Unfortunately, car accidents are all-too-common occurrences, often resulting in devastating consequences that impact the health and well-being of those involved. For instance, the New Jersey Department of Transportation reported a total of 283,115 motor vehicle accidents in 2013 alone. 60,705 of these crashes resulted in one or more injured parties, while 506 caused fatalities.
According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, our state’s roadways now average over 50,000 car crashes per year. The commonality of motor vehicle accidents makes it critical to know what steps you should take in the unfortunate event that you are involved in a car accident in the New Jersey area.
Arming yourself with the information and resources provided by a seasoned team of personal injury attorneys can dramatically influence the way in which your case is ultimately resolved, ensuring that you are not deprived of the compensation that you deserve. Contact the law offices of Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh today at 732-440-3950 to discuss the options available to you with one of our highly experienced attorneys.
Important steps to follow;
It is important to be patient and cooperate with the police officer in order to prevent the situation from becoming worse. However, it is equally important to remember that if a police officer is questioning you about an action that could result in criminal charges you have the right to remain silent and ask for an attorney. Such charges could include driving under the influence or possession of illegal drugs.
Following the event of a car accident in New Jersey, you have 10 days to file a written accident report. If the crash resulted in death or injury, and/or damage to property (more than $500) you are legally obligated to file a report to the local authorities. If there was no police officer at the scene then you must report to the nearest office of the county police or to the New Jersey State Police via telephone at 1-800-962-1253.
In situations where the driver is not able to file a written report and there was another passenger in the vehicle at the time of the accident, then that passenger should do so on behalf of the driver. Furthermore, the legal owner of the vehicle involved in the accident can also file the written report on behalf of the driver.
In order to file a written car crash report with the New Jersey MVC, you, your insurance provider, the vehicle owner, or legal representative must draft the written report and submit it as a letter to the MVC. In this report, you will need to provide as much information as possible including at least:
However, it is important to note that there are exceptions to filing a report. Such as, if a police officer has already submitted a written report.
Failure to report the accident may result in you being charged in accordance with the New Jersey Traffic Law 39:4-130. Under this section, you may be fined anywhere from $30 to $100, in addition to a possible suspension or loss of your driving license. Please note that even if you immediately report the accident via telephone, you may be still found guilty of failing to report an accident in New Jersey if you do not provide the written report.
The catastrophic effects of a motor vehicle accident can negatively impact your life for years to come and the complex legal process involved in adjudicating these issues can leave anyone feeling lost and unsure as to how to move forward. In order to ensure that you obtain all of the statutory benefits to which you are entitled, in addition to a monetary award for pain and suffering, it is critical to obtain legal representation from an experienced personal injury attorney. For answers to some of your most pressing questions about automobile accidents, as well as New Jersey’s legal approach to these issues, access the following links:
The law firm of Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh unites experience with compassion, with attorneys who serve as passionate legal advocates for each of their clients. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident in New Jersey or if you are a New Jersey resident who was involved in a motor vehicle accident in another state, contact us online or call 732-440-3950 as soon as possible for a free consultation.
For more information, read: “Do You Have The Right Automobile Insurance?”