Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in New Jersey

Hit by a Vehicle While Walking or Crossing the Street?

Every year, thousands of pedestrians are injured and killed in preventable accidents.

If you were injured or lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, you may be eligible for compensation. At The Law Offices of James C. DeZao, our New Jersey pedestrian accident attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for accident victims across the state. You can count on our firm to advocate for your rights.

Call (973) 358-6134 or contact us online to get started on your case with a free consultation. Our pedestrian accident attorneys in NJ offer services in English, Spanish, Polish, and Italian.

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Pedestrian accidents can have devastating consequences, with injuries often being catastrophic or fatal for the person on foot. Pedestrians are vulnerable in collisions with motor vehicles due to their lack of protection. Even at relatively low speeds, the force of a car, truck, bus, or motorcycle hitting a pedestrian can cause serious and lasting injuries.

Injuries commonly suffered in pedestrian accidents include:

• Brain injuries
• Back, neck, and spine injuries
• Paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia)
• Broken bones and fractures
• Soft tissue injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Amputation/loss of limb
• Cuts, bruises, and scrapes
• Dental injuries
• Eye injuries/loss of vision
• Fatal injuries

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

• Distracted Driving: Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents. When a driver is distracted, they can easily miss a pedestrian crossing the street or fail to stop at a crosswalk. 
• Speeding: When drivers are going too fast for the conditions, they may not have enough time to react if a pedestrian appears in front of them or if they need to make a sudden stop. Additionally, pedestrians can be seriously injured if they are hit by a vehicle traveling at high speeds due to the increased force of impact.
• Poor Visibility: Poor visibility is also a common cause of pedestrian accidents. This can occur when drivers don't turn on their headlights at night, when weather conditions reduce visibility such as fog or rain, or when pedestrians wear dark clothing that makes them difficult to see in low light situations.
• Failing to Yield: Drivers must always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are in marked crosswalks or intersections, even if there isn't a traffic signal present, and must also be aware of any pedestrians who may be crossing outside of designated areas such as in parking lots or driveways.
• Disobeying Traffic Signals: Drivers should always obey posted speed limits and traffic signals and pay close attention when approaching intersections with marked crosswalks so that they can react quickly if necessary.
• Alcohol Impairment: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs judgment and reaction times, which can lead to drivers failing to spot potential hazards such as pedestrians crossing the street.

Proving Negligence in a Pedestrian Accident Case

In a pedestrian accident case, establishing negligence is essential for seeking compensation. Negligence refers to the failure of an individual or entity to exercise reasonable care, which leads to harm or injury of another party. 

To prove negligence in a pedestrian accident case, one must establish four elements: 

• Duty of care
• Breach of duty
• Causation
• Damages

The first element involves proving that the defendant had a legal responsibility to exercise care towards the victim. The second element involves demonstrating how the defendant breached this duty, such as by violating a traffic law or driving while distracted. The third element involves proving that the breach of duty caused the harm the victim suffered. 

Finally, the fourth element requires demonstrating the extent of damages incurred due to the negligent behavior. 

Proving negligence in a pedestrian accident case can be complex; however, with a New Jersey pedestrian accident lawyer from The Law Offices of James C. DeZao on your side, you can trust that your case is in good hands.

Call the Law Office of James C. DeZao

The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to handle your case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds.

Did you suffer serious injuries in a pedestrian accident? Call our NJ pedestrian accident lawyers today at (973) 358-6134 or contact us online for a free consultation.