What should I do after a car accident?
Immediately following a car accident, an automobile accident obviously move your car to safety then call the police. Get medical attention immediately. After that, don’t speak to the other driver. Don’t speak to any witnesses. Just stay put where you are.
Once you get to safety and you have had a chance to tell your side of the story to the police officer, then it’s time for you to call an attorney that is very experienced in the areas of automobile accidents. Why? Because today, it is much more complicated than it has ever been especially in the state of New Jersey.
You have to navigate yourself through this very complicated web. You will be surprised to know that it is your own automobile insurance in the state of New Jersey that will pay for your accident-related medical bills. I do not want you to call your own insurance company, nor call the other driver’s insurance company.
Why? Because what they are going to do is tape-record you. They are going to try to page you for your answers to fit in what they want to say about your case so that they can use that against you in the future.
We’ve represented thousands of car accident people in your situation in the last 25 years. We will help you and guide you through this process.
Do you need a lawyer after an auto accident?
Do you need a lawyer after an auto accident?
You may be wondering, “Do I need a lawyer after I was in an accident? Do I really need to hire a lawyer?” Well, the answer is obviously yes. Why? Because do you really believe that the other driver and their insurance company are going to do the right thing for you? Do you really believe that they’re going to take responsibility for what just happened and admit what happened? Then help you through what may lie ahead in the future.
Well, I hate to tell you this but they will not. I guarantee you they will not voluntarily do that. In New Jersey, it’s more complicated than that. It’s actually your insurance company as well because, in New Jersey, it is your own insurance company that may be involved in every step of the process. From your medical benefits to compensation to even its loss of income if you lose income.
We here at the Grossman Law Firm dedicate our lives and our practice to our clients who have been victims of automobile accidents. Whether it be drunk drivers that ruined our clients’ lives or people that just did the wrong thing. We hold them, and it is ultimately their insurance companies that step into their shoes. We hold them accountable on your behalf. We do all of this with compassion and integrity on your behalf. Please call us here at the Grossman Law Firm. Come in. We’re here to help you.
How Long After a Car Accident Can You Sue in NJ
It’s possible to claim compensation if you or someone you know sustained injuries from an accident due to negligence by another party. Payment could be to cover medical costs, other treatments, lost wages, and so on. However, just like in other states, you must file the claim in New Jersey within a specified period or you lose your right to sue.
New Jersey Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations sets the time limit for processing a personal injury claim. It sets the deadline for suing, otherwise, the court will dismiss your lawsuit. In New Jersey, typical personal injury claims have a statute of limitations of two years from when the injuries were sustained. The clock runs from the moment you get injured or injuries are revealed.
This statute of limitations applies to personal injuries sustained from:
- Truck accident
- Car accident
- Motor vehicle accident
- Slip and fall accidents at work, school, hospital, boardwalk
- Nursing home negligence
- Product liability
- Dog bite
- Wrongful death
If the car accident was due to negligence or entirely the other party’s fault, then the result is predictable: the at-fault party (through their insurance provider) will compensate you. The compensation could be to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses you may have sustained.
To be in a more strategic position it’s always best to make sure you have plenty of time to assess the lawsuit no matter how confident you are about the resolution. Consult a lawyer as soon as you can to understand your options.
Reporting the Accident
If you’re a driver who got in a car accident that resulted in: injury, death, and/or property damage that is at least $500 then you must report it to the nearest law enforcement unit by the quickest means possible. Although the law does not state what means are to be used, mobile phones are usually the fastest way to report incidents. After reporting it, a police officer will investigate the accident and prepare a standardized New Jersey Crash Investigation Report. Depending on the circumstances and the severity of the accident, a police officer may not conduct an investigation. In these cases, the driver needs to file a written accident report within ten days of the accident. The New Jersey Department of Transportation will provide the form for this. You can also access the rules via the New Jersey Statutes section 39:4-130.
Also, remember that New Jersey is one of those states that has a no-fault insurance system. It means that you must turn to your insurance company first for any medical expense coverage. You should check whether your policy is a standard or basic one. This will tell you how much coverage you are entitled to for medical expenses and up to what extent you can pursue a claim against your own insurance company if the at-fault driver is uninsured or has inadequate coverage. Get a lawyer to help you handle your case to ensure success. At Grossman, we have highly skilled and experienced lawyers who have helped clients get the compensation they deserve. Contact us today.
About Grossman Law
For over 25 years, Personal Injury Attorney Scott Grossman has been fighting for the rights of the injured throughout New Jersey. He has helped thousands obtain their fair and just monetary compensation to pay for medical treatment, pain and suffering, and more. Mr. Grossman and his legal team truly care about their clients and provide each with devoted and individual personal attention. Whether you have been the victim of an NJ motor vehicle accident, trucking accident, dog bite, brain injury, construction accident, pharmacy error, wrongful death, workplace injury or any other type of injury, we are here to help you recover the fair and just compensation you truly deserve.
Our 5 Locations In New Jersey: Freehold, NJ, Clifton, NJ, Old Bridge, NJ, Matawan, NJ, and Sayreville, NJ
