Wekfest, held at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, often attracts large crowds and custom-car lovers from all over New Jersey. The show took an unexpected turn this weekend. It seems that an over-enthused BMW owner decided to try and show off by speeding and drifting on the road in front of the convention center. While driving recklessly, the driver appears to have temporarily lost control of his green BMW. As a result, the vehicle struck two pedestrians, one of whom was walking with their pet turtle at the time. Both pedestrians and the turtle suffered injuries as a result of the collision. The BMW driver then fled the scene, making it a hit-and-run accident.
One of the pedestrians, a 49-year-old man from South Plainfield, suffered a head wound as a result of the crash, while a 20-year-old man from West Orange suffered a leg injury. Both were transported to a local hospital for treatment. The turtle was taken to a local animal hospital for treatment of its injuries and is expected to make a full recovery. The entire accident was caught on video and the police were able to identify the hit-and-run driver and put out a warrant for his arrest. The hit-and-run driver posted to his social media that he regretted fleeing the scene of the accident and that he would turn himself in, but the police say that he has yet to do so. The police have encouraged the hit-and-run driver to turn himself in to the police so that they can hear his side of the story and discuss the charges against him. In the event that the hit and run driver is never identified, found or is deemed to be uninsured, the injured party may be able to file a claim for Uninsured (UM) benefits from their own insurance company. This would allow the injured party to bring an actual claim and potentially recover a sum of money up to the limits that they chose when purchasing their insurance policy.
Suing for Injuries in a Pedestrian-Vehicle Collision
When it comes to a collision between a 4,000-pound vehicle and an average-sized human, it is not much of a competition. When a pedestrian is involved in a collision they are likely to suffer serious injuries. Common injuries caused by pedestrian-vehicle collisions include broken and fractured bones, traumatic brain injuries, lacerations and contusions, and spinal cord injuries. These injuries can be both costly and debilitating, often resulting in high medical bills and requiring time off of work to recover.
For many people, the only way to recover financially from an accident of this nature is to bring a personal injury lawsuit. These lawsuits allow you to recover financially when you have suffered physical and financial harm due to someone else’s negligence. A personal injury lawsuit allows you to be reimbursed for all expenses incurred due to your injury as well as compensation for pain and suffering that you experienced as a result of the accident.
How Much is My Claim Worth?
The value of your personal injury claim will depend on the nature and severity of the injuries that you suffered. Economic damages may be equal to the amount of money that you have spent and lost due to your injury. This may include the cost of medical care as well as lost wages and anticipated future medical expenses in the event that you have exhausted your available PIP coverage. Pain and suffering will be determined based on your total amount of economic damages as compared to how serious and permanent your injury is. The more serious and long-lasting your injury is, the higher your damages award could be. For instance, someone who has a broken leg will receive less than someone who has permanently lost the use of their dominant hand. However, both have suffered damage to their lives that they will be compensated for. In some cases, such as in the case of a hit-and-run accident, punitive damages may also be requested to penalize the responsible party for especially reckless or malicious behavior. Because there are so many variables involved, the best way to get an idea of the value of your claim is to consult with an attorney.
Contact Smith & William Law Firm in Westfield, New Jersey
If you are a pedestrian who has been injured by a vehicle in New Jersey, you need an experienced attorney on your side to fight for your rights and make sure you get the largest settlement possible to compensate you for the pain and suffering that someone else’s negligence caused. Contact Smith & William Law Firm today to schedule a consultation.
