Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Newark

A pedestrian accident can leave you dealing with problems you never expected when you simply set out to walk somewhere in Newark. Suddenly, there are injuries to treat, medical bills showing up, missed work, and calls from an insurance company wanting answers. A pedestrian accidents lawyer in Newark can help you throughout the legal process. 

At Grungo Law, we represent people injured in pedestrian accidents and other personal injury cases throughout New Jersey. Our Newark personal injury lawyers understand how quickly these cases can become complicated, especially when liability is disputed. 

Our firm has more than 100 years of combined experience, and Richard Grungo Jr., Esq. and José Hernandez are Certified Civil Trial Attorneys by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. We bring that experience to every stage of a claim while making sure our clients can reach a real person when they need us.

Why Pedestrian Accidents Can Become Complicated

It might seem obvious that a pedestrian struck by a car should have a straightforward personal injury claim. Sometimes they do. But insurance companies can dispute driver negligence, question where the pedestrian was walking, or argue that the pedestrian contributed to the accident. 

Distracted driving, backing-up accidents, drunk or drugged driving, speeding, and failure to yield can all play a role. Evidence can disappear quickly, too. A police report is important, but it may only be one part of the case. 

Traffic camera footage, video surveillance from nearby businesses, eyewitness testimony, medical records, photographs, and other injury evidence can help us build a clearer picture of what happened. 

When appropriate, your Newark pedestrian accident lawyer may also work with a crash reconstruction expert to examine the circumstances surrounding a serious pedestrian accident.

How a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Serving Newark Can Help

After a collision, our first priority is understanding what happened and how the injuries have affected your life. We can investigate the accident, communicate with insurance companies, gather evidence, and determine which parties may be responsible. That gives you room to focus on medical treatment rather than trying to manage an insurance claim on your own.

Depending on the facts, a personal injury claim may seek compensation for losses such as:

• Medical expenses: Hospital care, emergency room treatment, ambulance transportation, rehabilitation, medication, and future treatment may become part of a claim.
• Lost income: Missing work can mean missing paychecks, and some injuries may also limit what you’re able to earn in the future.
• Pain and suffering: An injury can change more than your physical health. Ongoing pain, lost independence, and changes in your relationships or everyday routine may also be considered.
• Permanent injuries: Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or permanent disability can create long-term medical and personal consequences.
• Wrongful death losses: When a pedestrian accident is fatal, eligible surviving family members may have rights to a wrongful death claim under New Jersey law.

Every case is different. We will look at the actual medical issues, financial losses, and personal impact rather than assuming two accident cases should be valued the same way.

New Jersey Law Protects Pedestrians at Crosswalks

According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, both drivers and pedestrians have rules they’re expected to follow around crosswalks. N.J.S.A. 39:4-36 requires drivers to yield or stop for pedestrians in certain marked and unmarked crosswalk situations. The law doesn’t put every responsibility on the driver, though. 

Pedestrians are also expected to use reasonable care and follow specific requirements when crossing somewhere other than a crosswalk. That matters when determining fault. 

Where the collision occurred, traffic signals, driver responsibilities, visibility, distracted walking, and the actions of everyone involved may become relevant. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney in Newark can review those details and assess how New Jersey personal injury law applies to the specific crash.

What To Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Newark

Your health comes first. If you’ve been hit by a vehicle, getting appropriate medical attention can identify injuries that aren’t immediately obvious and create medical records documenting your condition. Reporting the crash to law enforcement can also establish an official record of the incident.

When you’re able, a few additional steps may protect a future claim:

• Preserve evidence: Keep photographs, damaged belongings, insurance information, witness contact details, and communications related to the accident.
• Document your recovery: Hold onto medical bills, treatment paperwork, employment records, and anything else that shows how the injury has affected your work and everyday life.
• Be careful with early settlement offers: A quick offer from an insurance company may come before you know how much treatment you’ll need or how the injury will affect you in the long term.
• Speak with an attorney: Early legal support can help preserve surveillance footage and other evidence that may otherwise disappear.

There is also a filing deadline to consider. New Jersey’s statute of limitations, N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2, states that an action for personal injury caused by another person’s wrongful act, neglect, or default generally must be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrues, although exceptions can apply. Waiting can make an already difficult case harder.

Talk to Grungo Law About Your Newark Pedestrian Accident

You don’t have to sort through a serious pedestrian accident claim while an insurance company is working to protect its own interests. At Grungo Law, we can explain your options, investigate the crash, and pursue the compensation available under New Jersey law. 

Our Newark pedestrian accidents lawyers prepare each case with the understanding that meaningful preparation matters, whether the claim resolves through negotiation or requires litigation.

If you or someone you love was struck while walking in Newark, contact us to discuss what happened. We’ve represented thousands of clients and recovered hundreds of millions in settlements for those we serve. Speak with our pedestrian accident law firm serving Newark and find out how we can help you move forward. Your first consultation is always free.