Atlantic County Car Accident Lawyer

Although modern technology such as airbags and camera systems make driving safer, automobile accidents form the basis of many claims. If a reckless driver causes a collision and you are injured as a result, an Atlantic County accident attorney can help you recover the monetary damages you have suffered.

What is PIP Coverage?

All Atlantic County drivers are required to carry automobile insurance, which includes personal injury protection (PIP) or no-fault insurance. PIP provides that drivers who are injured in car accidents to use their insurance to cover some expenses, regardless of who caused the crash. Speak with an Atlantic County injury lawyer to discuss any questions you may have concerning insurance after an auto collision.

PIP covers three elements of economic losses, and the amounts paid are based on the level of insurance coverage a driver purchases. An Atlantic County car accident attorney could review an injured person’s insurance policy to help assess his or her coverage limits.

Medical Care

Those injured in auto accidents usually need extensive medical care, and PIP pays for it with limits set by individual policies. PIP coverage may include:

• Hospital stays and doctors’ appointments
• Therapy and rehabilitation
• Ambulance rides
• Diagnostic tests for internal injuries, such as MRIs and X-rays
• Medication for conditions caused by the car accident
• Additional expenses for treatment prescribed in cases of brain and spinal cord injuries or permanent disfigurement

Lost Income

Many times, auto accident victims cannot go back to work right away, and PIP also covers lost wages. PIP pays as much as $5,200 per week, but the amount paid cannot exceed a worker’s actual income.

PIP also pays for the inability to perform everyday tasks. For example, the policy provides up to $12 per day for homemaking duties such as cleaning and cooking.

Death Benefits

Unfortunately, some car accidents leave a person with fatal injuries, so PIP offers death benefits to surviving family members if their loved one was the primary breadwinner. Death benefits are capped at the amount PIP would have paid in benefits if the victim had not died. If there was an accident that resulted in a death, please reach out to our wrongful death attorneys in Atlantic County today.

What if PIP is Not Enough?

Depending on the policy a driver purchases, if PIP coverage is not enough to cover the damages, he or she may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible for the accident. However, PIP does not include non-economic damages like pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and diminished future earning capacity.

A standard PIP policy offers only a limited right to sue for non-economic damages under particular circumstances, such as upon death from an accident or a permanent injury. A driver must elect an unlimited right to sue when purchasing coverage to earn the right to file for non-economic damages. An Atlantic County car accident lawyer could explain an injured person’s rights under his or her PIP policy.

Negligence

Atlantic County drivers are legally obligated to act reasonably when operating a motor vehicle. If a motorist fails to exercise reasonable care, a person who is injured because of their recklessness may be entitled to sue for monetary damages.

What is Modified Comparative Negligence?

Atlantic County allows injured parties who bear less than 50 percent responsibility for a car accident to recover compensation from the at-fault driver, under the state’s modified comparative negligence statutes. However, any award of damages will be reduced by his or her assigned percentage of liability. If a claimant bears more fault than the opposing party, he or she would not be able to recover any damages.

Call an Atlantic County Car Accident Attorney Today

If you were injured in an auto accident, you may need an advocate who can help you understand Atlantic County’s insurance laws and file a lawsuit on your behalf if your coverage is not enough to offset your losses. Contact an Atlantic County car accident lawyer today for your initial consultation.