A heartbreaking accident in Crown Heights has raised questions that many New Yorkers rarely think about until it is too late.
Eight-year-old Mordechai Keller was walking home with his 17-year-old sister on Saturday afternoon after visiting their grandmother. As they crossed Eastern Parkway at Albany Street, a black Honda Pilot struck Mordechai at around 5:33 p.m. According to the Police, the SUV had a green light, but the boy never made it home.
This tragedy is more than a headline. It highlights a dangerous misunderstanding. Having the light does not mean having the right to ignore pedestrians.
As the best car accident attorneys in NYC and Brooklyn, Braude Injury Lawyers have seen this confusion lead to serious injury and wrongful death far too often. Here is what “right of way” actually means in New York and why both drivers and pedestrians should understand it clearly.
Myth #1: A Green Light Means Drivers Can Proceed Without Stopping
In New York and Brooklyn, even with a green light, drivers must yield to pedestrians who are already in the crosswalk.
If a pedestrian steps off the curb when the “Walk” signal is on and the light changes before they finish crossing, drivers are still legally required to wait until that person is safely across.
Failing to do so is not just dangerous. It is negligence.
Myth #2: Pedestrians Only Have the Right of Way When the Walk Signal Is On
Pedestrians have the right of way in several situations, even without an active walk signal.
For example:
- Crossing at an intersection without a traffic light
- Crossing with the light in their direction, but before turning traffic
- Crossing during the “walk” phase, even if the light changes mid-crossing
Drivers must approach intersections prepared to stop if a person is in the roadway.
Myth #3: If the Driver Was Not Speeding, They Are Not at Fault
Speed is only one factor in determining liability. A driver can still be responsible for a pedestrian accident if they:
- Failed to keep a proper lookout
- Were distracted by a phone, GPS, or other device
- Did not slow down when approaching a crosswalk with people nearby
In Mordechai Keller’s case, these are the very questions investigators must examine.
What Families Can Do After a Fatal Pedestrian Accident
When a tragedy like this occurs, the family is left with grief and uncertainty about what happened. That is where an experienced car accident attorney in NYC can make a difference.
Our team at Braude Injury Lawyers works to:
- Gather traffic camera and dashcam footage
- Interview witnesses and first responders
- Reconstruct the accident using expert analysis
- Identify negligence and build a strong wrongful death case
We have helped clients across Brooklyn and New York who are searching for the best car accident attorney to get the justice they deserve.
Why Having the Right Brooklyn Car Accident Attorney Matters
Right-of-way cases often come down to the smallest details, such as a driver’s blind spot, the timing of a light change, or the pedestrian’s position in the crosswalk.
At Braude Injury Lawyers, our Brooklyn car accident attorneys combine a deep understanding of the traffic laws with relentless investigation to protect the clients’ rights. If you are looking for the best car accident lawyer near me or car accident attorneys near me, our track record speaks for itself.
Safety Takeaways for Everyone
While the law is there to protect pedestrians, here is how you can reduce your risk:
- Always cross at marked crosswalks and obey signals
- Avoid distractions when walking near busy streets
- Make eye contact with turning drivers before stepping into the road
- Teach children to pause at the curb and look both ways, even if they have the light
Wrapping Up
The tragic loss of young Mordechai Keller is a stark reminder that right of way is not just a technical rule. It is a safeguard for human life. Drivers may have a green light, but they never have the right to endanger a pedestrian already in their path.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact Braude Injury Lawyers, the best car accident attorneys in Brooklyn. We will fight to uncover the truth and pursue the compensation your family deserves.
Call today for a free consultation because when lives are at stake, only the best car accident attorney near you will do.