South Jersey Car Accident Attorney
Request a Free ConsultationCar accidents can cause serious injuries and have a significant impact on your life. When the dust settles on the aftermath of a car crash, you may find mounting medical bills at the same time that you’re missing paychecks while you recover. Sadly, auto insurance policy companies rely on a business model that requires taking in more premiums than they pay out in an automobile insurance claim. For this reason, insurance adjusters seek to minimize or deny claims outright just when you or a loved one most need a payout on your claim.
If you’ve experienced significant injuries in motor vehicle accidents in South Jersey, it’s important that you take the time to focus on healing while a skilled South Jersey personal injury attorney from Grungo Law focuses on securing compensation for your damages. Call or contact the South Jersey auto accident attorneys today so we can work on a solution for recovering your damages.
Why Choose A South Jersey Automobile Accident Lawyer From Grungo Law?
At Grungo Law, our law firm has years of experience navigating auto accident claims within New Jersey’s complex no-fault insurance liability coverage system. Our skilled negotiators and litigators have secured more than $150 million in settlements and jury awards for our clients. Our strong compassion and dedication to injured clients place a strong voice behind every client’s unique claim.
Grungo Law offers free consultations so you pay nothing up front. Our winning strategies combine the latest innovative technologies with classic client advocacy so each client has the full force of every legal resource behind their claim, a personal injury lawyer from Grungo Law will deliver:
- Individualized personal attention to your unique case
- Open lines of communication and honesty
- Frequent updates on the progress of your case
- Skilled investigation, negotiation, and litigation to maximize your compensation
A South Jersey car accident attorney from our automobile accident law firm is your best ally against powerful insurance companies who prioritize profits over payouts.
Common Car Accidents In South Jersey
When we climb into a car, we have every expectation of a safe arrival at our destination, but car accidents occur every day in Garden State, with 337 fatal crashes already in 2023 with months to go before the new year. New Jersey averages over 250,000 reported car accidents annually. In a recent year, this number included:
- 39,348 rear-end collisions
- 5,395 head-on collisions
- 21,019 sideswipe accidents
- 31,289 angle collisions including T-bone collisions
- 9,387 back-up collisions
- 27,404 parked vehicle collisions
- 4,631 left-turn and U-turn collisions
- 16,595 fixed-object collisions
While some accidents are merely parking lot fender-benders, many of the above common types of car accidents in New Jersey cause vehicle rollovers, multi-car pileups, and other devastating accidents with serious injuries and fatalities. If you have been involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle, contact a South Jersey truck accidents lawyer from our law firm. Our attorneys are prepared to walk you through the truck accident claim process and get you the payment that you deserve.
Possible Causes Of A South Jersey Car Wreck
New Jersey is one of the country’s most dangerous states for driving. Congested roadways, confusing street plans, and aggressive drivers make a volatile combination in South Jersey. Common causes of a car crash in South Jersey include the following statistics from a recent year:
- Distracted driving/driver inattention caused 1,391 accidents directly due to cell phone usage
- Speeding caused 142 fatal crashes
- Intoxicated drivers caused 165 traffic fatalities
- Road conditions
- Drunk driving
- Cell phones
Other leading causes of car accidents include inexperienced drivers, drowsy drivers, rubbernecking (turning to look at accidents or other roadside distractions), holiday driving, reckless driving, inclement weather conditions, road rage, and defective car parts.
Traffic congestion in South Jersey is a major contributor to traffic accidents. Crowded roads, busy intersections, and traffic-related aggressive driving increase accident numbers, especially during high-traffic hours. In addition, congested roadways cause driver fatigue, increased distraction, and elevated incidents of road rage and reckless driving. As drivers become more frustrated by lengthy delays they’re more likely to react with aggressive or reckless driving behaviors that increase accident numbers and escalate the severity of accident-related injuries.
Many of these causes are similar to those that cause other vehicle crashes such as motorcycle accidents. If this is the case, please contact a motorcycle accident attorney in South Jersey today.
Injuries Associated With Car Accidents In South Jersey
A motor vehicle accident causes the human body to endure a tremendous amount of sudden force when it comes to a sudden stop after hurtling forward at high speed. This force causes serious injuries, especially when combined with the impact from items on the car’s interior such as the steering wheel, windows, and dashboard. Even the safety devices that save our lives, such as seatbelts and airbags, often simultaneously cause injuries while preventing death. Common injuries from a motor vehicle collision in South Jersey include:
- Brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Spinal cord injury
- Fractures in the legs, arms, ribs, back, and pelvis
- Chest injuries
- Soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and torn ligaments
Car accidents are also terrifying and traumatic, leaving some car accident victims with significant emotional injuries including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
What to Do After a Car Accident In South Jersey?
Car accidents can be traumatic. If you have serious injuries, you may be able to do little but wait for help to arrive. If you are able to move safely, you can use your phone or ask someone else to use your phone for you to help ensure your physical and economic recovery through the following steps:
- Call 911 to report the accident
- Take photos of the accident scene, involved vehicles, and your injuries
- Take photos of any contributing factors such as traffic signals or road signs
- Gather contact information of other drivers and eyewitnesses
Once you arrive at the hospital, our South Jersey brain injury attorneys strongly suggest you should undergo a complete medical evaluation, being sure to tell the doctor about every symptom even if it appears minor. Then, do the following:
- Ask for a detailed medical report with your prognosis and treatment instructions included
- Carefully follow all of your doctor’s recommendations and save all of your medical statements
- Obtain a copy of the accident report
- Obtain a copy of the police report
- Call a South Jersey auto accident attorney from Grungo Law for a free case evaluation
South Jersey’s No-Fault Insurance Laws
New Jersey’s insurance law system is not fault-based as it is in many states. Instead, most car accident victims make claims against their own insurance policies even if the other driver was at fault. Depending on the choices you made when you bought your policy, you may or may not be able to sue the party at fault for the accident for a payout from their policy.
It takes a knowledgeable attorney to counteract common tactics used by insurance companies to undervalue or deny claims, including:
- Calling very soon after the accident with an offer for a low settlement offer when you don’t yet know the true extent of damages
- Claiming that your medical treatment isn’t necessary
- Recording phone conversations and using words out of context
Instead of dealing with insurance companies on your own, you can focus on your recovery while directing all communication with insurance representatives to the South Jersey automobile accident lawyers at Grungo Law.
How Is Liability Determined In A South Jersey Automobile Accident?
When a car accident injury victim in South Jersey suffers life-altering injuries, they may be able to benefit from proving liability on the part of the other driver even in a no-fault state. Proving another driver liable requires an investigation to collect evidence from the accident scene, police report, and photos. Sometimes it requires expert testimony from accident reconstruction experts. Once evidence demonstrates the following legal points of liability it makes a compelling case for compensation:
- The at-fault driver owed a duty of care to take reasonable measures to avoid causing injury to others on the road
- They breached that duty by acting negligently or recklessly
- Their breach of reasonable duty directly caused the victim’s injuries
- The injury victim suffered significant economic and non-economic damages due to the injury.
When the evidence clearly demonstrates liability, your South Jersey car accident attorney from Grungo Law can negotiate from a position of strength to maximize your settlement. In the event that the insurance company fails to offer an acceptable settlement, the case could proceed to a car accident lawsuit in court. If necessary, your attorney will diligently file your lawsuit within the state’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, and advocate aggressively for your rights and best interests in court. A car accident lawyer from Grungo Law will be a highly skilled and successful litigator with years of courtroom experience.
South Jersey Car Accident Statute Of Limitations
New Jersey places a time limit on the amount of time injury victims (plaintiffs) have to file a lawsuit against the party at fault for their accident (defendant). New Jersey’s statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits is two years from the date of the accident. This time limit ensures that evidence is still fresh when a case comes to the court system and eyewitness testimony remains reliable. They also serve to protect drivers from living under the indefinite threat of a lawsuit after a car accident.
The statute of limitations may be delayed or “tolled” for some circumstances, such as an underage victim who has until 2 years from their 18th birthday to file a claim, or for a car accident victim who doesn’t discover their injury until some time after the accident. For example, a doctor could diagnose an accident victim’s nagging backache as a broken vertebrae from an accident months after the injury. In that case, the injured individual has 2 years from the date they learned of their accident-related injury.
What Damages Can I Recover From a Car Accident Claim in South Jersey?
Car accidents are sudden and traumatic, but their impacts are long-lasting, especially when you’re left with serious or life-altering injuries. A successful car accident lawyer can help you gain the following compensation for damages:
- Your medical expenses and any related future expenses
- Lost income and future lost income for further treatment
- Lowered earning capacity if your injuries were disabling
- Pain and suffering compensation if the terms of the policy allow non-economic damages
The damages from a car accident are far more than the property damage to your car. The hit to your physical and financial health may feel overwhelming. Let a South Jersey car accident attorney from Grungo Law take on your claim so you can focus on your health. In the unfortunate circumstance that there is a loss of life due to a car accident, please contact our wrongful death attorneys in South Jersey today.
Dealing With Insurance Companies In New Jersey
Dealing with an insurance company after a car accident in South Jersey requires a systematic and thorough approach. First and foremost, it is crucial to prioritize safety and seek medical attention if necessary. Once immediate concerns are addressed, promptly report the accident to your insurance company and obtain the necessary information from the other party involved. In South Jersey, like elsewhere, it is advisable to document the accident scene by taking photographs, exchanging contact details, and collecting witness statements. When communicating with your insurance company, be honest and provide accurate details about the incident. File a police report, keep track of all medical records, repair estimates, and any other relevant documentation. Familiarize yourself with South Jersey’s specific insurance company regulations and policies, as they may differ from other regions. Consider consulting with a car accident lawyer to ensure you understand your rights and receive fair compensation. Timely and transparent communication with insurance adjusters is essential throughout the claims process, as it can significantly impact the resolution of your case and your insurance settlement.
Contact A South Jersey Car Accident Attorney Today
At Grungo Law, a South Jersey auto accident lawyer will have a strong sense of compassion for those injured in traumatic car accidents. We also know how to direct that compassion into successfully navigating New Jersey’s law. Call or use our contact form so we can begin working on a strategy to begin your recovery. At Grungo Law, we don’t get paid until you gain ample compensation for your auto accident-related damages.