Essex County Car Accident Lawyers
Car accidents are the most common type of auto accident. Unfortunately, these accidents often involve far more than a trip to the local auto body shop; in 2019 alone, there were over 500 car accident fatalities in the state of New Jersey. This is unacceptable. Unfortunately, most of these accidents could have been avoided, had the motorists simply obeyed the rules and regulations of the road. That being said, if you or someone you know has recently been injured in a car accident due to no fault of your own, there is a very good chance that you may have a valid personal injury claim, which is why you must speak with an experienced Essex County car accident lawyer immediately.
How a Car Accident Lawyer at Our Firm Can Help You
Our firm is here to help. We know how important this matter is to you and we take the responsibility of representing our clients seriously. We are dedicated legal professionals. Please continue reading and contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Rubenstein, Berliner & Shinrod, LLC to learn more about how we can help you through every step of your personal injury case.
Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents occur for many different reasons, including poor weather conditions, negligently designed/maintained roads, and more, however, the most common cause of car accidents is, rather unsurprisingly, driver negligence. Some of the most common types of driver negligence in today’s day and age are as follows:
- Texting While Driving (Distracted Driving): Distracted driving is now the number one cause of car accidents in the United States. This is primarily because of the use of cellular devices while driving. It is both illegal and unsafe to use a cellular device without hands-free technology, though countless individuals do it anyway.
- Speeding: Speed limits are in place for a reason, and when people fail to obey the speed limit, they drastically increase the chances of a serious accident occurring.
- Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol: This is also among the most common causes of car accidents, and not dissimilar to texting while driving, it is also both illegal and unsafe, though thousands of Americans continue to do so every day.
- Driving While Fatigued: This form of driver negligence is very common, and, in a way, it is slightly more accepted by the public, since it is something most people are guilty of doing from time to time. However, driving while fatigued decreases reaction time and increases the chance of a serious accident occurring, especially when a motorist falls asleep at the wheel.
If you are injured because another driver was doing any of the aforementioned at the time of your accident, there is a very good chance that you will be entitled to financial compensation in a personal injury claim.
Types of Car Accidents
There are many different types of car accidents, however, the most common types of car accidents that our firm deals with are as follows:
- T-Bone Collisions: T-bone collisions generally happen when a driver attempts to go through a yellow light at an intersection while another driver going the opposite direction simultaneously makes a left turn.
- Low-Speed Collisions: Low-speed collisions typically occur in areas where there is a high concentration of people, such as shopping center or mall parking lots. One example of a low-speed collision is when a motorist backs into another individual while pulling out of their spot.
- Head-On Collisions: Head-on collisions are usually the result of one motorist driving the wrong way and in the wrong lane. You will almost always qualify for compensation if you were struck head-on by a motorist traveling on the wrong side of the road.
- Rear-End collisions: Rear-end collisions are perhaps the most common type of car accident. These happen when one motorist stops short and the driver behind that motorist does not react quickly enough. These accidents frequently have a domino effect, especially if they occur in stop-and-go traffic. That being said, the rear-ending driver is almost always the at-fault driver, by law, in these accidents.
What to do After a Car Accident
If you are involved in a car accident, there is a very good chance that you are unable to do anything other than wait for the police to arrive at the scene. However, if you are physically capable, you should take the following steps to document the accident and boost your chances of winning a future personal injury claim:
- Call the police. They will also send an ambulance, which will transport you to a hospital for treatment.
- Calmly ask the other driver for his or her insurance information. Be polite, however, keep conversation to a minimum, and never apologize for the accident, as this may be misconstrued as an admission of guilt.
- Ask anyone who witnessed your accident for their name, phone number, and email address, as they may corroborate your claim at a later date.
- Take pictures of the scene of the accident, including any damage to your vehicle, the other motorist’s vehicle, and any property that was damaged in the accident.
- Once you are transported to a hospital and treated, ensure that you ask your doctor for all medical bills/documentation associated with your injury.
- Retain the services of an experienced Essex County car accident lawyer who can gather and present all additional evidence needed to satisfy the burden of proof on your behalf. In many instances, our firm can subpoena security camera footage of the accident as it happened, which is one of the best ways to win a personal injury claim.
Accidents Involving Uninsured Motorists
When someone is injured due to the negligence of another motorist, that person will generally pursue a claim against the negligent party’s insurance company. That being said, if you are injured in an accident with someone who does not have insurance, you may be confused and unsure of how to proceed. Fortunately, there is an answer. If you have insurance, you should be covered. This is because the state of New Jersey mandates that all motorists must purchase UM Insurance or Uninsured Motorist Insurance with the limited coverage amounts of $15,000 for injuries incurred by a single person in a car accident, $30,000 for injuries sustained by everyone involved in the accident, and $5,000 for any property that was damaged in the accident. Additionally, if this coverage does not cover the entire cost of your injuries, our firm is here to help. We can file a claim against your insurance company and pursue the full compensation you need that way.
Injuries Sustained as a Passenger
There are many scenarios in which individuals are injured in accidents as passengers in other people’s cars. Let’s say you were riding along as a passenger in your friend’s car when suddenly, a deer or another safety hazard appeared on the road, causing your friend to swerve out of the way and crash, injuring you as a result. In this scenario, or a similar one, those who are injured are often unsure how to proceed, as they do not want to sue their friend, however, this does not change the fact that they are seriously injured and require financial compensation to heal. Fortunately, these individuals are often relieved to learn that they will not have to sue their friend directly; instead, our firm will file a claim against your friend’s insurance company, which essentially allows you to recover the compensation you need without having to cost your friend a dime.
Statute of Limitations
Every state has a statute of limitations in place to regulate the amount of time an individual can wait after an accident to sue the party responsible. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New Jersey is, under most circumstances, two years, which means that you will, generally, have two years from the date of your accident to sue the liable motorist. Do not wait past the two-year mark, for if you do, you may permanently lose your right to sue.
Contact an Essex County Car Accident Lawyer Today
Car accidents are jarring, dangerous, and often devastating, and if you have been injured in one due to another party’s negligence, you need an attorney who will steadfastly represent your best interests through every step of the claims process ahead. We know how much this means to you and your family, and you have our word that once you hire our firm, you will never feel alone, from beginning to end. We are here for you. Contact Rubenstein, Berliner & Shinrod, LLC today to learn more about how an experienced Essex County car accident lawyer can help you.