New Jersey Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
We don’t get paid until you do
Accidents involving pedestrians are extremely dangerous and can change someone’s life in an instant. Unfortunately, with more people deciding to walk instead of drive, in addition to the increased amount of people exercising outside, pedestrian accidents are becoming more common. The National Center for Health Statistics estimates that 7,668 pedestrians died in traffic or non-traffic incidents in 2019. These accidents do not just occur in crosswalks, they happened in driveways, parking lots, or other private properties. As experienced pedestrian accident lawyers, we are fully familiar with laws giving pedestrians protections at crosswalks and at sidewalks crossing driveways.
Pedestrian accidents often result in catastrophic injuries as pedestrians do not have the added safety protections of seatbelts, airbags, and other modern advances in vehicle safety. Drivers have a basic duty to make reasonable observations and failure to do so can result in grave danger for pedestrians. Drivers who have negligently failed to make reasonable observations should be held accountable for the pain and suffering they have caused.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident that was not your fault, we will do everything we can to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Being in a pedestrian accident can be overwhelming as you suddenly have to deal with insurance companies, medical bills, injuries, doctor appointments, and even missing work. Don’t go through this alone. We understand this and we stand by you every step of the way. Give us a call to learn more about how we can help guide you through this process. We handle all pedestrian accidents on a contingency basis, this means you will not pay anything unless and until we win compensation for you.
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How Can An Attorney Help?
At McKenna Law, the first step is to insure that you are educated about all of your legal rights so that you may make an informed and educated decision. Immediately upon learning of the accident, we start to collect and preserve all potential evidence that we may need to prove your case. That evidence might range from collecting the body camera footage of the responding police officers to checking the scene of the accident for potential video from nearby surveillance cameras. We search for potential witnesses and retain expert witnesses, if needed, such as accident reconstruction engineers.
We also ensure that you are provided medical coverage, when available, to have your medical bills paid for. It is simply not right to have to deal with unpaid medical bills following an accident that you did not cause!
Our next step is to present all of the information and evidence that we have collected to the responsible insurance company and demand fair compensation for our clients. If the insurance company fails to provide adequate compensation to our clients, we file suit on our client’s behalf and pursue the justice our clients deserve through the court system.
Despite the countless hours spent on investigating the accident and fighting for justice, we perform all of this work on a contingency fee basis- meaning no upfront fees and we do not get paid unless you win.
Who Is At Fault?
After the initial shock wears off, you may be asking yourself, who is liable for my injuries after a pedestrian accident? Drivers owe pedestrians a nonnegotiable duty to make proper observations to avoid pedestrian accidents. If a driver operates his vehicle in a negligent manner and causes injuries to a pedestrian, that driver should be held accountable.
There are other factors to consider in dealing with pedestrian accidents. There are certain times when the actual design of a crosswalk or intersection is faulty, and that negligent design either causes or contributes to the happening of a pedestrian accident. If a crosswalk has been negligently designed, installed or maintained, the designers or those responsible for the crosswalk may be held accountable for the accident. Whether it is the engineering firm that designed the crosswalk, a business, or a governmental entity, we will conduct a thorough and precise investigation in order to find out who is liable.
The facts and evidence should always determine who is at fault for an accident and that is why it is extremely important to consult with a lawyer as early as possible. The biased and profit-oriented insurance companies should certainly not be the ones determining who is at a fault for an accident. These insurance companies have one goal: profits.
While we understand that police officers try their best in attempting to decide who is at fault for an accident, many times they are simply wrong. The responding police officers rarely ever actually observe the accident and oftentimes rely on the statements of individuals who are willing to lie to avoid fault. Many times, victims of pedestrian accidents are unable to provide a statement due to injuries and the police officers are only able to collect a statement from the driver who caused the accident. Police officers are sometimes inexperienced and many times have very little training in accident reconstruction.
It becomes crucial to retain a qualified attorney as soon as possible so that the necessary evidence can be obtained and preserved to prove who was at fault for the accident. At McKenna Law, we immediately investigate an accident in order to obtain all of the crucial evidence that we will need to pursue justice. Oftentimes, when there is a dispute as to who is at fault for an accident, we will retain an accident reconstruction engineer who will utilize the latest advancements in technology to prove who was at fault for the accident through the use of math and science. Utilizing our great network of experts, we rely on experts who are leaders in their industry because you deserve only the best when it comes to getting justice.
What To Do If You Have Been Injured In A Pedestrian Accident?
If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, aside from seeking medical attention, speaking with a well qualified attorney should be the first thing that you do. At McKenna Law, we will immediately perform an investigation to ensure that we obtain and preserve all relevant evidence that you will need in your pursuit of justice. Without consulting with an attorney after an accident, you may lose out on securing that one piece of evidence that is crucial to proving your case. Do not delay in setting up a consultation immediately after an accident, as many pieces of evidence are time sensitive and can be lost for good.
It is also very important to speak with an attorney before speaking to the relevant insurance companies. These profit-oriented insurance companies can twist your words and utilize anything that you say against you. Do not fall for their tricks and do not agree to a recorded statement prior to speaking with an attorney.
We understand that following an accident many people are bed-ridden or confined to a hospital bed- that is why we offer free over-the phone consultations as well as offering to come to you, whether at the hospital or at your house. Consulting with an attorney after an accident should not be difficult, that is why we promise a quick response and are willing to come to you.
What Damages Can I Get If I’m Injured As A Pedestrian?
Injuries from pedestrian accidents can be devastating and can result in many different types of damages. At McKenna Law, we will fight for maximum compensation and depending on the circumstances you may be able to recover the following types of damages:
- Pain and Suffering
- Lost Wages
- Loss of Earning Capacity
- Future and Past Medical Expenses
- Emotional Distress
- Out-of-pocket Expenses
Does The Driver Of The Vehicle That Hit Me Have To Pay My Medical Bills?
After suffering injuries in a pedestrian accident, paying for medical bills will quickly become an issue that can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. Between an ambulance trip, an emergency room visit, and any follow-up medical treatment, medical bills can quickly add up after a pedestrian accident.
You may find yourself asking, “How do I get my medical bills paid for?” There are many components that factor into the analysis of who is responsible for paying your medical bills. One of the factors is the type of vehicle that caused the accident. If a vehicle such as a truck, bus or other commercial vehicle struck a pedestrian, then that vehicle’s insurance will likely provide medical bill coverage. However, if you are struck by a standard automobile, then that vehicle will likely not be affording medical expenses. If you have been struck by a standard vehicle, we then have to determine if you yourself own a vehicle or have automobile insurance as that will be a determining factor of where you can get your medical bills paid. It may be that your own automobile insurance will be paying for your medical bills, even though your vehicle was not involved in the accident.
NJ Pedestrian Accident Attorney
If you have suffered injuries as a pedestrian, McKenna Law has the experience and qualifications to perform a detailed and focused investigation to determine how you can have your medical bills paid for. Don’t go through this alone, give us a call to learn more how we can help guide you through this process.