Car Accident Lawyers in New Jersey
Automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and buses are involved in accidents every day in New Jersey. While statistics show that safe driving campaigns plus companies manufacturing safer cars are working to reduce the number of car accident victims, thousands still occur nationwide.
Of the more than 32,000 fatal motor vehicle accidents in the United States each year, more than 500 of those occurred in New Jersey. The numbers increase exponentially for non-fatal car accidents, with more than 240,000 non-fatal car accidents in New Jersey each year. Reach out to a New Jersey car accident attorney at the Reinartz Law firm to receive your consultation. Having a car accident lawyer on your side could prove beneficial to your case.
Table of Contents
- Car Accident Statistics in New Jersey
- Who Gets Into the Most Car Accidents?
- Types of Car and Motor Vehicle Accidents
- What to Do Following a Car Accident?
- Contact a New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer Today
Car Accident Statistics in New Jersey
In one recent year alone, there were over 276,000 car accidents in New Jersey, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation. Of those accidents, nearly 60,000 of them resulted in an injury. While the number of car accident-related injuries continues to decline, the number of accidents continues to rise due to car safety and other factors. Of the 60,000 injuries due to car accidents, 524 resulted in death.
Who Gets Into the Most Car Accidents?
There are many reasons car accidents occur in New Jersey. Here are the most common:
- Distracted Driving: Distracted driving continues to be a leading cause of car accidents with the prevalence of mobile phones. In one year, there were over 1,000 crashes related to handheld cell phone use.
- Drunk Driving: Driving while under the influence continues to be a serious problem for New Jersey roadways contributing to nearly a third of all car accidents.
- Young Drivers: Young or inexperienced drivers are far more likely to be involved in a car-related accident.
Types of Car and Motor Vehicle Accidents
We handle cases including:
- Car Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Uninsured Motorists
- Boating Accidents
- Uninsured Motorists
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Passenger Accidents
- Roll Over Accidents
- Hazardous Roadways
- Bus Accidents
- Uber & Lyft Accidents
What to Do Following a Car Accident?
Get medical help right away. Your well-being should be your primary concern, so seek immediate help if needed. Keep a copy of all your medical records.
Call the police and obtain a police report. This is the official public report of the incident and is extremely valuable in the event you need to file a claim later on. The police report contains key information regarding the details of your accident, including the identities of the parties involved, their insurance companies, and the police officer’s impressions of the accident scene.
Contact a lawyer who focuses on car accident claims. It’s always a good idea to consult with a legal professional early in the process so we can gather key evidence and properly prepare your claim. Personal injury lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis, so there is no fee unless you recover compensation.
Have your lawyer handle all insurance communications. This includes contacting your insurance company - even if you were not at fault - to notify them of the accident and ask about your coverage and what you deserve. They may cover medical treatments and other damages.
It’s a good idea to avoid social media. Insurance companies can use your comments and photographs against you later on. Your lawyer can advise on specific questions you have about what not to do following your crash.
The Financial Burden Caused by Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents can be severe and life-changing for car accident victims. Injuries from accidents can range from herniated discs and broken bones to traumatic brain injury, permanent disfigurement, and even death. Often, when the injuries sustained in an accident are catastrophic, the car accident victim faces not only painful physical recovery but also the added stress of medical bills, lost wages, and depleted finances.
While auto or health insurance may cover some financial burdens, certain insurance policies limit payouts. Additionally, insurance companies may deny claims for coverage or refuse to pay for certain desired medical treatments. When this happens, the injured person suffers as they cannot work and earn their full pre-accident income.
Often, the initial costs of emergency treatment and hospitalization are nothing compared to later surgeries, pain management, and rehabilitation. Ideally, insurance should cover all of these costs. But what if they are not? How will you get the medical care and treatment needed to recover from your injuries? How will you pay your bills? How will you provide for your family when you cannot work? These are all pressing concerns for accident victims.
Our experienced lawyers and support staff will not only investigate the cause of your accident to determine who to hold liable for your damages, but we will also communicate with all involved insurance companies for you to recover the appropriate benefits. Dealing with insurance companies during this time can be frustrating and overwhelming. With an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer on your side, you can rest assured we will protect your best interests.
Can I File a Lawsuit for a Car Accident?
In New Jersey, your ability to sustain a legal action for bodily injury suffered in a motor vehicle accident depends on many factors. In this regard, a key question is whether the limited right to sue applies to your claim as a car accident victim.
Where the limited right to sue, or verbal threshold, applies to your claim, you must prove that you sustained one of these permanent injuries:
- Death
- Dismemberment
- Significant disfigurement or scarring
- Displaced fracture
- Loss of a fetus
- Other forms of permanent injury
Thus, in addition to proving the other driver's negligence, you may have to meet the above damages requirement. A car accident lawyer can determine if your case meets these conditions.
Time Limits on Filing a Claim
New Jersey limits your time to bring a claim against a third party. You typically have two years to file a claim after the incident, so move forward with a potential claim as quickly as possible. If you fall outside the time limit, you might not receive compensation.
Do You Need a Lawyer for Your Car Accident?
Often, victims of motor vehicle accidents will simply file claims with their insurance companies, expecting that the insurance company will do the right thing and pay all of their incurred expenses. However, if you do not have a motor vehicle accident attorney working on your behalf, you can lose out on the full amount of compensation you deserve.
Insurance companies are not your advocates. Rather, insurance companies are in business to make a profit and will scrutinize your accident claim, no matter how severe the injuries. If your claim is untimely, incomplete, or otherwise deemed deficient, an insurance company won't consider denying it.
We know how to prepare and present claims to insurance companies to maximize our clients’ benefits. We know the law and will gather the documentation needed to support your claim. We will fight to ensure that you receive proper benefits after an accident. Additionally, we will pursue compensation from all wrongdoers who caused your injuries and will hold them accountable under the law.
About The Reinartz Law Firm
The Reinartz Law Firm is an experienced New Jersey car accident law firm. We deal directly with the insurance companies and pursue compensation from all negligent parties who caused injuries. We handle injury evaluation, investigation, discovery, expert witness retention, litigation in court, and more. Our lawyers are nationally recognized litigators whose goal is to achieve the most successful outcome and provide our clients personalized attention every step of the way.
Client care is our top priority. We recognize that this is your legal matter, and your injuries are at the heart of the case. We know that anyone dealing with the aftermath of a severe injury from a motor vehicle accident needs to have peace of mind about their legal case to focus on their own health and recovery.
We take the time to hear every detail of the accident and resulting injuries. We will investigate the accident to determine all causes and will bring legal claims against all responsible parties. This may include negligent motorists, passengers, product manufacturers, municipalities, insurance companies, and others.
We also deal directly with all insurance companies involved and assist clients with submitting necessary medical paperwork as needed. It is all part of our commitment to our clients. From start to finish, we will provide legal counsel with your best interests in mind, and we will always keep you updated on the steps we take on your behalf. If at any time in the process you have questions, we are always available to make things clear and understandable.
Contact a New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer Today
Call The Reinartz Law Firm today if you are struggling with injuries due to a serious motor vehicle accident. Our New Jersey injury lawyers will fight for your rights and help get you back on the road to recovery.
Call us today at (201) 778-HURT or write to us using our contact page for your free and confidential consultation.
The Reinartz Law Firm - Hackensack Office
Court Plaza South - West Wing
21 Main St Suite 205,
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Testimonial
HEATHER F.
"Richard guided me in my suit and made me feel confident in my decisions during my entire case. He made recommendations that I otherwise, would not have known about."
