Have You or a Loved One Been Involved in an Auto Accident? Our Team Can Help
If you or a loved one sustained life-altering injuries directly caused by the negligent actions of another motorist, you may be eligible to obtain compensation for your injuries and property damage.
Our law firm has helped injured victims receive the justice they rightfully deserve. We understand motor vehicle accident cases are often complex and tedious to handle without legal guidance. However, the car accident lawyers at Peter N. Davis & Associates can help you with every step of the legal process.
Types of Vehicle Crashes Our Firm Handles
In order to serve the Elizabeth, New Jersey, community, our team handles various types of vehicle accident cases:
Car Accidents
Car accidents can be frightening and stressful, especially when you have suffered injuries that prevent you from working. The extent of a victim’s injuries can vary depending on the type of wreck.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents typically result in devastating injuries, since there is little protection such as a roof or metal doors, compared to regular vehicles. Additionally, motorcycles are smaller in size and sometimes difficult for drivers to notice. Since these accidents can cause serious injuries, medical expenses and recovery costs are generally higher.
Truck Accidents
Trucking accidents often lead to catastrophic injuries due to the heavy weight and massive size of large trucks. In most cases, victims of trucking accidents sustain serious injuries.
Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents can occur for multiple reasons including vehicle design flaws. Even if you were wearing a seatbelt when your car turned over, you can still suffer injuries.
How to Proceed After a Collision
Most people hope they are never involved in an accident, however, it’s essential to know how to proceed in the event that you’re a victim of an accident. According to an article by Forbes, “You will file a claim for a collision every 17.9 years,” showing that the average driver is likely to be involved in a wreck at some point within their lifetime.
Countless people fail to realize that the steps they take immediately after a collision are crucial to ensuring they receive any compensation they’re entitled to for their injuries. Below are several tips our team recommends in case you’re involved in a wreck:
- Breathe and stay calm – It’s natural to react emotionally, especially when adrenaline is pumping, however, it’s imperative to stay calm to help you make the best decisions possible after a mishap.
- Remain at the scene of the crash – If you decide to leave the collision scene, you could potentially face criminal charges. It’s in your best interest to wait until the police arrive.
- Call emergency personnel – Make sure to call for help. The police officer that arrives at the scene will evaluate the wreck and write a report.
- Collect vital evidence – This can include taking photographs of the scene and any injuries you suffered, as well as writing down witness statements.
- Ask for contact information from the party or parties involved – Ask for phone numbers, insurance policies, and driver’s license numbers of everyone involved.
- Do not admit fault to the accident – If you admit fault and the wreck was actually the other driver’s wrongdoing, you could potentially damage any compensation you could have been entitled to.
- Contact an attorney – After the mishap, it’s important to speak with an attorney who can determine what legal options are available for your case.
If you implement these steps rather than making rash decisions that could damage your potential claim, your chances of obtaining compensation may be stronger.
Frequent Causes of Automobile Accidents
Vehicle crashes occur for numerous reasons, however, the most frequent causes of mishaps include the following:
Distracted driving
Distracted driving is anything that takes a driver’s focus off the road when behind the wheel of their vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Nine percent of fatal crashes in 2016 were reported as distraction-affected crashes.” This can include texting, eating, talking to others in the vehicle, and daydreaming.
Driving while intoxicated
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol impairs a driver’s ability to safely operate their vehicle.
Reckless driving
Despite the countless laws in place to protect motorists, many drivers fail to comply with the rules of the road. This can include speeding, swerving, and tailgating which all fall under reckless driving.
Poor road design and layout
In some cases, road layouts can cause confusion and result in an accident. Also, if there are construction zones, it can impact road layouts and cause motorists to crash.
If you or a loved one were involved in an accident due to any of these frequent causes of collisions, our Elizabeth personal injury lawyers can review your case. If you are eligible to obtain compensation, we will fight to ensure you receive the amount you rightfully deserve.
Common Injuries After a Collision
The type of collision you’re involved in can influence the severity of your injuries. In some cases, injuries are minor, however, some accidents result in serious or life-altering injuries. The most common injuries that result from automobile collisions include:
Bone fractures
Broken bones are not uncommon after a wreck. In some cases, surgery may be required.
Scrapes
In an accident, different types of objects such as glass, metal, and plastic may fly around inside the vehicle. It’s common for an individual to suffer scrapes and cuts caused by loose objects.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries can be life-changing, especially if medical treatment is not administered immediately. TBI’s can include brain contusions, concussions, and more.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Traumatic events, such as car accidents, can leave an individual with PTSD. PTSD can impact an individual’s life by causing anxiety and fear whenever they get behind the wheel.
Injuries after an automobile accident are not uncommon, however, the severity of your injuries will be influenced by the impact of the collision.
What is Compensation?
Compensation is a monetary award that is intended to account for what the injured victim endured. The amount of compensation you’re entitled to will depend on the circumstances of your case such as the severity of your injuries and the time it takes for you to recover. Compensation typically falls under two categories: general and special damages.
General damages can be hard to calculate because they are, oftentimes, difficult to prove. This type of damages can include pain and suffering, physical impairment, and loss of consortium.
Special damages, on the other hand, are usually easier to calculate an exact dollar amount. For example, any lost wages and medical bills you experienced as a direct result of the accident are considered to be special damages.
In order to determine the amount of compensation you may be entitled to obtain, our team of car accident lawyers will have to review the details of your case. Every accident case is unique, which means results will vary.
Car Insurance Requirements in the State of New Jersey
In some cases, drivers are unaware of the coverage they hold. It’s vital to know what your state requires for car insurance and the details of your policy in the event that you’re involved in an accident.
Every state has different car insurance requirements that motorists must meet in order to operate a motor vehicle. In the state of New Jersey, drivers can choose between a basic or standard policy. The basic policy is a cheaper insurance policy with limited coverage and does not include bodily injury liability (BDL). However, drivers do have the option to add BDL coverage to their basic policy.
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) shares the following information for basic and standard policies for drivers in New Jersey:
Basic Policy
- $5,000 of property damage liability (PDL) per accident
- $15,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) per person, per accident
- Up to $25,000 for very severe injuries
Standard Policy
- $15,000 of bodily injury liability (BDL) insurance per person, per accident
- $30,000 of BDL for multiple injured people per accident
- $5,000 of PDL per accident
- $15,000 of PIP per person in a car accident
- Up to $25,000 of PIP for severe or permanent injuries
For additional insurance information, you can visit the DMV’s website.
Why Hire Peter N. Davis & Associates for Your Accident Case?
If you or a loved one sustained injuries caused by the careless actions of another driver, our car accident lawyers can help. Our team has the experience and knowledge necessary to build a strong case on your behalf.
We are dedicated to fighting for victims who suffered as a result of a negligent driver. Car crashes are stressful enough, which is why it’s in your best interest to seek legal advice immediately following an accident. Our compassionate team is available to answer any questions you may have and help you understand your legal options.
In some cases, injured victims are hesitant to contact an attorney because they are unsure as to whether or not they have a case. However, if you wait to contact a lawyer, you might miss your opportunity to obtain any compensation you could have been eligible to receive.
We are fully aware of how insurance companies operate, and that they typically seek their own interests rather than the interests of the injured victim. Our Elizabeth personal injury lawyers are ready to fight for you. Call our office today at (973) 279-7246 or fill out our free consultation form.