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Click For Your Free ConsulationPosted in Personal Injury on November 26, 2024
Central Park is one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks, attracting millions of visitors every year. While it offers countless opportunities for relaxation, sightseeing, and recreation, accidents are very common in this bustling green space. Understanding the most frequent injuries in Central Park can help you remain aware of your surroundings and stay safe.
Uneven pathways, wet surfaces, and icy conditions during winter make slips and falls one of the most common causes of injuries in New York City parks. Runners and walkers often encounter hazards like loose pavement stones, puddles, and leaves that obscure potential dangers.
Common injuries in slip and fall accidents include:
Slips and falls can happen anywhere, but areas near the boathouse, Row Bridge, and shaded trails are particularly risky due to poor visibility and slippery conditions.
Central Park’s six miles of bike lanes attract recreational and competitive cyclists. However, heavy traffic from pedestrians, joggers, and fellow cyclists can lead to dangerous bicycle collisions.
While Central Park has a strict speed limit of 25 mph, cyclists often exceed it. Bicycle accidents can lead to devastating injuries, especially when they involve pedestrians. For joggers, the “Tour de France” cyclists are a well-known hazard of Central Park. Advocates have called for elevated crosswalks, a barrier between jogger and bike lanes, rumble strips, and better enforcement of speed limits to reduce serious and even fatal accidents that have become all too common.
In 2014, a mother was struck and killed by an East Harlem triathlete who was reaching speeds of up to 35.6 mph at the time of the collision. In 2022, a woman was struck from behind by a speeding cyclist and suffered life-threatening injuries.
Common injuries among cyclists and pedestrians include:
Staying alert and following park cycling rules can minimize the risk of injury. As a jogger or walker, be vigilant for cyclists who may weave through lanes, enter jogger lanes, and exceed the speed limit.
With over 800 acres of space, Central Park is a favorite for dog owners. However, dog bites can and do occur, especially when owners do not follow leash laws.
Dog bites can cause serious injuries, such as:
Victims of a dog bite may need to get painful and expensive rabies vaccinations and undergo extensive reconstructive surgery.
Pet owners are responsible for controlling their animals, but all visitors should approach dogs cautiously. If you are injured by someone else’s uncontrolled dog, the owner can be held liable under New York’s dog bite laws. In New York, owners are strictly liable for medical expenses caused by their dog’s attack. If they had reason to believe their dog was dangerous based on past behavior, they could be liable for other damages.
The 21 playgrounds in Central Park are a big attraction for families, but children are at risk of injuries while playing. Every year, over 220,000 kids in the U.S. are treated in emergency rooms and hospitals after playground accidents.
Common playground injuries include:
Serious child injuries on a playground can happen when a child falls from monkey bars or equipment or while running on slippery surfaces. Slides are a common source of injury, particularly when parents slide down with a small child on their lap. This is dangerous because a child’s shoe or foot can get caught and dragged behind while the force of the parent’s movement pushes the child forward.
Being injured by falling tree limbs may seem like a freak accident, but it’s surprisingly common in Central Park. In 2007, a branch fell from one of the park’s largest elm trees, injuring a mother and her three children. The city reached a $5.5 million settlement after the woman suffered permanent injuries. In this case, the tree had obvious signs of decay and had been marked for removal for months.
A couple settled with New York City for $13.75 million in 2020 after their infant daughter was killed by an 18-inch-diameter tree branch that fell on the child.
In 2022, a 46-year-old Brooklyn man was killed by a falling branch in Central Park that was heavy with snow. The previous year, a Manhattan man suffered a spinal cord injury and brain injury after a 100-pound branch struck him in the head.
Victims hurt by a falling tree branch may have a premises liability claim against the city.
Central Park is a hub for recreational sports, from baseball and soccer to volleyball and rollerblading. These activities come with the risk of injury due to overexertion, collisions, or improper technique.
Common sports injuries include:
Using proper gear, warming up before exercise, and staying hydrated are key to reducing the risk of these injuries.
Sadly, not all injuries at Central Park are caused by accidents. As of November 2024, Central Park has been the site of 10 felony assaults so far in the year. That’s double the amount of assaults from the same time period in 2023. Major crimes are up 49% in Central Park, while robberies have increased 222%, with 29 reported robberies so far in 2024.
In one case, a 15-year-old and two older men were robbed at gunpoint. The three suspects were 14, 16, and 17 years old.
In addition to aggravated assault and robbery, sexual assault can also happen in Central Park. Police announced additional cameras throughout the park, citing the case of an attempted rape of a 21-year-old in July. NYPD will also begin using drones to patrol the park.
Have you been injured in Central Park due to someone else’s negligence, criminal actions, or dangerous conditions at the park? You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings, and more. Our New York City personal injury attorneys can help. Contact our office today for a free consultation to learn more about your rights and legal options.
If you need legal assistance, contact the New York City personal injury lawyers at Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation, we’re open 24 hours.
We have two convenient locations in New York:
Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers – New York City Office
450 7th Ave #1605
New York, NY 10123
(212) 564-2800
Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers – Brooklyn Office
26 Court St Suite 2511
Brooklyn, NY 11242
(718) 802-1600