Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Jersey City
Being struck by a vehicle while walking can leave you with life-threatening injuries and a financial burden. The physical pain and emotional trauma of a pedestrian accident can also worsen your quality of life.
Although you may be entitled to compensation for your losses, initiating a claim is not straightforward. Insurance companies frequently attempt to shift blame onto pedestrians, arguing they were jaywalking, distracted, or somehow contributed to their injuries.
New Jersey traffic laws and insurance regulations also make it difficult for injured victims to protect their legal rights. You should, therefore, work closely with a legal professional after a pedestrian accident.
Our experienced Jersey City pedestrian accident attorneys at Reinartz Law Firm understand the impact of injury-related losses and will fight tirelessly to protect your rights. We investigate the incident, gather evidence from accident scenes, interview witnesses, and work with reconstructionists to establish fault.
Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Why Choose Our Jersey City Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- How Much Is My Pedestrian Case Worth
- Where Do Pedestrian Accidents Occur in Jersey City
- Our Jersey City Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- Fighting the Insurance Company
- What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
- Contact Our Jersey City Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today
- Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
- Pedestrian accident compensation depends on injury severity, shared fault, insurance coverage, and recovery duration.
- New Jersey's shared fault rule reduces compensation if you're partially responsible for the accident.
- Seek immediate medical attention to prevent complications and document injuries for your claim.
- Insurance companies use delay tactics and lowball offers to minimize payouts to victims.
- A two-year statute of limitations applies to all pedestrian accident claims in New Jersey.
- Experienced attorneys investigate accidents, negotiate with insurers, and litigate cases when necessary.
- Emotional trauma compensation is available alongside physical injury damages.
- Call our pedestrian accident attorneys to learn your legal rights and options.
Why Choose Our Jersey City Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
The injury from a pedestrian accident can cause financial strain, affecting your ability to meet your family's financial obligations. Working with our pedestrian accident attorney increases the chances of receiving a fair settlement value matching your losses.
At Reinartz Law Firm, our pedestrian accident lawyers have combined decades of experience, which gives us an edge to fight for your rights.
How Much Is My Pedestrian Case Worth
There is no average value you can receive in a pedestrian accident. The outcome depends on the facts and circumstances of the injury. Here are the factors that influence the value of a pedestrian accident:
Severity of Injury
The severity of your injuries is the primary factor determining your case's value. Minor injuries like bruises, cuts, or sprains typically result in lower settlements covering basic medical expenses and short-term lost earnings.
However, catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, or permanent disabilities generate higher compensation amounts. Severe injuries require extensive medical treatment, long-term rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, and ongoing care, all of which increase your claim's value.
Life-altering injuries that affect your ability to work, enjoy activities, or maintain relationships result in substantial pain and suffering damages that can reach hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars.
Shared Fault
New Jersey follows the shared fault principle, meaning your compensation reduces proportionally if you share fault for the accident. If you're found 10 percent at fault for jaywalking while the driver is 90 percent responsible, your settlement decreases by 10 percent.
However, you cannot recover compensation if you're deemed 51 percent or more at fault. Insurance companies investigate pedestrian behavior, looking for evidence of distraction, intoxication, or traffic violations to reduce their liability.
Our pedestrian accident attorneys can counter these tactics using evidence to prove the driver's primary responsibility for the collision.
Insurance Coverage of the Negligent Party
The at-fault driver's insurance policy limits directly cap your potential recovery. Drivers carrying only minimum liability coverage may have policies as low as $15,000 per person, severely limiting compensation even for serious injuries.
Conversely, drivers with substantial coverage or commercial policies may provide access to higher settlement amounts. Your underinsured motorist coverage may bridge the gap if the negligent driver lacks sufficient insurance.
Our pedestrian accident attorneys can investigate all available insurance sources, including umbrella policies and commercial coverage, to maximize your recovery potential. They can also initiate a lawsuit to obtain compensation from the assets of the negligent party.
Duration of Recovery Period
An extended recovery period increases the value of a claim due to medical expenses, lost earnings, and ongoing pain and suffering. Brief recoveries limit damages to immediate costs, while lengthy rehabilitation, multiple surgeries, and permanent complications justify higher compensation.
Where Do Pedestrian Accidents Occur in Jersey City
Although pedestrian accidents can occur in any part of New Jersey, there is an increased risk in specific zones. Here are particular roads where pedestrian accidents are likely to happen:
- Kennedy Boulevard: This busy thoroughfare is known for its heavy traffic and high pedestrian activity. With multiple lanes of traffic moving in both directions, pedestrians face the risk of crashes when crossing Kennedy Boulevard.
- Journal Square: As a major transportation hub in Jersey City, Journal Square experiences dense pedestrian traffic. JFK Boulevard and Tonnelle Avenue intersection can be particularly hazardous for pedestrians.
- Newark Avenue: This bustling street in Jersey City has shops, restaurants, and businesses, attracting many pedestrians. With cars, buses, and bikes sharing the road, accidents can easily occur due to distracted or speeding drivers.
- Montgomery Street: Montgomery Street is another area in Jersey City where pedestrian accidents are common. The mix of residential buildings and commercial establishments along this road means that pedestrians and vehicles frequently interact, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Grand Street: Grand Street is a popular thoroughfare connecting various neighborhoods and commercial areas in Jersey City. With heavy traffic and multiple crosswalks, pedestrians are at increased risk of crashes.
Our Jersey City Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Our Jersey City pedestrian accident lawyers bring extensive experience representing victims of vehicle-pedestrian collisions throughout the area. We understand the unique challenges pedestrians face when seeking compensation and have successfully recovered millions for injured clients.
We can represent you in any of the following pedestrian accident crashes:
- Crosswalk Accidents: A vehicle hits a pedestrian while they cross the street in a designated crosswalk, causing a crosswalk accident. Our pedestrian accident attorney can gather evidence to prove the driver's negligence in failing to yield the right of way.
- Intersection Accidents: Intersection accidents involve pedestrians getting hit by turning vehicles or drivers running red lights. Our pedestrian accident attorneys can assist in determining liability and seeking compensation for your injuries.
- Sidewalk Accidents: Vehicles that veer off the road and onto the sidewalk can strike pedestrians. Our pedestrian accident lawyers can investigate the circumstances of the accident and initiate a compensation claim against the negligent party.
- Parking Lot Accidents: Accidents in parking lots can result in serious pedestrian injuries. Our pedestrian accident attorneys explain your legal options and pursue a claim against the negligent driver.
- Hit-and-run Accidents: In cases where the driver flees the scene after hitting a pedestrian, our pedestrian accident attorneys can help you identify the driver and pursue compensation through uninsured motorist coverage.
Our pedestrian accident lawyers can also represent you if you sustain any of the following injuries:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Multiple bone fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Road rash and lacerations
- Knee and joint injuries
- Pelvic fractures
- Shoulder dislocation
Fighting the Insurance Company
Insurance companies deliberately frustrate injured pedestrians with complex procedures, delayed responses, and lowball offers designed to force quick settlements. Our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers understand these tactics and can provide legal support to counter insurance company pressure and secure fair compensation.
Here are some ways we handle interactions with the insurer:
- Establishing the Value of Your Losses: We will assess and determine the full extent of your losses resulting from the pedestrian accident. We understand all applicable losses, including economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. By accurately quantifying your losses, we can present a strong case to the insurance company to ensure you receive fair compensation.
- Negotiating With Insurers: Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts to accident victims. Our pedestrian accident lawyers have experience dealing with insurers and know how to counter their tactics to secure a favorable settlement on your behalf.
- Litigating Your Case in Court: In some cases, negotiations with the insurance company may not lead to a satisfactory outcome. If litigation becomes necessary to pursue the compensation you deserve, our pedestrian accident attorneys are prepared to take your case to court. You can count on us because we have a strong track record of successfully litigating pedestrian accident cases.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
Your actions after a pedestrian accident can enhance your wellness and legal rights. Here’s what to do if injured in a pedestrian crash:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
You should seek immediate medical attention even if you feel fine initially. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries like internal bleeding, brain trauma, or spinal damage that require urgent treatment.
A healthcare provider can diagnose hidden injuries and initiate a treatment plan. Delaying treatment lets insurance companies argue that your injuries weren’t serious or resulted from other factors.
Most importantly, they will document the injury and treatment, creating a link between the accident and your losses. Our pedestrian accident lawyers can use medical records to prove the extent of your injury and support your compensation claim.
Consult Our Car Accident Lawyer
You should also speak with a legal professional after sustaining an injury in a pedestrian accident. Our pedestrian accident lawyers will assess the circumstances of the crash and determine if you have a claim against the negligent party.
They will also advise you so you can make appropriate decisions that protect your legal rights. For example, all personal injury claims, including pedestrian accidents in Jersey City, must adhere to the two-year statute of limitations.
You can lose your right to compensation if you initiate a lawsuit beyond the two-year timeline. Our pedestrian accident lawyers understand the applicable deadlines and will initiate a timely claim to preserve your legal rights.
Contact Our Jersey City Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today
Your quality of life is likely to worsen after sustaining an injury in a pedestrian accident. For example, a hip injury can prevent you from participating in soccer, your favorite activity. Depression or anxiety can also prevent you from socializing with friends and family.
Our pedestrian accident attorneys at Reinartz Law Firm, have years of experience representing injured victims. They understand all the applicable damages in your claim and will fight for a fair and just settlement. You can count on us to handle the legal aspects of your claim as you focus on recovery. Our goal is to pursue maximum compensation for your injury.
Contact us online or at (201) 289-8614 for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Pedestrian Accident Case?
While not legally required, hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer can enhance the outlook of your case. Insurance companies often blame pedestrians and offer inadequate settlements.
Our pedestrian accident lawyers investigate the accident, handle insurance negotiations, and work hard to pursue compensation from the negligent party.
How Can I Prove the Driver Was at Fault?
Proving driver fault requires evidence like police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and accident scene photos.
Our pedestrian accident attorneys work with accident reconstructionists, review driving records, and examine factors like speeding, distracted driving, or traffic violations. They can also use cell phone records and surveillance footage to prove negligence.
Can I Claim Compensation for Emotional Trauma?
Yes, you can claim compensation for emotional trauma after a pedestrian accident. Forms of emotional distress include anxiety, depression, fear of crossing streets, and sleep disturbances. Records from a mental health professional can prove these losses.
Our pedestrian accident lawyers can prove emotional trauma using medical records, psychiatric evaluations, therapy session notes, prescription medication records, witness testimony, and professional psychological assessments documenting your mental health damages.
How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Pedestrian Accident Claim?
The timeline of settling a pedestrian accident claim varies depending on several factors, including injury severity, case complexity, insurance company cooperation, and settlement negotiations versus trial proceedings.
Simple cases with clear liability and minor injuries may resolve within months, while complex cases involving serious injuries, disputed fault, or uncooperative insurers can take one to three years.
