Pedestrian Accident

There are few physical injuries more devastating than those a pedestrian sustains when struck by a motor vehicle. A machine weighing more than a ton can inflict catastrophic damage on the human body, which leaves many victims with life-altering disabilities if they survive at all. Multiple bone fractures, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury are among the worst injuries suffered by pedestrians. A qualified Bergen County pedestrian accident lawyer can vindicate your rights if you’re hurt in an accident with an automobile.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 6,283 pedestrians were killed in U.S. traffic accidents in 2018, the highest number in nearly three decades. On average, a pedestrian is killed in an accident every 88 minutes. Collisions between pedestrians and vehicles are believed to be on the rise partly because of distractions caused by mobile phones and other handheld devices.

Drivers in New Jersey are required to yield to pedestrians under the state’s “Stop and Stay Stopped for Pedestrians” law. But the New Jersey Department of Transportation reports that the Garden State still has the 15th highest pedestrian fatality rate among all U.S. states: Approximately 6,000 pedestrians are struck by vehicles each year, with 141 persons killed  and another 270 severely injured.

Most pedestrian accidents occur in crosswalks and intersections where persons traveling on foot have a right to be, usually when motorists fail to notice or yield to them, often while driving above the speed limit. It is especially dangerous for pedestrians navigating streets and roads at night or in poor weather conditions.

According to NJDOT, driver inattention was cited as a factor in 30 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents in New Jersey. But drivers are not always the ones at fault. The other top causes are:

• Pedestrians crossing where it’s prohibited
• Pedestrians running or darting into traffic
• Dark clothing/poor visibility to drivers
• Driver failure to yield right-of-way

To stay safe, pedestrians are advised to obey traffic signs and stick to sidewalks and walking paths if possible, and if not possible to walk facing traffic and close to the shoulder of the road; not to walk in highly trafficked areas while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and always cross streets at designated crosswalks. Most importantly, never assume a driver sees you just because you can see them.

If you’re hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian, you or another person should call for medical help immediately if able to, even if you think you’re not seriously hurt. Some injuries don’t manifest themselves right away, especially in the excitement and confusion following a traffic accident. It’s important to get evaluated at a hospital to get timely treatment and create a record of your injuries. After you or a companion has called for help, try to get as much information as you can at the scene of the accident, including license plate and other information about the vehicle that hit you, contact information from any witnesses, and photos of the scene.

Once you have sought medical attention, you should consult an experienced New Jersey accident attorney before you attempt to deal with a negligent driver’s insurance company on your own. A skilled injury lawyer knows how to deal with auto insurers and understands the tactics they use to avoid paying victims full compensation.

A Bergen County pedestrian accident lawyer can help you seek financial recovery for your medical bills; lost income if your injuries render you unable to work; costs associated with physical therapy or disability; special medical equipment; and other damages.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a pedestrian accident, Aretsky Law Group offers a free case consultation and receives no fee until we win financial recovery for you. Call us today.