In a New Jersey automobile accident who is responsible to provide compensation for my pain, suffering and loss of income?
The at fault or negligent driver is known as the tortfeasor. In New Jersey, drivers may be riding around with sufficient liability limits however; frequently drivers have no insurance, insufficient liability coverage or “Special Automobile Insurance” known as SAIP which carries no liability insurance. This often places the injured victim in a most difficult position. In order to best protect your rights after being injured in an automobile accident, no one should handle their claim for pain, suffering and loss wages without being represented by an attorney knowledgeable in the specialized area of automobile insurance accident law. We at the Grossman Law Firm, LLC have over a decade of experience in representing New Jersey automobile accident injury victims. Our firm is statewide; however most of our clients live in Monmouth County, Bergen County, Passaic County, Middlesex County and Ocean County. We combine our knowledge and experience with a strong emphasis on responsiveness to our clients.
Uninsured Motorist Claims:
Recent accounts indicate that there are approximately 600,000 uninsured drivers in New Jersey. If you are injured in an automobile accident with an uninsured driver you will have to go through the Uninsured Motorist or UM benefits of the applicable insurance policy for compensation for pain and suffering and/or loss wages. This is known as economic or non-economic loss. Frequently these uninsured drivers have insurance cards that they present to the police at the scene of the accident so it isn’t until much later on that it is discovered that the at fault driver’s insurance has actually lapsed for non-payment. The primary policy for UM benefits would be the injured person’s own auto insurance policy then that of a resident relative and if none exists then the owner of the vehicle the injured person was in during the accident would likely have to provide the UM benefits.
It is during these circumstances that you need the Grossman Law Firm, LLC, experienced and knowledgeable in the area of Uninsured Motorist law. Don’t be fooled by your insurance company’s seemingly trained caring representative over the telephone. That representative or claims adjuster is guided not by your interests but rather by the interests of your insurance company. Now that you are seeking compensation through your insurance company, notwithstanding the fact that you or your loved ones may have been long standing loyal customers of that company, you will now be treated as if you were the at fault party instead of their loyal insured. This is because once your insurance company knows that they may be responsible for compensation to you they will attempt to do whatever they can to minimize their financial exposure. Your company will most often complete what they call a comprehensive “investigation” and will demand your co-operation in the form of recorded telephone statements, in person “statements under oath” and other ongoing obligations that you are required to fulfill as a part of your insurance contract.
Another scenario where you may unknowingly become involved in a UM claim is if you are in an accident with a driver who is insured by “special Insurance.” In 2003, under the former Governor McGreevey’s administration The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance approved the “Dollar-a-Day auto insurance policy. Also known as Special Auto Insurance Policy or “SAIP” auto insurance, this “Special” insurance allows for insurance companies doing business in New Jersey to write policies to persons that are currently enrolled in Federal Medicaid. The catch is that these policies have absolutely no liability coverage and entirely deficient medical coverages for their insured’s. This puts drivers at risk if they are injured in an auto accident caused by a special insurance driver. This means that there is a pretty good chance that you or a loved one may be involved in an accident with a driver that would be considered an uninsured driver for legal purposes. This is when the Uninsured Motorist “UM” portion of your auto insurance liability policy is triggered into action. That means that we would turn to the UM portion of the applicable automobile insurance policy to seek compensation for your pain and suffering and loss wages.
In order to best protect your rights after being injured in an automobile accident with a driver of a vehicle that may very well be considered uninsured, no one should communicate with their insurance claims adjuster alone. It is critical that you secure competent legal representation as soon as possible after the accident in order to best protect your rights. You need experienced and knowledgeable counsel to preserve your rights against the corporate interests of the insurance company. Your insurance company will have their claims adjusters and their attorneys waiting and ready to minimize their company’s financial exposure while attempting to convince you that they are on your side. Act immediately and consult an attorney knowledgeable in the specialized area of Uninsured Motorist or Uninsured driver automobile insurance accident law. We at the Grossman Law Firm, LLC have over a decade of experience in representing New Jersey automobile accident injury victims. Our firm covers the entire state; however most of our clients live in Monmouth County, Bergen County, Passaic County, Middlesex County and Ocean County. We combine our knowledge and experience, emphasizing responsiveness to our clients.
With over a decade of service in New Jersey, we have successfully represented many clients who have suffered physical and emotional pain because of the negligence of others. As a Grossman Law Firm personal injury client, you will receive professional, compassionate and aggressive representation backed by the support of an expert legal team who knows how to take on the state’s most powerful insurance carriers. We pride ourselves on our responsiveness to our clients and make sure that every client is treated as an individual and never treated as another file. We welcome our clients and residents of New Jersey to view and subscribe to the New Jersey Accident & Injury Law Blog at www.grossmanjustice.com/blog authored by Scott D. Grossman for the latest legislative developments and news affecting New Jersey’s injured.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an automobile accident, please contact The Grossman Law Firm today. We represent our clients on a contingency basis. This means our fees are based on a percentage of the recovery from settlement or verdict of the case. Consultations are always free.
