Our Toms River Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Last updated on November 14, 2025
Since 1979, our Toms River pedestrian accident attorneys at R.C. Shea & Associates, Counsellors at Law, have assisted residents with their most difficult legal challenges. We understand the unique traffic patterns, local roadways and seasonal challenges that contribute to incidents in the area. We handle every aspect of your pedestrian accident claim, from investigating the crash scene to negotiating with insurance companies and taking cases to trial when necessary. Our proven results with pedestrian accident cases demonstrate our ability to secure meaningful compensation for injured pedestrians.
If you or a loved one was injured in a pedestrian accident in Toms River, do not hesitate to call us at 732-573-6370 or fill out this online contact form to schedule a consultation. With our compassionate legal guidance, you can rest assured that someone capable is finding the solutions you need to recover.
Why Our Toms River Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Are Different
We have served as pedestrian accident attorneys in Toms River for more than four decades now. We live and work in this community and we understand the local roads, traffic patterns and challenges that pedestrians face every day.
We provide personalized attention throughout every stage of your case. From your first consultation through the resolution of your claim, you will work directly with an attorney who knows your name, understands your injuries and fights for your best interests.
Our attorneys have earned recognition for both their legal work and their commitment to the Toms River community. Robert Shea has served as chairman of the Toms River/Ocean County Chamber of Commerce and regularly appears on national news outlets, including CNN and Fox News, to discuss legal issues affecting our community.
Why Pedestrian Accidents Happen In Toms River
Pedestrian accidents are growing more common across New Jersey. In 2024, 221 people died in these tragic events, showing a 29% rise from 2023. Toms River faces its own set of risks that add to these troubling numbers.
Toms River draws countless visitors to its downtown shops, waterfront parks and nearby beaches throughout the year. During peak tourist season, the streets of Ocean County and the Jersey Shore fill with families exploring local attractions and residents enjoying their daily routines. However, this increased foot traffic, combined with busy roadways, also creates dangerous conditions for pedestrians. When a simple walk to the store or an evening stroll turns into a life-altering accident, you need an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Toms River who knows the law and the community inside and out.
High Risk Areas In Toms River And Berkeley Township
Our town sees changing foot traffic patterns during tourist season. This creates danger, mainly along Route 37 and Fischer Boulevard, where many cars pass through shopping areas and neighborhoods. Hooper Avenue also presents significant risks to pedestrians due to heavy traffic near retail locations and residential areas. In Berkeley Township, Atlantic City Boulevard and Route 9 carry high volumes of commercial traffic, with limited pedestrian infrastructure, making these corridors particularly hazardous for pedestrians.
We have handled cases from these locations and understand how poor road design and driver negligence contribute to serious injuries. This knowledge enables us to build strong cases that hold responsible parties accountable and secure the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents In Toms River
A pedestrian accident involves a person on foot being hit by a car or any motor vehicle, often leading to severe injuries or even fatalities. While some accidents result from challenging road conditions or infrastructure problems, most happen because drivers make dangerous choices behind the wheel.
Here are the factors that frequently lead to serious injuries:
- High traffic volumes: When large numbers of vehicles move through areas with pedestrian activity, drivers have less time to react to people crossing the street or walking along roadways.
- Large crowds: During summer months and special events, increased foot traffic makes it harder for drivers to notice individual pedestrians.
- Distracted or reckless driving: Drivers who text, speed or drive under the influence put pedestrians at serious risk.
- Poorly marked crosswalks: Faded paint or missing signs make it difficult for both drivers and pedestrians to identify safe crossing areas.
- Lack of pedestrian signals: Intersections without dedicated pedestrian crossing signals leave people on foot vulnerable to turning vehicles and drivers who fail to check crosswalks before proceeding.
After a pedestrian accident in New Jersey, you can file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your accident-related losses and suffering.
Pedestrian Accidents Can Lead To Serious Injuries
When a vehicle strikes a person on foot, the consequences can be devastating. We see these injuries regularly in our practice:
- Broken bones: Fractures to arms, legs, hips and ribs are common when pedestrians are hit by cars
- Traumatic brain injuries: Head trauma can cause concussions, skull fractures and long-term cognitive problems
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spine may result in partial or complete paralysis
- Internal organ damage: The force of impact can cause bleeding and injury to vital organs
- Soft tissue injuries: Torn ligaments, muscle damage and severe bruising often occur
Seeking medical attention immediately after a pedestrian accident is critical, even if you feel fine. Some serious injuries do not show symptoms right away. Delayed treatment can worsen your condition and weaken your legal claim. A medical evaluation creates documentation that links your injuries directly to the accident.
Understanding Your Legal Rights In New Jersey
New Jersey law provides important protection for pedestrians injured by negligent drivers. Knowing your legal rights helps you make informed decisions about your case and protects you from insurance company tactics designed to reduce your compensation. The following sections explain the laws that apply to your pedestrian accident claim and how they affect your ability to recover damages.
New Jersey Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws
Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-36, drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks. This important law requires drivers to stop and remain stopped while a person crosses the road.
The “Stop and Stay Stopped” law means drivers cannot continue moving until they fully reach the other side or a safety island. This applies to both marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
Pedestrians also have responsibilities under the law. According to N.J.S.A. 39:4-32, N.J.S.A. 39:4-33, and N.J.S.A. 39:4-34, you must:
- Obey pedestrian signals where they exist
- Use crosswalks when available
- Cross at right angles to the road when no crosswalks exist
- Yield to traffic when crossing outside of crosswalks
Pedestrians must not step off a curb or exit a safe location directly in front of an oncoming vehicle that is too close to stop safely.
New Jersey’s Comparative Negligence Rule
When it comes to road accidents, New Jersey uses a modified comparative negligence system. This law allows you to receive money for your injuries as long as you are not more than 50% at fault. The court will lower your payment by your fault percentage.
The Importance Of A Prompt Investigation
After a pedestrian accident, time works against your case. New Jersey law gives you only two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. This legal deadline, called the statute of limitations, means you lose your right to compensation if you wait too long.
Beyond this deadline, quick action helps preserve crucial evidence. Skid marks fade, witnesses forget details and surveillance videos often get deleted within days. Weather conditions also erase important proof from the accident scene.
The sooner you contact us after your accident, the more effectively we can build your case and protect your rights to fair compensation.
How Our Toms River Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Help You
New Jersey law requires all drivers to exercise reasonable care behind the wheel, regardless of traffic conditions or other circumstances. Our job is to prove the person who hit you was negligent and did not behave as a reasonable person would have in the same circumstances. This is how we do that:
- Thorough investigation: Our team will visit the location where you were struck, photograph road conditions and traffic control devices. We will look into police reports, medical records and witness contact information before the evidence disappears.
- Strategic accident reconstruction: In every case we handle, we work with professionals to analyze skid marks, vehicle damage, traffic signal timing and pedestrian crossing patterns to determine the driver’s actions at the time of impact.
- Aggressive advocacy: We counter insurance company tactics that blame you for the accident. We present the evidence we have gathered to demonstrate the strength of your case and demand fair compensation. When insurance companies refuse reasonable settlements, we file lawsuits and take cases to trial.
Recovering from a pedestrian accident is difficult enough without the added stress of fighting for fair compensation. Our Toms River pedestrian accident attorneys handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on your physical recovery.
Recovering The Compensation You Deserve
Pedestrian accidents cause devastating injuries that affect every aspect of your life. The driver who hit you should pay for all the harm they caused, not just your medical bills. New Jersey law allows you to recover two main types of damages:
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate you for financial losses that have a specific dollar amount, such as:
- Medical bills: This includes emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications and all treatments needed for your recovery.
- Lost wages and income: If your injuries prevented you from working, you can recover the wages and salary you lost during your recovery period.
- Property damage: You deserve compensation for personal items damaged in the accident, such as phones, laptops, watches or clothing.
- Rehabilitation costs: Many pedestrian accident victims require physical therapy, occupational therapy or other rehabilitation services to regain function and mobility.
We carefully track and document all these expenses to make sure your settlement covers your full financial burden, both now and in the future.
Noneconomic Damages
The law also recognizes that money losses tell only part of your story. Noneconomic damages address the personal toll your injuries have taken, including:
- Pain and suffering: This compensates you for physical discomfort and distress from your injuries, both during recovery and long-term.
- Emotional distress: Many accident victims face anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress that deserves recognition and compensation.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: When injuries prevent you from enjoying hobbies, sports or activities that once brought you joy, you deserve payment for this loss.
- Changes to your relationships: Injuries can affect your ability to connect with family and loved ones or maintain intimate relationships.
Our team’s pedestrian accident lawyer will guide you through the process of securing the compensation necessary to support your recovery and help you move forward.
How New Jersey Handles Pedestrian Accidents Involving Children
Pedestrian accidents involving children are among the most devastating cases we handle. Due to their smaller size and developing bodies, children suffer more severe injuries than adults in a road accident. In New Jersey, the law treats these cases differently and holds drivers to a heightened duty of care in areas where children are likely to be present, such as school zones, playgrounds and residential neighborhoods. In most cases, the driver who struck the child bears full responsibility for the accident. The law expects drivers to watch for unpredictable child behavior and slow down accordingly.
Toms River And Berkeley Township Pedestrian Accident Attorneys On Your Side
Evidence disappears quickly, insurance companies move fast to reduce their liability and you need an attorney who will protect your rights from day one. Our lawyers and staff are here to listen, counsel and advocate for you during this difficult time. Call us at 732-573-6370 or fill out this contact form to schedule a consultation.