Every year, thousands of pedestrians are struck by vehicles on Queens streets. Were you or someone in your family hit by a car, truck, or bus in Flushing, Jamaica, Astoria, or anywhere in Queens? You need a hit by car lawyer in Queens who knows the dangerous corridors, the insurance rules, and the strict deadlines that shape your case. At The Orlow Firm, we have fought for injured pedestrians from our Main Street office in Flushing for over 40 years.
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What's in this video?
Adam Orlow discusses how common pedestrian accidents are in Queens and why the borough's busy streets make experienced legal help so important.
Queens is one of the most dangerous places in New York City to walk. The borough recorded 74 traffic deaths in 2024, the highest of any NYC borough, according to NYC DOT Vision Zero data. Pedestrians bear the worst of it. Our analysis of NYC Open Data motor vehicle collision records found that pedestrians account for 48.1% of all Queens traffic deaths, despite being a small fraction of road users.
The numbers tell the story. Our analysis of seven years of NYC Open Data crash records (2019-2025) shows Queens recorded 152,063 motor vehicle collisions. Those crashes caused 12,167 pedestrian injuries and 129 pedestrian deaths. Pedestrian injuries surged 60%, rising from a 2020 pandemic low of 1,287 to 2,054 in 2025. That now exceeds pre-pandemic levels.
Certain Queens neighborhoods and corridors are especially deadly. Jamaica leads the borough with 14,652 crashes, 6,736 injuries, and 40 deaths between 2019 and 2025. Northern Boulevard is the most crash-prone corridor in Queens with 2,330 collisions during that period. The intersection at Northern Boulevard and 48th Street is tied for the deadliest in the entire city. Nine people have been killed or seriously injured there since January 2022, according to a Transportation Alternatives analysis of city data.
There is progress on some fronts. Queens Boulevard, once called the "Boulevard of Death," saw deaths drop 68% and pedestrian injuries drop 45% after a Vision Zero redesign completed in 2024, according to NYC DOT. But many corridors have not been fixed. Roosevelt Avenue, with 785 crashes and seven deaths (2019-2025), ranks as the deadliest per-crash corridor in Queens based on our analysis.
Our office at 71-18 Main Street sits in the heart of Flushing, one of the borough's top-five crash neighborhoods with 9,423 crashes and 3,775 injuries between 2019 and 2025. We know these streets. Adam Orlow, former President of the Queens County Bar Association (2022-2023), has deep roots in this community and understands the local conditions that put pedestrians at risk every day.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Queens
Knowing what caused your accident helps identify who is liable and strengthens your case.
Driver Inattention and Distraction. Our analysis of NYC Open Data found that driver inattention and distraction is the number-one factor in Queens crashes, responsible for 40,381 collisions (26.6%) between 2019 and 2025. This is especially dangerous on corridors like Northern Boulevard and Queens Boulevard where foot traffic is heavy.
Failure to Yield Right-of-Way. The second-leading cause, accounting for 15,137 Queens crashes (10.0%). This happens most often at crosswalks without signals, where drivers are required by law to yield but frequently do not.
Unsafe Speed. Speed is the difference between life and death for pedestrians. At 30 mph, the risk of pedestrian death is about 40%. At 40 mph, it jumps to 80%, according to data cited in New York Senate Bill S9494. Queens saw 4,238 speed-related crashes between 2019 and 2025.
Running Red Lights. Traffic control violations caused 4,595 Queens crashes between 2019 and 2025. Intersections without dedicated pedestrian crossing phases are especially dangerous, as pedestrians must cross while competing with turning vehicles.
Dangerous Left Turns. Improper turning caused 3,672 crashes in Queens. Left-turning vehicles are especially deadly for pedestrians because the driver is watching oncoming traffic, not the crosswalk.
Alcohol-Impaired Driving. Alcohol was a factor in 2,789 Queens crashes between 2019 and 2025.
Large Vehicles. SUVs and pickup trucks killed over twice as many pedestrians as sedans and motorcycles combined in 2024. SUVs were involved in 38.6% of all Queens crashes (58,717), and their higher front ends make them far more dangerous to pedestrians on impact.
Poor Infrastructure. When pedestrians were killed at intersections in 2024, 92% of those locations had no physical daylighting measures to improve visibility, according to a Transportation Alternatives analysis. Many Queens neighborhoods still lack safe pedestrian infrastructure.
Our analysis of NYC Open Data also found clear peak danger times: 2 PM to 6 PM accounts for 30.4% of all Queens crashes, and Friday is the deadliest day of the week with 51 deaths between 2019 and 2025.
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Top Causes of Queens Crashes (2019-2025):
Driver Inattention/Distraction: 40,381 crashes (26.6%)
Failure to Yield: 15,137 crashes (10.0%)
Running Red Lights: 4,595 crashes (3.0%)
Unsafe Speed: 4,238 crashes (2.8%)
Improper Turning: 3,672 crashes (2.4%)
These crashes caused 12,167 pedestrian injuries and 129 pedestrian deaths in Queens. Source: NYC Open Data Motor Vehicle Collisions, 152,063 total Queens crashes.
What's in this video?
The attorneys at The Orlow Firm discuss the most common types of pedestrian accidents in New York City and what makes these cases unique.
New York Laws That Protect Injured Pedestrians
Several New York laws work together to protect pedestrians and give you legal options after an accident. Knowing these laws helps build a strong claim.
Pedestrian Right-of-Way
Under Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1151, drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks when traffic signals are not working. Section 1151-a extends this to sidewalks. Drivers leaving driveways, alleys, or buildings must yield to pedestrians on the sidewalk. Section 1146 requires every driver to use due care to avoid hitting pedestrians. A violation that causes serious physical injury carries fines up to $750 and up to 15 days in jail.
Comparative Negligence
New York is a pure comparative negligence state under CPLR Section 1411. This means a pedestrian's own fault reduces their recovery but does not wipe it out. Even a pedestrian who was jaywalking or crossing against a signal can recover compensation. The award is simply reduced by the pedestrian's share of fault. This is one of the strongest protections for injured pedestrians in the state.
No-Fault Insurance and the Serious Injury Threshold
Pedestrians struck by insured motor vehicles are "covered persons" under New York's no-fault insurance system (Insurance Law Section 5102-5104). You are entitled to Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits through the driver's insurance policy, regardless of fault. PIP covers medical expenses and partial lost wages. You do not need your own car insurance.
To file a lawsuit for pain and suffering beyond PIP benefits, you must show a "serious injury" as defined by Insurance Law Section 5102(d). This includes death, dismemberment, fracture, significant disfigurement, permanent loss of use, or significant limitation of use. It also includes any medically determined injury that prevents substantially all daily activities for 90 or more of the first 180 days. Because pedestrians have no vehicle shell, no seatbelt, and no airbag protecting them, most pedestrian injuries meet this bar.
Critical Deadlines
You have three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (CPLR Section 214). But if a government entity may be at fault, the deadline is much shorter. If a city bus hit you, a broken crosswalk caused your fall, or a missing traffic signal played a role, you must file a Notice of Claim within just 90 days (General Municipal Law Section 50-e). Many pedestrians miss this deadline. Steven Orlow served as Assistant District Attorney and Counsel to the Queens County Executive. That gives our firm direct experience handling government claims.
View text version of this infographic
Critical Deadlines for Your Pedestrian Accident Claim:
Day 0 (Accident Date): Clock starts on all deadlines
90 Days: Notice of Claim deadline if a government entity is involved (city bus, broken crosswalk, missing signal) under General Municipal Law Section 50-e
3 Years: Statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit under CPLR Section 214
Missing a deadline can end your right to sue. Children have extended deadlines under the infancy toll.
Injuries Pedestrians Suffer When Hit by Vehicles
Pedestrian injuries are among the worst of any traffic accident. Vehicle occupants have seatbelts, airbags, and a steel frame absorbing impact. Pedestrians take the full force of a collision with nothing between them and the vehicle.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) happen when the head strikes the vehicle hood, windshield, or pavement. TBI can cause permanent cognitive problems, personality changes, and lifelong care needs.
Spinal cord injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, requiring long-term rehabilitation and adaptive equipment.
Multiple fractures of the pelvis, legs, hip, jaw, arms, and ribs are common in pedestrian collisions. Our firm recovered $1.2 million for an 83-year-old pedestrian who suffered multiple fractures and $250,000 for an elderly woman who needed hip fracture surgery after being struck crossing the street. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Internal organ damage from blunt force trauma to the torso can cause internal bleeding and organ failure that may not be obvious right away.
Knee and shoulder injuries often require surgery and months of physical therapy.
Severe road rash and soft tissue injuries result when a pedestrian is dragged or thrown across pavement.
Amputation can occur when a pedestrian is caught under or between vehicles. We recovered $485,000 for a client who lost a big toe after being struck while changing a tire. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Death. Our analysis of NYC Open Data found that 129 pedestrians were killed in Queens alone between 2019 and 2025.
These injury types match New York's "serious injury" definition under Insurance Law Section 5102(d). Fractures, dismemberment, permanent loss of use, and significant limitation of use all qualify. That means most injured pedestrians can file a lawsuit for pain and suffering beyond basic no-fault benefits. Older pedestrians face even greater risk, because the same force that might bruise a younger person can cause life-threatening fractures in an older adult.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Queens Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrian accident cases often involve more than one responsible party. Finding all liable parties is key to getting full compensation.
Negligent Drivers. Drivers who were distracted, speeding, drunk, or who failed to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk can be held liable for injuries they cause.
NYC and Government Entities. If a broken crosswalk, missing traffic signal, busted streetlight, or dangerous road design played a role, the city or another government entity may be liable. These claims carry a strict 90-day Notice of Claim deadline under General Municipal Law Section 50-e. Steven Orlow served as Assistant District Attorney, Counsel to the Queens County Executive, and NYC Council Member-At-Large for Queens County. That background gives our firm direct experience with claims against government entities.
MTA and NYC Transit. When a bus driver strikes a pedestrian or fails to yield at a bus stop, the MTA may be liable. We recovered $650,000 for a bus passenger struck by a tractor trailer, showing our experience with large vehicle collision cases. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Rideshare Companies (Uber/Lyft). When a rideshare driver hits a pedestrian, multiple insurance layers may apply depending on the driver's status at the time of the crash. These cases require working through layered insurance coverage rules.
Property Owners. Owners whose overgrown hedges block sightlines or whose broken sidewalks force pedestrians into the road can be held responsible.
Construction Companies. Companies that block sidewalks, remove pedestrian zones, or fail to install safety barriers may be liable when pedestrians are forced into traffic.
Vehicle Manufacturers. In cases involving defective brakes, accelerator problems, or poor visibility design, the vehicle maker may share responsibility.
What's in this video?
The Orlow Firm's attorneys discuss intersection pedestrian accidents and the legal rights of people injured while crossing the street in New York City.
Compensation Available to Injured Pedestrians
Pedestrian accident cases in New York involve two sources of compensation.
No-Fault / PIP Benefits (Available Right Away)
As a pedestrian struck by an insured vehicle, you are a "covered person" entitled to Personal Injury Protection benefits through the driver's insurance policy, regardless of fault. These benefits cover medical expenses, partial lost wages, and other reasonable and necessary expenses up to policy limits.
Lawsuit Damages (If Serious Injury Threshold Is Met)
If your injuries meet the serious injury threshold, and most pedestrian injuries do, you can file a lawsuit for:
Past and future medical expenses beyond PIP coverage
Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life
Permanent disability or disfigurement
New York does not cap non-economic damages in personal injury cases. There is no artificial limit on pain and suffering awards.
Wrongful Death Damages
When a pedestrian accident is fatal, the estate may recover funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and loss of parental guidance for surviving children. The estate can also seek compensation for conscious pain and suffering before death.
Our pedestrian accident results show the severity of these cases:
$1,200,000 for an 83-year-old pedestrian struck by a vehicle; multiple fractures
$485,000 for a pedestrian struck while changing a tire; big toe amputation
$250,000 for an elderly woman struck crossing the street; hip fracture requiring surgery
$183,269 for a pedestrian struck in crosswalk; back and knee surgery
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
We work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
What to Do After Being Hit by a Vehicle in Queens
The right steps after a pedestrian accident can strengthen your case and protect your health.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away. Even if you feel okay, go to the emergency room. Adrenaline masks pain, and internal injuries and TBI may have delayed symptoms. Queens hospitals including Elmhurst Hospital, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, and Flushing Hospital Medical Center all have trauma-equipped emergency departments. Without medical records, you have no personal injury claim.
Call 911 and File a Police Report. An NYPD accident report (MV-104) is key evidence documenting the location, vehicles involved, and witness statements.
Document the Scene. Photograph the intersection, traffic signals, vehicle damage, your injuries, and the driver's license plate. If you cannot do this yourself, ask a bystander to take photos.
Get Witness Contact Information. Bystander testimony can back up your account of what happened.
Do Not Give Recorded Statements to Insurance. Insurance adjusters will try to minimize your claim. Let your attorney handle all talks with them.
Preserve Evidence. Keep the clothing and personal items damaged in the accident. Do not wash or throw them away.
Keep a Symptom Journal. Write down daily pain levels and how injuries affect your work and daily life. This supports the "90 of 180 days" serious injury threshold.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Before Deadlines Pass. If a government entity may be involved (city bus, broken crosswalk, missing signal), you have only 90 days to file a Notice of Claim. Call (646) 647-3398 as soon as possible. We can come to you if you are in the hospital or unable to travel.
View text version of this infographic
What to Do After Being Hit by a Vehicle:
Seek Medical Attention Right Away - Go to the ER even if you feel okay
Call 911 and File a Police Report - An NYPD report (MV-104) is key evidence
Document the Scene - Photograph the intersection, signals, vehicle damage, and injuries
Get Witness Contact Information - Bystander testimony supports your account
Do Not Give Recorded Statements - Insurance adjusters will minimize your claim
Preserve Evidence - Keep damaged clothing and personal items
Keep a Symptom Journal - Daily pain levels support the serious injury test
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer - Government claims have a 90-day deadline. Call (646) 647-3398.
Complete these steps as soon as possible. Time is critical for preserving your claim.
Se Habla Espanol. We serve the diverse communities of Jackson Heights, Corona, Elmhurst, and all of Queens.
Why Choose The Orlow Firm as Your Queens Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
40+ Years in Flushing, Queens. As a trusted pedestrian injury lawyer in Flushing, our main office at 71-18 Main Street has served injured Queens residents since 1982. We know Northern Boulevard, Queens Boulevard, Roosevelt Avenue, and every dangerous corridor in the borough.
Legal Community Leadership. Adam Orlow served as President of the Queens County Bar Association (2022-2023) and remains on its Board of Managers. Steven Orlow, our Founder and Cornell Law graduate, is a former QCBA President (2008-2009), former Assistant District Attorney, and former NYC Council Member-At-Large.
A Family Firm, Not a Case Mill. When you hire The Orlow Firm, you work directly with a partner, not a junior associate or a paralegal. Brian Orlow and Adam Orlow, both Managing Partners with 25+ years of experience, personally handle cases from intake through resolution.
No Fee Unless We Win. We work on contingency. Your free consultation costs nothing, and you pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
We Come to You. If you are in the hospital, immobile, or unable to travel to our office, we will come to you.
What's in this video?
Adam and Brian Orlow explain what sets The Orlow Firm apart: hands-on attention, decades of Queens experience, and a commitment to treating every client like family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Queens Pedestrian Accident Cases
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit in New York?
You have three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under CPLR Section 214. But if a government entity may be at fault, the deadline is much shorter. You must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days if a city bus or broken crosswalk played a role. Missing this deadline can end your right to sue.
Can I recover compensation if I was jaywalking when hit?
Yes. New York follows pure comparative negligence under CPLR Section 1411. Your compensation is reduced by your share of fault but not eliminated. If you were 30% at fault for jaywalking and the driver was 70% at fault, you can still recover 70% of your damages. A pedestrian accident attorney in Queens NY can help reduce the fault assigned to you.
What if the driver who hit me fled the scene?
Hit-and-run pedestrians still have options. You may file a claim through uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy or a household member's policy. If no auto insurance is available, the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) provides a safety net for pedestrians injured by unidentified or uninsured vehicles. Report the hit-and-run to NYPD right away.
Does New York's no-fault insurance cover pedestrians?
Yes. Pedestrians struck by insured motor vehicles are "covered persons" under the driver's no-fault policy, even if the pedestrian has no car insurance. PIP benefits cover medical expenses and partial lost wages regardless of who caused the accident. To sue for pain and suffering beyond PIP, you must show your injuries meet the serious injury threshold.
How much is my pedestrian accident case worth?
Case value depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and how permanent your injuries are. Our pedestrian results range from $183,269 for crosswalk injuries requiring surgery to $1.2 million for an elderly pedestrian with multiple fractures. Call (646) 647-3398 for a free evaluation of your specific case. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What if I was hit by an Uber, Lyft, or taxi?
Rideshare pedestrian accidents involve multiple insurance layers. The driver's personal policy, the rideshare company's commercial policy, and TLC-required coverage may all apply. Which one covers you depends on the driver's status at the time of the crash. These cases take careful investigation to find the maximum available coverage. Our attorneys have experience handling these layered claims.
What if a child is hit by a car in Queens?
Children have special legal protections. New York's infancy toll pauses the statute of limitations for minors, allowing a case to be filed until the child's 21st birthday. Drivers owe a higher duty of care around children, especially in school zones. Parents or guardians file the claim on the child's behalf, and any settlement must be court-approved.
Do I need a lawyer for a pedestrian accident claim?
Insurance companies routinely minimize pedestrian claims. They dispute injury severity and blame the pedestrian. Proving your injuries meet the serious injury threshold takes medical evidence and legal skill. If a government entity is involved, the 90-day Notice of Claim deadline adds pressure. An NYC pedestrian accident lawyer can protect your rights, handle insurance talks, and fight for full compensation.
Contact a Queens Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been hit by a vehicle in Queens, do not face the insurance companies alone. The Orlow Firm has protected injured pedestrians throughout Flushing, Jamaica, Astoria, Corona, Jackson Heights, and all of Queens for over 40 years.
Call (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation. We work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Se Habla Espanol | Four NYC office locations | We can come to you
Sources & Official Resources
New York Laws Cited
Insurance Law Section 5102 — Serious Injury Definition and Covered Person
Insurance Law Section 5103 — No-Fault Benefits and Eligible Injured Persons
CPLR Section 214 — Three-Year Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury
NYC & State Data Sources
- NYC DOT — Traffic Deaths Reach All-Time Low (2025 Vision Zero Data)
- NYC DOT — Queens Boulevard Redesign Completion
- NYC Open Data — Motor Vehicle Collisions Dataset
Legislative Sources
Helpful Resources
Data Methodology Borough and neighborhood breakdowns were calculated by The Orlow Firm's research team from publicly available NYC Open Data records. The Motor Vehicle Collisions - Crashes dataset (NYC Department of Transportation / NYPD, 2019-2025) is published at the individual crash level with geographic coordinates and borough/ZIP code fields. We aggregated these records to produce the Queens-specific pedestrian injury and fatality statistics, neighborhood crash rankings, corridor analysis, contributing factor breakdowns, and temporal patterns cited above, as city agencies do not publish pre-calculated borough-level breakdowns for all of these metrics.
