Mercer County Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

When pedestrians and vehicles share the roadway, accidents are bound to happen. When they do, it will almost always be the pedestrian who sustains the worst of the injuries. It is for this reason that many pedestrians in accidents try to seek compensation for the damages and injuries they sustain, which are often severe and require extensive treatment and recovery times.

However, this does not mean that the driver of the vehicle is always found to be at fault. Pedestrians can be negligent too, just as drivers can, and when the driver has sought legal counsel, they may try to prove that the pedestrian was in fact at fault. An experienced attorney could help any pedestrian hit by a vehicle to defend themselves and seek appropriate restitution. Contact a Mercer County pedestrian accident lawyer today.

What are the Right-of-Way Laws in Mercer County?

If negligence needs to be determined in a court of law, a major point of concern is often which involved party had the right-of-way. The New Jersey Department of Transportation makes the laws regarding right-of-way on the roads, and if a case is taken to court, they will be referred to regularly.

Under Mercer County law, pedestrians always have the right-of-way when they are legally crossing the road using a crosswalk. Drivers must fully stop when a pedestrian is using the crosswalk and still on the roadway, regardless if that pedestrian has already crossed in front of the vehicle.

When pedestrians are crossing outside of crosswalks, they have some responsibilities as well. They are required to give vehicles the right-of-way, meaning that they can never simply run out in front of vehicles. Doing so does not automatically place the pedestrian at fault, however, as drivers must still be always carefully watching for pedestrians. Speak with a Mercer County pedestrian accident lawyer to learn more.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

When a vehicle hits a pedestrian, it can be due to a number of different causes. In many cases, those causes are the fault of the driver. The most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

• Drivers failing to look for pedestrians in crosswalks before traveling through them
• Drivers not coming to a full stop at lights or other traffic signals, such as stop signs
• Distracted driving, such as texting and driving
• Drivers traveling above the speed limit
• Drunk driving
• Drivers simply failing to notice their surroundings, particularly when turning

All these causes are examples of driver negligence. A Mercer County pedestrian accident lawyer could help an injured person who fell victim to one pursue compensation for their injuries.

What Common Injuries are often Sustained by Pedestrians?

Injuries to a pedestrian are not usually minor. Because people out walking have no protective equipment surrounding them the same way vehicles do, pedestrian injuries are often very traumatic and can last throughout the victim’s lifetime. Furthermore, depending on the type of vehicle that strikes a pedestrian, the speed that vehicle was traveling, and the point of impact, the injuries a pedestrian can sustain may vary greatly.

Due to the serious nature of pedestrian accidents, treatment costs can total thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, if a negligent driver caused the accident, they can be held liable for paying for those treatment costs, as well as other expenses such as lost income when the victim cannot return to work in a timely manner.

Let a Mercer County Pedestrian Accident Attorney Assist You

Any pedestrian injured by a vehicle striking them should speak to a Mercer County pedestrian accident lawyer. A qualified and experienced attorney could help hold drivers responsible in these accidents, and help victims move on with their lives.