Pedestrian Accidents
Everything You Need to Know About NYC Pedestrian Crashes
A comprehensive guide from Koenigsberg & Associates Law Offices.
June 22, 2026
In New York City, crossing the street is practically unavoidable. Each day, millions step onto sidewalks and trust that drivers around them will stay vigilant and follow the rules of the road. Despite this, hundreds of New Yorkers are injured in pedestrian crashes every year — and the numbers are heading in the wrong direction.
After a promising low in 2023, pedestrian fatalities surged in 2024. According to NYPD data, at least 122 pedestrians were killed in 2024 — an 18% increase over 2023's total of 95. While 2025 has shown improvement with pedestrian deaths declining roughly 9% from 2024 to 111, the long-term trend reminds us that danger remains very real on New York's streets.
This guide explains everything you need to know about NYC pedestrian crashes: how common they are, when and where they occur, what causes them, and what to do if you or a loved one is ever hit by a car.
By the Numbers
How common are pedestrian crashes in NYC?
122
Pedestrians killed in NYC in 2024 — an 18% jump over 2023
15,000
Pedestrians injured on New York roads each year statewide
645
Pedestrians seriously injured citywide in the first 9 months of 2024
$2B+
Annual economic cost of NYC pedestrian deaths and serious injuries
Brooklyn and Queens consistently account for the highest share of pedestrian injuries; Brooklyn alone represented 35% of all pedestrian injuries in the first half of 2024. The Bronx and Queens have been especially hard hit, with serious injuries per capita running 20% above the citywide average in the Bronx and up 35% in Queens compared to 2022.
Every week in New York City, an average of 17 pedestrians lose limbs, organs, or suffer other life-altering injuries from traffic violence.
Timing & Risk
When is a pedestrian crash most likely?
Timing matters greatly when it comes to pedestrian safety. 2025 injury data shows the afternoon commute is the single most dangerous window of the day — and the dead-of-night hours, while quieter, are far more deadly per crash.
The 3pm–6pm window is the single most dangerous period of the day, accounting for roughly 22% of all recorded pedestrian injuries.
The 6pm–9pm window follows as the second most dangerous, with 1,712 injuries (~16%).
Morning rush (6am–9am) is significantly less dangerous despite comparable traffic volumes — about 1,513 injuries.
The 3am–6am window is the safest by volume (478 injuries) — but the most lethal, with nearly 1-in-5 crashes fatal.
Daylight vs. Darkness
During daylight, ~1-in-10 pedestrian crashes are fatal. Between 3am and 6am, that climbs to nearly 1-in-5.
Low visibility — and, in many cases, impaired driving — make late-night crashes dramatically more lethal. Seasonal patterns matter too: winter months bring shorter days, icy roads, and reduced visibility, all of which raise the risk for walkers. Night-time walkers, seniors, children commuting to school, and regular transit riders face disproportionate risk regardless of season.
Interactive Data
Koenigsberg & Associates Pedestrian Accident Report
Explore the data behind pedestrian crashes in New York City. The interactive report below lets you dig into how, when, and where pedestrians are most often injured on city streets.
Root Causes
The 7 most common causes of NYC pedestrian accidents
Understanding what causes pedestrian accidents is the first step toward preventing them. These are the seven factors most frequently cited in NYC crash investigations.
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Unmarked or poorly marked crosswalks
Faded paint, inadequate signage, or missing signals can cause drivers to miss crossing pedestrians entirely.
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Alcohol or drug-impaired driving
Impaired drivers struggle to stay in their lanes, let alone spot pedestrians. Most occur at night — compounding low visibility.
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Distracted driving
Five seconds on a phone at 30 mph equals a football field traveled without watching the road — a leading cause of NYC crashes.
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Left-hand turns
Drivers turning left share timing with walk signals. Speeding to beat yellows or failing to check causes high-speed strikes.
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Poor weather conditions
Rain, snow, and fog cut visibility and lengthen stopping distances, reducing a driver's ability to brake in time.
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Inadequate street lighting
Many NYC streets and intersections remain poorly lit, making pedestrians nearly invisible to drivers — especially without headlights on.
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Traffic blocking sightlines
Delivery trucks and large vehicles parked near crosswalks create blind spots that hide pedestrians until it's too late.
Experts also point to the growing size and weight of SUVs and trucks on city streets as a contributing factor. Larger vehicles are more deadly on impact and have larger blind spots — particularly for children and shorter adults.
Vision Zero
NYC's fight for safer streets
Launched in 2014, Vision Zero is New York City's commitment to eliminating all traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Pedestrian deaths in recent years have been roughly 30% lower than in 2013, and NYC has fared far better than the national average — where pedestrian fatalities have climbed to 40-year highs.
The first half of 2025 saw traffic fatalities drop 32% compared to the same period in 2024 — the lowest level since records were first collected in 1910. Still, 111 pedestrian deaths in 2025 is 111 too many.
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Sammy's Law
Allows NYC to reduce speed limits to 20 mph on residential and school streets.
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Daylighting intersections
1,000 intersections per year are being improved with planters, bike racks, and physical barriers to improve driver sightlines.
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Speed and red-light cameras
Speed cameras reduce deadly speeding by over 90%, with serious injuries declining nearly 30% at camera locations.
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Protected bike lanes
Over 87.5 miles of protected lanes added in the past three years — improving safety for both cyclists and pedestrians.
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Pedestrian plazas & safety islands
Expanded throughout the five boroughs to physically separate walkers from moving traffic.
Next Steps
What to do if you are hit by a car
Getting struck by a car is a traumatic and disorienting experience. Acting quickly and calmly in the aftermath can protect both your health and your legal rights.
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Get to safety
Move out of the road if it is safe to do so. If you feel pain, see blood, or suspect broken bones, call for emergency services immediately. Do not make sudden movements — adrenaline can mask serious injuries for several hours.
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Collect information
If you are able, photograph the scene, the driver's vehicle, and any visible injuries. Obtain the driver's insurance information and contact details. If you are too injured to do this yourself, a police report will capture what you need.
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See a doctor promptly
Visit an emergency room or urgent care facility as soon as you leave the scene. Prompt evaluation identifies hidden injuries and creates a documented record. Delay gives the driver's insurer grounds to minimize your claim.
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Contact a personal injury attorney
Once you have received medical attention, consult an attorney experienced in pedestrian accidents. A skilled lawyer handles insurance negotiations, court filings, and documentation — letting you focus on recovery while fighting for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Why It Matters
Why legal representation matters after a pedestrian crash
Injuries from pedestrian accidents tend to be far more severe than those from other types of motor vehicle crashes. When you are seriously hurt or hospitalized, the last thing you should face alone is a complex insurance dispute.
New York law recognizes pedestrians as vulnerable road users and holds drivers to a high duty of care. When a driver's negligence causes your injury — whether through distraction, speeding, failure to yield, or impairment — you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
At Koenigsberg & Associates Law Offices, we have helped thousands of injured New Yorkers recover from pedestrian accidents. Our award-winning team brings the experience and dedication needed to fight on your behalf — in negotiations and, if necessary, in court.
Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, call us today.
(718) 336-2000Koenigsberg & Associates Law Offices — Trusted NYC Personal Injury Attorneys