On the afternoon of July 24, 2025, a serious pedestrian accident at the intersection of Ramapo Valley Road and East Oak Street in Oakland, New Jersey, tragically killed one child and injured 3 others. According to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the four pedestrians, a mother and her three children, were walking through the crosswalk when they were hit by a vehicle. One child died as a result of the crash, and the other three pedestrians sustained injuries in this truly terrible and preventable accident. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Oakland Police Department are still investigating the cause of the crash.
The attorneys at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., extend our deepest condolences to the family and the entire Oakland community who were affected by this loss.
These types of tragedies are unfortunately not rare and are an example of how vulnerable pedestrians, especially children, are on our roads. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident or suffered the unimaginable pain of losing someone due to negligence, you are not alone, and you have come to the right place. Our New Jersey personal injury and wrongful death attorneys have over 40 years of experience fighting for justice. With more than 35,000 families helped and over $1 billion recovered in verdicts and settlements, we are committed to fighting for the justice you and your family deserve, so the focus is on healing during these difficult times.
What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?
Pedestrian accidents are completely preventable. These crashes are not just “accidents” that come out of nowhere; they happen when people have no concern for others and are being careless, reckless, or negligent while driving.
There is no reason that these accidents should happen, but some of the most common causes are:
- Distracted Driving
- Speeding
- Impaired Driving (driving under the influence)
- Poor Visibility (weather conditions, driving at night, or obstructed views)
- Backing up without looking (like in driveways or parking lots)
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Turning without checking the crosswalk
- Driving too close to sidewalks or shoulder areas
Every one of these situations can lead to disaster. And in nearly all cases, the driver could have made a better choice. When they don’t, and someone gets hurt or killed, they can and should be held accountable.
New Jersey Laws That Protect Pedestrians
New Jersey laws are very clear on pedestrian safety. N.J.S.A. 39:4-35 requires drivers to stop and yield to people crossing at both marked and unmarked crosswalks. This means that when someone is crossing the street at a crosswalk, cars must stop and let them pass safely. If drivers break this law, they can be fined, get points on their license, and be held legally responsible if someone is hurt or killed.
For families who lose someone in a crash, New Jersey’s Wrongful Death Act N.J.S.A. 2A:31-1 allows them to seek compensation for the loss they suffered due to another’s negligence. That means they can file a claim to get a settlement for expenses like:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support (if the person who died helped provide for the family)
- Conscious pain and suffering
These laws exist to hold drivers responsible when they put lives at risk and to protect everyone on the roads, both walking and driving.
Understanding Wrongful Death in Pedestrian Accidents
When someone is killed in a pedestrian crash, it’s not just an “accident,” it’s a wrongful death. These cases are heartbreaking, especially when children are victims. It leaves families grieving, trying to process their loss, and often feeling lost and like they don’t know where to turn or what to do next. The legal process is overwhelming, especially when you have just suffered a loss.
It’s important to know that you don’t have to go through it alone. While you focus on healing and taking care of your family, a New Jersey wrongful death attorney will focus on protecting your rights and fighting for justice.
A good lawyer will:
- Investigate the accident – gather police reports, dashcam footage, and witnesses’ statements.
- Work with experts – Medical professionals, accident reconstruction specialists, and others help us understand the full picture and determine fault.
- Determine losses suffered – including current and future medical bills, pain and suffering, missed work, etc.
At Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., we work with families with care, respect, and experience. We’ve handled these cases for over 40 years, and we pride ourselves on handling all of our cases and clients with kindness and compassion and fighting hard to get results, because it’s more than just a case for us, and to you.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You
After a pedestrian crash, your world can feel completely upside down. Whether you’ve been seriously hurt or lost someone close to you, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed.
That’s where a Bergen County personal injury lawyer can make a difference. When it comes to serious pedestrian accidents and wrongful death cases, experience matters. Garry R. Salomon, Esq., managing partner at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., has been handling these kinds of cases for decades and has helped countless families across New Jersey get the real results they deserve.
Some of Garry’s most impactful settlements are:
- $5.75 million for a near-death motorcycle and commercial bus accident
- $4.5 million for motorcyclist hit by ambulance
- $1.5 million for an electrician injured on the job as a pedestrian
These are more than just numbers; they represent real people and families who needed help after the worst moments of their lives. If you need a lawyer who will truly fight for you, with the knowledge and compassion to do it right, Garry R. Salomon, Esq., and our legal team at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., are here for you.
Call Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. Today!
Pedestrian crashes and wrongful deaths change lives in an instant, but you don’t have to go through the aftermath alone. Whether you’re in Bergen County or anywhere in New Jersey, the team at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. is here to help.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a New Jersey pedestrian accident or tragically has been killed due to another’s negligence, do not wait to get help. Davis Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. has been fighting for the rights of accident victims for decades and has the experience, resources, and dedication to help you get justice. Our team of experienced New York and New Jersey personal injury lawyers and wrongful death attorneys are here to help guide and support you through this process. Do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need assistance for a free consultation.
Clients seeking experienced personal injury lawyers in Teaneck, NJ, or the surrounding Bergen County area can contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. at 1-800-LAW-2000 or via email at info@dsslaw.com. Our firm offers free, confidential and, no-obligation, consultations or second opinions, and has offices throughout New Jersey and New York City. We take cases on a contingency basis, meaning clients pay nothing unless the firm wins their case.
We believe no one should suffer because of someone else’s reckless actions. Never settle for less, call us now.
For more information or to schedule an interview with Garry R. Salomon, Esq., please contact:
Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.
Garry R. Salomon, Esq. – Founding and Managing Partner
Phone: (201) 692 – 4444
Email: Garry.Salomon@dsslaw.com
Author Note:
To speak with Garry Salomon Esq., for a free, no-obligation, consultation or second opinion, he can be contacted at 201-907-5000 or at garry.salomon@dsslaw.com to schedule a meeting. There is no charge for the consultation, and we are happy to meet with you in person or virtually via FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype. We have Spanish speakers on-site and offer translations for Korean, Polish, Italian, Albanian, Russian, Portuguese, and many more languages, in case English is not your preferred language. It’s important to act fast so your attorney can begin building a compelling case for you. Contact us today to get started.
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SuperLawyers – Selection process – Super Lawyers
Top 100 Trial Lawyers – Contact Us – The National Trial Lawyers
NJAJ Board Membership – About New Jersey Association for Justice
Martindale-Hubbell – AV Peer Review Ratings & Client Review Awards | Martindale-Hubbell®
201 Magazine – Best of Bergen Community’s Choice Awards
Certified Civil Trial Atty – courtcaddy.com/nj/court-rules/r1-39.html
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Since 1981, the compassionate personal injury lawyers at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon have been delivering results for our deserving clients. We are solely committed to helping injured individuals, never representing corporations. No matter how large or small your personal injury case is, you can trust that it is important to us.
