insurance company name and policy number
- Phone number and address
Photograph:
- The vehicle — front, rear, license plate, and any damage
- The point of impact
- Skid marks or tire marks on the road
- Traffic signals, crosswalk markings, and signage nearby
- Your injuries
- Wide shots of the full intersection or road
From witnesses:
- Full name and phone number
- Note where each person was standing when they saw the accident
Scene details to note:
- Exact time and date
- Weather and road conditions
- Whether the pedestrian walk signal was lit
- Any surveillance cameras nearby (storefronts, ATMs, traffic cameras)
If the driver flees: get the license plate if you can, or ask bystanders. Note the make, model, and color. Tell the 911 dispatcher right away.
Step 5: File a Police Report and a No-Fault Insurance Claim
The Police Report
Once you have the report number, request a full copy online through the NYPD portal or at your precinct. Review it for accuracy when you get it.
New York No-Fault Insurance — What Pedestrians Need to Know
Most people do not realize that New York's No-Fault auto insurance law covers pedestrians, not just drivers and passengers.
If you were struck by a car in New York State:
- You can file a No-Fault (Personal Injury Protection, or PIP) claim with the insurer of the vehicle that hit you
- No-Fault covers your medical expenses and up to 80% of your lost wages, up to $2,000 per month for up to three years
- The standard coverage limit is $50,000 per person for combined benefits
- Coverage applies no matter who was at fault — it does not matter whether you were in a crosswalk or whether the driver had a green light
The 30-Day Notice Deadline
Under New York Department of Financial Services Regulation 68 (11 NYCRR 65), you must notify the insurance company in writing within 30 days of the accident. Missing this deadline can prevent you from receiving No-Fault benefits. Do not wait.
If the driver had no insurance or fled the scene: Contact the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) at (646) 205-7800, located at 100 William Street, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10038. MVAIC handles No-Fault and uninsured motorist benefits for hit-and-run and uninsured vehicle accidents in New York.
Source: NY DFS Auto Insurance Information for Consumers
Step 6: Protect Your Recovery in the Days After the Accident
Keep a symptoms journal. Starting the day after the accident, write down what hurts, where, and how it affects your daily life — sleep, walking, concentrating, working. Update it daily for at least two weeks. Be specific: "sharp pain in lower right back when standing up from a chair, rating 6 out of 10" is more useful than "back pain."
Photograph injuries as they develop. Bruising from soft-tissue damage typically peaks 48-72 hours after an accident. Take photos each day.
Stay off social media. Photos, comments about how you feel, or descriptions of the accident can be taken out of context.
Save everything. Keep all medical bills, prescriptions, therapy receipts, and insurance correspondence. Note any days you missed work.
Attend every medical appointment. Gaps in treatment raise questions about how serious your injuries are. If your doctor recommends imaging, physical therapy, or specialist follow-up, follow through.
What's in this video?
An attorney at The Orlow Firm discusses how frequently pedestrian accidents occur in Queens, the neighborhoods where they happen most, and what injured pedestrians typically experience navigating the insurance and legal process.
Frequently Asked Questions: Pedestrian Hit by Car
What if the driver who hit me drove away?
Call 911 and give dispatchers as much detail as you can — license plate, make and model, color, direction of travel. Note any nearby cameras that may have captured the vehicle. If the driver is never found, MVAIC (Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation) may cover your No-Fault benefits and uninsured motorist claims in New York. Call them at (646) 205-7800.
Do I need to go to the hospital if I feel okay after being hit by a car?
Yes. Adrenaline and shock mask pain. Injuries like traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding, and soft-tissue damage often have delayed symptoms that show up hours or days later. Going to the ER or urgent care the same day creates a medical record tied to the accident date. Do not wait to see if you feel worse.
How long do I have to file a No-Fault insurance claim in New York?
You must notify the insurer in writing within 30 days of the accident. This applies to pedestrians struck by vehicles, not just drivers. Missing this deadline can bar you from No-Fault benefits. Source: NY DFS Regulation 68
What information should I get from the driver who hit me?
Get the driver's full name, license plate number, driver's license number, and their auto insurance company name and policy number. Photograph the vehicle. If there were witnesses, get their names and phone numbers.
Can I get compensation if I was jaywalking when I was hit?
New York follows a comparative negligence rule: your compensation may be reduced in proportion to your share of fault, but being partly at fault does not bar you from recovery entirely. Even pedestrians who were not in a marked crosswalk may have valid claims depending on the specific facts. The legal analysis is fact-specific. If you have questions about your options, our Queens pedestrian accident lawyers can go over the details at no charge.
What is No-Fault insurance and how does it help pedestrians?
New York's No-Fault law (Personal Injury Protection, or PIP) requires the insurer of the vehicle that hit you to pay for your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages — up to $50,000 in total benefits — regardless of fault. It gets injured pedestrians access to medical care quickly, without waiting for a fault determination. You file with the insurer of the vehicle that struck you.
What are common delayed injuries after being hit by a car?
The most common delayed injuries include: concussion and traumatic brain injury (headache, nausea, confusion, light sensitivity); internal bleeding (abdominal pain, dizziness, fainting); whiplash and cervical strain (stiffness that worsens on days two and three); soft-tissue injuries to the back and shoulders; and hairline fractures that become painful once swelling sets in. See a doctor the same day, even with no symptoms.
Sources & Official Resources
New York Laws Cited
- Vehicle and Traffic Law § 600 — Leaving Scene of an Incident Without Reporting
- NY DFS Regulation 68 (11 NYCRR 65) — No-Fault Insurance Rules
Official Regulatory Sources 3. NY DFS — Auto Insurance Information for Consumers (No-Fault/PIP Overview) 4. NY DFS — Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements
Medical Reference 5. CDC HEADS UP — Signs and Symptoms of Concussion
Helpful Resources 6. MVAIC — Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation — For pedestrians hit by uninsured or hit-and-run drivers
Contact The Orlow Firm
The steps in this guide protect your health and create a clear record of what happened. Medical documentation, a police report, and a timely No-Fault insurance filing are the foundation.
If you want to understand your legal options — including whether you may have a claim beyond No-Fault benefits — the attorneys at The Orlow Firm have represented injured pedestrians and their families in Queens and across New York City for over 40 years. Consultations are free, and we work on contingency — no fee unless we win.
Call (646) 647-3398 or visit our Queens pedestrian accident lawyer page to get started.
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