New Jersey Out-of-State Car Accident Lawyer

New Jersey has many sights and attractions that are available to entertain residents all year long. But many surrounding states also have attractions that are often worth a trip out-of-state. A New Jersey resident may wish, for example, to go visit the Empire State Building in New York, or catch a Flyers game in Philadelphia. But while these states and cities may just be an hour or two away from New Jersey, a lot can happen in that time, and when they do, it can leave New Jersey residents wondering what to do after an out-of-state accident.

A seasoned car accident attorney can evaluate your claim, and if you have a case, they can guide you through the legal process of obtaining compensation. Work with a New Jersey out-of-state car accident lawyer on our team to maximize your chances of success.

Insurance Policies

When it comes to knowing what to do after an out-of-state auto accident regarding insurance issues, it is important to remember that New Jersey is a no-fault state. This means that when someone from New Jersey is in a car accident, even when the accident does not occur in the State of New Jersey, they may have to go through their own insurance company to recover accident benefits, depending on the insurance laws of the state they are visiting.

New York and Pennsylvania are also states with no-fault insurance policies. So if someone from New Jersey was to get into an accident in either of these states, generally both drivers would have to go through their own insurance companies to get the same types of benefits. However, if the New Jersey driver had traveled to a state that had at-fault insurance laws, the situation can become more complicated.

Out-of-State Insurance Coverage

Typically, the laws in the state where the accident occurred will take precedent. This means that if the New Jersey driver was traveling to a tort state, such as Maryland, they would most likely need to go through the other driver’s insurance policy to claim benefits. However, many New Jersey insurance policies provide out-of-state coverage, so that policy may still cover the New Jersey driver. It is essential that drivers check their insurance policy and look very carefully at the wording before driving to another state.

Who is at Fault when an Auto Accident Occurs out of State?

If a New Jersey resident was injured in the motor vehicle accident, they could still file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. If they were at fault for the accident, they can still have a lawsuit filed against them. Attorneys are typically licensed to practice within their state and cannot always practice in another state. This means that even if the New Jersey driver wants to sue and already has a New Jersey attorney, they will need to find another attorney licensed to practice in the state where the car accident happened. A local attorney will not be able to speak to other insurance companies or represent a driver in court in any state other than New Jersey.

Contacting a New Jersey Car Accident Attorney

Driving to another state to take in the sights can be exciting. But accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, overshadowing the trip and leaving drivers feeling anxious and confused. It is very important for all drivers traveling to another state to check their own insurance policy first and whether the state they are traveling to is a no-fault or tort state. The few minutes this will take can better prepare you and take some of the stress out of the situation if an accident does occur. Your next step should be to consult an experienced car accident lawyer who may know what to do after an out-of-state car accident. An attorney on our team can attempt to help you recover damages for your injuries.