New Yorkers sometimes get a bad rap about being unfriendly or even outright surly to strangers. But when it really matters, they can rally together and save a life.
That recently occurred on the Lower East Side when a pedestrian was struck by a motorist and got trapped under a SUV at the intersection of Norfolk and Delancy Streets.
Roughly a dozen passers-by rushed to the injured woman’s aid and managed to lift the heavy SUV off of her and pull her to safety.
First responders on the scene from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) arrived after receving the call for aid shortly after 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26.
The victim was taken by ambulance to Bellevue Hospital for treatment of the injuries she suffered in the collision and ensuing entrapment. No update on her condition is available.
Fortunately, most car-pedestrian accidents are not this dramatic, but they can still leave pedestrians with devastating injuries that may never fully heal. Even when the accident is not that serious, injured pedestrians usually need time off of work to recover. They will incur medical bills and often require months of physical therapy — all of which can be quite costly.
That’s why it is a good idea to file a claim for damages after even minor accidents occur. You may not immediately notice that you are injured while the adrenaline is flowing after a collision. But later, bruises, contusions and muscle strains may lay you low for days or even weeks.
You can be compensated for the injuries caused by a negligent driver. Holding them accountable is one way to right the scales of justice in your favor.