Clifton Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
When a motor vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the effects can be disastrous. A victim can suffer life-changing injuries that result in expensive medical care and a great deal of pain and suffering. At the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C., our Clifton personal injury lawyers are passionate about seeking justice and fair compensation for clients whose lives have been turned upside-down by careless and reckless drivers. Contact us today for a free case review.
Why Clients Choose the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C.
- We have a long track record of success. We have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients, including a $210K settlement for a pedestrian struck by a car in Hasbrouck Heights.
- Our attorneys always put their clients first. You will benefit from individualized care and attention, personalized legal services, and open communication throughout your case.
- We are experienced trial lawyers who aren’t afraid of taking pedestrian accident cases to court in Passaic County for fair results, when necessary.
- Your lawyer won’t charge a fee unless he or she wins your pedestrian accident case. Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis in Clifton.
How a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Clifton Can Help
If you get hit by a car in Clifton, you may not understand your legal rights or how to protect them. Hiring an attorney to represent you from the very beginning of your case can enable you to protect yourself and fight back against insurance companies. You can trust your lawyer to negotiate with an insurer for maximum compensation on your behalf while you focus on healing from your injuries.
Your attorney will work tirelessly to recover the best possible results for your pedestrian accident case. An attorney can provide services such as conducting a comprehensive investigation of your accident, identifying the at-fault driver or party, collecting evidence and documentation, hiring experts to strengthen your claim, and going to trial, if necessary. Your lawyer will provide guidance throughout your case so that you can concentrate on your recovery.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
When the human body is subjected to forces exerted upon it by a motor vehicle in a collision, it can sustain a wide variety of serious to catastrophic injuries. A pedestrian is no match for a car, motorcycle, SUV or truck. Even getting hit by a bicycle can result in severe harm to a pedestrian.
Common examples of injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Lower extremity injuries
- Chest injuries
- Rib fractures
- Internal injuries
- Amputations
- Emotional and psychological trauma
Sadly, not all pedestrians survive their injuries. If you lost a loved one in a fatal pedestrian accident in Clifton, your family may be eligible for compensation with a wrongful death claim. Our pedestrian accident lawyers in Clifton can guide you through this legal process with respect and compassion.
Who Pays When a Pedestrian Is Struck By a Vehicle in Clifton?
New Jersey is one of only a dozen states that use a no-fault car insurance system. Under this law, anyone who gets injured in an automobile accident must seek coverage from his or her own car insurance provider, regardless of who is at fault for the crash. However, pedestrians are often an exception to this rule.
If a pedestrian does not own a car and does not have car insurance, the driver who struck the pedestrian can be held financially responsible, or liable, for the victim’s injuries and losses. All drivers in New Jersey are required to carry minimum amounts of insurance to pay for any bodily injuries or property damage suffered by others in an at-fault accident.
Third-party coverage is also available if the victim’s injuries meet the state’s tort threshold. This threshold states that if an accident victim suffers permanent loss of a bodily function, permanent disfigurement or dismemberment, or medical expenses in excess of $3,600, he or she has the right to file a claim against the at-fault driver outside of the no-fault system. Injuries from pedestrian accidents often meet this threshold.
Under these rules, the driver or party at fault for causing a pedestrian accident in Clifton can often be held liable for a pedestrian’s medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other losses. If the pedestrian (or a family member of the pedestrian) has auto insurance, this can provide primary or supplemental coverage in certain circumstances.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Pedestrian Accident Claim in New Jersey?
If you wish to file an insurance claim after a pedestrian accident in Clifton, you should do so as soon as possible – ideally within 24 to 72 hours of the collision. Automobile insurers often have tight time limits. If your case goes to trial and you need to file a personal injury claim, you must obey New Jersey’s statute of limitations.
N.J. Stat. § 2A:14-2 states:
- 2A:14-2 Actions for injury caused by wrongful act, appointment of guardian ad litem.
- a. Except as otherwise provided by law, every action at law for an injury to the person caused by the wrongful act, neglect or default of any person within this State shall be commenced within two years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued; except that an action by or on behalf of a minor that has accrued for medical malpractice for injuries sustained at birth shall be commenced prior to the minor’s 13th birthday.
Under this law, most accident victims have no more than two years from the dates of their accidents to file related personal injury claims (with the exception of child victims of medical malpractice). It is important to consult with a Clifton pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible about a potential pedestrian accident claim to avoid missing your deadline. If you wait too long, you could lose the right to seek compensation forever.
Were You Struck By a Vehicle? Contact Our Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Clifton for Legal Advice
If you were recently hit by a car in Clifton, you have legal rights and options. The Clifton pedestrian accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C., can help you explore them. We have more than 90 years of combined legal experience.
Discuss your unique case in detail with us at no cost or obligation to hire our law firm during a free consultation. Call us at (201) 834-7043 or send us a secure online message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.