Hazlet Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Being struck by a car can cause serious physical injuries that can change the course of your life. If someone else was to blame for your pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to a substantial amount of financial compensation. However, the insurance company does not make it easy for you to get all of the money you deserve. The best thing that you can do to protect your legal right to full compensation is to contact an experienced Hazlet pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible, so they can fight for you.

Why Pedestrian Accidents Are So Serious

Any type of motor vehicle accident has the potential to cause you serious injuries. Pedestrian accidents have a far higher rate of death and serious injury because of the complete lack of protection that pedestrians have. The car would make direct impact with your body, and you would be either thrown through the windshield of the car or to the pavement. There is very little chance that you would walk away unscathed from a pedestrian accident. More likely, you would be dealing with injuries that could affect you for a considerable amount of time, or could even change the course of your life.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Hazlet

Hazlet drivers can cause pedestrian accidents in a number of ways, including: 

• Lack of knowledge of pedestrian laws
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Drunk driving
• Reckless driving

Your pedestrian accident lawyer would perform a complete investigation of the crash to determine the cause and whether you may be able to seek compensation. They would also figure out who was to blame, with the most likely defendant to a lawsuit being the driver who struck and injured you.

Hazlet Is Taking Pedestrian Safety Measures, But They Are Not Enough

In 2016, there was a pedestrian accident fatality, which caused local officials to re-examine how they look at traffic safety in the area. Recently, Hazlet has installed crosswalk safety signals at certain intersections. The Township has also used federal money to purchase signage at other intersections. Although these efforts are commendable, there is still more work to be done. For example, there was a fatal accident in December 2024 on Route 36 in which a pedestrian was struck by a driver when approaching an intersection. 

What Are the Pathways to Compensation After a Pedestrian Accident?

There are two potential ways that you could see compensation after you have been injured in a pedestrian accident:

1. You can file a claim against the responsible driver’s car insurance policy.
2. You can file a lawsuit directly against the responsible driver in court.

Even if you choose to begin your case informally through an insurance claim, it does not mean that you are shut out of court entirely. You always have the right to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit at any time. The threat of a lawsuit is often enough to change how the insurance company acts towards you in settlement negotiations. If you find that you are not getting the result you want by speaking to the insurance company, you can always take your case to court. 

How Do I Win a Pedestrian Accident Case?

Pedestrian accident cases rely on the same operative legal principle as every other type of personal injury claim. Your entitlement to compensation comes when you are able to show that someone else’s wrongful actions were the cause of your injuries. Here, you need to prove that the driver, or someone else, involved in your crash was negligent. You must satisfy your own burden of proof by demonstrating negligence by a preponderance of the evidence. You are the one who is responsible for coming forward with evidence that shows that the driver did something that would be considered unreasonable under the circumstances, and their actions were the cause of your injury. 

What Are Some Challenges in a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit?

The amount of money that is potentially on the line in a pedestrian accident case can cause you specific challenges. The insurance company knows that it may need to write you a substantial check due to the severity of your injuries. Thus, they may take a harder line in your case, including potentially blaming you for the accident to eliminate or reduce your compensation.

Further, it may be difficult to gather the evidence that you need after a pedestrian accident. You are often told that you should document the scene of the accident, but that is extremely challenging when you are being treated for injuries. You would need to come in after the fact and investigate during a time when you may still be injured. The evidence that you need to prove your case has a limited shelf life, and it could disappear entirely after a certain amount of time.

Finally, you would need to have a precise estimate of your damages before you approach the insurance company or file a lawsuit. A pedestrian accident settlement or award would pay you for both your past and future damages, and you would need to know the exact amount of money you are seeking based on the specific circumstances of your injury. 

Why Do I Need a Hazlet Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

The one rule of thumb in any type of personal injury case is that the insurance company does not like to write large checks. They may make your claim more difficult through delay and other tactics, such as low-ball settlement offers. If the insurance company sees that you are trying to approach them on your own, they will not have much respect for you. Insurance companies may tend to be more responsive when they see that you are represented by an experienced lawyer because they would know that you have the ability to take your case to court.

The law firm of Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, provides you with attentive care and service during this difficult time in your life. You are more than just a name and number to us. At the same time, the insurance company knows that it can expect us to exert the maximum amount of possible pressure on it to pay you. 

Contact Our Hazlet Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Mikita & Roccanova, LLC

If you have been struck by a car, our Hazlet pedestrian accident lawyers at Mikita & Roccanova, LLC can protect your legal rights. To schedule a free consultation, contact us online or call today at 732-705-3363. With office locations in Hazlet and Highland Park, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients in Ocean County, Sussex County, Neptune, Middlesex County, and Pennsylvania.