South Jersey Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Warmer weather and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have increased the number of pedestrians on sidewalks and roadways. Due to New Jersey’s shelter in place order, many people take time out of their day to walk outside and get some fresh air. Walks are a great way to exercise and get out of the house without compromising your health. Despite the benefits of walking, pedestrian accidents can still occur and cause severe injuries or death.

Accidents can happen in many ways and can cause detrimental injuries or death. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) reports that over 5,000 pedestrians die each year in motor vehicle accidents, as well as over 76,000 injuries that are caused by motorists. In addition to accidents caused by motor vehicles, pedestrian accidents also occur when there are defects on the sidewalk, construction or debris on walkways, and poor maintenance.

Who Is at Risk?

All pedestrians are at risk for an accident, but children between the ages of 5 and 9 years old are at the greatest risk of being hit by a motorist. Children are small and less visible to drivers, especially when they are crossing while the driver is making a turn.

Drivers need to practice extreme caution while driving in residential and school areas to ensure they see all children in the area. Children who are playing outside may go after a ball and run into the street without looking. Therefore, it is important to always be alert when driving and drive slowly.

Tips to Avoid Pedestrian Accidents

Some helpful safety tips for pedestrians include:

Crossing at Intersections and at stop lights. Never ignore the “walk” symbol.
Looking right and left twice before crossing the street and only entering the street when the coast is clear.
Making eye contact with drivers before crossing.
Staying as close to the left as possible and walking in the opposite direction of traffic if there is no sidewalk.
Avoiding walking at night and wearing headphones.
Wearing bright or reflective clothing.

Pedestrians and drivers should always practice care when walking and driving. Both need to follow the rules of the road and avoid all distractions while in motion.

If You Are Involved in an Accident

If an accident does occur, make sure to:

Call the police
Remain at the scene of the accident
Avoid making any statements to the drivers or insurers
Gather all information from witnesses for future court use

Can I Receive Compensation for My Pedestrian Accident?

Whether a pedestrian gets injured by the negligence of a driver or from a property defect, the injured person may receive compensation for their incident. A skilled pedestrian accident lawyer can help determine who is responsible for the accident and fight for your rights for proper compensation. These types of cases can be complicated and require help to determine the liable parties.