Two cars collided in an auto collision

Car accidents are among the most common causes of serious injury and legal disputes in New Jersey. Each year, thousands of individuals are impacted by road accidents, ranging from minor fender benders to catastrophic collisions that can result in significant personal and financial hardships. Understanding the specific laws and regulations in New Jersey regarding car accidents is crucial for effectively navigating the aftermath and pursuing rightful compensation.

At Nagel Rice LLP, we specialize in personal injury law and have over thirty years of experience securing successful outcomes in New Jersey personal injury lawsuits. Our firm is committed to assisting clients who have been seriously injured in car accidents caused by another motorist’s negligence. With a thorough understanding of New Jersey’s legal landscape and a dedication to justice, our experienced attorneys are prepared to advocate vigorously on your behalf, ensuring you receive the compensation and support you need to recover.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in New Jersey

No matter how safely we drive, we can’t control external factors, like the behavior of other drivers, so the risk of having a collision is always there. Certain factors, some within our control and some not, increase the probability that a car crash will occur, including:

Age can also be a factor in car crashes. Young and inexperienced drivers may make more mistakes or be more impulsive than mature drivers. On the other hand, older drivers may have diminished reflexes, vision or hearing, or other health conditions that make them a hazard on the road.

Beyond all factors that can be moderated to reduce road risk, there are the unexpected, unpredictable causes that give crashes their name — a building facade that breaks and falls; an animal that runs into the street; a previously healthy driver who experiences a medical crisis.  When such unavoidable events occur, no one is to blame.

Car accident attorneys in New Jersey and New York

No-Fault Insurance

No-fault insurance is designed to prevent unnecessary, costly litigation and ensure medical costs are paid promptly. Auto insurance in New Jersey or New York is known as “no-fault insurance” because no matter who or what causes a car crash, your own insurance company is responsible for paying medical treatment fees for:

  • Doctor bills
  • Ambulance and emergency room bills
  • Prescription medications
  • Imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Lost wages

These payments should be noted to compensate for economic losses. No-fault insurance does not, however, cover pain and suffering. To be reimbursed for the misery of being seriously hurt, you must file a personal injury lawsuit. This is where Nagel Rice LLP comes in. As first-rate personal injury attorneys with offices in New York and New Jersey, we are well-informed about the applicable laws in these two states and adept at negotiating or litigating to obtain substantial settlements. We have a proven track record of obtaining some of the highest damage amounts ever awarded, many in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

All New York State residents and almost all New Jersey residents are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP), an extension of auto insurance that covers the economic aspects of injuries resulting from crashes. PIP covers not only the insured driver but also any passengers or pedestrians who suffer injury in the crash.

Common Injuries After a Car Accident

Victims of car crashes may suffer all kinds of injuries, some requiring prolonged medical care. If you have been in a serious car accident, you may, in addition to minor scrapes, lacerations, bruises, and swelling, have suffered:

It is not uncommon for bodily harm suffered during a car crash to have manifestations weeks, or even years after the fact, so it is important to consider how your injuries may affect you in years to come. At Nagel Rice, our New Jersey & New York attorneys are well-versed in the possible complications and future implications of your present injuries and able to calculate reasonable costs that you may have to pay or income you may lose as time goes by. When we file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf, we will use well-defined formulas to realistically assess the amount of money you will need to maintain yourself and your loved ones going forward.

When Personal Injury Lawsuits Become Necessary After A Car Accident

Bodily injury (BI) claims are distinct from the no-fault payments described above. Though charged against the same insurance company, personal injury claims are processed entirely separately and are regulated by a different set of rules, departments, and adjusters than no-fault claims. They also have different standards of proof and available compensation.

No-Fault was designed to ensure that regardless of fault, an insurance company will pay cyclists, pedestrians, drivers, and passengers up to $50,000.00 for legitimate economic losses as described above. In many circumstances, however, this amount does not come close to covering losses you have incurred in terms of life-changing injuries that may alter employment opportunities, cause lasting emotional trauma, and result in diminished quality of life. With the assistance of one of the vigorous personal injury attorneys at Nagel Rice LLP, you can file a lawsuit that will cover your personal injuries much more comprehensively and will address issues of long-term disabilities and/or physical pain and psychological damage.

How Long Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Take in NJ?

The timeline for a personal injury car accident lawsuit in New Jersey typically ranges from six months to two years. The duration of each case can vary significantly based on individual factors, such as the complexities of the case, the extent of injuries, and whether the case is settled out of court or proceeds to trial. At Nagel Rice LLP, we work diligently to streamline the legal process, aiming for the swiftest resolution possible while ensuring that your rights and interests are fully protected.

Choice No-Fault Insurance in New Jersey

New Jersey is one of only a few states known as a “choice no-fault” insurance state, meaning that drivers can choose between no-fault and traditional automobile insurance coverage. If the no-fault option is chosen, the driver’s insurance policy will pay for medical bills and other expenses. A lawsuit can only be brought against the other driver if the car crash resulted in one of the following: displaced fractures, dismemberment, significant scarring or disfigurement, permanent injury, or the loss of a fetus.

Contact Our New Jersey & New York Car Accident Injury Attorneys

While insurance company representatives may appear compassionate and willing to help in the immediate aftermath of your car accident, you should be aware that their goal is to settle as quickly and inexpensively as possible. This is why you need to have our knowledgeable, skilled team looking out for your interests. You should never sign any agreements with an insurance company before consulting with us. We have extensive experience and know precisely which strategies will work most efficiently to get you the settlement you’re entitled to.

We have the resources to investigate, collect evidence, and interview witnesses and the skills to negotiate with agility. If negotiations break down, we are fully prepared to win your case through energetic litigation. To contact Nagel Rice LLP, give us a call or fill out one of the convenient contact forms on our website.

Nagel Rice LLP helps its clients throughout New Jersey, including Roseland, Bergen County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, Passaic County, and Sussex County. We also represent clients in New York throughout Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.