On behalf of Judy Albanese of Gold, Albanese & Barletti, LLC posted in Pedestrian Accidents on Friday, April 15, 2016.

Pedestrians struck by vehicles will suffer catastrophic injuries unless they are extremely lucky. Meanwhile, the automobile driver often suffers no injuries at all. For the obvious reason that a several ton vehicle moving at 50 or more mph represents a serious danger to all pedestrians in this regard, clear laws exist to provide pedestrians with the right of way in many circumstances. Indeed, automobile drivers in New Jersey must remain alert to the presence of people walking nearby them, and they must yield to the pedestrian to prevent a collision according to the law.

Because the law is often on the side of pedestrians in a pedestrian versus car accident, those who are hit by vehicles may want to consider whether or not they have a viable claim for damages against the automobile driver who struck them. The choice to review and ultimately pursue such an action is a personal one; however, it can also be a financial one.

Injuries that happen in a pedestrian accident could be extremely costly the treat — so costly that they are unaffordable. Additionally, a catastrophically-injured pedestrian will likely not be able to return to employment for some time and this will represent a huge financial setback relating to lost income. In some cases, the injured pedestrian may suffer from permanent disabilities and may never be able to return to work as a result of the crash.

At Gold, Albanese & Barletti, LLC, we review potential claims relating to New Jersey pedestrian crashes completely free of charge. In fact, if we agree to represent a plaintiff in his or her pedestrian crash case, our client will not owe us a dime in legal fees unless we are able to obtain a financial settlement or court award on his or her behalf.

On behalf of Judy Albanese of Gold, Albanese & Barletti, LLC posted in Pedestrian Accidents on Wednesday, March 16, 2016.

Going for a walk is excellent exercise, but another thing you need to exercise is care when you’re a pedestrian on New Jersey roads. That is because pedestrians are the most vulnerable section of the population that uses roads. If you are hit by a car, motorcycle or bicycle as a pedestrian, you could suffer a serious and life-threatening injury.

On average, 430 people per day end up in U.S. emergency rooms because of pedestrian related traffic accidents. Additionally, every two hours, an average of one person dies from pedestrian crash injuries. Indeed, no matter how attentive you think you are, the dangers of being in a pedestrian crash are real, so be sure to take as many precautions as you can whenever you go for a walk.

So here is some simple, easy-to-remember advice for staying safe. We’re giving you the “short” list because we want you to remember it. If pedestrians only did these things, then the numbers we just referenced above would be dramatically less, and that’s not an understatement.

First, only cross the street where there is a designated crosswalk or at an intersection. Second, use reflective clothing and carry a flashlight at night. Third, use a sidewalk whenever possible, and if no sidewalk is there, walk facing traffic on the shoulder of the road and give yourself plenty of distance from the oncoming traffic. Fourth, but not least, put your electronic devices in your pocket and minimize all other distractions, i.e., keep your eyes on the road.

If you or a loved one suffered injury in a pedestrian crash, you may be able to seek financial restitution for the injuries in court. Before initiating such an action, however, you may want to discuss the facts of you case with a personal injury attorney who is experienced in the pursuit of such cases.

Source: CDC, “Walk This Way! Taking Steps for Pedestrian Safety,” accessed March 16, 2016

On behalf of Judy Albanese of Gold, Albanese & Barletti, LLC posted in Pedestrian Accidents on Friday, February 26, 2016.

There are several things that should be done immediately following a pedestrian accident. Aside from the obvious fact that any injuries and/or legal issues with the police must be dealt with, there are some other things that pedestrians — or people who are friends of the pedestrian and were present at the accident — can do in order to ensure that any future personal injury and/or wrongful death claims proceed as smoothly as possible following the accident.

First and foremost, pedestrians involved in accidents — or their friends — should record notes about as many details as they can remember related accident. Those details should include the extent of injuries, the type of injuries and the body parts that were injured. It would also be helpful to take pictures of the injuries. You may even want to take notes from conversations with witnesses and/or people who are involved in the accident to determine exactly what they observed and what they believe happened in the event.

Second, be sure to save any and all evidence associated with the accident. That evidence might include photographs of the crash site and/or vehicles that were involved, and photographs of different people who are involved. The evidence could also include physical items, like broken parts that fell off vehicles, bloodied clothing, debris that may have been in the roadway, and other items. Be sure to take photographs of any physical evidence before removing it from the accident scene.

Third, make a note of all the people and witnesses privy of the accident, and collect their personal details and contact information. If you are planning to file a lawsuit, be sure to notify those who are responsible for the accident that you plan to file a claim — especially if those parties happen to be employers or government agencies.

Finally, you may want to speak with a personal injury attorney. New Jersey personal injury attorneys familiar with bringing forward legal actions relating to injuries in civil court will be able to evaluate a pedestrian accident to determine whether or not a viable claim can be pursued.

Source: FindLaw, “Pedestrian Accidents FAQ,” accessed Feb. 26, 2016