A medical study of injured pedestrians and cyclists in the city was recently conducted by a team of trauma surgeons, emergency physicians and researchers from NYU Langone Medical Center.
Among their findings, they found 1) being overweight may be a factor that protects New Yorkers from serious injury, 2) that taxicabs pose a large threat to cyclists, who often compete for the same small curbside area, and 3) that cyclists and pedestrians hit by cars are most often struck while in the crosswalk, with the signal on their side.
From December 2008 to June 2011, the group studied more than 1,400 pedestrians and cyclists treated at Bellevue Hospital Center after collisions, mostly occurring in Manhattan and western Brooklyn. Focusing on the patients, data was collected through victim self-reporting, medical records, and accounts from witnesses and first responders.
One of the findings was that excessive weight may be helpful for pedestrians in a collision. Dr. Frangos noted that generally, overweight and obese patients fared worse once admitted to a hospital, but that perhaps “that extra layer offers some protection at the time of the injury.”
The study also showed that the awareness level of the pedestrian or cyclist may have been compromised in some cases due to alcohol consumption or the use of an electronic device like a cellphone. It was also noted that the time of day mattered. The majority of cyclists were hit between noon and 3 p.m. and after 6 p.m., reflecting times when food deliveries are most often made. Most pedestrians were hit by automobiles on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
One of the more significant findings showed that a large amount of riders and pedestrians were struck by taxis. Taxis hit cyclists more often then pedestrians.
The study has some shortcomings in that it does not include those who were killed at the scene of the accident. However, the most chilling take-away from the report is that there is no area that is entirely safe. Nearly half of those injured on the street were using a crosswalk, with the signal. The remainder of those injured were crossing at midblock, crossing against the signal, or were involved in less frequent circumstances, like travelers being hit while getting into or out of a vehicle.
The study could help inform transportation planning in the city. Administration officials try to reduce the types of injuries sustained in these cases. After observing the report, officials said it reinforced many of their own findings, including the need for bike lanes, pedestrian plazas and other traffic-calming measures.
At Foley Griffin, LLP, our attorneys represent clients in a multitude of areas of law, including car accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists. If you require assistance with a legal issue, please contact our office located in 666 Old Country Road, Suite 305, Garden City, NY11530, or call us toll free at 1-800-991-2773.
