We Help Bike And Pedestrian Accident Victims Get The Compensation They Deserve

Were you seriously injured by a negligent motorist while walking at an intersection or on a sidewalk, running or riding your bicycle?

We are the law firm for victims of crosswalk injuries, car-pedestrian accidents, car-bike accidents or accidents while jogging. We are local lawyers who solve local problems – Smith Magram Michaud Colonna, P.C.. Our lawyers have handled many bicycle and pedestrian accidents in South and Central New Jersey since our founding in 1965.

You can trust our more than 100 years of combined personal injury experience. We combine large-firm diligence with small-firm personal service.

We Understand The Aftermath Of These Accidents

You may be facing many challenges after a car-pedestrian accident or car-bike accident in New Jersey. We can help you recover compensation for:

• Lost wages
• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Replacement of your bike

We build strong cases by investigating thoroughly, negotiating skillfully and, when necessary, litigating aggressively in court to pursue the financial compensation you deserve.

How Much Does A Pedestrian Or Bike Accident Lawyer Cost?

You shouldn’t have to worry about the costs of our quality services from start to finish of the legal process. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t owe attorney fees unless and until we win your case. We only get paid from a portion of the financial recovery if we’re successful.

Don’t Let Your Case Get Derailed By Your Insurance Company

If you or a loved one has been hit by the careless driver of a car or truck, we encourage you to come to us before discussing your case with an insurance company. After all, insurance companies have only one goal – to make money. We have the strength to convince insurers to do what is right when a bicycle or pedestrian accident causes a catastrophic injury or wrongful death.

Our lawyers can review your situation and advise you on which options are available. We can take a detailed look at the police investigation report and other evidence to pinpoint negligence on the part of the driver, which could form the basis of a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for the damages that you or a loved one sustained.

How Do Pedestrian And Bicycle Accidents Happen?

Motorists typically either cannot see or fail to watch for pedestrians or people on bicycles or motorcycles. They take left turns into crosswalks. They rush out of driveways and parking lots. They hit people getting in and out of cars on the side of the road.

Our lawyers hold these negligent drivers accountable for the harm they cause to innocent victims. We will take great care to get you the compensation you need to cover past and future medical bills, not to mention all other costs associated with your serious injury.

How Many Pedestrian Accidents Happen In New Jersey And Nationwide?

Several thousand pedestrians are injured each day in traffic-related accidents in New Jersey and around the country. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation statistics, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic accident approximately once every two hours nationwide. A pedestrian is injured every seven minutes.

Who Is Most At Risk For Pedestrian Accidents?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) offers further insight into pedestrian accidents by demographic:

• Senior citizens and children bear the highest risk of dying in a pedestrian accident.
• Those at greatest risk of serious injuries include males, intoxicated pedestrians and people under the age of 29.
• Approximately 25 percent of all deaths occurred in pedestrian accidents involving victims of 14 years and younger.

Young people face higher risks of pedestrian accidents in part due to their lack of experience with adhering to traffic rules and judging distances and speeds of vehicles. Children are more likely to suffer serious or fatal injuries because of their small stature.

Alcohol, whether it was consumed by the driver or the pedestrian, is involved in almost 50 percent of car-pedestrian accidents.

What Are Some Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries?

Sadly, many pedestrian accidents are fatal. The CDC reports that pedestrians are 15 times more likely to die in traffic accidents than occupants of passenger vehicles. The sheer size of the vehicle that hits them, especially at high speeds, often results in a significant impact that isn’t survivable.

Even when a pedestrian does not die after being hit by a motor vehicle, they may still be seriously injured, especially if the vehicle was going fast. Serious pedestrian injuries frequently involve the:

• Back and neck
• Head
• Brain
• Knees
• Spinal cord
• Shoulders

Traumatic brain injuries are common. Paralysis, broken bones and amputations may also cause lifelong consequences.

How Can You Prevent Bicycle And Pedestrian Accidents?

A defensive approach to safety as a walker or cyclist is an important strategy for avoiding accidents. However, New Jersey pedestrians and cyclists who obey all the rules may still encounter negligent drivers.

Since many of these types of accidents occur at night, pedestrians and cyclists need to make sure they can be seen by:

• Carrying a flashlight
• Using bicycle lights and reflectors
• Wearing retro-reflective gear and clothing

As a pedestrian, make sure to cross streets at intersections and always use crosswalks when available. It’s safest for pedestrians to walk on sidewalks, but when none are available, they should walk on shoulders facing oncoming traffic.

Parents should also take steps to protect their children while walking. Teach them to stay on the sidewalk or, where none is available, to walk on the shoulder facing traffic. Keep them close in hand and don’t let them stray too far ahead.

Not all accidents are preventable. If you were the victim of a bicycle or crosswalk injury caused by a driver who was distracted or who failed to yield the right of way, consult with a personal injury attorney at our firm. We can help you determine the strongest avenue for securing compensation.

What Are Some Contributing Factors In Pedestrian Accidents That Don’t Involve Vehicles?

Approximately 12 percent of pedestrian accidents involve getting hit by a car. However, there are many other ways that individuals can be harmed in a pedestrian accident:

• Approximately 24 percent of these accidents are the result of tripping on a cracked or uneven sidewalk.
• Tripping on a stone accounts for 5 percent of accidents.
• Stepping in a hole accounts for another 5 percent.
• Animals are involved in 6 percent of pedestrian accidents.

After any kind of pedestrian accident, our lawyers can assess whether someone else was to blame for your injuries. We can explain your rights and options for recovering compensation.

Should You Call The Police After A Pedestrian Or Bicycle Accident?

Yes. Contacting the police immediately following a serious or fatal crash is crucial to getting the medical help you need. Additionally, police involvement will help with collecting evidence, identifying the at-fault party and bringing that person to justice.

Example Of Successful Policework In A Fatal Pedestrian Accident

Police should be congratulated for their successful efforts following a pedestrian accident in which a motorist fatally struck a pedestrian. The incident happened last Sunday morning, April 30, 2017, in Black Horse Pike a little before noon.

The pedestrian suffered severe head wounds and was later pronounced dead by emergency responders. The driver stayed at the accident scene to wait for authorities. During police investigations, they shut down sections of the roadway for over four hours. However, as of last reports, police said that the crash remains under investigation, and they have not revealed whether they will press charges.

Getting To The Truth After A Fatal Pedestrian Accident

In most situations, police and law enforcement personnel do an excellent job to ensure that they bring the right parties to justice after a fatal pedestrian accident. However, they can make mistakes, and sometimes they won’t assign fault correctly.

If your loved one died in a pedestrian crash and police decided that the motorist was not at fault, it may warrant further investigation. A personal injury lawyer – with experience in the realm of motor vehicle accident law and the litigation of pedestrian accidents – will know what evidence to look for to determine if the driver in a crash was at fault and liable for financial damages.

Get Clarity And Hope After A Devastating Accident

If you were hurt or lost a loved one in one of these accidents, you are no doubt experiencing tremendous stress and emotional turmoil. Dealing with an unexpected death of a loved one is probably the hardest thing that anyone will ever have to do. On top of that, you may have so many questions about the specifics of what happened and who was at fault.

Our lawyers can help you get to the bottom of what happened so you can have clarity about your options. We ultimately want you to have hope for the future by leveraging every opportunity for getting compensation and justice.

Contact our Burlington law offices today through our website or by phone at 609-589-0649 to arrange your free initial consultation. We can come to your home or hospital room if you are too injured to travel. We respond promptly to emails and overnight messages.