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Duty of care that drivers owe pedestrians in New York. Weininger v. Hackel, 6 N.Y.2d 67 (1959)

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Weininger v. Hackel deals with the issue of negligence and the duty of care owed by drivers to pedestrians. New York State has a unique set of laws that govern the rights and responsibilities of pedestrians on the roadways. In New York, pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks, whether marked or unmarked. Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and are also prohibited from passing vehicles that have stopped for pedestrians. However, pedestrians also have certain responsibilities, such as using crosswalks when available and obeying traffic signals and signs. Failure to adhere to these rules may result in a citation or legal consequences.

Background
On March 7, 1953, Margaret Weininger was crossing a street in Brooklyn when she was struck by a car driven by Max Hackel. Weininger sustained serious injuries, including a broken leg and a fractured skull, and was permanently disabled as a result of the accident. Weininger sued Hackel for negligence, alleging that he failed to exercise reasonable care and caution while driving and was therefore responsible for her injuries.

Discussion
The legal issues in Weininger v. Hackel centered on the duty of care owed by drivers to pedestrians. Weininger argued that Hackel had a duty to exercise reasonable care and caution while driving, especially when approaching a crosswalk or an area where pedestrians are likely to be present. Weininger further alleged that Hackel breached this duty by driving at an excessive speed, failing to keep a proper lookout, and failing to yield to her as she crossed the street.

Hackel argued that Weininger was partly to blame for the accident because she failed to exercise due care for her own safety. He also contended that he had not been driving at an excessive speed and that Weininger had darted out into the street without warning.

Court’s Decision
The trial court ruled in favor of Weininger, finding that Hackel had been negligent in failing to keep a proper lookout and in failing to yield to her as she crossed the street. The court awarded Weininger $35,000 in damages.

Hackel appealed the decision, arguing that the trial court had erred in finding him negligent and in awarding damages to Weininger. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York upheld the trial court’s decision, finding that Hackel had been negligent and that Weininger had not contributed to the accident.

Hackel then appealed to the New York Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court. The Court of Appeals affirmed the lower courts’ decisions, holding that Hackel had breached his duty of care by failing to keep a proper lookout and by failing to yield to Weininger as she crossed the street. The court also rejected Hackel’s argument that Weininger had been partly to blame for the accident, finding that her conduct did not contribute to the accident.

Conclusion
The case confirmed the duty of care owed by drivers to pedestrians and clarified that drivers must exercise reasonable care and caution when driving in areas where pedestrians are likely to be present. In addition, note that Weininger presented expert testimony from a physician who testified about the extent of her injuries and the impact they would have on her life. This testimony was instrumental in helping the court understand the extent of Weininger’s injuries and in determining the appropriate amount of damages to award her.

If a pedestrian is hit by a car in New York, the first priority is to seek medical attention, even if there are no apparent injuries. It is also essential to obtain the driver’s name, contact information, and insurance details. It is advisable to contact the police and file a report, which can provide crucial evidence in a potential legal case. It is also recommended to consult with an experienced New York pedestrian accident lawyer to understand their legal rights and options for seeking compensation for any injuries and damages suffered.

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