NJ Pedestrian Safety is a Two-Way Street

Nobody’s perfect. That’s why you buy liability insurance: You can avoid financial ruin if you accidentally cause major injuries or property damage to others. Since New Jersey implemented the NJ Pedestrian Law, the need to carry higher liability limits has greatly increase.  It just takes one split second for someone to walk in front of your car and you worked too hard to put your assets at risk because a pedestrian is not paying attention.

Umbrella insurance — sometimes called excess liability insurance — is a fail-safe, providing an extra layer of coverage over your home, auto, rental houses or other assets protecting you from catastrophic losses. If you’re sued for damages that exceed the liability limits of your car insurance, homeowners insurance, an umbrella policy helps pay what you owe. In some cases it provides coverage that’s not included in the base insurance policies.

Who needs umbrella insurance?

It’s commonly purchased by people who:

• Own property.
• Have significant savings or other assets.
• Are worried about liability claims against them when they travel outside the U.S.
• Own things that can lead to injury lawsuits such as pools, trampolines and dogs (check with your insurer to make sure your breed is covered).
• Engage in activities that increase your chances of being sued, such as:
  • Being a landlord.
  • Coaching kids’ sports.
  • Serving on the board of a nonprofit.
  • Volunteering.
  • Regularly posting reviews of products and businesses.
  • Participating in sports where you could easily injure others (skiing, surfing, hunting, etc.).

A large lawsuit can wipe out not only your current savings but also what you stand to earn in the future. We suggest all our clients have an umbrella or excess liability policy.

If you would like to discuss please give us a call.

NJ Pedestrian Law

New Jersey experiences a disproportionate number of pedestrian injury crashes and fatalities compared to other states. Both pedestrians and motorists have an obligation to follow these laws and safely share the road. Here are tips for Pedestrians and Motorists driving in the Garden State:

Pedestrians

You may have the right of way but that will do you no good if you’re dealing with an out of state driver or one distracted. Look BOTH ways before you cross the street. And keep in mind, you don’t always have the right of way. Here’s the way the NJ Pedestrian Law reads:

The driver of a vehicle must stop and stay stopped for a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk, but shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except when the movement of traffic is being regulated by traffic control signals.

At traffic lights, pedestrians shall not cross a roadway against the “stop” signal unless otherwise specifically directed to go by a traffic or police officer. You must obey traffic signals and use crosswalks or face a $54.00 fine for failure to observe the law.

• Always cross at corners, within marked crosswalks where available.
• If crossing in other locations, yield the right of way to vehicles.
• Look left, right and left again before crossing. Watch for turning cars.
• Always walk facing traffic.
• Obey traffic signals, especially “Walk/Don’t Walk.”
• Remain alert! Don’t assume that cars are going to stop.
• Wear reflective clothing when walking at night.
• Stay sober. Walking while impaired greatly increases your chances of being struck.

Always make sure the vehicle driver sees you and is going to stop, before you step into its pathway.

Motorists

Drivers shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection (except when the movement of traffic is being regulated by police or traffic control signals). Drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks may face a $250 fine and two points on their driving record. You are prohibited from blocking or having a portion of your vehicle in the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or stop sign. When a car blocks a crosswalk, it presents a danger to pedestrians. Motorists should watch for signs that mark special hazard areas, such as school zones, bus stops, playgrounds, parks and schools where children may play near or cross the street. Always watch for movement around and between parked vehicles.

• Stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks.
• Watch for pedestrians when turning right on red.
• Obey speed limits.
• Do not block or park in crosswalks.
• Keep your windshield clean for maximum visibility.
• Be alert for pedestrian at all times.

A good way for drivers to stay out of trouble is to be aware when driving though areas where there are pedestrians, and by slowing down so they can stop in time.

Pedestrians also have to use caution and can’t step into the crosswalk at the last second and expect a vehicle to slam on the brakes.

It is important to note that:

• Nothing within the crosswalk laws relieves a pedestrian from using due care for his safety.
• A driver should never be relieved from the duty to exercise due care for the safety of any pedestrian upon the roadway.
• Whenever any vehicle is stopped to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.
• No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.

Source https://www.state.nj.us