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Car Accidents

Car accidents account for thousands of serious injuries each year. Most could have been avoided with careful driving. In the best circumstances, the force of a crash is absorbed by the safety features of the car, letting those involved walk away with only their property affected. When this is not the case and a person’s negligence leads to a serious accident, those who sustained injuries may be entitled to compensation. Speaking with an attorney is best. Stathis & Leonardis is an experienced personal injury law firm located in Edison, New Jersey. Our firm has over 45 years of combined trial experience fighting for victims of negligence. If you or a loved one has been involved in an auto accident and need a fearless Middlesex County car accident attorney on your side, you’ve come to the right place. Contact Stathis & Leonardis for a free consultation.

Different Types of Car Accidents

There are several different types of car accidents, and while some are generally more devastating than others, serious injuries can occur in all of them. Some of the most common types of car accidents that our firm sees are as follows:

  • Rear-End Crashes: Rear-end crashes are among the most common types of car accidents, and they can happen in the blink of an eye. In most cases, rear-end crashes occur when one motorist is either tailing the motorist in front too closely and does not allow sufficient time to brake. In other cases, these accidents occur when one motorist is texting while driving, or otherwise driving while distracted, making it so he or she does not notice that the car in front has come to a stop. The rear-ending driver is almost always the liable party in these accidents.
  • Collisions At Intersections: Generally, collisions at intersections are referred to as “T-bone crashes.” This is because they usually happen when one driver is moving straight through a light while another driver moving in the opposite direction makes a left turn.
  • Low-Speed Collisions: Generally, low-speed collisions are not particularly devastating when they involve two cars. However, low-speed collisions generally occur in crowded places, such as shopping center parking lots, and if you were a pedestrian who was struck by a car, even one traveling at a low speed, there is a very good chance that you sustained severe injuries as a result. Typically, low-speed collisions occur as a result of drivers failing to look both ways before moving forward, failing to check to see if pedestrians are passing by before backing out of a parking spot, and more. These are all forms of driver negligence.
  • Head-On Collisions: Head-on collisions are usually the worst car accidents, and they are among the most fatal. Head-on collisions occur when one motorist is operating his or her vehicle either the wrong way down a one-way street, or while simply driving on the wrong side of a two-way road. If you were injured in a head-on collision, there is a very good chance that you will be entitled to financial compensation in a personal injury claim, and our Middlesex County car accident attorney is here to help.

PIP Insurance for Car Accident Victims

If you are in a car accident and have a New Jersey insurance policy, you usually have coverage for the immediate impact of an accident. This form of no-fault coverage is called personal injury protection (PIP), which covers the driver and any passengers in the car directly after an accident. This coverage can help a person pay for medical bills and lost wages that are the result of an injury. It is important to be aware that according to New Jersey’s Automobile Insurance Cost Reduction Act, residents of the state that have a limitation on lawsuit insurance can only try to recover compensation for pain and suffering if their injury is permanent and serious. The injuries must include one or more of the following:

  • Death
  • Dismemberment
  • Loss of a fetus
  • Disfigurement
  • Scarring
  • Permanent injury
  • Displaced fractures

Driver Negligence

Many times, driver negligence is to blame for a serious accident. Drivers have a standard of care that must be applied while operating a vehicle. This includes sober, undistracted, careful, and courteous driving. Unfortunately, there are frequently times where people fail to obey the rules and regulations of the road, and when they do, accidents are sure to happen. Some of the most common causes of car accidents that our firm sees include the following:

  • Distracted driving: In today’s day and age, cell phone use while driving has become a very serious problem, and though there are various laws in place to deter motorists from engaging in such dangerous behavior, many people throughout the state of New Jersey do so anyway.
  • Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol: Unfortunately, while there are also various laws in place regarding driving while under the influence, these laws do not stop everyone from doing so. If you were injured in an accident due to a motorist who was driving while under the influence, there is a very good chance that you will be entitled to financial compensation.
  • Speeding: We live in a time where nearly everyone is in a rush, no matter the time of day. That being said, it should not be a surprise that speeding is also one of the leading causes of car accidents. Not only do those who speed put their own lives at risk, but they also endanger the lives of those around them. This is unacceptable, and if we can prove that you were injured because of a speeding driver, you will most likely have a valid personal injury claim.

These incidents can have tragic results, including death. Driver negligence is not the only reason for serious accidents. Other parties may have a role to play in the incident. For example, if a car or one of its parts was found to be defective, this could lead to a third-party lawsuit. It is important to discuss your case with an attorney.

What to do After a Car Accident

After a car accident, it is critical that you take the following steps to bolster your chances of winning a future personal injury claim:

  1. Call the police, as they will send an ambulance to the scene of the accident.
  2. Ask the other motorist for his or her insurance information.
  3. Ask any witnesses for their contact information, such as their phone number, email, or any other means by which you may reach them.
  4. Take pictures of any damage to your car, the other motorist’s car, or any property that was damaged in the accident.
  5. Ensure that you receive medical treatment as soon as possible.
  6. Once you are treated in a hospital, you should ask your doctor for all documentation concerning your injuries. Our firm can use this information when proving the extent of the damages you’ve sustained.
  7. Retain the services of a knowledgeable Middlesex County car accident attorney who can work to obtain all additional evidence on your behalf. In certain cases, our firm can subpoena security camera footage of your accident as it occurred. In other cases, we can subpoena chemical testing results if you were injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver. Regardless of the circumstances of your accident, it is critical that you hire an attorney who has been handling car accident cases for decades.

Taking Legal Action

If you are seriously injured in a car accident, you may be able to take legal action against a negligent driver. You may be entitled to compensation called damages, which include both economic damages (the monetary impact of the accident) and non-economic damages (the physical and emotional effects of being in the accident.) Time is of the essence. A personal injury claim needs to be filed in accordance with New Jersey’s statute of limitation, which is two years from the date of the accident.  It is important to consult with an attorney who can assess your case and guide you through your legal options before it is too late.

How Long Does a Case Take?

The length of your case depends on the facts. If there is a dispute over fault, the cases can take quite a while. If the seriousness of the injuries is disputed, an already complicated matter can be exacerbated, leading to a drawn-out legal process. While the simplest of cases can take months and sometimes even settle out of court without you stepping in front of a judge, others must be fought. Our team is ready to battle.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Middlesex County

If you were in an accident that was not your fault and your injuries were serious, your future could be at stake. The financial, physical, and emotional tolls of a car accident can be overwhelming. Stathis & Leonardis is here to help. Equipped with years of experience and Certified Civil Trial Attorneys in the firm, we are ready to assess your case, guide you through your options, and zealously represent you in and out of court. Contact Stathis & Leonardis today.

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