Do I need a lawyer after a Monmouth County Car Accident?
Being involved in an automobile accident can be overwhelming. It is important to protect your rights, your health, and your family even if you “feel ok” at the time.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, there were 36,750 deaths that resulted from automobile accidents in 2018. New Jersey reported 624 deaths due to car accidents between 2016 and 2017, the NHTSA reported. Serious and fatal car accidents, however, are not the only type to occur, and often in the aftermath of a minor car accident – or even a major one – people are unsure of whether to contact a lawyer.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation reported that in 2017 there were 270,231 auto accidents in the state. Regardless of the severity of the accident that initially appears, it is imperative that you contact a lawyer to receive support following an accident and ensure that your rights and livelihood are protected and represented.
Directly following an accident, there are some important things to keep in mind, whether or not contacting a lawyer is at the forefront of your thoughts. Protecting your insurance standing and your physical health are two aspects of your security that a personal injury and accident lawyer in New Jersey will be focused on, but you can be informed about steps to take at the scene of the accident or directly after to protect yourself and your loved ones.
in a Car Accident in New Jersey?
List of things to do in the immediate aftermath of an accident.
- Stay at the scene of the accident until the authorities arrive. This is not simply for your protection and the likelihood you will recoup damages due to the accident if it was not your fault; it is your legal responsibility, according to New Jersey Revised Statutes Title 39.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with all others involved in the accident. Whether or not someone’s vehicle was directly involved in striking your car, if they were part of the accident, it is important to get their contact information and exchange insurance information, as their statements in the police report may affect your outcomes in receiving your fair share of damages for the accident.
Do not admit fault for the accident. It is important that you keep all statements to authorities and the other driver and witnesses objective, and refrain from making statements that imply fault. There are many aspects to an auto accident, some of which you may not be aware of in the direct aftermath of the accident. For this, it is important to give an objective statement from your perspective to authorities and contact a lawyer to support the post-accident and/or claims process. If for some reason the authorities do not arrive at the scene of the accident, it is still important for you to file a police report. Do so online at this online New Jersey police reporting site.- Seek medical support. Even if injury to yourself or anyone else involved in the accident appears minor, call an ambulance. Often due to elevated adrenaline and cortisol after an accident, our body cannot feel the effects it has undergone. Seek medical support at the scene of the accident or very soon after to ensure that there is not a hidden injury that could cause long-term damage and affect your quality of life.
Do not admit fault for the accident. It is important that you keep all statements to authorities and the other driver and witnesses objective, and refrain from making statements that imply fault. There are many aspects to an auto accident, some of which you may not be aware of in the direct aftermath of the accident. For this, it is important to give an objective statement from your perspective to authorities and contact a lawyer to support the post-accident and/or Comparative Negligence: Another reason to contact a lawyer after an accident
In New Jersey, if a driver seeks to recover damages from their own insurance company after an accident, the claim will not attempt to determine the degrees of fault for those involved. If, however, a driver seeks to recover damages from another party involved in the accident and files a claim with the other driver’s insurance company, the other party’s claim will absolutely seek to prove a lesser degree of fault. This is called comparative negligence, and it is one reason it is imperative to have the support of a lawyer to handle contact with the other driver’s insurance company and other parties involved in the claim.
The determination of comparative negligence happens on a case-by-case basis, since while it is mentioned in New Jersey Statutes Annotated (NJSA) 2A:15-5.2 there are no specific guidelines given. What more reason to have a lawyer helping you to navigate this highly subjective process?
Personal Injury Lawyers serving clients across the Monmouth County Area
At Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh, our attorneys are experienced in helping drivers in West Long Branch, Red Bank, Colts Neck, Asbury Park, and across the Monmouth County Area claim their fair share of damages from an accident, no matter its severity.
Our unique approach focuses on expertly handling communication with other parties’ insurance companies so you can focus on rest and recovery.
To speak with our firm today in a comprehensive and confidential case assessment regarding your auto accident, contact Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh at our office today to discuss your rights and how we can be of help, you can also call 732-440-3950 immediately to make an appointment with one of our attorneys trained and experienced in this area of the law.