Walking in Kingston shouldn’t be dangerous — whether you’re crossing Broadway, shopping uptown, or heading to a restaurant on the Rondout. Yet every year, pedestrians are seriously hurt in preventable crashes on Kingston streets.
Mainetti & Mainetti P.C.’s Kingston personal injury law office is located at 130 N Front St, #300, Kingston, NY 12401.
845-600-0000
Injured? Contact us today for a free personal injury consultation.
ContactIf you were hit by a vehicle in Kingston or anywhere in Ulster County, our legal team is ready to take action. We know the roads, the traffic patterns, and the local enforcement challenges, and we fight to make sure injured pedestrians are treated fairly by insurance companies.
For a full breakdown of where and why pedestrian crashes happen in the region, visit our Hudson Valley Pedestrian Accident Statistics & Legal Guide.
Why Pedestrian Crashes Happen in Kingston and Ulster County
According to 2024 police statistics, 15 injured pedestrians were crossing without a signal or a crosswalk. 22 personal injury crashes were attributed to driver inattention or distraction. These accidents occur on or near major commercial corridors like Broadway in Kingston, Route 299 in New Paltz and Route 9W in the Town of Ulster.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a pedestrian, give us a call today at 845-600-0000 to schedule a free personal injury consultation.
Potential Compensation Sources for Pedestrian Accidents in Ulster County
You can’t just buy pedestrian insurance, but there are things that we can look into if you’ve been hit by a motorist or other vehicle:
- No-Fault Insurance (Personal Injury Protection): This insurance, provided by the vehicle’s insurer, covers medical expenses and lost wages up to $50,000, regardless of who is at fault.
- Additional Personal Injury Protection: If you have opted for this extra coverage, it can provide an additional $50,000 on top of the standard no-fault coverage.
- Bodily Injury (Liability) Insurance: The at-fault driver’s insurance may cover pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages that exceed the no-fault limits. In New York, the minimum coverage is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
- Uninsured Motorist Insurance: If the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage is insufficient and your policy has higher limits, your insurance can cover the difference. For instance, if the at-fault driver’s limit is $25,000 and yours is $100,000, you can claim an additional $75,000 from your policy.
- Underinsured Motorist Insurance: In cases of hit-and-runs or accidents involving uninsured drivers, your own insurance can cover bodily injury, depending on the limits you’ve chosen.
- MVAIC (Motor Vehicle Accident Insurance Corporation): If you don’t own a vehicle and no family members in your household do either, you may be eligible for no-fault benefits ($50,000) and bodily injury compensation ($25,000) through MVAIC in the event of a hit-and-run or an uninsured driver accident.
What to do After Getting Hit By a Car
- Seek Medical Attention: Get examined by a medical professional immediately, even if your injuries seem minor, as some conditions (like concussions or internal injuries) may not show immediate symptoms.
- Stay Calm and Call for Help: Move to a safe location and contact emergency services. Remain at the scene to provide details to the authorities.
- Gather Information: Collect the driver’s contact information, vehicle registration, and insurance details. If possible, obtain witness contact information.
- Document the Incident: Take photographs of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries. Make note of important details like the time, date, and location of the accident.
- Contact an Attorney: Speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. They can help guide you through the legal process and ensure you receive appropriate compensation.
- Follow Medical Advice: Adhere to your doctor’s recommendations, whether it’s rest, medication, or therapy, to help ensure a full recovery.
- Keep Records: Maintain documentation of all medical expenses and other costs related to your injury. This will support your claims for compensation.
Safety Tips for Pedestrians
- Don’t Trust Drivers: Drivers may be distracted, impaired, or unfamiliar with the road, so always remain cautious.
- Stay in the Crosswalk: This increases your visibility and requires drivers to stop for you.
- Look Both Ways: Even when you have a walk signal or green light, check for oncoming vehicles.
- Walk on the Sidewalk or Against Traffic: If there is no sidewalk, walking against traffic allows you to see oncoming vehicles.
If a driver fails to yield while you are following these rules, it strengthens your legal claim for compensation.
Ulster County Personal Injury Settlements
No. We work entirely on a contingency-fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.
In most cases, three years from the date of the crash. If the at-fault vehicle was owned by a city, town or other public agency you must also serve a Notice of Claim within 90 days, so contact us right away.
It shows a documented safety problem. Ulster County recorded 57 pedestrian crashes in 2023—up from 27 in 2021, with Kingston (17) and the Town of Ulster (8) topping the list. These statistics could underscore negligence trends when we negotiate or litigate your claim.
Driver inattention/distraction, failure to yield right of way, pedestrian error/confusion, and improper passing or lane changes. We obtain the crash report and any video to prove which factor applies in your case.
Yes. The driver’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays up to $50,000 for medical expenses and lost wages no matter who was at fault. Additional PIP or MVAIC benefits may add another $50,000.
Your own auto policy’s Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage, or MVAIC if you have no household vehicle, can step in for up to the policy limits.
Yes. New York’s comparative-fault rule simply reduces your award by your percentage of fault; it does not bar recovery.
Additional wage loss, future medical care, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and, when warranted, wrongful-death damages for surviving family members.
Every case is unique, but recent results include $1.3 million for a pedestrian struck by a bus and $500,000 for neck and leg injuries caused by a car.
Seek medical care, call 911, get the driver’s and witnesses’ information, photograph the scene, avoid social-media posts, and speak with our attorneys before giving a statement to any insurer.
Decades of pedestrian-injury experience, rapid evidence preservation, collaboration with accident-reconstruction experts, and a proven record of maximizing settlements while you focus on healing.
Call 845-600-0000 for a free consultation or fill out our online form—there’s no cost unless we obtain compensation for you.
