On July 23, an individual was injured after being struck by a car at an intersection in Westfield. The pedestrian was not seriously injured in the incident according to the report.

Police said that the accident occurred around 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of Boulevard and South Avenue when a Nissan Altima attempted to pass the left side of a stopped New Jersey transit bus in the right lane. As the car passed the bus, it hit a male pedestrian who was in a crosswalk.

Emergency personnel transported the pedestrian to University Hospital where he was treated and released that same day. As of August 1, the driver had not been charged according to the captain of the Westfield Police Department. The accident was still under investigation as of that day as well.

New Jersey residents who are involved in pedestrian accidents can suffer catastrophic, life-changing injuries that, in some cases, lead to permanent disabilities. Injured pedestrians can pursue compensation for their accident-related losses from the party, or parties, they believe were responsible for the incident. Some examples of driver negligence include failing to yield to a pedestrian at a crosswalk, speeding or driving in a careless manner.

By reviewing police reports, any eyewitness accounts and, if available, accident reconstruction reports, a personal injury attorney representing a hurt pedestrian could build a case against the civil suit’s defendant. Criminal charges against a driver could also be used as evidence of a defendant’s culpability. Plaintiffs of successful personal injury lawsuits may be compensated for financial harm caused by their respective accidents, which could include medical expenses and any wages lost during the time of recovery.

Source: The Alternative Press, “Pedestrian in Westfield Accident was Crossing Legally“, Jackie Lieberman, August 01, 2014