Pedestrian Hit by a Motor Vehicle in NJ
When a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle, devastating consequences can occur. Pedestrian accidents can result in serious injury, disfigurement, loss of a limb or even death. Close to 5,000 pedestrians are killed in car accidents in the United States annually and nearly 70,000 pedestrians are injured every year. Many of these pedestrian injuries occur in New Jersey. Pedestrians are more likely to be killed in a car accident than vehicle occupants, as they are vulnerable to the impact of the collision with no barrier between them and severe physical trauma. If you or a loved one has been injured by a driver while walking down the road, you should know that the law provides you with recourse. You can pursue justice and compensation for your injuries with a successful personal injury lawsuit.
If you or someone you know is involved in a pedestrian accident, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. Our skilled New Jersey Pedestrian Accident Attorneys handle pedestrian accident cases in all New Jersey counties, including in Monmouth County, Ocean County, Mercer County, Atlantic County, and Middlesex County. We have obtained significant compensation for individuals in your position and we are dedicated to fighting for the compensation you deserve. With a track record of success, our award-winning trial attorneys have been named among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association. We have also been recognized and featured in prominent publications, including Super Lawyers Magazine. To speak with an experienced NJ Pedestrian Injury Lawyer about your case free of charge, call ____ or contact us online today. We are happy to answer your questions, to schedule an appointment at our local Monmouth County office, or come meet with you.
New Jersey Laws Protecting Pedestrians
Under NJ Rev Statute 39:4-36, pedestrians have the right of way in a crosswalk. However, pedestrians are prohibited from suddenly darting from the curb to the street or running in the path of a vehicle that is so close that the driver is unable to yield. If a driver strikes you at a crosswalk in New Jersey, it is much more likely that the driver will be found at fault for the accident.
On the other hand, pedestrians must yield to drivers if they are crossing the road outside a crosswalk. They must also obey pedestrian traffic signals. If you were jaywalking at the time of your accident or walking contrary to a pedestrian traffic signal, it may be harder for you to prove a pedestrian accident case in New Jersey.
Proving a Pedestrian Accident Claim in NJ
To win a pedestrian accident case after you are stuck by a car or motorcycle, you will likely have to prove that the driver had a duty to drive in a reasonably safe manner, failed to drive reasonably safely, and that you were injured as a result of that unsafe driving. You may also be able to support your case by proving that the driver of a motor vehicle was breaking a traffic law at the time that they struck you.
Though an individual who violates the above right of way law may be subject to a fine or community service, this statute can be critical in establishing liability if an individual is injured while crossing the street. If you are injured by a driver who does not yield to a pedestrian while crossing the street, the attorneys at our firm may be able to use a violation of the above-mentioned statute as a way to help establish liability in a civil case. Depending on the circumstances, the police reports and any potential testimony or plea in municipal court, our lawyers may be able to use a violation of this statute to your advantage in a pedestrian injury lawsuit.
How to Prepare for a New Jersey Pedestrian Accident Case
If driver injures you as a pedestrian, it goes without saying that you should seek medical attention before you do anything else. If you are physically able, call a friend or family member who can photograph the accident scene. When you can, write down a detailed description of the accident and everything you remember about the circumstances leading up to the driver hitting you. After the accident, you should consult an experienced personal injury lawyer about what happens next if you want to pursue damages. You only have two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit against the negligent driver who hit you, so starting the legal process right away is the best decision you can make.
Pedestrian Accident Injury Lawyers in Monmouth County, NJ – Free Consultation
If you are able to prove a negligence case related to your pedestrian accident, you will be entitled to recover damages from the driver. Depending on the specific facts of your case, you may be able to obtain economic damages for things like medical bills and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering and other intangible harm that you suffered as a result of your injuries. Our law firm will take your pedestrian injury case on a contingency fee basis. This means you will not pay a single legal fee unless we successfully recover money on your behalf. If you or someone you know has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Monmouth County or elsewhere in New Jersey, contact the attorneys at our firm for immediate assistance. Our New Jersey personal injury attorneys represent individuals who are hurt during pedestrian accidents and we are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
