Car Accident Attorneys in in Colonia, NJ

According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, more than 276,000 total crashes occurred statewide during a recent year. Nearly 29,000 of these accidents were reported in Middlesex County, where Colonia is located. That means more than 10 percent of all New Jersey car accidents that year happened in Colonia or the surrounding area. These accidents included more than 6,200 injury crashes and 42 fatal crashes.

A car accident can leave victims with painful injuries, mounting medical debt, a damaged or destroyed vehicle, and more. The Colonia, NJ car accident lawyers at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon have spent 40 years helping victims put their lives back together after severe injury accidents. We’re known for our aggressive approach to defending our clients’ rights, and we’ve recovered more than $1 billion in compensation awards for our clients in New York and New Jersey. We can investigate your claim, explain your legal options, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Learn more about how we can help you with a free initial consultation.

Types of Car Accidents in Colonia, NJ

Every car accident has unique elements, but some of the common types of crashes we see in Colonia include:

• Impaired driving — Despite widespread efforts to get drivers to stop drinking or using drugs before getting behind the wheel, impaired driving accidents are still quite common. Drivers who are impaired by alcohol, illegal narcotics, or certain prescription medications can experience a range of harmful side effects that impair their ability to drive safely. These side effects include dulled reflexes, impaired cognitive functions, and the chance of falling asleep while driving.
• Distracted driving — Smartphones, GPS navigation systems, other in-vehicle controls, and other technological distractions have led to a significant surge in distracted driving accidents. These distractions make it difficult for drivers to control their vehicles.
• Driver fatigue — Driving requires quick reflexes, sharp judgment, and the ability to concentrate. All of these qualities are in short supply if a driver is sleep-deprived. Alcohol, drugs, and certain medications can also increase feelings of fatigue.
• Aggressive or reckless driving — Drivers who engage in reckless or aggressive acts like speeding, tailgating, weaving through traffic, not stopping or yielding when required, and not using their turn signals can quickly end up losing control and colliding with another vehicle.
• Bad weather — Ice, snow, rain, or other precipitation on the roads can make it harder for vehicles to stop or slow down in time, often leading to fatal crashes.
• Poor road conditions — If a road surface is badly worn, traffic signage is inadequate, or other hazards are in place due to negligence by local governments, poor road conditions can cause an accident.
• Mechanical defects — Defective tires, brakes, and other components of a vehicle can cause an accident if a driver cannot maintain control of the vehicle.

Most Common Car Accident Injuries

Some of the most common injuries that occur in car accidents include:

• Broken bones
• Soft-tissue injuries
• Burns
• Crushed and amputated limbs
• Disfigurement
• Spinal cord damage
• Neck and back injuries, including whiplash
• Traumatic brain injuries

In many cases, traumatic injuries from a car accident will take a long time to heal. Treatment may cost a great deal. A car accident lawyer can help you recover compensation to offset these costs.

How to File a Car Accident Claim in Colonia, NJ

The car accident claims process can be quite complicated because different people have different legal options, depending on their level of insurance coverage and the circumstances surrounding the car accident.

All New Jersey drivers must carry a minimum amount of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits as part of their auto insurance policy. Policyholders can use these benefits regardless of who’s at fault for a crash. This is why New Jersey is known as a “no-fault” insurance state. If you’re in an accident, your first step is to file a claim for your PIP benefits.

If your PIP benefits are not enough to cover all your losses in a crash, your other options will vary depending on what insurance you have and the severity of your injuries. You may have personal health insurance that can help cover some of these expenses. Car accident victims also have the right to sue for compensation, though how broad that right is depends on the specifics of each insurance policy.

Under a standard auto insurance policy in New Jersey, drivers can only file a fault-based claim for compensation if they’ve suffered severe long-term or permanent injuries, such as:

• Significant scarring or disfigurement
• Dismemberment
• Displaced bone fractures
• Loss of a fetus
• Death
• Other permanent physical injuries or disabilities

Alternatively, New Jersey drivers can opt for a policy with an unlimited right to file a fault-based claim after a crash. These policies may be more expensive, but they also allow you to potentially more compensation after a crash. Additionally, you may be able to file a claim in more situations than a limited policy would allow. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer can examine your auto insurance policy to determine your options for recovering compensation.

What Should I Do After A Car Accident?

Here are the most critical steps to take if you’ve been injured in a car accident:

• Call 911 so police and emergency medical personnel can come to the scene
• Get the name and insurance information for any other parties involved in the accident
• Document the crash scene as best you can by taking pictures with your phone
• See a doctor right away if you aren’t taken to a hospital
• Don’t talk to the other driver’s insurance company or say anything on social media about the accident
• Hire an experienced car accident lawyer

Car Accident Compensation

If someone else’s negligence caused the accident, you may be able to recover compensation for the accident-related losses you suffer, such as:

• • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Decreased future earning potential
  • Damaged personal property
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress

Talk to Our Experienced Colonia Car Accident Lawyers Today

If you were injured in a car accident in Colonia, the experienced car accident lawyers at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon would be ready to fight for the fair compensation you’re entitled to. With over 25 personal injury attorneys on our team, your case will always be supported. Learn more today by contacting us for a free initial consultation. We provide free consultations wherever you prefer, including video meetings over FaceTime, Zoom, and Skype.