Seeking Fair Settlements For New Jersey Car Accident Victims
A motor vehicle accident can happen when you least expect it. A distracted driver ignores a stop sign and plows into the side of your vehicle. A drunk driver swerves his car and crashes into your car. Or a teen driver accelerates and smashes into the back of your vehicle.
These are examples of preventable accidents. Due to the negligence of others, you have been seriously injured, and your life was turned upside down. How are you going to pay your medical bills? When will you be able to return to work?
These are questions that an experienced New Jersey personal injury attorney may be able to answer. Laufer, Dalena, Jensen, Bradley & Doran, LLC, of Morristown, New Jersey, has represented hundreds of clients injured in motor vehicle accidents caused by others. Our attorneys are effective, aggressive and compassionate.
Many Injuries Attributed To Preventable Car Accidents
Preventable motor vehicle accidents happen for a number of reasons. There are the distracted drivers who text or talk on their cellphone, while ignoring traffic rules. You may be a passenger in a car or commercial truck driven by a person who ignores the speed limit. And, don’t forget about drunk drivers, as well as road rage incidents that could lead to serious injuries.
There are many types of serious injuries that can happen in a motor vehicle accident. Some include:
- Spinal cord injury that could lead to paralysis
- Back injuries that may lead to lifelong pain
- A brain injury that may affect your cognitive and motor skills
- Fractures that may leave you permanently disabled
- Loss of limbs that may require the use of prosthetics
- Burns that may require rehabilitation and painful skin grafts
Our team of skilled lawyers will provide effective representation. We are aggressive and tough, but also civil and compassionate, as we strive to achieve the settlement you deserve.
Calculating A Fair Car Crash Settlement Payment
You may be entitled to compensation if you are a victim of a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence. However, it’s worth ensuring that the settlement offer you receive is fair and adequate to cover all your losses and future needs. Insurance companies are motivated to minimize payouts, meaning their initial offers are often too low.
Once you accept a settlement, you generally cannot go back and request more money later if your needs or expenses exceed the amount. Therefore, before accepting a settlement, consult an experienced car accident attorney who can evaluate the full extent of your damages, including current and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and any permanent disabilities or diminished quality of life.
Getting Compensation For Car Accident Medical Bills
Medical costs are one of the largest components of a car accident settlement or court award. You may be entitled to compensation for the accident-related medical bills you’ve already incurred and any treatment, therapy, personal care, medical equipment, home modifications or other costs related to your injuries.
Carefully document all your medical expenses and have an attorney review your long-term prognosis and anticipated needs. You may require future surgery, physical therapy, medication, home health aides or other costly care as you recover from the car accident. The settlement should account for all reasonably anticipated future medical costs in addition to reimbursing current costs.
Getting Compensation For Wages Lost Because Of A Car Accident
In addition to compensation for medical treatment, your settlement should cover the income you’ve already lost due to being unable to work while recovering from your injuries. However, it should also account for any reasonably anticipated future lost income if your injuries prevent you from returning to the same line of work, force you to take a lower paying job or preclude you from working at all moving forward.
This portion of the claim considers your age, occupation, earning trajectory and work-life expectancy before the accident. Our skilled attorney can enlist vocational and economic experts to precisely calculate and substantiate this portion of your damages claim.
What are the leading causes of car accidents in NJ?
There are many causes of car accidents, but driver inattention is the leading offense. Cell phones, food and drinks, fixing appearance, adjusting the radio and GPS are all small distractions that can lead to major consequences.
New Jersey is a no-fault state for car accident, what does that mean?
Being in a no-fault state means that most car accident claims are actually filed with the driver’s own insurance, and not against the insurance of the driver that hit them. Most insurance policies in New Jersey often come with no-fault coverage to help the accident victim.
What is the statute of limitations in a NJ car accident case?
The victim of a car accident has two years from the date of the crash to file a claim. While that can seem like a long time to file a claim, it is important for an accident victim to file their claim as soon as possible to help them earn the compensation they need to cover their accident expenses.
After a car accident in New Jersey, when should I contact a lawyer?
There are a few calls you should make after an accident. You should call the police to report the accident and get any necessary medical treatment, your insurance to alert them to the accident, then you should call an attorney for the guidance you need to avoid mistakes in your compensation claim.
A Caring Law Firm Ready To Represent You
A serious injury from a motor vehicle accident can lead to lifelong consequences. That’s why if you’re a victim, it’s critical to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. We can guide you through an intimidating legal process. We know the ropes, and we care about our New Jersey clients in Morris County. Laufer, Dalena, Jensen, Bradley & Doran, LLC, of Morristown, New Jersey, is an experienced law firm that achieves results. Contact our lawyers online now or call 973-975-4043.