Pedestrians and Traffic Collision

By mid-December of 2017, the number of fatalities caused in New Jersey traffic collisions had already surpassed the worrisome statistics of 2016. According to New Jersey State Police, there were 562 fatalities in 2015, a seven percent rise the next year for 602 fatalities in 2016, and a rise in 2017 for a total of 635 fatalities. According to State Police Sergeant Jeff Flynn, “Unrestrained passengers and speed are directly correlated to fatalities. The faster you go,  your chance of a fatality unfortunately increases,” according to NJ.com. Speed and unrestrained passengers may be part of the problem, but there are certainly more risk factors at play.

Pedestrians at the Most Risk

If an increase in unrestrained seatbelts was a leading cause of fatalities, then why are pedestrians the hardest-hit category of road users? Sadly, the largest increase in fatalities was for pedestrians. Due to cell phone use, drivers are more distracted than ever these days. Pedestrians are being struck at numbers that have not been touched in decades across the state and country because too many drivers are looking down every five seconds at their phones. Cell phones are possibly the leading cause in traffic fatalities around the country.

Assessing Your Damages

Common damages in traffic collisions include the following:

• Property damage;
• Medical costs;
• Pain and suffering;
• Lost wages;
• Permanent disfigurement; and

But how do you put a price tag on something like pain and suffering or disfigurement? This is where an attorney comes in, and ensures that the responsible party pays what is owed.

Working With an Attorney to Maximize Compensation

If you were injured in a traffic collision and have not yet hired an attorney, and the other party is found at-fault, that party’s insurance company may reach out to you with a financial offer. These offers are usually extremely low compared to what your actual damages are, and much less than what you would receive if you work with an experienced lawyer.

Call an Attorney for Help Today 

Whether you were injured as a pedestrian, motorcyclist, cyclist, or car occupant, you deserve financial compensation to cover your damages. We at the Red Bank law offices of Foss, San Filippo & Milne, LLC are here to make that a reality. Call or contact us today at (732) 741-2525.