Car Accidents in New Jersey
Motor vehicle accidents are the principle cause of death and injury in the United States. Americans drive an astounding 3 trillion miles annually. Negligent drivers injure innocent people and cause property damage every day. Because of this, the State of New Jersey has laws that protect people injured in car accidents and has created a system to insure payment of your medical bills, assist you with a loss of income, and compensate you for pain and suffering if you have been seriously injured.
New Jersey law requires anyone who operates a motor vehicle to carry liability insurance, however, many drivers either violate the law and do not or carry insurance or carry a minimum policy without adequate coverage to compensate you for your injuries. Fortunately, both Uninsured Motorist Policies and Underinsured Motorist Policies are available in New Jersey and most other states.
Here are some steps to take if you are ever involved in a car accident:
- Contact the police and remain at the scene.
- Exchange insurance information with the other driver.
- Give a complete statement of what took place to the police officer.
- Take photographs of the scene and both vehicles with your cell phone.
- If you are injured request medical transportation to the Emergency Room.
- Report the accident to your insurance company and provide them with a complete statement as to what took place.
- Do not speak to or give a written statement to the other driver’s insurance company without first consulting with an attorney.
- To file a claim for damages, consult with an attorney who has experience in handling personal injury cases, and refer all questions regarding the accident to this professional. Your lawyer can deal with the insurance companies and make sure that you will receive fair compensation for your claim.
Your attorney will generally provide you with a free consultation and will probably be willing to take your case on a contingency basis, meaning that you will only have to pay a fee if he or she is successful in obtaining a recovery for you. You may be entitled to damages including compensation for disability and impairment, pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical expenses, loss of income, and future losses. In order to win your case, you must prove:
- Negligence – The other driver did not exercise the due care expected of any driver of a motor vehicle and/or violated the motor vehicle laws of New Jersey.
- Causation – The other driver’s negligence was a contributing factor in causing or bringing about the accident.
- Damages – As a result of the accident you suffered a physical injury.
NJ accident attorney Randolph H. Wolf may be able to resolve your case with the other driver’s insurance carrier by way of negotiation and settlement. However, in many cases the insurance carrier will refuse to pay a fair value for your injuries and your attorney will have to file a lawsuit against the other driver.
Our law firm can also assist you with bicycle and pedestrian accidents, car collisions, multi-car accidents, drunk driving accidents, trucking accidents, wrongful death suits, hit-and-run cases, seat-belt failure, and related events. Above all, you will receive professional advocacy, guidance, and support.
