When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the consequences can be devastating. Injuries range from broken bones and lacerations to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and death. If you or a loved one was hit by a car, you need an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Clifton who understands these cases and knows how to recover the compensation you deserve.

At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, we have recovered over $535 million for injured clients throughout New Jersey. Our team includes certified civil trial attorneys with decades of combined experience handling pedestrian accident cases. We work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay no fees unless we win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Why Choose Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for Your Pedestrian Accident Claim

When you’re injured in a pedestrian accident, choosing the right attorney matters. The difference between a fair settlement and one that leaves you struggling with medical bills and lost income can be significant. Here’s why Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers stands out:

• Experience and Track Record. We’ve been serving New Jersey clients since 1967—over 50 years of dedicated personal injury representation. Our team of nine attorneys has successfully handled thousands of cases, recovering millions in compensation for pedestrians struck by vehicles. Learn more about our Clifton personal injury lawyers and our commitment to the community.
• Certified Trial Attorneys. Two of our attorneys, Edward P. Capozzi and Alex S. Capozzi, hold certification as civil trial attorneys from the New Jersey Supreme Court—a distinction held by fewer than 2% of attorneys in the state. This certification reflects our commitment to trial excellence and our ability to take cases to court when necessary.
• Proven Results. We recovered $21.8 million for a child struck by a commercial vehicle who suffered a traumatic brain injury. We also recovered $5.35 million for a pedestrian struck by a tractor-trailer. These results demonstrate our ability to handle catastrophic pedestrian accident cases and negotiate aggressively on behalf of our clients. View our complete case results and settlements.
• Local Presence. Our Clifton office at 481 Highland Avenue serves residents throughout Passaic County. We understand the local roads, intersections, and traffic patterns where pedestrian accidents occur.
• No Upfront Costs. We represent clients on a contingency basis. You don’t pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. This arrangement aligns our interests with yours—we only succeed when you succeed.
• Client-Centered Approach. Our clients rate us 4.9 stars on Google with over 5,900 reviews. We listen to your concerns, keep you informed throughout your case, and work to recover the maximum compensation available under New Jersey law.

What Constitutes a Pedestrian Accident in Clifton

A pedestrian accident occurs when a vehicle strikes a person on foot. These accidents can happen in various settings throughout Clifton—at intersections, in crosswalks, on sidewalks, or in parking lots. The severity ranges from minor injuries to catastrophic harm or death.

Pedestrians lack the protective shell that vehicle occupants have. When struck by a car, truck, or commercial vehicle, pedestrians often suffer severe injuries because they absorb the full force of the impact. Understanding the different types of pedestrian accidents helps establish liability and strengthens your claim.

Types of Pedestrian Accidents We Handle

Some of the pedestrian accidents our firm handles are:

• Crosswalk Accidents. These occur when a driver fails to yield to a pedestrian lawfully crossing in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. Even when pedestrians have the right of way, drivers sometimes fail to see them or misjudge their speed. Crosswalk violations are a primary cause of pedestrian injuries in New Jersey.
• Hit-and-Run Incidents. Some drivers flee the scene after striking a pedestrian. We work with police and insurance companies to identify the responsible driver and pursue claims through uninsured motorist coverage when necessary. Learn more about hit-and-run accidents.
• Distracted Driver Collisions. Drivers texting, using phones, eating, or otherwise distracted may fail to notice pedestrians in their path. These preventable accidents cause serious injuries. Distracted driving is a leading cause of pedestrian accidents in New Jersey.
• Speeding-Related Pedestrian Strikes. Excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to stop and increases injury severity. Speeding in residential or commercial areas where pedestrians are present constitutes negligence.
• Failure to Yield Accidents. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections. When they fail to do so, pedestrians suffer injuries through no fault of their own.
• Pedestrian Struck While Jaywalking. Even if a pedestrian was jaywalking, New Jersey’s comparative negligence law may still allow recovery. We investigate these cases thoroughly to minimize your liability percentage.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Clifton

Understanding what causes pedestrian accidents helps establish liability and proves the driver’s negligence. Common causes include:

• Distracted Driving. Cell phone use, texting, eating, adjusting GPS, or other distractions divert a driver’s attention from the road. A momentary lapse in attention can result in a pedestrian being struck. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claims thousands of lives annually. The NHTSA reports that distracted driving is a significant factor in pedestrian accidents.
• Failure to Yield at Intersections and Crosswalks. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and when pedestrians have the walk signal. Many accidents occur when drivers run red lights or turn without checking for pedestrians.
• Speeding in Residential and Commercial Areas. Excessive speed reduces stopping distance and increases injury severity. Drivers traveling above posted speed limits in areas with pedestrian traffic act negligently. Speeding accidents are particularly dangerous in populated areas.
• Impaired Driving. Alcohol and drug use impair judgment, reaction time, and motor control. Impaired drivers cannot safely navigate areas with pedestrian traffic. For more information, see our guide on drunk driving accidents.
• Poor Visibility Conditions. Rain, fog, snow, and darkness reduce visibility. Drivers must adjust their speed and attention accordingly. Failure to do so when a pedestrian is struck constitutes negligence. Winter driving conditions increase pedestrian accident risk significantly.
• Defective Traffic Signals or Road Hazards. Malfunctioning traffic signals or poorly maintained roads can contribute to pedestrian accidents. In these cases, municipalities or responsible parties may share liability. Road defects can create dangerous conditions for pedestrians.
• Driver Fatigue. Drowsy drivers have slower reaction times and reduced awareness. Fatigued driving is particularly dangerous in areas with pedestrian traffic.
• Aggressive Driving Behavior. Tailgating, weaving through traffic, and other aggressive behaviors increase accident risk and demonstrate negligence.

Injuries Resulting from Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents often result in severe injuries because pedestrians lack the protection that vehicle occupants have. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Concussions. Impact to the head can cause TBI, ranging from mild concussions to severe brain damage affecting cognition, memory, and motor function. These injuries often require long-term medical care and rehabilitation. Learn more about traumatic brain injuries from accidents and five ways to prove your traumatic brain injury.
• Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis. Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis. These catastrophic injuries permanently alter a person’s life and require ongoing medical care. Our firm has extensive experience with spinal cord injury cases.
• Broken Bones and Fractures. Legs, arms, ribs, and pelvis fractures are common in pedestrian accidents. Some fractures require surgery and extended recovery periods.
• Internal Organ Damage. Blunt force trauma can damage internal organs, causing internal bleeding and other life-threatening conditions.
• Lacerations and Soft Tissue Injuries. Cuts, abrasions, and muscle or ligament damage occur when pedestrians are struck or dragged by vehicles.
• Wrongful Death. Tragically, some pedestrian accidents result in death. Families of deceased pedestrians can pursue wrongful death claims for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages.
• Long-Term Disability and Chronic Pain. Even after initial recovery, many pedestrian accident victims experience chronic pain, reduced mobility, and permanent disability affecting their ability to work and enjoy life.
• Psychological Trauma. PTSD, anxiety, and depression commonly follow pedestrian accidents. The psychological impact can be as significant as physical injuries. Learn more about anxiety after an accident.

Liability and Compensation in Pedestrian Accident Cases

Establishing liability in pedestrian accident cases requires proving that the driver owed a duty of care to the pedestrian, breached that duty, and caused injuries as a result.

• Duty of Care. Drivers owe a duty of care to pedestrians on roadways. This duty requires drivers to operate vehicles safely, obey traffic laws, and avoid actions that could harm pedestrians.
• Pedestrian Right-of-Way Rules in New Jersey. New Jersey law grants pedestrians the right of way in marked and unmarked crosswalks when the pedestrian has the walk signal or when entering the crosswalk lawfully. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in these situations. According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, pedestrian safety is a critical priority.
• Comparative Negligence. New Jersey follows a comparative negligence system. Even if a pedestrian was partially at fault—for example, jaywalking—they can still recover compensation. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would recover $80,000.
• Insurance Coverage. Most pedestrian accident claims are covered by the driver’s auto liability insurance. If the driver is uninsured or underinsured, your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply.
• Recoverable Damages. Pedestrian accident victims can recover:
  • Medical expenses (past and future)
  • Lost wages and lost earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent disability or disfigurement
  • Property damage
  • In wrongful death cases: funeral expenses and loss of companionship

How We Prove Liability

The lawyers at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers can prove liability by gathering the following:

• Police Accident Reports. Official reports document the accident, identify witnesses, and often include the officer’s assessment of fault.
• Witness Testimony. Eyewitnesses provide crucial accounts of how the accident occurred and who was at fault.
• Traffic Camera and Surveillance Footage. Video evidence from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, or dashcams often clearly shows how the accident happened.
• Expert Accident Reconstruction. We retain accident reconstruction experts who analyze vehicle damage, road conditions, and physics to determine how the accident occurred and establish fault.
• Medical Records and Expert Testimony. Medical records document your injuries. Medical experts testify about the severity of injuries and their connection to the accident.
• Vehicle Maintenance Records. We obtain records showing whether the vehicle had mechanical defects that contributed to the accident.

Our Pedestrian Accident Case Results

Our track record demonstrates our ability to recover substantial compensation for pedestrian accident victims:

• $21.8 Million Settlement. A child was struck by a commercial vehicle while crossing the street, suffering a permanent traumatic brain injury affecting cognitive function and physical capabilities. This settlement represents one of the largest personal injury settlements in New Jersey history and reflects the severity of the child’s injuries and our aggressive advocacy. Edward P. Capozzi and Alex S. Capozzi handled this case.
• $5.35 Million Settlement at Trial. A pedestrian was struck by a tractor-trailer. We negotiated this substantial settlement during trial proceedings, demonstrating our strong jury trial position and willingness to take cases to court. Edward P. Capozzi, Alex S. Capozzi, and Corey A. Dietz handled this case.
• $3.55 Million Settlement. A woman injured when her car struck a guardrail received this recovery. Corey A. Dietz handled this case.

These results reflect our commitment to maximizing compensation for our clients and our willingness to take cases to trial when necessary to achieve fair outcomes. View our complete results page for additional case outcomes.

Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident in Clifton

If you’re struck by a vehicle, taking the right steps immediately after the accident protects your health and strengthens your legal claim:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention. Your health is the priority. Call 911 if you’re seriously injured. Even if injuries seem minor, see a doctor. Some injuries like internal bleeding or concussions don’t show symptoms immediately. Medical records document your injuries and create a clear link between the accident and your harm.
2. Report the Accident to Police. Call the Clifton Police Department to report the accident. Obtain the police report number. The official report documents the accident and often includes the officer’s assessment of fault.
3. Gather Witness Contact Information. Ask anyone who saw the accident for their name and phone number. Witness testimony is valuable evidence.
4. Document the Scene. Take photos and video of the accident scene, vehicle damage, traffic signals, road conditions, and your injuries. This evidence helps establish how the accident occurred.
5. Preserve Evidence. Keep the clothing you wore during the accident. Damage to clothing can help demonstrate the force of impact.
6. Do Not Admit Fault. Don’t tell the driver or police that the accident was your fault. Statements made at the scene can be used against you later.
7. Do Not Sign Documents. Don’t sign anything except for police reports. Insurance companies may try to get you to sign documents limiting your rights.
8. Contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers Immediately. Call us for a free consultation as soon as possible. Early investigation is crucial. We can preserve evidence, identify witnesses, and begin building your case.
9. Avoid Social Media. Don’t post about the accident on social media. Insurance companies monitor social media and may use your posts against you. For more information, see our guide on social media and insurance claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers Today

If you were struck by a vehicle in Clifton, don’t wait to seek legal representation from our firm. The sooner we begin investigating your case, the better our team of attorneys can preserve evidence and build a strong claim. Contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. Call us at (973) 364-8300 or schedule a consultation online. We’re here to help you recover the compensation you deserve.