A pedestrian crosses a busy New Jersey intersection and is almost hit by a car that isn’t paying attention.

Your New Jersey Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Have you or a loved one been injured in a pedestrian accident in New Jersey? If so, contact our New Jersey pedestrian accident attorneys today for a free case evaluation.

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From 2021 to 2023, pedestrians were the second largest group of crash fatalities in New Jersey each year. As of December 4th, 152 pedestrian fatalities have been reported in New Jersey so far this year. Even more have been seriously injured. 

Our dedicated team of pedestrian accident lawyers is no stranger to these cases, and we’re here to assist you every step of the way. We specialize in helping victims like you understand their rights and navigate the often complex legal aftermath of an accident. Our approach focuses on:

  • Understanding Your Rights: We’ll explain your legal rights and options, ensuring you’re fully informed about your case.
  • Dealing with Insurance Companies: Our team will handle all communications with insurance companies, ensuring you’re not taken advantage of and that your interests are vigorously represented.
  • Securing Maximum Compensation: We understand the importance of being fully compensated for your injuries and related expenses. That’s why our goal is to secure the maximum compensation possible for your injuries.

With the help of our NJ personal injury lawyers based in Lodi and Paterson, you can focus on your recovery while we work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve. Trust us to be your advocates in this challenging time.

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Help Is a Call Away

We are just a phone call away. You don’t even have to leave the house. Give us a call, and we will review your case right over the phone.

You Deserve Compensation

If you get hurt in a pedestrian accident that wasn’t your fault, you have a right to compensation for your injuries.

Your Case Review Is Free

You pay us nothing at all for your initial case review. After that, if we don’t win your case, you don’t owe us a dime.

What To Do After a Pedestrian Accident in New Jersey

If you’re involved in a pedestrian accident in New Jersey, taking the right steps will be critical to your case:

  1. Ensure Safety: Move to a safe area if possible. If seriously injured, wait for emergency services.
  2. Call 911: Report the accident immediately for safety, legal, and insurance purposes.
  3. Seek Medical Attention: Get checked even for minor injuries, as some injuries (or the extent of them) may not be immediately apparent.
  4. Gather Information: Collect evidence from the scene and contact information of others involved and eyewitnesses. Take photos of the accident and your injuries.
  5. Avoid Negotiation: Never discuss fault or any settlement offers at the scene. 
  6. Document Everything: Keep records of medical reports, expenses, and lost wages.
  7. Notify Insurance: Inform your insurer, but be cautious with the statements you provide. Be honest, but brief, and do not admit to any fault.
  8. Consult a Pedestrian Accident Attorney: Seek legal representation from an attorney before making any agreements, especially with insurance companies.

New Jersey Pedestrian Laws

New Jersey pedestrian accident laws are designed to protect pedestrians, one of the most vulnerable groups on the road. These laws outline the responsibilities of both drivers and pedestrians and dictate how fault and compensation are determined in the event of an accident.

Right of Way

  • Crosswalks: In New Jersey, drivers must stop and yield to pedestrians at marked crosswalks. Failure to do so can result in fines and other penalties.
  • Intersections: At intersections without marked crosswalks, pedestrians must yield to traffic on the road.

Pedestrian Responsibilities

Obey traffic signals: Pedestrians must adhere to traffic signals and use crosswalks where available. Jaywalking or crossing against a traffic signal can result in fines and may impact the pedestrian’s ability to claim damages in an accident.

Visibility: Pedestrians are advised to make themselves visible, especially at night, by wearing reflective clothing and using crosswalks with proper lighting.

Driver Responsibilities

Vigilance: Drivers are expected to exercise caution and be vigilant for pedestrians, especially in areas like school zones, neighborhoods, and busy intersections.

Speed Limits: Adhering to speed limits is crucial, particularly in pedestrian-heavy areas, as higher speeds increase the likelihood and severity of accidents.

Comparative Negligence

New Jersey follows a “modified comparative negligence” system. This means that in an accident, both the driver and the pedestrian can be found partially at fault. 

The compensation a pedestrian can receive will be reduced by their percentage of fault. For instance, if a pedestrian is found to be 20% at fault for an accident, their compensation will be reduced by 20%.

If a pedestrian is more than 50% responsible for the accident, they cannot recover damages from the other party.

What Is the Statute of Limitations on Pedestrian Accident Cases in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for filing a pedestrian accident injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the accident. Failing to file within this period can result in the loss of the right to sue.

What Our Clients Are Saying About Us!

5 Star Reviews

I was in the car, I was the passenger, we were stopped about five cars back from the stop sign and all of the sudden we got hit from behind… And it was a girl that was talking on her cell phone. My car insurance said, ‘We’re not paying for anything else.’ My private health insurance said, ‘We’re not paying for anything else.’ Without a lawyer I would probably still be out there wondering why I was still hurting, why I was still having problems and what was I going to do? Peter has contacted the insurance companies. He has gone with me to doctor’s appointments. They have really gone above and beyond. We need people like Peter Davis to help us.

-Wilda
5 Star Reviews

I was driving on Route 46. A guy was on his cell phone and didn’t realize everyone had stopped or slowed in front of him, so full blast, he hit me in the back. After the accident, I called Peter’s office and he started working for me right away. Peter took the case to arbitration and forced the insurance company to give me a good settlement.

-Garland
5 Star Reviews

I was driving in Hoboken and was preparing to stop at a stop sign and before I got to the stop sign, I was rear-ended. After the accident, I called Peter’s office and they started working for me right away. Large insurance companies are not looking out for the consumer. I needed Peter Davis to help me out. Mr. Davis fought hard for me and got me the money that I deserved.

-Stephanie
5 Star Reviews

I was in a terrible car accident. Immediately after that, I was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. The insurance company treated me unfairly. They refused to pay for my surgery and Mr. Davis made them. If you get into an accident, it’s very important for you to pick someone to be your voice and defend your rights and I suggest Mr. Davis. When I came to Mr. Davis, I was treated with respect, like I was one of his family members, and I really loved him for that.

-Cynthia
5 Star Reviews

I was at a red light and a driver came up behind and rear-ended my vehicle. Immediately after the accident, I called Peter Davis’ office and he started working on my case right away. His staff was very conscientious to the issue and I just felt very comfortable with dealing with his entire office. He really did a great job in helping me. First thing I would do is find yourself a good attorney like Peter Davis. Peter did a great job with the insurance company. He really fought hard for me.

-Gina
5 Star Reviews

I was with my son about to get to the cash register and there was a puddle of water that I didn’t see and I slipped and fell. After I fell, I was in physical therapy for six months. I called Peter’s office and Peter started working for me right away. I don’t think the insurance company would have been fair with me if I didn’t have a good lawyer. I would recommend the Peter Davis law firm to anyone who was injured in an accident.

-Johanna

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Common Types of Pedestrian Accidents in New Jersey

Crosswalks are a frequent site for pedestrian accidents. Despite laws requiring vehicles to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, failures to observe these rules can lead to collisions. Drivers may be distracted, or pedestrians might step into the crosswalk without noticing oncoming traffic. Vigilance from both parties is crucial in these zones.

Speeding and reckless driving, including drunk or impaired driving, significantly increase the risk of pedestrian accidents. High speeds reduce a driver’s reaction time and ability to stop, making pedestrian collisions more likely and more severe. Impaired driving further exacerbates this risk, as it affects a driver’s judgment and reaction times.

Pedestrians walking along roadways, especially where sidewalks are absent or inadequate, face higher risks. Drivers may not expect pedestrians in these areas, leading to accidents. Pedestrians should always walk facing traffic and wear visible clothing to increase their safety.

Accidents often occur when vehicles make turns at intersections. Drivers focused on navigating the turn may fail to notice pedestrians crossing the road. Pedestrians should be extra cautious at intersections and make eye contact with drivers when possible to ensure they are seen.

Understanding how right-of-way changes with different traffic signals is vital. 

  • At a green light, pedestrians have the right of way in a crosswalk. However, turning vehicles may still pose a risk. 
  • At red lights, pedestrians should not cross until the signal changes, but drivers turning right on red must still yield to pedestrians. 
  • Pedestrians must always adhere to walk signals at intersections and remain alert to changing traffic conditions.

Common failures to exercise reasonable care include jaywalking, ignoring walk signals at intersections, and being distracted by smartphones or headphones. New Jersey law requires pedestrians to use crosswalks and obey traffic signals. Additionally, pedestrians should stay alert and avoid distractions, especially when crossing streets.

 

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Common Injuries From a Pedestrian Accident

Pedestrian accidents can result in a range of injuries, some of which may have long-term consequences. Common pedestrian accident injuries include:

    • Head Injuries: Including concussions and traumatic brain injuries.
    • Broken Bones: Often in the legs, arms, or ribs.
    • Spinal Cord Injuries: Which can lead to paralysis or other serious and permanent conditions.
    • Internal Injuries: Such as internal bleeding or organ damage.
    • Cuts and Bruises: Ranging from minor to severe.
    • Psychological Trauma: Including PTSD and anxiety disorders.
    • Wrongful Death

 

How Can I Get Compensation From a Pedestrian Accident?

Victims of pedestrian accidents in New Jersey can seek compensation for various damages, including (but not limited to):

  • Medical Expenses: Covering both current and future medical treatments.
  • Lost Wages: Compensation for time off work and potential loss of earning capacity.
  • Pain and Suffering: For physical pain and emotional distress.
  • Loss of Quality of Life: If the injuries lead to long-term disability or lifestyle changes.

Contact our pedestrian accident attorneys for a more accurate estimate of what your compensation should be. Every case is unique and total compensation for a pedestrian accident case can vary significantly. The unique details of your case will ultimately determine how much compensation you should expect. 

We’ve Recovered Over $400 Million in 35 Years of Practice!

Fractured Vertebrae in Back

$950,000

Leg Injury

$700,000

Herniated Disc With Surgery

$450,000

Neck Injury

$400,000

Ankle Injury

$350,000

Knee Injury

$325,000

Neck Injury

$255,000

Arm Injury

$250,000

Wrist Injury

$225,000

Broken Ankle

$180,000

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Who Is Liable for a Pedestrian Accident?

Determining liability in a pedestrian accident involves proving negligence. This requires showing that:

  • Duty of Care: The driver owed a duty of care to the pedestrian.
  • Breach of Duty: The driver breached that duty, perhaps by speeding or not yielding.
  • Causation: The breach directly caused the accident and the pedestrian’s injuries.
  • Damages: The pedestrian suffered actual damages, such as medical costs or lost income.

Contact the New Jersey Pedestrian Injury Attorneys at Peter N. Davis & Associates 

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, the New Jersey pedestrian injury attorneys at Peter N. Davis & Associates are committed to helping you navigate the complexities of your case and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a consultation and let us advocate for your rights and recovery.