Personal Injury Pedestrian Accidents

Experienced Pedestrian Accidents Attorneys Near You in New Jersey

Being hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian is a harrowing experience that can change your life in a split second. At Sarno da Costa D’Aniello Maceri Webb LLC, our pedestrian accident attorneys in New Jersey represent injured pedestrians and families who have lost loved ones in these collisions, pursuing fair compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial burdens they often suffer.

Our personal injury lawyers, led by Paul M. da Costa, have obtained substantial seven- and eight-figure verdicts and settlements for clients in many types of cases. Below, you’ll learn how pedestrian accidents happen, the injuries they commonly cause, how damages may be recovered under New Jersey law, the challenges of proving liability, and why choosing the right attorney can make a meaningful difference in protecting your rights and rebuilding your life.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in New Jersey

According to the New Jersey State Police statistics, pedestrian fatalities in the Garden State reached a 36-year record high in 2024, with 221 deaths, a 29% increase over 2023. Older adults and children are often the most at risk, and the use of alcohol or drugs by the vehicle driver or pedestrian is involved in almost 50% of crashes that result in death.

Each case is unique, and drivers or pedestrians may be held responsible for causing a collision. Common causes of drivers hitting pedestrians include:

• Speeding
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Distracted driving, such as texting while behind the wheel
• Failure to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks
• Making illegal turns or failing to signal
• Vehicle malfunction

In some cases, a pedestrian may cause an accident in New Jersey due to:

• Jaywalking
• Intoxication
• Walking on the road instead of a sidewalk
• Walking on busy, high-speed roads or highways

In addition, lack of pedestrian signals, insufficient lighting, or poor roadway design can contribute to accidents. Our New Jersey pedestrian accident attorneys thoroughly investigate your case and identify all liable parties. If you’ve lost a loved one in an accident, we can determine whether a wrongful death claim may be an option for recovering compensation.

What are the Common Injuries Sustained in Pedestrian Accidents?

Unlike motorists, pedestrians don’t have the protection of a vehicle surrounding them. Even low-speed crashes can lead to serious injuries and severe injuries such as:

• Broken or crushed bones
• Traumatic brain injury
• Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
• Organ damage and internal bleeding
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Emotional trauma and mental health conditions, such as PTSD

Pedestrian accidents can also cause devastating injuries and, in some cases, catastrophic injuries with long-term consequences.

Some of these injuries may require costly surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, nursing care, and time away from work. Even minor injuries can still create lasting complications and financial strain. Prompt medical care and ongoing medical treatment are important both for recovery and for documenting the full extent of a pedestrian accident injury. Paul and his team know how to accurately value your claim to ensure all potential future expenses and other damages are included.

How to Recover Damages in Pedestrian Accidents in New Jersey

Determining liability in a pedestrian accident case can be challenging, especially when a pedestrian accident claim involves fault disputes and complex insurance coverage issues. That’s why you need a seasoned pedestrian accident attorney who knows how to investigate these types of cases and establish who was at fault, because legal representation can significantly affect how a personal injury claim is investigated, valued, and presented. Whether you’re a pedestrian who was injured by a negligent driver or a motorist who was hurt in an accident caused by a careless walker, Paul and his team can help you review your legal options. If a pedestrian was hurt because of someone else’s negligence, they may seek compensation. Depending on the facts, they can help you pursue compensation through a pedestrian injury claim or other injury claim for:

• Past and future medical expenses and medical bills
• Lost wages and lost income
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of companionship and consortium
• Other accident and injury-related expenses

In fatal cases, a wrongful death claim may also include funeral expenses. Fault rules differ by state; for example, Georgia law allows recovery if the pedestrian is less than 50% at fault, but New Jersey cases are governed by New Jersey law. Filing deadlines also vary by state, and while New Jersey generally gives two years, every state has statutes of limitations for filing a pedestrian accident claim.

Why Choose Our New Jersey Pedestrian Accident Attorneys?

At Sarno da Costa D’Aniello Maceri Webb LLC, a personal injury law firm, our pedestrian accidents attorneys focus on representing people hurt by a motor vehicle. We know gathering evidence quickly is critical, including preserving the accident scene, interviewing witnesses, analyzing medical records, and working with accident reconstruction experts after the accident occurred to build a strong case. We handle personal injury cases involving injured pedestrians and other accident victims.

Insurance companies often try to blame pedestrians or minimize their injuries. Our personal injury attorneys know how to deal with the insurance company and the driver’s insurance company, negotiate aggressively on your behalf, and ensure your rights are protected; trial readiness can also influence an insurer’s settlement offer. Relevant experience in these matters is important when choosing legal counsel or an injury lawyer. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, we won’t hesitate to take your case to court.

Paul and members of his team are certified civil trial attorneys and are familiar with local courts and judges, which gives us a strategic edge when preparing for trial and helps us navigate regional traffic laws and court systems. We offer legal services and representation in Portuguese and Spanish as well.

The National Law Journal selected Paul and his Medical Malpractice team as recipients of its prestigious 2022 Elite Trial Lawyers Awards in the medical malpractice category. In 2022, Paul was a finalist for New Jersey Law Journal Attorney of the Year.

In 2023, he was selected for the National Law Journal Trailblazers Plaintiff Lawyers. In 2024, he was included on the NJBIZ Law Power 50 list, which recognizes the most influential men and women leading New Jersey’s legal profession. Paul was also chosen for the New Jersey Super Lawyers Top 100 list from 2020 – 2024.

Paul his team have been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® as Tier 1 Personal Injury – Plaintiffs and Tier 1 Medical Malpractice – Plaintiffs law firm in New Jersey for 2022 and 2024. This highly respected peer-review publication named Paul Lawyer of the Year for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Medical Malpractice – Plaintiffs for 2025.

Contact Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Near You in New Jersey

Our personal injury attorneys at Sarno da Costa D’Aniello Maceri Webb LLC know that the aftermath of a pedestrian accident is daunting, but you don’t have to face it alone. Contact us or call to schedule a free consultation with Paul M. da Costa with no obligation and begin your journey toward healing and fair compensation. For immediate legal assistance, reach out today to discuss your legal options. Our pedestrian accident attorneys serve clients at several convenient locations near you in New Jersey, including Roseland, Bridgewater, Hackensack, Morristown, and Eatontown, NJ.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestrian Accidents in New Jersey

What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident in New Jersey?

After any accident, it’s important to take certain steps to protect your rights. Call 911 and make sure to exchange contact information with all involved parties. Even if you think you’re fine, symptoms of serious injuries such as internal bleeding may not appear right away, so seek medical attention as soon as possible and follow your treatment plan, because such injuries may worsen over time.

A motor vehicle driver has a duty to watch for people on foot, and pedestrians involved in collisions often suffer such injuries because they have no vehicle protection. Fault can also be affected by whether someone used a designated crosswalk, obeyed traffic signals, and otherwise follow traffic laws. If a driver fails to yield, that kind of careless driver behavior can cause traffic accidents involving pedestrians, especially in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.

Do not admit fault or speak to an insurance company, the driver’s insurance company, or anyone else about the accident before getting legal counsel. Anything you say may be used against you later. Our personal injury lawyers will handle all communications and negotiations with insurers.

How Much Time Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in New Jersey?

Typically, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in New Jersey. If you miss the two-year statute of limitations, you may lose your right to recover compensation. Every state sets its own deadlines, and California also generally has a two-year deadline for pedestrian accident injury lawsuits. Fault rules also differ by state—for example, California allows recovery even with up to 99% fault, while North Carolina follows pure contributory negligence rules. Memories fade and valuable evidence can be lost, so it’s important to take action as soon as possible.

What If the Driver Was Uninsured or Fled the Scene of the Accident?

Even if the negligent party can’t be identified or is uninsured, you may still be able to recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage or New Jersey’s Unsatisfied Claim and Judgment Fund (UCJF). Available insurance coverage may depend on the policy and the circumstances of when the accident occurred. Our pedestrian accident attorneys can advise you of your options.

How Much Does a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Cost in New Jersey?

We believe everyone deserves quality legal representation. Paul and his team of personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. Your initial consultation is free, and our attorneys’ fees are paid from any settlement or award you receive – only if we win your case.