New Jersey Personal Injury Blog
Boy Injured in New Jersey Pedestrian Accident
A 9-year-old boy sustained serious injuries in a New Jersey pedestrian accident after he was struck by a car outside of a music school. According to a news report in the Courier-Post, the accident occurred on Union Street in Medford, New Jersey, when the boy was exiting his music school, ran in between stopped traffic on Union Street and into the path of an oncoming vehicle on the opposite side of the street. Police say the boy suffered arm, leg and head injuries and was transported to a local trauma center. The driver of the car has not been charged.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,378 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in the United States in 2008. On average, a pedestrian is killed in an accident with a vehicle every 2 hours and every eight minutes, a pedestrian is injured. In 2008 alone, 69,000 pedestrians were injured in traffic accidents. The NHTSA report also states that a majority of pedestrian accident deaths occurred in urban areas (72 percent) in 2008.
Some pedestrian accidents are the fault of the pedestrian and not the driver. However, there are a significant number of pedestrian accidents which are caused by distracted, impaired or negligent motorists. Hazardous sidewalk and roadway conditions may also contribute to such accidents (e.g., slick surfaces, poor, absent or malfunctioning traffic controls and signs). If such a hazard existed at the time of the accident, the city, municipality, and both private property owners or public/private entities responsible for maintaining that roadway may also be held accountable for the accident and resulting injuries.
Pedestrian accident victims and their families can seek compensation related to the cost of unpaid medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, disability and lost earnings. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact the experienced New Jersey pedestrian accident injury lawyers at Blume Goldfaden for a no-cost, comprehensive consultation. Call us at 973-635-5400 for a complimentary evaluation of your potential personal injury claim.
New Jersey Pedestrian Accident Causes Injuries
A man recently sustained leg injuries in a New Jersey pedestrian accident, according to a report in the Ridgewood News. The accident reportedly occurred at the intersection of East Ridgewood and Maple avenues in Ridgewood. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his serious injuries. Police are still investigating the cause of the accident, and, have not cited anyone in connection with this incident.
Pedestrian accidents in New Jersey may occur due to a variety of factors, including driver error or negligence. In some cases, dangerous or defective roadways and intersections could be contributing factors; examples include visual obstructions, poorly marked or maintained crosswalks or roadways, a lack of appropriate traffic control devices, and, road debris or disrepair. Driver negligence could include a variety of factors, including impairment from to alcohol or drug consumption, driver distraction and inattention, and, speeding.
If a negligent driver causes a pedestrian accident, then he or she could be held liable for the harm caused. Similarly, if a dangerous roadway contributes to the cause of an accident, a pedestrian can file a notice of tort claim within 90 days of the date of the accident, against the appropriate governmental/municipal or other entities which are responsible for maintaining and/or designing the roadway or intersection where the injury occurred. Such a notice preserves the right of the pedestrian to file a lawsuit in the future, if warranted.
If you have been injured in a New Jersey pedestrian accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Blume Goldfaden. We have the staff and resources to handle even the most complicated pedestrian accident cases. We have a long track record of favorable verdicts and large settlements concerning pedestrian accident claims. If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident in New Jersey, your time to file a claim may be limited by state law. Call us at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.