Jersey City Car Accident Lawyers

Serious car accidents can disrupt a person’s life in an instant, yet leave them grappling with physical, financial, and emotional impacts for months and years down the road. If you were injured in a car accident, our firm is here to fight for the compensation you deserve and need to heal. Continue reading and reach out to the knowledgeable and dedicated Jersey City car accident lawyers here at Lerner, Piermont, Riverol & Lawlor, P.A. for a free initial consultation today.

Causes of Car Accidents in Jersey City

Car accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, such as faulty car parts, unsafe road conditions, inclement weather, and more. However, the most common cause of car accidents is driver negligence. Some of the most common types of driver negligence that our firm sees are as follows:

• Distracted Driving: Texting, checking GPS, or adjusting the radio pulls attention away from the road. Even a brief distraction can have devastating consequences.
• Speeding: When drivers exceed posted limits or drive too fast for weather and traffic conditions, it reduces reaction time and increases crash severity.
• Aggressive Driving: Tailgating, weaving between lanes, and ignoring traffic signals are all examples of aggressive driving. These behaviors, rather obviously, place everyone on the road at risk, yet unfortunately, so many drivers still partake.
• Driving Under the Influence: Driving after consuming drugs or alcohol impairs judgment and coordination.
• Drowsy Driving: Fatigue is often compared to intoxication because it slows reflexes and impairs focus.
• Failure to Yield: Car crashes often occur at intersections when a driver ignores the right-of-way rules.
• Improper Lane Changes: Failing to signal, cutting across lanes, or merging without caution can easily cause collisions.

Types of Car Accidents

Not every car crash is the same, but most accidents fall into certain categories. Some of the most common types of car accidents that we see, as well as the injuries that usually accompany them, are as follows:

• Rear-End Collisions: These accidents are usually caused by distracted or tailgating drivers and frequently result in whiplash or back injuries.
• Head-On Collisions: These are among the most devastating types of car crashes, and they typically result in catastrophic injuries.
• T-Bone Crashes: These are most common at intersections and often result in chest injuries, fractures, and internal organ damage.
• Sideswipe Accidents: These usually occur during unsafe lane changes, and typically result in soft tissue injuries and property damage.
• Hit-and-Run-Crashes: Victims may suffer both physical injuries and the added stress of identifying the responsible party.

What to Do After a Car Accident

The minutes following a car crash car critical, and taking the right steps not only protects your health but also strengthens your ability to pursue compensation later on. If you can, try and take the following steps after your accident:

1. Call 911: Report the accident so law enforcement and emergency responders can arrive quickly.
2. Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, ensure you get checked by a doctor. Some injuries don’t appear immediately.
3. Exchange Information: Collect the name, contact details, insurance information, and license plate numbers from the other driver.
4. Document the Scene of the Accident: Take photos of your vehicle and the other driver’s vehicle, the roadway, visible injuries, and any other property that was damaged as a result of the accident.
5. Gather Witness Statements: If others saw your accident, obtain their names and phone numbers.
6. Request a Copy of the Police Report: This record will play a key role in proving fault later on.
7. Notify Your Insurance Company: Report the accident promptly, but don’t give recorded statements until you have legal advice.
8. Contact Our Jersey City Car Accident Lawyers: The personal injury attorneys here at Lerner, Piermont, Riverol & Lawlor, P.A. can help you fight for the compensation you deserve and need.

PIP in New Jersey

New Jersey operates under a no-fault insurance system, which means that Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is mandatory for all drivers. PIP is designed to cover medical expenses, lost income, and certain out-of-pocket costs, regardless of who caused the accident.

Every motorist in New Jersey is required to carry at least $15,000 in PIP coverage per person, per accident, although policies can be purchased with higher limits. In the case of catastrophic injury, PIP benefits may extend up to $250,000 for certain medical expenses, such as spinal cord treatment or treatment of a traumatic brain injury.

Fulfilling the Burden of Proof

In order to receive compensation for a car accident injury, you’ll need to prove that the other driver’s negligence caused the crash. This is known as the burden of proof. To satisfy the burden of proof, you and your lawyer will need to provide evidence such as police reports, medical records, photographs, and expert testimony that corroborates your claim.

Importantly, New Jersey also follows the rule of comparative negligence, which means your compensation can be reduced if you are found partially at fault for the accident. For example, if you’re found to be 10% at fault for an accident, the compensation you receive will be reduced by that percentage, and you’ll receive 90% of the compensation you otherwise would have been entitled to.

That said, if you’re found to be more than 50% at fault for your accident, you cannot recover damages. When liability is proven, compensation may include the following:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Rehabilitation and long-term costs
• Emotional trauma

Statute of Limitations

In New Jersey, accident victims are required to file their injury claims within the state’s statute of limitations, which is, generally, two years. If you wait any longer than two years to file your claim, you’ll most likely be permanently time-barred from suing altogether. This is why it’s always best to reach out to a knowledgeable team of car accident lawyers sooner, rather than later.

Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers in Jersey City, NJ

Here at Lerner, Piermont, Riverol & Lawlor, P.A., our car accident lawyers have extensive experience representing accident victims in Jersey City and throughout New Jersey. Contact us for a free initial consultation today so we can begin building a comprehensive claim on your behalf.