Auto Accident Injury in New Jersey
Have you suffered an injury from a car accident in New Jersey? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in NJ that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Injury Statistics in New Jersey
In New Jersey, auto-related accidents and injuries are a particularly alarmingly high number. For the most recently recorded year, there was an aggregate of 281,134 total car crashes on municipal, county, state, interstate, and toll roadways. Of these, 59,850 cases resulted in injuries, and 524 were fatal. On the other hand, 216,487 cases only resulted in property damage.
What to Do After an Auto Accident
It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.
Receive Immediate Medical Attention
The most important thing to do after an auto accident is to seek medical attention right away. Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s crucial to get checked out. Immediate treatment can help uncover any internal injuries that may not be immediately obvious, ensuring your health is properly taken care of.
File a Police Report
Even if no one is injured, it’s still important to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, make sure to write down their names and badge numbers. Be honest when answering their questions, but avoid offering unnecessary information, especially about who may have caused the accident. Don’t forget to ask for the police report number and find out when and where you can obtain a copy, along with any associated costs.
If an auto accident involves property damage exceeding $500 or results in injury or death, drivers are required to complete and submit an official accident report within 10 days of the incident.
If your accident is not investigated by the police, you can obtain a Self-Reporting Crash Form. Reports are to be submitted to the New Jersey Department of Transportation. Failure to comply results in a hefty penalty, as you lose both your registration and license privileges.
Gather the Appropriate Documentation
While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:
- Full name, address, phone number, and email address
- Driver’s license state and number
- Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number
Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, vehicle, and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.
Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury
After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.
Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:
- Burn injuries
- Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
- Brain and head injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Laws in New Jersey
Liability Laws for NJ
When a car accident occurs, it’s crucial to establish who is at fault for the damages and medical expenses. Determining fault affects not only your insurance claim and liability but also the clarity of the claims process and the potential complications that may arise.
New Jersey adheres to the state’s Comparative Negligence Act to determine fault for insurance purposes. It is up to the insurance companies to determine the degree of fault for each driver in a car crash. The determination of damages is based on those findings. An individual who is found to have a higher percentage of fault cannot collect damages from the driver with a lower fault percentage.
Statute of Limitations in NJ
Each state has its tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while others may give you up to six years.
In New Jersey, you are required to file your accident claim within two years from the date of the accident. This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.
Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer In New Jersey
After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in NJ!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
Do you have a different legal concern that requires the help of a lawyer? We have a network of attorneys for any area of the law you need in New Jersey.
