Pedestrian Safety
Are Midblock Crosswalks Dangerous?
Why midblock crossings remain one of NYC's most persistent pedestrian hazards — and what to do if you've been struck.
June 22, 2026
NYC's Vision Zero initiative has made good progress toward reducing pedestrian crashes across the city. However, those improvements have been concentrated on main roads and the busiest signalized intersections. One kind of crossing still presents a persistent danger to NYC's pedestrians: the midblock crosswalk.
Midblock crosswalks fall between the most heavily engineered intersections and the safety of a fully signalized corner. They serve real demand — pedestrians need to cross where the destinations are — but without the right markings, signals, and sight lines, they put walkers in harm's way.
If you've been hit while crossing the street in NYC, you probably have questions: Who is at fault? Does it matter whether the crosswalk was marked? What are your legal options? This guide walks through what the data says, why these crashes happen, and how the city is working to make midblock crossings safer.
By the Numbers
How dangerous are midblock crossings in NYC?
~70%
Of NYC pedestrian crashes occur at midblock crossings or intersections without a pedestrian signal
~30%
Of NYC pedestrian fatalities occurred at midblock crossings when Vision Zero began
61%
Of contributing crash factors at these intersections were related to drivers
37%
Of contributing crash factors were related to pedestrians (often jaywalking)
According to the NYC Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, the overwhelming majority of NYC pedestrian crashes happen at midblock crossings or intersections without a pedestrian traffic signal.
Why These Crashes Happen
Negligent and distracted driving leads the list
The NYC Pedestrian Safety Action Plan found that 61% of contributing crash factors at these intersections were related to drivers, while pedestrians were responsible about 37% of the time — usually because of jaywalking or crossing without a signal.
Driver-related factors (61%)
Common driver behaviors
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Distracted driving
Texting, navigation apps, infotainment systems, and other distractions pull a driver's eyes off the road just long enough to miss a crossing pedestrian.
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Failure to yield
Many drivers do not expect pedestrians mid-block and fail to yield even when a marked crosswalk is present.
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Speeding
Higher speeds shorten reaction time and dramatically increase the severity of any pedestrian impact.
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Impaired driving
Alcohol, drugs, and even fatigue reduce a driver's ability to spot and respond to pedestrians stepping into the roadway.
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Obstructed sight lines
Parked trucks, double-parked delivery vehicles, and street furniture can hide a pedestrian until the moment they step off the curb.
Pedestrian-related factors (37%)
Behaviors that increase risk
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Jaywalking
Crossing outside a marked crosswalk — especially in the middle of a long block — is a leading contributing factor in midblock crashes.
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Crossing without a signal
Stepping into the street outside a signalized crossing leaves drivers little time to react, particularly at night or in heavy traffic.
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Distracted walking
Headphones, phones, and conversations can prevent a pedestrian from noticing an approaching vehicle in time to stop.
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Walking between parked vehicles
Emerging from between cars makes a pedestrian nearly invisible to oncoming drivers until they are already in the road.
Good news for injured pedestrians
New York uses pure comparative negligence.
Even if a pedestrian was partly at fault — for instance, by crossing outside a marked crosswalk — they can still recover damages, reduced by their share of responsibility. A pedestrian found 25% at fault can still collect 75% of their total damages.
Improving Crosswalks
Why marked midblock crosswalks reduce crashes
Until recently, most midblock crosswalks were unmarked — and that invited jaywalking. With plazas, shops, or transit stops facing each other across a wide street, pedestrians naturally cross where they need to, not at the corner. Modern midblock crosswalk designs are built around that reality — and the results have been promising.
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Traffic comes from only two directions
Unlike a typical intersection, there are no turning vehicles to worry about — eliminating one of the most common pedestrian crash scenarios.
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More space before the stop line
Midblock crosswalks are designed with extra distance between the stop line and the crossing, giving drivers more time to see pedestrians.
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Clear visual cues
Bold striping, signage, and sometimes flashing beacons signal both drivers and pedestrians that a crossing is present.
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Shorter, more direct crossings
A well-placed midblock crosswalk lets pedestrians cross where they actually need to — reducing the temptation to jaywalk.
Marked midblock crossings are already reducing crashes in midtown Manhattan — but there is still plenty of work to do, and these crossings should be far more widespread across all five boroughs.
Stay Safe
Pedestrian safety tips for midblock crossings
You can't control how a driver behaves, but you can give yourself every possible advantage when crossing a busy NYC street.
Use marked crosswalks whenever possible
Even if it means walking an extra half block, crossing at a marked midblock crosswalk or intersection is dramatically safer than crossing mid-block on your own.
Make eye contact with drivers
Before stepping off the curb, try to confirm that approaching drivers see you. A nod or wave can prevent an assumption from becoming a collision.
Stay alert — put the phone away
Headphones and screens take your attention off traffic. Cross with all of your senses available.
Watch for obstructed views
If parked trucks or vehicles block your view of traffic — or block a driver's view of you — move to a spot where everyone can see each other clearly.
Be extra careful at night and in bad weather
Drivers see less in the dark, rain, and snow. Wear something visible and assume drivers may not see you until it's too late.
Next Steps
What to do if you've been hit at a midblock crosswalk
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Call 911
Request both police and EMS so an official accident report is filed and your injuries are documented from the start.
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Get medical attention immediately
Go to the ER or urgent care even if you feel okay. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries, and prompt care creates the medical record any legal claim depends on.
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Document the scene
If you're able: photograph the crosswalk, the vehicle, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Note whether the crosswalk was marked and whether signals or beacons were working.
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Get driver and witness information
Collect the driver's license, insurance, and plate information, along with the contact details of any witnesses. Look around for nearby cameras that may have captured the crash.
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Do not admit fault
Even a casual apology can be used against you later. Under New York's comparative negligence system, fault should be determined by investigation — not by a sidewalk statement.
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Contact a personal injury attorney
Midblock crashes raise complicated fault questions — especially when crosswalk markings, signage, or sight lines are involved. An experienced NYC attorney can identify every available source of compensation.
Hurt crossing the street? We're ready to help.
If you or someone you love were struck while crossing the street, you need affordable representation from a team you can trust. To have an experienced New York City injury accident attorney from Koenigsberg & Associates Law Offices evaluate your case, call us at (718) 336-2000.