Injury Attorneys Fighting For Pedestrian And Bicycle Accident Victims In New Jersey

At Devlin, Cittadino & Shaw, P.C., we are aggressive advocates for the injured. Some of the most serious cases we see are those involving accidents between a motor vehicle and a pedestrian or bicyclist. If you suffered catastrophic injuries or lost a loved one in a bicycle or pedestrian accident, we are ready to help you seek accountability and compensation from the at-fault driver.

New Jersey Bicycle Accidents: Common Scenarios And Causes

Bicyclists face dangerous conditions as they attempt to share the roads with motor vehicles. Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents and common bicycle accident scenarios include:

Distracted driving: Drivers are too often looking at their phones instead of the road ahead.

Turning accidents: A vehicle making a right or left turn across the path of a bicyclist and failing to keep a lookout.

Blind turns: A car pulling out of a driveway or side street and striking a cyclist who has the right of way.

Dooring: This occurs when a parked car’s door opens suddenly in a cyclist’s path, causing the bicyclist to crash into it.

Rear-end collisions: These occur when a car or truck fails to stop in time and hits a cyclist from behind.

Road hazards: Uneven street surfaces, potholes and broken glass can cause a bicyclist to lose control of their bicycle.

Failure to yield: Drivers sometimes fail to yield the right-of-way at intersections or when turning, leading to accidents.

Speeding: Vehicles traveling at high speeds increase both the risk and severity of an accident.

Lane drift: Collisions frequently occur when drivers veer into bike lanes.

While both bicyclists and drivers have a duty to pay attention and obey traffic laws, the duty is especially serious for drivers, as their negligence can result in catastrophic or fatal injuries for bicycle riders.

Pedestrians Face Similar Dangers As Bicyclists

Nearly all of the causes and scenarios listed above also apply to pedestrians. However, pedestrians also face dangers from:

• Poorly marked/missing crosswalks and nonfunctioning crossing signals
• Lack of sidewalks or overcrowded sidewalks that force pedestrians to walk along the side of the road
• Drivers who fail to yield to crossing pedestrians or fail to even notice them
• Varied vehicle heights that make it hard to see pedestrians until a collision is nearly imminent
• Drivers who are impaired by drugs and alcohol, which is especially likely at night

In recent years, pedestrian accidents have become more likely to result in catastrophic injuries or deaths. There are numerous reasons for this, including higher speed limits and the growing popularity of large SUVs. These vehicles are heavier and sit higher off the ground, meaning that they strike pedestrians higher up on the body.

Seeking Maximum Compensation For Your Catastrophic Injuries

Whether you were struck on a bicycle or while walking, common injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Cuts and bruises
• Abrasions, often called “road rash,” which can lead to serious infections if not properly treated
• Soft tissue injuries like sprains and tears, which can disrupt your daily activities and take weeks or even months to heal
• Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis

One of the most serious injuries suffered in a pedestrian or bicycle accident is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This can happen even if you are wearing a helmet. Symptoms of a TBI can be subtle, like headaches or dizziness, or more pronounced, such as memory loss or changes in behavior. It’s crucial to get immediate medical attention after an accident, even if you feel fine, as symptoms can appear or worsen days later.

The recovery process for TBI or any other catastrophic injury is likely to be lengthy and expensive. You need and deserve help to cope with medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement and permanent disability. For these and many other reasons, it is crucial to work with an experienced attorney who will fight to maximize your recovery. That’s exactly what you can expect when you contact our firm.

Learn About Your Legal Options During A Free Consultation

Devlin, Cittadino & Shaw, P.C., has been serving the needs of injury victims in New Jersey since 1964. We offer free initial consultations so that you can tell us your story and learn how we can help. To schedule yours, call our Trenton office at 609-557-7876 or reach out online. Se habla español.