Have you or one of your family members recently fallen victim to a car accident? Was the accident detrimental to your mental or physical health? Do you know how to handle the extensive, never-ending paperwork?
Contact a car accident lawyer in Fort Lee, NJ. Though you can attempt the process alone, the aftermath of a severe accident is not only mentally draining but also incredibly confusing. An attorney will address your needs and guide you through every step of the legal process after an accident.
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reports there were approximately 181 crashes per 100 million vehicle miles throughout the United States in 2020. Furthermore, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 525 fatal car accidents took place in New Jersey in 2019 alone. Car accidents are unfortunately commonplace and can greatly damage one’s financial, physical, and mental health.
In 2017, the CDC reports that car accidents cost victims $75 billion in both medical expenses and productivity losses (being unable to work due to injuries). Contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you navigate recovery and recoup some of your expenses.
Continue reading to find out more about car accidents in Fort Lee, NJ, and the legal process.
What Are Some Common Car Accidents?
Some common categories of car accidents include:
- Rollover
- T-bone
- Head-on or rear-end Collisions
- Chain reaction
- Pedestrian
If none of these terms describe the accident you have experienced, don’t fret. You can still contact our law firm with inquiries about your case.
Rollover
Many rollover accidents involve larger modes of transportation, such as semi-trucks and buses. Because these vehicles are heavier, they exert a stronger gravitational pull. As a result, they can easily roll over and cause serious injuries.
T-Bone
T-bone crashes, or accidents when one vehicle hits the side of another, can easily occur at an intersection. These crashes caused 23% of car accident deaths in 2019.
Head-On Collision
Frontal collisions occur when one car hits the other at the front of the vehicle. These make up 57% of fatalities caused by car accidents in 2019.
Read-End Collision
Read-end crashes are less dangerous than T-bone or head-on collisions. They accounted for 6% of car accident deaths in 2019.
Chain Reaction
A chain reaction or multi-car collision transpires when a car causes multiple accidents by blocking the road after colliding with another vehicle. These cases are complex as it is difficult to weed out who is at fault and how to seek out compensation.
Pedestrian
Pedestrian accidents occur when a car hits a pedestrian either in the crosswalk or street and often cause serious injuries. Pedestrians often become victims of crashes when a driver is aggressive, drunk, breaking the law, or distracted.
What Injuries Can One Sustain During an Accident?
A victim’s injuries from a car accident range from mild to severe. Insurance companies frequently refuse to offer compensation for mild injuries. Their denial can lead to expensive hospital bills or physical therapy that victims must pay for out of pocket.
If you sustain any injuries during a car accident, contacting a personal injury attorney is recommendable to ensure that you take the correct legal actions. Some common car accident injuries include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Whiplash
- Facial injuries and/or disfiguration
- 1st, 2nd, or 3rd-degree burns
- Damage to organs
- Spinal injury
- Brain trauma
What to Do After a Car Accident
Prioritize your safety first when the accident occurs. If possible, move your car to the side of the road and call 911.
Then, you should gather as much evidence as possible. Take pictures of the scene, your vehicle, injuries, etc. Try to gather phone numbers from witnesses and wait for the police so you can file an official report.
If you believe you need medical attention, go to the hospital immediately to prove that the accident caused your injuries. Gather all the paperwork that describes your injuries and medical treatment from the doctors. Furthermore, collect any bills from your medical team.
After you have received medical attention, contact a Fort Lee, NJ car accident lawyer. This attorney can help build your case from the beginning, organize your paperwork, and begin working toward possible compensation.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Fort Lee, NJ?
Car accident lawyers have experience with other clients in similar situations. Therefore, they can accurately calculate the damages and facilitate the legal process.
Here are some of the actions that your Fort Lee personal injury attorney will take after you contact them:
- Make sure you are okay and offer legal help to alleviate stress.
- Offer knowledge and support throughout the legal process and possible court cases.
- Contact witnesses and take statements about the accident.
- File your case within New Jersey’s allocated time frame (two years).
- Calculate damages caused by the accident, which may include:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Mental stresScrutinize photos and footage taken by traffic cameras to collect possible evidence.
- Scrutinize photos and footage taken by traffic cameras to collect possible evidence.
- Review the police report and possible drug tests completed by officers on the scene.
Car accident attorneys will also try to find evidence that proves a party is at fault. For example, the other driver may have felt distracted on the road because they used their cell phone. They even have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Other drivers may have broken the law by ignoring road signs, speeding, or improperly signaling. Finally, some drivers may have practiced aggressive driving that precipitated the accident.
New Jersey Statute 2A: 15-5.1
If you believe that you were partly at fault for an accident but have sustained mental trauma or physical injury, Sadaka Law can help. According to New Jersey Statute 2A: 15-5.1, individuals who are partially at fault for a vehicle crash may, in some cases, receive compensation.
Depending on your percentage of liability in causing the accident, a legal entity may reduce the amount of potential compensation by the proportionate amount.
Where to Find a Personal Injury Attorney in Fort Lee, NJ
If you need a professional and responsive personal injury attorney to guide you through the legalities of a car accident, contact Sadaka Law. Our founder, Mark Sadaka, has dedicated his life to personal injury law for a cause that is dear to his heart.
Sadaka’s mother became addicted to Virginia Slim cigarettes due to a marketing campaign that targeted women. These cigarettes led to her passing at the age of 51 due to cancer. Because of this deeply personal tragedy, Sadaka has committed his life to defending victims of others’ negligent behavior.
Sadaka and his legal partner, Michael H. Bowman, passionately fight for their clients’ recovery and well-being. They get to know every client and case on a personal level. They believe that fighting for due process means more than just representing clients in court.
Contact Sadaka Law to get in touch with a qualified car accident lawyer in Fort Lee, NJ. You can fill out our online form or call us at (800) 810-3457 for a free consultation today.
