New Jersey Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Litigating for Injured Pedestrians

In an effort to conserve natural resources, more and more Americans are foregoing motor vehicles as their primary mode of transport. Pedestrians, including bicyclists now comprise more than three percent of all American commuters according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The rise in pedestrian traffic directly corresponds with a rise in pedestrian accidents that leave tens of thousands injured annually. The following statistics can be helpful when considering ways to prevent these accidents.

Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Motor vehicles – due to their sheer size and speed – often have a legal obligation to yield to pedestrians, yet many do not. Other factors which contribute to pedestrian accidents involving motor vehicles include distracted driving, drowsy driving, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Regardless of the unique circumstances which led to a pedestrian accident, careless drivers who strike and injure pedestrians must be held accountable for their actions.

In 2014 the New Jersey State Police maintains that a total of 170 pedestrians were fatally injured in New Jersey motor vehicle-related pedestrian accidents, a sharp increase over the 132 pedestrian fatalities reported in 2013. The majority of victims were between the age of 45 and 64, and men were nearly twice as likely to be involved in a fatal pedestrian accident as women. Nearly half of the 138 victims in 2014 who were tested for alcohol had been drinking shortly before they were struck and fatally injured by a motor vehicle according to police. Additionally, data shows that nearly one-third of all New Jersey pedestrian fatalities in 2014 involved a victim who crossed a street where crossing was prohibited.

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Crosswalk, Sidewalk Usage Can Save Lives

When traveling on foot or by bike pedestrians must take precautions. Always use a crosswalk when traversing an intersection, and use care while walking a bicycle, and limit walking and jogging to sidewalks. Even a motor vehicle traveling at reduced speed can cause life-threatening injuries when striking a pedestrian. Those who walk or bike in an urban setting must remain on guard whenever walking between vehicles in slow-moving traffic, and use caution when navigating around a vehicle stopped at an intersection.

Pedestrians can be injured even without the involvement of a motor vehicle, however. A 2012 study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration demonstrated that three percent of pedestrian respondents required medical attention for injuries sustained while walking. Only 12 percent of those who were injured were struck by a car; instead, the majority of injuries resulted from tripping on an uneven or cracked sidewalk. When a pedestrian sustains an injury after a slip and fall on a surface which was poorly maintained by a home or business owner, it can give rise to a premises liability claim.

New Jersey Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr Seek Justice for Injured Pedestrians

Pedestrians are at a decided disadvantage when sharing the road with motor vehicles. When a pedestrian is injured by a motor vehicle or a poorly maintained sidewalk, they may be entitled to compensation. If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident through no fault of your own, the New Jersey pedestrian accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr will review your case and pursue your claim in court. Contact us today by calling 732-537-8570 or toll free at 877-249-4600, or complete our online form.