Getting struck by a car on Essex Street can leave you facing serious injuries, months of treatment, and questions about how you will manage the financial impact. A Hackensack pedestrian accident lawyer can investigate what happened and help you pursue compensation for the harm the collision caused.
These crashes often cause broken bones, head injuries, spinal damage, and other lasting harm. Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. builds each claim around the medical treatment, lost income, and long-term limitations those injuries create.
Our attorneys build the evidence needed to establish fault and document the full effect of your injuries. Call (201) 585-9111 or send us a message through our online form for a free case review.
Why Hackensack Trusts Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. With Pedestrian Accident Claims
We’ve spent five decades representing injured people throughout Bergen County, recovering over $300 million for our clients along the way. Pedestrian strikes demand a different playbook than ordinary fender benders, and our team has the experience to get the job done.
Decades of Trial Work
Our lawyers carry more than 100 years of combined courtroom experience into every claim. Pedestrian cases often turn on liability disputes that only resolve at trial, and adjusters track which firms actually take that step. That reputation shapes how seriously they treat your file.
Wins for Pedestrians
We have delivered real results for people hit while on foot. A family recovered $1,500,000 after a 75-year-old pedestrian was struck near her local library, and we secured $900,000 for the estate of a young exchange student killed crossing the street.
Trusted by the Profession
Peer organizations have recognized our work through Super Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America, and Best Law Firms 2026 by Best Lawyers. We also hold an AVVO 10.0 rating and belong to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
These distinctions tell opposing counsel that we prepare all of our cases to prevail.
One-on-One Attention
You deal directly with a Hackensack pedestrian accident lawyer who knows your case, start to finish. We return your calls and explain each development in plain language. That kind of access eases the stress of a hard recovery.
Speak with us today at (201) 585-9111 or use our online form to arrange your free consultation.
After thirteen surgeries, multiple procedures and over two months in the ICU, all due to the negligence of one of my doctors, I was referred to Michael Maggiano to pursue a medical malpractice case. I had never been involved in a lawsuit in my life and from the moment I met Michael and his team at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi I knew I was in extremely competent hands. Michael is the best lawyer you could imagine – he is intelligent, detail oriented, extremely knowledgeable and passionate about his work and his clients. Michael is a consummate professional and I will forever be impressed by, and indebted to, both him and his team. The entire staff at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi is friendly, welcoming and do everything to make their clients comfortable. I would like to specifically thank Linda Reid and Bernadette Elbert who both went above and beyond to make my experience as comfortable as possible, from including me in all detailed correspondence to sending encouraging texts and even giving hugs when needed. Thank you so much to everyone at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi – I highly recommend this law firm to anyone looking for a compassionate team to handle a personal injury claim.
Excellent law firm. Thorough, attentive, discreet, flexible, loyal, and compassionate. They are excellent at representing their clients, listening to them, and fighting for their rights. I had the pleasure of working with Michael Maggiano, Esq., Joseph Maggiano, Lawyer Tom Boyle, Bernadette, and Stephanie. Thank you all for your dedication and hard work. I highly recommend choosing this firm to represent you.
Nothing but praise for Maggiano, DiGirolamo, and Lizzi. I have never seen such a fantastic display of teamwork at all levels of the firm. (As an aisde, everyone one who works at the firm was extremely courteous and kind – character traits that one would not typically associate with a law firm. )
Furthermore, the legal results brought about by Mr. Maggiano’s tireless litigation efforts on our behalf were very fair and just. If you ever find yourself in a car accident, be sure to consult Maggiano, DiGirolamo, and Lizzi.
What Does New Jersey Law Require Drivers To Do for Pedestrians?
New Jersey law requires drivers to stop and remain stopped for a pedestrian using a marked crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon, or within one lane of, the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling or turning.
Drivers must also yield to pedestrians using an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection and follow any traffic signal controlling the crossing.
The law imposes other safety duties as well. A driver can’t pass a vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian at a crosswalk. Even when a pedestrian is outside a crosswalk, drivers must use reasonable care to avoid a collision and sound the horn when a warning is necessary.
Pedestrians also have responsibilities. You can’t suddenly leave the curb when a vehicle is too close to stop safely, and they generally must yield to traffic when crossing outside a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
A violation of these rules can provide important evidence that a driver acted negligently, but it does not automatically decide the case. Where the collision occurred on Main Street or River Street, whether a crosswalk existed, and which person had the signal can determine how these duties apply.
Where Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen Most in Hackensack, NJ?
Pedestrian accidents often occur where heavy vehicle traffic intersects with busy shopping districts, transit stops, and medical centers. Hackensack’s downtown streets, major intersections, and county roadways create frequent conflict points between drivers and pedestrians.
Pedestrian accident danger zones include:
- Main Street: Downtown storefronts, restaurants, and frequent crosswalks create constant interaction between vehicles and pedestrians.
- River Street: Traffic traveling between downtown Hackensack and Route 4 combines with office buildings, bus stops, and nearby businesses.
- Essex Street: Drivers turning near Hackensack University Medical Center and surrounding medical offices may overlook pedestrians crossing the street.
- Passaic Street: Multiple signalized intersections, local businesses, and steady commuter traffic increase the risk of turning and crosswalk collisions.
- State Street: Drivers entering and leaving downtown parking areas often encounter heavy pedestrian activity throughout the day.
- The Anderson Street Train Station Area: Pedestrians walking to and from NJ Transit platforms regularly cross busy streets alongside commuter traffic.
What Causes Pedestrian Accidents in Hackensack?
Pedestrian accidents often happen when drivers get distracted or speed through intersections. Failing to account for people already crossing or entering the roadway leads to devastating results.
Common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Turning Vehicles: Drivers watching for oncoming traffic may fail to notice pedestrians already in the crosswalk.
- Blocked Sightlines: Delivery trucks, buses, parked vehicles, and roadside landscaping can limit visibility.
- Signal Timing: Wide intersections and short pedestrian crossing phases can leave slower walkers exposed to traffic.
- Distracted Driving: Drivers looking at navigation systems or mobile phones may not see pedestrians until it’s too late.
- Drunk Driving: Alcohol can impair judgment, slow reaction time, and make it harder for a driver to notice or avoid a pedestrian.
- Speeding: A speeding driver has less time to stop and is more likely to cause catastrophic injuries in a pedestrian collision.
Our Hackensack pedestrian accident lawyers review the intersection, crosswalk, traffic controls, surveillance footage, and witness accounts to determine exactly how the collision occurred and who failed to exercise reasonable care.
Can I Get Compensation If I Was Jaywalking?
Crossing outside a crosswalk doesn’t automatically prevent you from recovering compensation in a Hackensack pedestrian accident claim. Under New Jersey’s comparative negligence rule, your percentage of blame reduces your compensation. If you end up with more than 50% of the blame, then you’re barred from compensation.
A pedestrian crossing midblock on Essex Street generally must yield to vehicles on the roadway. However, drivers still must use reasonable care to avoid a collision. A speeding, distracted, or impaired driver could bear most of the fault even when the pedestrian was outside a crosswalk.
Insurers may use a midblock crossing to place as much blame as possible on the pedestrian. We examine the driver’s speed, visibility, phone use, braking, and opportunity to avoid the crash to show how each person’s conduct contributed to the collision.
Who Can Be Held Responsible After a Pedestrian Accident in Hackensack, NJ?
Responsibility often rests with the driver who struck the pedestrian, but other parties can share fault depending on how the crash happened. A driver who ignored a crosswalk, ran a signal, sped, or failed to watch the road may be liable for the resulting injuries.
Other potentially responsible parties include:
- Commercial Employers: An employer may be responsible when an employee causes a pedestrian accident while performing job duties. Crashes involving Uber or Lyft drivers require a separate review of the driver’s status, available insurance, and the platform’s role.
- Government Entities: A public entity could face liability when a dangerous roadway condition, malfunctioning signal, or defective intersection contributed to the collision. These cases involve special legal standards and shorter notice requirements.
- Vehicle Owners: A vehicle owner may be responsible when they negligently allow an unlicensed, impaired, or otherwise unfit person to drive the vehicle.
- Other Drivers: A driver who forces another vehicle into a pedestrian, blocks visibility, or creates a dangerous situation can share responsibility even without directly striking the pedestrian.
Our Hackensack pedestrian accident lawyers examine the driver’s conduct, employment status, vehicle ownership, roadway conditions, and available insurance to identify all parties who may be legally responsible.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Hackensack Pedestrian Injury Claim?
An injured pedestrian can pursue compensation for both the financial cost of the crash and the ways the injuries affect daily life. Since pedestrian collisions often cause severe harm, these claims may involve emergency treatment, missed work, permanent limitations, and years of future care.
| Type of Compensation | What It Can Cover |
| Medical Expenses | Ambulance care, ER treatment, hospital stays, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, diagnostic testing, medical equipment, and future treatment related to the crash. |
| Lost Income | Wages, salary, tips, bonuses, and other earnings you lost while recovering. |
| Reduced Earning Capacity | The loss of future income when your injuries prevent you from returning to the same job, working the same hours, or advancing in your career. |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, sleep disruption, and loss of enjoyment of life. |
| Permanent Disability | Lasting limits on mobility, independence, work, and everyday activities. |
| Scarring and Disfigurement | Visible scars, surgical marks, amputations, or other permanent changes to your appearance. |
| Out-of-Pocket Costs | Transportation to medical appointments, home modifications, mobility aids, household help, and other necessary expenses caused by the collision. |
| Property Damage | Damage to a phone, bicycle, clothing, or other personal property involved in the crash. |
The value of a pedestrian accident claim depends on the severity of the injuries, the amount of insurance available, and the strength of the medical and financial evidence. We document both current losses and future needs so the claim reflects the full effect of the collision.
When a pedestrian accident is fatal, eligible family members may also pursue a wrongful death claim for losses allowed under New Jersey law.
Proving a Hackensack Pedestrian Accident Case
Your Hackensack pedestrian accident lawyer proves your case by gathering evidence that shows where you were, what the driver did, and how the collision caused your injuries. We obtain the police report and secure available surveillance or dashcam footage.
Our team examines the crosswalk, traffic signals, vehicle damage, and sightlines at the scene. We also consider the driver’s speed and turning movement. When fault is disputed, an accident reconstruction expert can help explain how the impact occurred.
Medical records and expert opinions then show how the crash caused your injuries and affected your work, treatment, and daily life.
If the insurer disputes liability or refuses a reasonable settlement, your attorney can file a lawsuit and prepare the case for trial in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen County.
Verdicts and Settlements
$2,250,000 - Unable to Work Post-Crash
A Union Electrician was hit on the Garden State Parkway North, causing him to spin and hit the median barrier. The injuries sustained required two back surgeries following the aggravation of pre-existing stenosis leaving him unable to work.
$6,200,000 - Truck Struck by Truck
A commercial truck driver was struck by another truck driver while pulled off on the side of the road, resulting in a disabling brain injury.
$600,000 - Defective Ladder
In 2003, a truck driver lost his footing climbing from a truck ladder which was defectively designed, resulting in multiple injuries precluding him from working as a trucker and suffering life time wage impairment.
FAQ for Hackensack Pedestrian Accident Claims
When Should I Call a Hackensack Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
Contact a lawyer as soon as you can after the crash. Early involvement can help preserve surveillance footage, locate witnesses, and protect you during insurance communications.
What if the Driver Says I Stepped Into the Road Suddenly?
If a driver says that you darted out into the street, their allegation doesn’t automatically defeat your claim. We use video, signal records, witness accounts, and scene evidence to determine whether the driver had time to see you and avoid the collision.
Who Pays My Medical Bills After a Pedestrian Accident in Hackensack?
Your own auto policy or a resident family member’s policy may provide Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits when you’re struck as a pedestrian. If no household policy applies, we investigate other available pedestrian PIP and insurance coverage.
Can I Still Recover if I Crossed Outside a Crosswalk and Got Hit by a Car?
You can still recover compensation if you were hit by a car while outside of a crosswalk, but your award may be reduced by your share of fault. New Jersey bars recovery only when your fault is greater than the combined fault of the parties you are suing.
How Long Do I Have To File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in New Jersey?
New Jersey generally gives you two years from the date you were hit to file a pedestrian injury lawsuit. Waiting narrows your options as evidence fades and deadlines approach, and claims against a government entity carry much shorter notice requirements.
Take the First Step Toward Compensation
The evidence that proves your pedestrian case will not wait, and neither should you. Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. stands ready to investigate the collision, identify every responsible party, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Call (201) 585-9111 now or complete our online contact form for a free consultation. You can reach our local team at Court Plaza South, 201 Main St., Suite 206, Hackensack, NJ 07601.
Hackensack Office
Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C.
Court Plaza South
21 Main St., Suite 203
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone: (201) 585-9111
