As a pedestrian in Poughkeepsie or Dutchess County, whether you’re on a crosswalk or sidewalk, there’s no question that you’re depending on drivers to handle their vehicles responsibly and attentively. The responsibility falls on them, especially since their vehicles outweigh you by over 2,000 pounds. Sadly, pedestrian accidents happen frequently and can result in severe injuries such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and more.
Mainetti & Mainetti P.C.’s Poughkeepsie personal injury law office is located at 9 Mansion St #224, Poughkeepsie 12601.
845-404-1700
Injured? Contact us today for a free personal injury consultation.
ContactPedestrian accidents happen more often than you think in Dutchess County. According to the Institute for Traffic Safety Management & Research, there were 84 pedestrian crashes in Dutchess County in 2023, including:
- City of Poughkeepsie – 35 Pedestrian Accidents
- Town of Poughkeepsie – 16 Pedestrian Accidents
- Village of Wappinger Falls – 5 Pedestrian Accidents
- Pleasant Valley – 4 Pedestrian Accidents
- Fishkill – 4 Pedestrian Accidents
- East Fishkill – 4 Pedestrian Accidents
- Hyde Park – 3 Pedestrian Accidents
- Town of Wappinger – 2 Pedestrian Accidents
- City of Beacon – 2 Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian crashes in Dutchess County have remained fairly steady over the last few years. Most commonly they are caused by pedestrian error or confusion, followed by driver inattention or distraction, failure to yield right of way, or obstructed views.
How to Possibly Get Compensated for Losses After a Pedestrian Accident in Dutchess County
While there’s no specific insurance for pedestrians, there are several options we can explore if you’ve been hit by a motorist or another vehicle:
- No-Fault Insurance (Personal Injury Protection): Provided by the driver’s insurer, this covers medical expenses and lost wages up to $50,000, regardless of who is at fault.
- Additional Personal Injury Protection: If you have this optional coverage, it offers an extra $50,000 on top of the standard no-fault protection.
- Bodily Injury (Liability) Insurance: The at-fault driver’s insurance may cover pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages that go beyond no-fault limits. New York’s minimum coverage is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
- Uninsured Motorist Insurance: If the at-fault driver’s insurance is insufficient and your policy has higher limits, your insurance can cover the difference. For example, if the driver’s limit is $25,000 and yours is $100,000, you may claim an additional $75,000 from your own policy.
- Underinsured Motorist Insurance: In the case of a hit-and-run or uninsured driver, your insurance policy will cover bodily injury up to the limits you’ve selected.
- MVAIC (Motor Vehicle Accident Insurance Corporation): If neither you nor any relatives in your household own a vehicle, you may be eligible for no-fault benefits ($50,000) and bodily injury compensation ($25,000) through MVAIC in cases involving hit-and-runs or uninsured drivers.
What to Do After Being Hit by a Vehicle in Dutchess County
- Seek Medical Attention: Get checked by a healthcare professional immediately, even if your injuries seem minor, as some, like concussions or internal injuries, may not show symptoms right away.
- Stay Calm and Call for Help: Move to a safe spot and call emergency services. Remain at the scene to provide your account to the authorities.
- Gather Information: Collect the driver’s contact information, vehicle registration, and insurance details. If there are witnesses, try to get their contact information as well.
- Document the Incident: Take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries. Note key details like the time, date, and location of the accident.
- Contact an Attorney: Reach out to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to guide you through the legal process and ensure you receive proper compensation.
- Follow Medical Advice: Stick to your doctor’s recommendations, such as rest, medication, or therapy, to support your recovery.
- Keep Records: Maintain a detailed record of all medical bills and any other expenses related to your injuries. This documentation will support your claim for compensation.
Dutchess County Pedestrian Tips
- Don’t Assume Drivers See You: Drivers may be distracted or impaired, so always remain alert and cautious.
- Use Crosswalks: Crossing at designated areas increases your visibility and obligates drivers to yield.
- Check Both Ways: Even if you have the right of way, always check for oncoming traffic before crossing.
- Walk on the Sidewalk or Face Traffic: If there is no sidewalk, walking against the flow of traffic allows you to see approaching vehicles.
Pedestrian Personal Injury Results
Move to a safe place if you can, call 911, and accept medical attention even if you feel “okay.” Get the driver’s insurance and contact details, photograph the scene and your injuries, ask any witnesses for their names and numbers, and contact our office as soon as possible so we can preserve evidence and start your claim.
New York’s “no-fault” system means the driver’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays your medical bills and some lost wages up to $50,000, no matter who caused the crash. If your costs exceed that limit, we pursue the driver’s bodily-injury liability coverage, your own uninsured/under-insured motorist policy, or, when no coverage exists, MVAIC benefits.
Insurance adjusters work for their company, not for you. We level the playing field by gathering proof, documenting every damage category, negotiating aggressively, and, when necessary, filing suit. Hiring us usually increases net recovery even after legal fees, and you owe no fee unless we win.
The statute of limitations is generally three years from the accident date. Wrongful-death claims are two years, and municipal defendants require a Notice of Claim in just 90 days. Missing a deadline means losing your right to compensation, so call us quickly.
You may claim payment for medical expenses, future treatment, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, rehabilitation, home or vehicle modifications, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Spouses can also claim loss of services/consortium.
We turn first to your own uninsured-motorist coverage. If you or any relative in your household owns no car insurance, we file with New York’s Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC), which provides up to $50k in no-fault and $25k in bodily-injury benefits.
Our firm works on a contingency-fee basis: you pay nothing up-front and nothing at all unless we obtain a settlement or verdict for you. Case expenses are advanced by us and reimbursed from the recovery.
Our local team has secured multiple seven- and six-figure pedestrian verdicts and settlements (e.g., $1.3 million for a client hit by a bus). We combine deep knowledge of Dutchess County crash data with courtroom muscle and a reputation for “pushing back” until insurers pay full value.
