Car Accident Attorneys For Toms River, Brick And Ocean County
The time after a car accident is often one of the most difficult times in a person’s life. People often feel overwhelmed by pain and loss, angry at the situation and as if they will never get their lives back.
At R.C. Shea & Associates, Counsellors at Law, our car accident lawyers can’t take away your pain. But we promise that brighter days are ahead. We will help you get there.
Serious Car Accident Lawyers For Serious Injuries
Car accidents can cause serious damage. Many accident victims are left with catastrophic injuries that require repeated surgeries and ongoing physical therapy, and may result in a lifetime of pain and suffering.
At R.C. Shea & Associates, Counsellors at Law, we have handled many large, multimillion-dollar accident cases with great success. We are committed to helping our clients maximize their claims. We begin with a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding your accident. Our car accident attorneys then build strong injury claims that maximize compensation.
What To Do After A Car Accident
After a car accident, taking the right steps is crucial for protecting your interests. The most critical tasks for you to complete include:
- Take photos of the scene and injuries: This evidence helps document the accident and provides valuable information for your legal team.
- Get contact information: Collect details from the other party and any eyewitnesses to assist in the investigation.
- Seek medical help: Immediate medical attention ensures your health and provides records for any claims.
- Notify your insurance company: Report the accident promptly with basic facts. This step is vital for determining your coverage. Avoid accepting settlements before consulting a lawyer.
- Get a copy of the police report: This document offers essential details for your lawyer to analyze the incident thoroughly.
- Keep all records and evidence: Keep copies of medical bills, repair costs and other expenses. Also, save photos and eyewitness information.
- Write it down: Record everything you remember about the accident while it’s still fresh in your memory.
- Avoid social media: Refrain from discussing the accident online, as insurers may use your posts against you.
- Contact a lawyer: Legal guidance is crucial for navigating your case effectively.
Following these steps can help protect your rights and improve the outcome of your case. We are here to support you throughout this process.
Your Right To Compensation After A Car Accident
After a car accident, you can recover compensation for the following:
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Medical costs, including future medical needs
- Pain and suffering (subject to the verbal threshold)
It’s important to consult with a legal professional to understand the full scope of compensation available to you based on the specifics of your case.
Understanding Car Insurance Options In New Jersey
There are typically five types of coverage that car insurance policies offer:
- Personal injury protection (PIP): Covers medical expenses and more
- Liability: Covers damage you cause
- Uninsured motorist: Protects against drivers without insurance
- Underinsured motorist: Fills gaps in the at-fault driver’s insurance
- Collision and comprehensive: Covers vehicle damage and noncollision issues like theft
You have two primary car insurance policy options in New Jersey: standard and basic policies. With a standard policy, you receive:
- Bodily injury liability: Coverage from $15,000 to $250,000 per person and $30,000 to $500,000 per accident
- Property damage: Coverage from $5,000 to over $100,000
- Personal injury protection: Coverage from $15,000 to $250,000
- The choice between unlimited and limited right to sue impacts compensation for pain and suffering
A basic policy includes:
- Optional bodily injury liability: Up to $10,000 per accident
- Property damage: $5,000 per accident
- Personal injury protection: From $15,000 to $250,000 for certain injuries
- Limited right to sue option
If you selected limited right to sue when you purchased your insurance, it may be harder to obtain compensation for your noneconomic damages, like pain and suffering. In order to recover noneconomic damages, a doctor must provide a sworn statement that your injury is permanent and you must have medical records to back up that claim.
New Jersey’s No-Fault Auto Insurance Laws
New Jersey is among the few states with a “no-fault” insurance system, meaning you must first rely on your own insurance coverage for medical expenses and losses after a car accident. The advantage is that medical costs are covered quickly, reducing the wait for reimbursement. However, it limits your ability to sue for pain and suffering unless the injuries are severe.
To pursue compensation after a car accident in New Jersey, your first step is to file a personal injury protection claim. These benefits apply regardless of who caused the accident, earning the nickname “no-fault benefits.” Our firm can assist in filing this claim and address any issues with your insurance company.
Establishing fault is crucial for further compensation. We can help accomplish this by identifying factors that contributed to the accident, including:
- Unsafe speed
- Tailgating
- Failure to obey traffic signals
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
We are here to help you understand your rights and work toward a fair resolution.
Modified Comparative Negligence Standard In New Jersey
New Jersey applies the modified comparative negligence rule in personal injury cases, which means you can recover damages if you’re 50% or less at fault. Your percentage of fault reduces your compensation. If you’re over 50% at fault, you can’t receive any compensation.
For example, if a jury decides your damages total $100,000 and you’re 20% at fault, while the other party is 80% at fault, you can recover 80% of the damages, equaling $80,000. But if you’re found to be 60% at fault, you won’t get any compensation, as you’re more than 50% at fault.
Understanding this standard is crucial because it directly impacts your case and potential settlement amounts. We are here to help you assess your situation and work toward achieving the best possible outcome under New Jersey law.
Why Hire An Attorney After A New Jersey Car Accident?
After a car accident in New Jersey, hiring a lawyer can be crucial. Insurance laws are complex, making it difficult to know what you can sue for and the compensation you might receive. A study by the Insurance Research Council shows that victims with legal representation often get payouts 3.5 times higher than those without a lawyer. Plus, 85% of all bodily injury claim payouts go to those with an attorney, highlighting the benefits of having legal help.
Our firm, in particular, can help you in numerous valuable ways by:
- Reviewing your insurance policy and explaining your rights
- Investigating the crash thoroughly
- Assessing physical, emotional and financial harm
- Reviewing your case and filing necessary reports
- Preparing for your accident statement
- Taking your case to trial if needed
We are committed to helping you understand your options and handling your case effectively.
If You Were Injured In A Car Accident, Contact Our Law Firm
If you were injured in a car accident, contact our firm at 732-505-1212. Our car accident lawyers are skilled injury advocates. We handle complex car accident claims that other firms do not. We will fight to get you the compensation you are entitled to receive.
Consultations are free, and cases are taken on a contingency basis. We advance all the costs of your case, and you won’t pay us a fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Our offices are conveniently located in Toms River, Manchester and Brick.
Recommended Reading
- Why your degree of fault in a car accident claim matters
- Useful evidence for your personal injury claim
- The 2 keys to defensive driving
- Why do people run red lights?
- Why a two-second following distance isn’t safe
Resources For Motorists Involved In Car Accidents
New Jersey State Police (NJSP)
NJSP Troop C (Toms River)
Provides information on accident reporting, traffic services and safety tips.
Ocean County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff’s Traffic Safety Unit
Offers accident reporting, traffic incident information and safety resources.
Local Police Departments
Each department provides information on accident reporting and traffic safety programs.
Ocean County Superior Court
Traffic Court Information
Gives details on navigating traffic citations and accident-related legal matters.
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC)
MVC Accident Reporting
Offers guidance on how to report accidents and what to do after a car crash.
New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT)
NJDOT Traffic Safety
Provides information on road safety, traffic laws and accident prevention.