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If you’ve been involved in a vehicle accident, the first thing you might do is panic.
Worries about your safety and the safety of others may cloud your judgment and distract you from essential tasks.
New Jersey car accident attorneys share that the best outcome for car accident victims is often determined in the moments immediately following the car crash.
They advise car accident victims to remain calm, call for medical aid if necessary, and keep in mind the following three reasons to exchange insurance information after an accident, even if you don’t think you are injured.
3 Reasons to Exchange Insurance Information after a New Jersey Car Accident
1. It’s the Law
New Jersey law requires all drivers to stop immediately, or as close to the accident as possible, and exchange information. This information should include:
- Name
- Address
- License
- Registration
Drivers are also required to provide proof of insurance when operating a vehicle in New Jersey. Failure to do so could result in fines and imprisonment.
When exchanging information with other drivers involved in an accident, it is essential you obtain their insurance information. Reluctance or refusal to provide their insurance information may be an indicator that they are an uninsured driver.
2. Identifying the At-Fault Party
Exchanging information is a vital component to identifying who can be held legally responsible for damages.
In New Jersey, even if there were no injuries, the other driver may still be responsible for paying property damage costs resulting from the accident.
While claims for damages are filed against the at-fault driver, their insurance coverage would likely pay the claim. Your car accident lawyer will need as much information regarding the driver and their insurance coverage as possible when filing a claim for financial damages.
Keep in mind, New Jersey is a no-fault insurance state with limited rights to sue. To better understand the insurance claims process and limiting factors in your lawsuit, it’s a good idea to consult a New Jersey personal injury attorney.
3. Protecting Your Future Rights
Getting the other drivers’ insurance information is vital to protecting your future rights to financial damages.
After an accident, your body may experience an adrenaline surge that can mask the symptoms of serious injuries. Often, injuries resulting from the car accident are felt and diagnosed weeks or months after the incident.
New Jersey protects injured victims’ rights to file a claim for damages against an at-fault party within two years of a personal injury accident. There are also time restrictions that come into play when notifying an insurance company of a vehicle accident.
It’s important to have a good record of the accident and the other parties involved to support a personal injury lawsuit for injuries and losses suffered after a car crash. A lack of essential information could jeopardize your claim or at least make it more challenging and costly.
Can a New Jersey Personal Injury Attorney Help You?
If you’ve been party to a New Jersey car accident, you must understand the importance of collecting essential information and documenting critical details of the incident.
A skilled personal injury attorney can best advise you regarding your claim’s merits if they have as much information available to them as possible.
To learn more about the necessary steps following a car accident and the information you should gather for the other parties involved, contact an experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyer today. Get in touch with our office today.