Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Essex County, NJ

Dedicated to Holding Negligent Parties Accountable for Damages

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a pedestrian is struck and killed by a car every two hours in the United States. Pedestrian accidents can occur in any number of situations, but most often, they occur due to driver inattention or error. Inclement weather, poorly marked crosswalks, and unfamiliarity with right-of-way and other local traffic laws can also have disastrous results for those traveling on foot. 

Such issues can lead to painful injuries for pedestrians, from broken bones and concussions to cuts and bruises. After all, pedestrians are much more vulnerable than drivers and passengers in vehicles, and some never fully recover from their injuries. If you have experienced the devastating effects of pedestrian accidents, contact Birkhold & Maider, LLC, to learn about your legal rights as an accident victim in New Jersey.

You can rest assured that our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers realize how high the stakes are for victims facing a painful and extensive recovery period. As you consider getting legal help, it’s important to know that New Jersey limits the amount of time pedestrian accident victims have to file their injury claims. As a result, delaying the legal process could cost you in the long run, so we urge you to contact our New Jersey law firm today to start your case.

Knowing your rights under the law is the first step, and our skilled lawyers are here to handle the rest. You can contact us for a free case evaluation, during which we will listen to how the car accident occurred, assess your potential personal injury claim, and assist you in exploring your options for recovering monetary damages if someone else’s negligence or recklessness caused your pedestrian accident. Call today to schedule your free consultation with a caring legal team.

What Are Some Common Causes of New Jersey Pedestrian Accidents?

The first step to recovering financial compensation in a pedestrian accident case is identifying the cause of your accident. When a negligent driver caused your accident, and you suffer serious injuries, you may have the right to recover financial compensation to hold that negligent driver responsible. In New Jersey, pedestrian accidents are commonly caused by:

  • Driver distraction
  • A driver’s failure to obey traffic laws, such as yielding the right of way in a crosswalk
  • Failure to stop at a red light or stop sign
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Speeding, causing the driver to have insufficient time to stop
  • Unsafe driving based on weather or road conditions

In many pedestrian accident cases, an injured pedestrian may not know exactly what caused the accident. In fact, it may seem as though the vehicle that struck you came out of nowhere. You can rest assured that our experienced accident lawyers are here to analyze the police report and evidence in your case to paint as conclusive a picture as possible regarding the cause of the car accident. 

While drivers of motor vehicles are often considered at fault for pedestrian accidents, all parties have a duty to exercise reasonable care to ensure no one gets hurt. This includes pedestrians, who are encouraged to wear reflective clothing while walking at night and pay attention to traffic signals and nearby motor vehicles. After all, mitigating factors can reduce the driver’s liability for compensation—such as in situations where the pedestrian darted into the road or if the pedestrian was wearing dark clothes and walking at night.

All evidence is taken into account to apportion liability in these cases which, under some circumstances, may be shared between the driver and pedestrian. If you’re unsure who is at fault for your accident, call our New Jersey law offices to find out more about how to pursue justice and financial compensation as you heal from your injuries. 

What Are the Most Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries?

Pedestrian accidents are known for causing devastating injuries that can lead to permanent disability or death for some victims. After all, when you’re hit by a car, your body is dealing with blunt force trauma as thousands of pounds of steel strike it while traveling several miles per hour. So, it’s no surprise that the injuries resulting from this type of car accident tend to be extremely painful and debilitating. 

Some of the most common pedestrian accident injuries include:

  • Bone fractures, especially in the pelvis, legs, knees, ankles, and arms
  • Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
  • Spinal cord injuries, which can lead to paralysis
  • Internal bleeding
  • Cuts and bruises
  • Strains and sprains
  • Road rash
  • Limb amputation
  • Damage to organs, including the lungs, heart, spleen, kidneys, and liver

You likely won’t know the extent of your injuries until you get medical treatment, so it’s critical that you see a doctor immediately after getting struck by a vehicle in New Jersey. Some serious injuries – such as internal bleeding and organ damage – are not always apparent at the pedestrian accident scene, and leaving them untreated for days or weeks could lead to permanent damage or death. 

If you’re hesitant to see a doctor due to the cost of getting medical treatment, keep in mind that a skilled Newark pedestrian accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. When this occurs, you won’t have to pay your medical bills out of pocket. You will also be compensated for any other expenses associated with the car accident. To learn more about how getting legal representation can benefit you, contact our law firm for a consultation with a trusted pedestrian accident attorney. 

What Is the Legal Process for Recovering Compensation in New Jersey Pedestrian Accident Cases?

Like many other incidents that fall under the category of law, injured pedestrians often want to settle claims quickly with insurance companies in the interest of moving on. They might believe getting a paycheck from the insurance provider right away will clear the way to focus on health and healing. However, faster isn’t always better when it comes to legal issues related to car accidents, since the insurance provider’s goal is to pay victims as little as possible. By contrast, a skilled injury attorney’s goal is to obtain the maximum compensation for clients like you.

This is where the legal team at Birkhold & Maider, LLC, comes in. Our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers focus on ensuring that you are adequately compensated for what’s to come in the future. While quickly getting a check from the other driver’s insurance provider might seem helpful initially, it’s important to ensure you’re offered a fair amount that will cover all your bills. During the chaotic time following the accident, it can be difficult to accurately assess the expenses you will face in the near future, such as medical bills, rehabilitation, and untold psychological trauma that may require counseling or medication. This is why you should hire a pedestrian accident attorney to do this for you before accepting an insurance settlement offer. 

When you call us for legal representation, we will first evaluate your case in consultation with experts in the field to make an educated estimate of the value of your case, which we will then present to the insurance company. We’re committed to fighting to ensure our injured clients are compensated for:

  • All current and future medical costs
  • Rehabilitation, such as physical therapy
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of your future ability to earn a living
  • Emotional trauma
  • Loss of ability to enjoy life

In New Jersey, when you are struck as a pedestrian, your own personal automobile insurance covers your medical bills under your policy’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. However, this coverage isn’t always sufficient to pay for the pedestrian’s medical bills and other expenses, such as lost wages. If this is the case for you, you should contact our law firm to learn about your legal rights as a pedestrian accident victim, as you might have other options to pursue.

If you do not have your own insurance, and none of the relatives in your household maintain a car insurance policy, our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers can help explore alternatives for recovering compensation. If a driver’s negligence caused your accident, we will thoroughly investigate your situation to build a strong case to hold that negligent party accountable. In some pedestrian accident cases, we can also help you apply to NJPLIGA, a program that approves some New Jersey residents for up to $250,000 worth of medical coverage. Call our Montclair law offices to learn more about this program and other legal options that may be available. 

Should You Speak with the Insurance Company After Suffering Injuries in a Pedestrian Accident?

In general, it’s recommended that you get a free consultation with a skilled pedestrian accident attorney before talking to insurance representatives. This is because while every case is different, one detail nearly all of them have in common is that insurance companies want to settle quickly. It’s in their best interests to pressure injury victims to immediately accept the first settlement offer without considering all the information first. But it’s in your best interests to resist the pressure to make hasty decisions and ensure you have a team in your corner to help you recover damages to cover current and future expenses. 

This is what you can expect when you hire our law firm for your pedestrian accident case. Our lawyers will consider the accident’s potential impact on your ability to earn wages, unforeseen treatment costs, or potential chronic health problems due to injury before calculating your fair compensation. We think you deserve to get every penny of your bills covered, plus additional funds to compensate for your emotional distress, and we know what it takes to get this outcome. 

Because of New Jersey’s complex insurance laws, you must choose representation with comprehensive knowledge in this area to ensure your case is in the best hands. Our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers can help you navigate the legal aspects of this difficult time so you can focus on your health and recovery. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation with caring lawyers. 

Are You Ready Call Trusted Essex County, NJ, Pedestrian Accident Lawyers to Get Legal Help?

At Birkhold & Maider, LLC, our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers have served Montclair, NJ, and the surrounding communities in Essex County for decades. We have the skills and practical experience necessary to obtain the maximum compensation possible for the severe injuries that often result from pedestrian accidents in our area.  

When you contact our New Jersey law offices for help with financial recovery, you can count on us to begin working on getting you the maximum compensation possible. Once we fully understand your case, we will gather evidence – such as the police report, medical records, and witness statements – and then calculate your fair compensation so we can get you the insurance settlement you deserve. Call 973-319-7795 today to schedule a free initial case evaluation with a caring lawyer from our New Jersey firm.