Jersey City Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrian accidents are some of the worst types of collisions. When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the injuries can be severe and even life-threatening. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Jersey City, don’t hesitate to contact the Jersey City pedestrian accident attorneys at Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC for legal assistance. We can protect your rights and stand by your side in the fight for justice and financial compensation for a devastating pedestrian accident.
Why Choose Us
- We are certified civil trial lawyers with vast experience in and out of the courtroom. We aren’t afraid to go up against any insurance company or defendant.
- Our Jersey City personal injury attorneys have earned a reputation for their personalized legal services, aggressive litigation and outstanding results in almost 50 years of representation.
- We offer evening appointments for convenience, are available for home or hospital visits (and Zoom consultations during COVID-19), speak Spanish and Portuguese, and can arrange for translators for non-English speakers.
- Our New Jersey pedestrian accident lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you only have to pay our attorney’s fees if we are successful in obtaining financial compensation for you.
What Causes Most Pedestrian Accidents in New Jersey?
Every driver in New Jersey has a legal responsibility to safely operate a motor vehicle. This responsibility means obeying traffic laws, driving prudently and paying attention to the road. It also means respecting pedestrians’ rights, such as the right-of-way at crosswalks and intersections. Unfortunately, many drivers are careless or reckless behind the wheel, drastically increasing the risk of harmful collisions.
Some of the most common causes of pedestrian-vehicle collisions in Jersey City include:
- Texting and driving
- Speeding in school zones
- Intoxicated driving
- Failing to stop at intersections
- Failing to yield to pedestrians
- Making unsafe left-hand turns
- Passing illegally
- Violating other roadway rules
Children are especially at risk of pedestrian collisions, as they may step out into traffic unexpectedly. Although pedestrians have a responsibility to follow roadway rules and avoid accidents, motor vehicle drivers have all of the power. In a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian, the pedestrian will always lose.
How Does the Claims Process Work in New Jersey?
If someone else caused your pedestrian accident, you will only have grounds to hold that party legally responsible if your injuries meet New Jersey’s serious injury threshold. New Jersey Statutes Annotated Section 39:6A-8 states that an accident victim can only file a tort-based lawsuit outside of New Jersey’s no-fault insurance system if he or she suffers a bodily injury that results in:
- Permanent injury or disability
- Loss of limb
- Significant scarring and disfigurement
- Complex bone fractures
- Death or the loss of a fetus
- Wrongful death
Most pedestrian accidents cause serious enough injuries to meet this threshold. This means the victim may be eligible for compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. An at-fault driver’s liability insurance will cover medical expenses and other losses. You will also have the right to hold the driver accountable if you purchased “unlimited right to sue” insurance.
If you suffered minor injuries in a pedestrian accident, however, you may only have the legal option to file a personal injury protection (PIP) insurance claim with your own insurance provider. This will be the case if you purchased “limited right to sue” insurance, which is the basic package offered. You do not have to prove fault to qualify for PIP benefits.
How to Deal With the Insurance Company
If you do have the right to bring a lawsuit against the driver or party at fault for your pedestrian collision in Jersey City, be cautious while proceeding with your claim. Understand that the insurance company does not want what is best for you; it does not want to maximize your financial recovery, even if you or a loved one suffered catastrophic injuries. The insurance company’s number one goal is to save money and protect its profits. Go through your insurance claim with this in mind.
Protect yourself by never admitting fault for the accident to the insurance company. When answering questions about the collision, stick to the facts as you know them and keep your answers short and simple. Politely decline to give the insurance company a recorded statement, as the company can use this against you later. No matter what the representative says, no law requires you to give a statement. If the insurer accepts your claim and offers a settlement, a pedestrian accident attorney in Jersey City can help you evaluate its fairness before you say yes.
What Is the Average Pedestrian Accident Settlement?
A pedestrian accident can leave you with serious personal injuries, expensive medical needs and the inability to go to work. Significant noneconomic losses are also common, such as emotional distress, psychological harm and mental anguish. A successful insurance settlement or judgment award could pay you for all of these losses, and more.
The financial compensation available in a pedestrian accident claim in New Jersey includes:
- Medical costs from emergency care
- Ongoing necessary medical expenses
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Losses of income (present and future)
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- The wrongful death of a loved one
- Punitive damages
The value of your case will depend on many different factors, including the gravity of your injuries. In general, more serious injuries result in greater financial reimbursement for the victim.
While an insurance company will want to minimize your payout, your attorney can fight for maximum financial compensation for your present and future losses on your behalf.
Why You Need to Consult With a Jersey City Pedestrian Accident Attorney
From connecting you to top doctors in Jersey City to going up against an insurance provider while you heal, a pedestrian accident attorney in New Jersey can handle many tasks and matters for you while you concentrate on your recovery. Your Jersey City pedestrian accident lawyer can return to the scene of your pedestrian collision, preserve and gather evidence, interview eyewitnesses, fill out confusing legal paperwork, hire experts, and take other steps toward a fair resolution. You can rest assured that your case is in good hands after hiring an injury lawyer to be your advocate during the legal process.
Contact Our Jersey City Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today
If you were recently injured in a pedestrian accident in Jersey City, you have rights. We can help you protect them with our experienced attorneys, personnel and legal resources. Contact Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC to start your case with a free evaluation. We will listen to your story, answer your questions and let you know if we believe your case has merit. From there, we can help you and your family pursue justice. Call (201) 997-0030 today to speak to a lawyer near you.