A car accident can change your life forever. Even after the crash, you must contend with a lengthy process of filing an insurance claim, deciding fault, and getting the closure needed to move on. The personal injury lawyers at Sadaka Law are fully committed to representing car accident victims and their families. Contact a Sadaka car accident lawyer in Hackensack, NJ, for a free consultation if you were injured in a car crash.
Car Accident Statistics in New Jersey
Distracted driving causes the highest number of accidents in New Jersey. In 2021, car accidents resulted in the death of 105 people in Bergen County. If you or a loved one have gotten hurt in a car accident, we can help you file a personal injury claim.
Different Kinds of Motor Vehicle Accidents
Accidents involving a motor vehicle take many forms. Below, we have listed the most common types of accidents:
Car. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states motor vehicle accidents make up the majority of crashes that result in injuries. Most of these collisions involve two or more cars and can cause fatalities.
Motorcycle. Riders often collide with cars making left-hand turns, and these accidents may prove fatal. Unlike cars, motorcycles do not protect riders from serious injury with metal frames or airbags.
Pedestrian. As more people walk around the city during the day and night, pedestrian accidents increase. Pedestrian injuries often result from reckless or negligent driving.
Bicycle. Bicycle accident rates are rising in New Jersey. Several factors contribute to the sudden increase in fatal bicycle accidents, including more adults cycling to work and increased motor vehicle traffic.
Truck. Truck accidents cause severe injuries due to the vehicle’s size and weight. Tired and inexperienced drivers cause the majority of truck accidents.
Whether your injuries occurred while driving or walking across the street, we can help you pursue compensation.
Hackensack NJ Car Accident Injuries: What Causes Them
In 2019, Bergen County saw the second largest number of accidents in New Jersey, with 29,722 crashes. Although drivers don’t cause every car accident, a few common driver mistakes often lead to collisions:
Distracted Driving
More than 163 fatal accidents occur in New Jersey every year. According to the NHTSA, safe driving requires complete attention. Police advise drivers not to send text messages, talk on the phone, or do any activity that can distract them while driving.
Aggressive Driving
New Jersey defines aggressive driving as any unsafe driving behavior done intentionally or disregarding safety. It increases the likelihood of loss of vehicle control resulting in an accident. Examples of aggressive driving include tailgating, excessive honking, or weaving in and out of traffic.
Drunk Driving
Alcohol impairs thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination. When drivers get behind the wheel while impaired, they risk seriously injuring someone in a motor vehicle accident. Police checkpoints have helped reduce drunk driving accidents in New Jersey, but you could still be a victim.
Driving Too Fast
Speed limits keep drivers safe and reduce accidents. While speeding, drivers often do not have enough time to stop or avoid collisions. These drivers put others at risk by driving recklessly.
Driver Fatigue
Sleep deprivation or poor quality sleep can result in fatigue. Like alcohol impairment, fatigue makes drivers drowsy. Falling asleep while driving can lead to fatal accidents.
Have you been in an accident caused by a negligent driver? Get in touch with a car accident lawyer in Hackensack, NJ, to explore your options.
The Effect on Car Accident Victims
A car accident usually has two after-effects: physical and emotional. Some physical effects of a crash become immediately visible, but others may take a while to manifest. After a car accident, high levels of adrenaline and shock may prevent you from recognizing injury symptoms for hours or even days.
You may also develop symptoms of emotional trauma after an accident.
Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
Any part of the body can suffer severe injuries in a car accident.
Spine. Victims may suffer serious spinal injuries following a car accident. Trauma to the neck and spinal cord often results in pain and may even cause paralysis from the neck or waist down.
Back. Car accidents often result in back injuries. These injuries cause long-term pain and disability, often keeping victims from work.
Burns. When collisions cause fires, victims may experience severe burns, sometimes requiring skin grafting and plastic surgery.
Bones: Accidents commonly lead to broken bones, especially in the legs, arms, and wrists. While simple fractures need only a cast, more severe cases may require surgery.
Whiplash: An injury to the soft tissue of the neck could lead to whiplash. Even low speeds can cause whiplash leading to severe neck pain.
PTSD: Injury from a car accident may cause more than physical injuries. Things you used to do regularly, including work and hobbies, may become difficult and even impossible due to post-traumatic stress disorder or other emotional turmoil.
What to Do After a Car Accident?
Being in a car accident can be a very stressful experience. Following an accident, prioritize seeking medical care for your injuries. Take photographs and document the pain you are experiencing and how it has affected your life, including lost work and wages.
Be sure to get a police report to provide to your insurer. It contains a summary of the crash, including any facts or opinions the officer gathered during the investigation.
Get in touch with a car accident lawyer in Hackensack, NJ, as soon as possible to ensure you have the support and representation you need.
New Jersey Is a No-Fault State
Car insurance protects you and other drivers in case of an accident. New Jersey law requires all drivers to have insurance. Unlike other states, New Jersey has no-fault insurance laws.
All drivers must have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. No matter who was at fault in a car accident, PIP has to cover the medical expenses. The policy’s limitations determine the payout amount.
Insurance companies can be hard to deal with under any circumstances. Car accidents can make dealing with the insurer difficult, but our lawyers can help.
Serious Injury Lawsuit After a Car Accident
Auto manufacturers and negligent drivers may be held liable after a significant accident. Depending on your injuries, you might be able to appeal the no-fault system. A fault-based claim must meet two requirements:
- The victim suffered permanent injury, dismemberment, or extreme disfigurement.
- Evidence suggests the other driver caused the accident due to reckless driving.
Time Limit For Filing a Personal Injury Claim
New Jersey enforces a two-year statute of limitations for car accident claims. If you do not file a claim within two years from your injury, you will lose the right to a lawsuit. Reach out to our law office for a personal injury lawyer to handle your claim.
Choose the Trusted Hackensack NJ Car Accident Lawyer
The Sadaka Law legal team supports victims of auto accidents and their families. We work with medical experts and other involved parties to establish the extent of your injuries and their total cost. Our law firm helps victims of car accidents just like you and represents them diligently.
Discover how an experienced car accident lawyer in Hackensack, NJ, can assist you. Contact us online today or call us at 201-266-5670.
