If you have lost a loved one or were seriously harmed in a pedestrian collision, the car accident lawyers at Eisbrouch Marsh will work diligently to ensure that negligent parties are held accountable for your pain and losses. More than a quarter of all traffic-related deaths in New Jersey are pedestrians, according to the state’s Division of Highway and Traffic Safety. Sadly, the majority of these pedestrian knock downs were avoidable, had motorists exercised due caution on the roads.
Our accomplished pedestrian accident lawyers have been in practice for more than 25 years, representing clients in Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Middlesex and Bergen County, as well as all 5 New York City boroughs. We understand how medical bills, lost income and physical disability can overwhelm victims of a pedestrian knock down, and can advise you on your legal rights to pursuing monetary damages.
If driver negligence or a defective roadway was the cause of your injuries or the wrongful death of a family member, litigation can help secure fair reparations for all related losses, both economic and non-economic. Call 201-342-5545 to start building your claim.
Pedestrian Accidents on the Rise
Statistics from the NYPD show that pedestrian fatalities have increased every year between 2011 and 2014, as evidenced by recent media headlines. Just last year, a 23 year-old British tourist was mowed down by a taxi driver near Rockefeller Center, when he lost control of his vehicle after arguing with a nearby cyclist. The woman’s left leg was completely severed and her other one was left badly mangled.
Just a few months later, five girls on their way to school in Queens were struck by an SUV after it jumped the curb, running over three of the students. The horrific pedestrian knock down happened in just the blink of an eye, when the motorist accidently hit the accelerator rather than the brakes. All three victims were rushed to nearby hospitals with serious internal injuries, burns and fractures. The accident, which happened on the corner of Grand Avenue and 71st Street, left one girl with spinal cord trauma and another with a fractured pelvis and leg.
The personal injury attorneys of Eisbrouch Marsh are committed to holding negligent and distracted drivers accountable for their actions when they cause harm or death to innocent pedestrians. Our legal team boasts the experience and resources to quickly establish liability, build a compelling case and recover maximum compensation on behalf of our clients.
Monetary damages available to plaintiffs includes those for all hospital and medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, in-home nursing care or rehabilitation, emotional trauma, pain and suffering, as well as other losses.
New Jersey Laws for Pedestrian Safety
One of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in New Jersey is the failure of motorists to yield the right-of-way. Depending on the location, there are situations where pedestrians have the right-of-way over vehicles. Under New Jersey Statute 39:4-36 enacted in 2010, motorists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are using a marked crosswalk or who are lawfully crossing the road at an intersection.
In addition, motorists must come to a full stop to yield for pedestrian traffic at such crosswalks.
In contrast, pedestrians must obey the law by giving right of way to motorists when attempting to cross the road where a crosswalk doesn’t exist. Even in such instances where a pedestrian tries to cross the road without a crosswalk, motorists can still be held accountable for an accident if driver negligence, recklessness or impairment was a contributing factor.
No one expects to fall victim to a pedestrian accident, but when tragedy strikes, having skilled legal counsel on your side is key when it comes to protecting your best interests. To discuss your accident with a highly-credentialed accident attorney, contact the law offices of Eisbrouch Marsh for a confidential consultation.
Types of Pedestrian Injuries
Pedestrians have little protection against catastrophic injuries when struck by a vehicle. Even seemingly low-speed knock downs can lead to devastating consequences, involving months of hospitalization, extensive rehabilitation and, in some cases, permanent disability. Unfortunately, pedestrian-vehicle accident fatalities are far too numerous.
For those who survive the trauma, some of the more common injuries include:
- Fractured and broken bones (pelvis and legs especially)
- Burns
- Severed limbs
- Spinal cord injury
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Head and neck injuries
- Lacerations
- Paralysis
Research on pedestrian accidents tells us some important facts:
- Two-thirds of all pedestrian deaths occur in places other than intersections
- Children and seniors are at most risk for a pedestrian knock down
- Busy urban areas are the site of 75 percent of all pedestrian fatalities
- The majority of pedestrian accident fatalities happen at night
- Alcohol impairment is often noted in either the motorist or pedestrian
Establishing Liability
Distracted driving, especially among teenagers, is a nationwide epidemic. Motorists have a responsibility to be aware of pedestrian traffic at all times and to properly stop at all marked crosswalks – whether in Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, Morris, Essex, or Middlesex counties. Those who are negligent and hit a pedestrian may be held liable for any damages caused.
At Eisbrouch Marsh, we know how to take on unscrupulous insurance companies, which are never on your side. Their main goal is to reduce their overhead by paying the lowest settlement possible. If you’ve been harmed in a pedestrian knock down, you need the advocacy of an experienced personal injury attorney New Jersey trusts. Let us fight for your rights, so you can focus on the healing process.
Find Out How Experienced Attorneys Can Help
In determining liability, our team will look at a variety of factors, such as whether the driver ignored a pedestrian crosswalk, was going too fast, was talking on their cell phone or failed to look before making a turn.
If you were the victim of a hit and run or pedestrian knock down accident, call our firm today for a no-cost case evaluation. You’re under no obligation to proceed, and we never collect any fees unless you win or settle your claim. Call 201-342-5545 to arrange your meeting with our car accident attorneys today. With offices in Hackensack, Newark, and New York, our lawyers welcome clients from Bergen County,Essex County and all nearby areas in New Jersey and New York.
