Auto accidents occur every hour of every day. They are one of the most common sources of personal injuries. In automobile accidents where an injured person is covered by PIP (Personal Injury Protection) benefits which include payment for medical expenses, Plaintiff in a a jury trial may not offer into evidence any medical bills that have been paid by PIP or any other health insurance. The Standard PIP Insurance pays up to 250,000 dollars. New Jersey is a No fault Insurance State which means that medical coverage for injuries will be paid by your own insurance company regardless of fault.
At Law Office of Charles Dawkins Jr, our auto accident attorneys in New Jersey can help you file a solid, well-supported personal injury claim to make sure you receive just and fair compensation. Contact us online or at (908) 962-9929 to schedule a Consultation about your case today.
Common Auto Accident Injuries in New Jersey
Injuries sustained from auto accidents can range anywhere from minor to fatal. The types of immediate bodily injuries that are often involved in personal injury claims include:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations and cuts
- Nerve damage
- Whiplash
- Spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Chronic pain
Any and all of the above injuries can be serious and life-threatening. All bodily injuries regardless of severity are compensable if you are the victim of the accident. In many cases, psychological, mental, and emotional injuries can be compensable, too.
Types of Auto Accidents in New Jersey
The type of injuries you sustain are often the result, in part, of the type of car accident. Most common types of crashes involve the following:
- Head-on collisions, which are among the most devastating types of collisions that result in serious and life-threatening bodily injuries
- Rear-end accidents, which are among the most common and frequently results in whiplash
- Side-impact collisions, which are common, usually occur at intersections and result in a range of injuries depending on where the vehicle was struck
- Roll-over accidents, which are less common but result in head and neck injuries
- Sideswipe accidents, which are less common and occur when two or more vehicles travel parallel with each other and one swipes the side of the other vehicle
- Blind spot accidents, which are less common and occur when one vehicle fails to spot another vehicle while changing or merging into another lane.
Liability for property and bodily damages can often be determined, in part, by the type of accident. It's important to remember, though, that accidents can be complex events, and so though the type may initially and seemingly indicate fault, a thorough investigation must be conducted for a clear understanding of where liability falls.
Common Causes of Auto Accidents in New Jersey
Car accidents happen due to many reasons. Typically, causes can be grouped into three categories: drivers, vehicles, and environment.
Drivers
- Intoxicated driving (e.g., alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs, illicit drugs)
- Distracted driving (e.g., eating, texting, disciplining children)
- Drowsy driving or falling asleep while driving
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Decision error (e.g., driving too fast for the conditions, misjudging another driver's actions)
- Recognition error (e.g., inattention)
- Performance error (e.g., overcompensation, poor directional control)
Vehicles
- Tires/wheels-related
- Brakes-related
- Steering/suspension/transmission/engine-related
- Manufacture defects
Environment
- Slick roads (e.g., ice, loose debris)
- Glare
- View obstructions
- Signs/signals
Most crashes are the direct result of one or more drivers. Aside from crashes caused by drivers, vehicles, or environmental conditions, there are other reasons that don't fall within these categories. For instance, pedestrians can sometimes be the cause of an accident. In other circumstances, the cause can't be determined.
When the cause of an auto accident is easily identified, liability will also tend to be easily identifiable. More complex auto accident cases, however, require the insight of an experienced auto accident attorney and the knowledge and expertise of expert witnesses.
Benefits of Filing a Personal Injury Claim in New Jersey?
After a car accident, insurance companies will investigate the cause of the wreck to see who was at fault. They will then offer to cover the victim's expenses. Insurance companies, however, are for-profit entities. They make money by bringing in premium payments and increase profit margins by minimizing the amount of money they pay out in settlements.
When an insurance company offers a settlement, that offer may not represent the true amount of compensation a victim deserves. Victims deserve to be compensated for their:
- Medical bills, past, and future
- Property damage
- Lost wages, past, and future
- Reduced earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- And more
By hiring a lawyer and pursuing these other forms of compensation, accident victims can fight for what they really deserve.
Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer in New Jersey Today
Auto accidents can be straightforward or complex. Regardless of which, it is in your best interests to speak to an auto accident attorney. At Law Office of Charles Dawkins Jr, we work hard for our clients to obtain fair and just compensation. Contact us using our online form or by calling us directly at 9089629929 to schedule a Consultation today.