Jersey City Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
While most car accidents involve two or cars colliding, it’s not uncommon for a pedestrian to be the victim of a car accident. Unfortunately, because they don’t have the protection of a vehicle, it can often result in injuries far more devastating than a traditional car accident.
If you have serious injuries, you’re likely facing astronomical medical bills and financial problems due to missing work — all while trying to heal. The good news is that you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries in the form of legal damages. That’s where the help of a personal injury attorney comes in.
If you’ve been the victim of a pedestrian accident, Jersey City pedestrian accident lawyers might be able to help pursue compensation to help you recover. Here’s what you need to know.
What to Do Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident
- Call 911 and get to a safer spot. Request police and EMS assistance to ensure a report and medical evaluation are conducted.
- Let medics check you. Adrenaline hides symptoms; follow ER advice and keep every discharge paper.
- Document the scene. If you’re able, photograph vehicles, the intersection, signals, lane markings, debris, and visible injuries. Note the locations of nearby cameras and their respective owners.
- Exchange information. Record the driver’s name, plate, license, and insurance, plus witness contacts. If anyone apologizes, write down the exact words.
- Save what you wore and carried. Bag clothing, shoes, glasses, and broken items; don’t wash or repair them.
- Notify your own auto insurer if you have one. In New Jersey, medical treatment for pedestrians may be covered under Personal Injury Protection in a household policy; providing early notice facilitates approvals.
- Contact a pedestrian accident in Jersey City early. We’ll request video and 911 audio, send preservation letters, and handle the insurers, allowing you to focus on care.
Why Should I Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
Personal injury lawsuits are notorious for being legal quagmires, and the odds are often stacked against innocent victims who need compensation to move on with their lives. Thankfully, pedestrian accident lawyers in Jersey City can help in many ways.
Here are several reasons why you should consider working with an attorney:
Attorneys Know How to Negotiate
Most pedestrian accident claims will start with a claim to your insurance provider. However, insurance companies want to pay as little as possible, offering accident victims very small settlements.
Personal injury attorneys have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies, so they can often negotiate a higher settlement than you would get on your own. Additionally, the insurance company knows you’re serious when you work with an attorney, so they’re incentivized to pay you a fair settlement to avoid a trial.
They Understand How the Legal System Works
Personal injury attorneys also have plenty of experience filing claims. They often know judges, clerks, and other people involved in the claims process, and these relationships can make the entire process move smoothly.
The unfortunate truth is that trying to handle your claim by yourself can be incredibly difficult unless you have an extensive legal background. When you entrust your case to an attorney, you can spend all of your energy on getting better.
They Can Go to Trial if Needed
In some cases, your attorney and the insurance company’s lawyers may not be able to agree on a fair settlement. When that happens, your case may need to go to a civil trial. This step can be difficult, but your lawyer will be prepared to help you.
There’s No Financial Risk to You
Many people injured in pedestrian accidents never even try to approach a lawyer, misled by the notion that lawyers are expensive and hesitant to pay attorney fees on top of their medical bills.
However, this is a misconception. The truth is that you’ll often have to pay nothing out of pocket. Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning their pay is a percentage of your financial compensation — and only paid out if you win! If your lawyer cannot recover any kind of compensation for you, you owe nothing. Even the initial consultation is free, meaning you have nothing to lose by talking to an attorney.
With that said, it’s important to note that personal injury lawyers don’t take on every case that comes across their desk. When you set up a consultation, an attorney will assess the facts of your case and determine whether they’ll take it.
Additionally, your personal injury lawyer may be able to point you toward resources that can assist with your medical bills, such as the Unsatisfied Claim and Judgment Fund from NJ’s PLIGA, which was made to support uninsured pedestrians struck by private vehicles.
How Pedestrian Accidents Happen
Pedestrian accidents can happen anywhere, but there are several factors that increase the likelihood of being hit by a car. Here are some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents that a Jersey City attorney could build a claim around.
Most pedestrian accident claims will start with a claim to your insurance provider. However, insurance companies want to pay as little as possible, offering accident victims very small settlements.
Personal injury attorneys have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies, so they can often negotiate a higher settlement than you would get on your own. Additionally, the insurance company knows you’re serious when you work with an attorney, so they’re incentivized to pay you a fair settlement to avoid a trial.
Personal injury attorneys also have plenty of experience filing claims. They often know judges, clerks, and other people involved in the claims process, and these relationships can make the entire process move smoothly.
The unfortunate truth is that trying to handle your claim by yourself can be incredibly difficult unless you have an extensive legal background. When you entrust your case to an attorney, you can spend all of your energy on getting better.
In some cases, your attorney and the insurance company’s lawyers may not be able to agree on a fair settlement. When that happens, your case may need to go to a civil trial. This step can be difficult, but your lawyer will be prepared to help you.
Many people injured in pedestrian accidents never even try to approach a lawyer, misled by the notion that lawyers are expensive and hesitant to pay attorney fees on top of their medical bills.
However, this is a misconception. The truth is that you’ll often have to pay nothing out of pocket. Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning their pay is a percentage of your financial compensation — and only paid out if you win! If your lawyer cannot recover any kind of compensation for you, you owe nothing. Even the initial consultation is free, meaning you have nothing to lose by talking to an attorney.
With that said, it’s important to note that personal injury lawyers don’t take on every case that comes across their desk. When you set up a consultation, an attorney will assess the facts of your case and determine whether they’ll take it.
Additionally, your personal injury lawyer may be able to point you toward resources that can assist with your medical bills, such as the Unsatisfied Claim and Judgment Fund from NJ’s PLIGA, which was made to support uninsured pedestrians struck by private vehicles.
Pedestrian Accident Safety and Prevention Tips
Busy Jersey City streets reward simple habits. Make eye contact with drivers before stepping into a crosswalk, wait for a clear gap when cars are turning through the walk signal, and keep your head up near curbs and driveways. At night or in the rain, reflective details and a small flashlight help drivers pick you up sooner.
In areas lacking sidewalks, walk against traffic and stay close to the edge rather than weaving through parked cars. Teach children to pause at the curb, look left–right–left, and cross only when an adult is nearby, especially near parking lot exits and delivery bays where visibility is limited. These safety routines decrease risk without slowing you down and are simple to maintain once your situation improves.
Common Pedestrian Accident Mistakes to Avoid
Leaving the scene without a report makes it harder to establish the timeline later. If you need transport, the officer can finish the report at the hospital; ask how to obtain the case number. Downplaying symptoms in those first records also causes problems. Be plain and specific about pain, dizziness, or limited motion, even if you think it will pass. Posting about the crash invites the insurer to pull photos and mileage screenshots out of context. Keep updates private until we review them together.
Another trap is giving a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurer. You’re not required to do that. We’ll provide documents and written updates instead of an unscripted interview. Bills can also go sideways if notice isn’t timely. If you have auto insurance in your household, please notify the carrier promptly so that treatment can be authorized and routed correctly. If you don’t, we’ll discuss other applicable routes. Don’t throw out damaged clothing or gear. Impact patterns on shoes, denim, or a torn jacket often line up with vehicle height and help corroborate medical findings.
Finally, don’t assume every crosswalk dispute is the same – intersections, mid-block crossings, turning traffic, and visibility all matter. We’ll gather traffic-signal data, timing charts if available, and video from nearby businesses to clarify how the impact happened. Our team of pedestrian accident attorneys in Jersey City prepares every case for trial, treats clients like family, and will never undersettle; that approach keeps pressure on the insurer and keeps you informed with steady, scheduled updates.
Liability in Pedestrian Accidents
When it comes to liability and collecting damages, different states have different rules. New Jersey follows the 51% rule of comparative negligence, meaning if you are found to be at least 51% at fault for the accident, you can’t recover damages.
Even if the insurance company says you are 51% at fault (or more), consulting with a personal injury attorney is still important. If you and your attorney think the insurance company’s determination isn’t accurate, you can appeal the decision.
What Is My Case Worth?
Without understanding the specifics of your case, it’s impossible to say exactly how much it’s worth. Personal injury cases that make the news are worth millions, but many are worth considerably less.
Only a qualified Jersey City attorney can give you an estimate of your pedestrian accident case’s total worth. However, it might be helpful to know some of the factors that generally influence the potential value of a case:
- The percentage of fault you are liable for
- The severity of your injuries
- The monetary value of your losses
Each case is different, but our attorneys have seen so many cases that they will have a general sense of what your case might be worth. If you set up a consultation and an attorney takes your case, they can likely give you a realistic idea of what a potential settlement might look like.
Deadline for Filing a Claim
Generally speaking, you have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury claim in New Jersey. However, depending on the exact circumstances of your injury, your timeline may be much shorter.
Therefore, to give yourself the best chance of a favorable outcome, it’s crucial to consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as you can. Attorneys can advise you on steps to start building your case, even while you’re still recovering. They will then help you assemble your case and take legal action before time runs out so you can be eligible to file for damages. If you’ve been hurt in a pedestrian accident, get in touch with a Jersey City lawyer at GGL today!
Common Injuries Suffered in Pedestrian Accidents
As you know, cars are much bigger and faster than humans, so it’s not surprising that injuries from pedestrian accidents can be quite severe. Here are some of the most common injuries found in pedestrians hit by cars:
The sudden force of being hit by a car is often enough to break bones. And even if pedestrians don’t break a bone right away, they often break one if they are slammed down onto the road or sidewalk.
Unfortunately, it’s possible to break just about every bone in your body. Cars often come into contact with a person’s legs first, so fractures in the pelvis, femur, tibia, and fibula are common. Pelvic fractures are additionally quite common. If a pedestrian collides with the windshield or is flung into the air, they may also break their arms.
Fractures often hide under the skin, but it’s also very likely that pedestrians will suffer a compound fracture — this is when part of the broken bone pierces the skin.
If a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle, they might suffer a head injury. Head injuries can be anywhere from minor to life-altering. On the milder end, a pedestrian might get a minor concussion. On the severe end, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is possible. TBIs can have severe symptoms that impact your ability to work and otherwise live your life:
- Loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Problems with coordination
- Severe headaches
- Seizures
- Slurred speech
- Cognitive issues
- Nausea and vomiting
- Agitation, confusion, and restlessness
In some cases, the symptoms of TBIs go away completely. In other cases, they can cause lifelong issues.
Your spine can absorb significant shock, but the impact of a vehicle is usually more than it can safely handle. Many pedestrians hit by cars suffer injuries to the spine. Like head injuries, injuries in this region can vary widely in severity.
Sometimes, a sudden impact can cause one or more discs of the vertebrae to rupture. This can cause pain, and it also can cause nerve damage over time. It’s also possible to fracture one or more vertebrae.
Even though your vertebrae protect your spinal cord, it can still be injured. These injuries are especially severe, as they can cause lifelong paralysis. Injuries high up on the spinal cord may cause paralysis in all four limbs, while injuries lower down may cause paralysis in the legs.
Our ligaments connect your bones to one another, and your tendons connect your muscles to your bones. Often, the stress of an impact can cause partial or complete tearing of these important structures, compromising the integrity of your body as a result.
These types of injuries may not be as serious as some other possible injuries. However, they can still cause significant pain and often take a long time to heal. Many people need physical therapy to return to full functioning.
The loss of mobility that comes from these sorts of injuries is more than just an inconvenience for many. For example, if your job requires walking and you have significant soft tissue damage in one or both legs, you may be unable to work for a significant period of time.
When a person is hit by a car, injuries to internal organs are possible. If an internal organ ruptures or is otherwise damaged, the person will likely experience internal bleeding. If these injuries aren’t caught and treated quickly, it’s possible to die as a result.
As you can tell, there are many injuries you might suffer in a pedestrian accident, and treatment for them can be quite costly. Therefore, you must meet with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible so you can start your recovery. While no outcome is guaranteed, the pedestrian accident lawyers in Jersey City from GGL are committed to your success, and they’re tenacious litigators who will fight for you at every turn.
Why Hire GGL?
GGL was founded in 1991 with the sole aim of fighting for accident victims and other victims of personal injuries. We are one of the few multilingual law firms in New Jersey, and we treat all of our clients like family.
We refuse to be outworked! If you’re ready for a lawyer who will fight tirelessly for you, contact our Jersey City pedestrian accident lawyers today at 855-204-9827.
