For some, walking is an act of leisure. Others walk out of necessity–to their job, or their school, for example. Regardless of your reason for walking, if you were involved in a pedestrian accident, there is a good chance you are seriously injured. Seeking compensation for the injuries you have sustained may help you recover the costs for medical bills, in-home care, lost wages, loss of enjoyment in life, and more. This is why you must read on and contact an experienced attorney today.
What are the primary causes of pedestrian accidents?
There are several common causes of pedestrian accidents. They are as follows:
- Unmarked crosswalks
- Quiet cars, such as hybrids hitting unexpecting pedestrians
- A pedestrian wearing dark clothes at night
- Arterial roads
- Backing-up accidents, such as neighbors backing out of their driveway without looking
- Inclement weather conditions, such as heavy rain or black ice
- Overgrown vegetation obstructing a motorist’s line of sight
- Poorly lit parking lots or roads
The most common cause of pedestrian accidents, however, is driver negligence. When motorists take their eyes off the road, even for a second, they put everybody else around them at risk. Here are some examples of driver negligence:
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Texting while driving
- Smoking, eating or navigating directions while driving
- Yelling at misbehaving children while driving, causing the motorist to take his or her eyes off the road
- Driving while drowsy or fatigued
- Failing to comply with traffic signs or lights
- Excessively speeding
- Disregarding other rules of the road
How may I recover compensation after I was injured in a pedestrian accident?
The qualifier for financial compensation in a personal injury claim is whether you can determine if you were injured due to another party’s negligence. If you are able to do so, with the help of an attorney, you should be able to recover the compensation you need. However, fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help ensure you win your claim as well. For example, if you are stricken by a motor vehicle, you should speak with any witnesses and ask them for their contact information, as long as you are still physically capable of doing so. Additionally, you should try to recover any security camera footage that may have recorded the incident. Perhaps most importantly, you should seek medical attention immediately following the accident, as you will receive treatment and medical documentation regarding the injuries you have sustained. You may use all this information to assist in proving your claim.
Contact our New Jersey firm
If you or someone you know was involved in a personal injury accident and wishes to speak with an attorney, contact the Law Office of Christopher T. Howell, Esq. today.
