Pedestrian crosswalk accidents in New Jersey can result in devastating injuries that forever change victims’ lives, leaving them facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, and permanent disabilities. When drivers fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks, the resulting collisions often cause severe trauma, including broken bones, head injuries, and spinal cord damage that requires extensive treatment and rehabilitation.
At Mandelbaum Barrett PC, our personal injury attorneys understand building a strong case requires gathering and preserving crucial evidence immediately after a pedestrian crosswalk accident. The strength of your legal claim often depends on the quality and completeness of evidence collected in the critical hours and days following the incident.
Police Reports and Official Documentation
The police report serves as a foundational piece of evidence in pedestrian crosswalk accident cases. Officers responding to the scene document important details, including weather conditions, traffic signals, witness statements, and their initial assessment of fault. This official documentation provides an objective account of the accident that can support your claim.
However, police reports are not always complete or accurate. Officers may not have witnessed the actual collision and must rely on statements from involved parties and witnesses. Sometimes important details are omitted or incorrectly recorded, making it essential to gather additional evidence to support your case.
Our attorneys review police reports carefully and investigate any discrepancies or missing information. We also work to obtain supplemental reports and follow-up investigations that may provide additional details about the accident circumstances.
Traffic Signal and Crosswalk Documentation
The status of traffic signals and crosswalk signals at the time of the accident is crucial evidence in pedestrian cases. Documentation showing whether the pedestrian had a walk signal or whether the driver ran a red light can be decisive in establishing liability.
Many intersections now have automated systems that record signal timing and can provide precise information about signal status during accidents. Traffic engineers can also analyze signal timing patterns to determine which signals were active when the collision occurred.
We work with traffic safety professionals to obtain this technical evidence and ensure that signal timing records are preserved before they are routinely deleted or overwritten by municipal systems.
Surveillance Video and Photography
Video footage from traffic cameras, business security systems, or nearby surveillance cameras can provide compelling evidence of how pedestrian crosswalk accidents occurred. This footage may show the moments leading up to the collision, the impact itself, and the immediate aftermath.
Photography of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and the pedestrian’s injuries also serves as important evidence. These images document conditions at the time of the accident and can help reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the collision.
Our legal team works quickly to identify and preserve video evidence before it is deleted or recorded over. We also coordinate with professional photographers to document the accident scene, crosswalk conditions, and any factors that may have contributed to the collision.
Witness Statements and Contact Information
Eyewitness testimony can be powerful evidence in pedestrian crosswalk accident cases. Witnesses who saw the collision occur can provide independent accounts of what happened and help establish fault for the accident.
However, witnesses often leave the scene quickly, and their contact information may not be recorded in the initial police report. Obtaining detailed statements from witnesses while their memories are fresh is crucial for building a strong case.
We conduct thorough investigations to locate and interview witnesses, documenting their accounts of the accident and preserving their testimony for use in settlement negotiations or trial proceedings.
Medical Records and Documentation
Complete medical documentation of your injuries is essential for proving the extent of damages caused by the pedestrian accident. This includes emergency room records, diagnostic tests, surgical reports, and ongoing treatment documentation.
Medical records also help establish a clear connection between the accident and your injuries, which is necessary for recovering compensation. Documentation of future medical needs and permanent disabilities strengthens claims for long-term damages.
Our attorneys work with medical professionals to ensure all injuries are properly documented and that future treatment needs are accurately assessed for inclusion in your damage claim.
Vehicle and Driver Evidence
Information about the vehicle and driver involved in the pedestrian accident can reveal important factors that contributed to the collision. Driver cell phone records may show distracted driving, while vehicle maintenance records could reveal mechanical problems that affected the driver’s ability to stop.
Driver’s license records, traffic violation history, and any evidence of impairment at the time of the accident are also crucial pieces of evidence. Commercial drivers must also comply with additional regulations that may be relevant to your case.
We thoroughly investigate driver and vehicle factors to identify all evidence that supports liability and strengthens your claim for compensation.
Contact Mandelbaum Barrett PC Today
Preserving crucial evidence after a pedestrian crosswalk accident requires immediate action and thorough investigation. The evidence collected in the first days and weeks after your accident often determines the success of your legal claim and the compensation you recover.With decades of experience handling personal injury claims, our experienced attorneys include Certified Civil Trial Attorney Andrew Bronsnick and Co-Chair Joseph J. Peters. We understand the importance of preserving evidence and have the resources to conduct comprehensive investigations of pedestrian crosswalk accidents throughout New Jersey. Contact Mandelbaum Barrett PC today at (973) 585-5100 or through our contact form for your free consultation to discuss your pedestrian accident case.