Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in the Fall
For many people, autumn is their favorite season. Lots of people enjoy going out for walks in the autumn to enjoy the cooler weather or the last of the warm weather, along with the changing leaves. But with so many pedestrians, the rate of pedestrian accidents tends to go up during the fall months.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in the Fall
In addition to increased pedestrian traffic, autumn weather also contributes to the rate of pedestrian accidents in the fall. Some common examples of autumn weather and environmental factors that increase the risk of pedestrian accidents include:
- Shorter days: The fall means decreasing hours of daylight, which means there is more time in the day that has low lighting that can impede a driver’s visibility of pedestrians, potentially contributing to an accident.
- Fog: Many autumn morning and nights experience fog, which can also make pedestrians less visible
- Falling leaves: Leaves that have fallen from trees and begun decomposing can also lead to pedestrian accidents, including creating slipping or tripping hazards on sidewalks and in crosswalks, as well as reducing traction for vehicles that can make it harder for a driver to safely slow down or stop for a pedestrian.
What Should You Do If You Were Injured in a Pedestrian Accident Caused by Autumn Weather
If you are involved in a pedestrian accident in the fall, steps you can take to protect your legal rights and preserve your options for pursuing a claim to recover compensation for your injuries include:
- If possible for you to do so, use your smartphone to take photos or video of details of the accident scene, such as damage to the vehicle that hit you, roadlines and traffic signals and signs, any skid marks or debris in the road, and the weather and lighting conditions at the time of the accident.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you don’t think you were badly hurt. Let a doctor examine you to diagnose any injuries you may have suffered from the accident. Also take photos of any visible injuries you may have sustained.
- Follow any treatment instructions your doctor or provider gives you.
- Keep any medical bills and invoices, along with copies of your pay stubs or tax returns if you miss time from work or have lost income because of your injuries.
- Notify your auto insurer of the accident, in case you may be eligible to file a claim against your own policy for PIP coverage or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Finally, talk to a pedestrian accident lawyer to go over your legal rights and options for recovering compensation for your injuries.
What Compensation Might You Be Entitled to for a Pedestrian Accident?
If you were hit by a careless or reckless driver, you may be entitled to recover compensation for expenses and losses you incurred because of your injuries, including for:
- Costs of medical treatment and physical rehabilitation
- Lost wages or income when you miss time from work recovering from your injuries
- Loss of future earning and employment benefits if you are permanently disabled from work
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment and quality of life
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Near You to Discuss Your Pedestrian Accident Case in New Jersey
Were you or a loved one injured as a result of a pedestrian accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Drazin and Warshaw, P.C. represent clients injured in pedestrian accidents in Union, Elizabeth, Linden, Rahway, Westfield, and throughout Monmouth County, Ocean County, Union County, and Middlesex County, NJ. Call (732) 576-8860 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 3315 Route 35, Hazlet, NJ 07730 as well as offices in Red Bank, Brick, and Westfield.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
