You may not know what to do after being in a car crash, especially considering the complexity (and headache) of insurance claims. Don’t go at it alone – the experienced attorneys at Stark & Stark Attorneys at Law are ready to help. We’ll guide you through the process and work towards getting you full compensation.
Our expert attorneys can provide you with the legal advice, guidance, and representation that you need. Call (800) 535-3425 now.
What to do after a car crash
Stark & Stark recommends taking the following steps to protect your rights after being in a crash:
- Call the police. Tell the police officer who arrives at the scene of the accident what happened. Stark & Stark can advise you on the process of reporting an accident and how to obtain a police report.
- Obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses. If possible, take photos of the scene of the accident as well as your car.
- Seek medical attention even if you think your injuries aren’t serious. Stark & Stark can help you with any insurance claims related to medical treatment and all other damages.
- Contact your insurance company. This is something Stark & Stark can help with – we can even call your insurer for you, if necessary.
- Avoid making any statements about the accident or accepting any blame until Stark & Stark has had a chance to investigate the case and review the police reports.
Make sure you file a claim in time
In New Jersey, you must file a personal injury claim within two years of the date of the incident. This time limit is known as a “statute of limitations,” and it helps ensure that evidence used in a case is relevant and timely.
If you were hurt in a crash, don’t wait to file a claim – contact one of our New Jersey car accident lawyers immediately.
Damages you may be able to recover
The compensation that accident victims are owed under the law can be substantial. In fact, statistics demonstrate how those who retain a lawyer receive three times more money than individuals without legal representation.
This is because insurance adjusters try their best to take advantage when dealing with unrepresented parties, which means you should definitely think about hiring a car crash lawyer to represent yourself or your loved one.
Without an experienced attorney, you are likely not going to get the compensation you deserve. You may even miss out on one of the types of damages that you may be entitled to.
Economic damages
Economic damages are those which you can put a dollar amount on. These include:
- Lost wages and future lost wages, including potential wage increases
- Loss of earning capacity
- Damage to property such as your vehicle
- Damages for medical costs and treatment of physical impacts from the crash, including headaches, neck problems, scarring
- Costs to remodel your house for your new needs due to injuries you suffered in the crash
- Costs for assistance during your recovery period
Economic damages are calculated by adding up the financial expense of these needs.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages are more difficult to calculate. These types of damages include:
- Pain and suffering in the days, months, or years that follow your crash
- Mental distress and anguish
- Loss of the enjoyment of life, such as no longer being able to enjoy your past hobbies and activities due to injuries you have sustained
- Mental and physical scarring, disfigurement, or disability
- Permanent injury or loss of bodily functions
- Loss of consortium, which includes a spouse being unable to provide the same level of care due to injuries sustained in a crash
Non-economic damages are calculated by considering how your life will be affected from here on out.
How much can I expect to recover from my accident?
Every case is different, so there’s no way to give an estimated dollar sum without knowing the details of your case. However, our firm has decades of experience obtaining maximum compensation for clients, and we’ll work to recover additional damages like:
- Lost wages and future earnings
- Cost of repairs or replacement for any damaged property
- Costs associated with any long-term care that is necessary as a result of the injuries sustained
To find out how much you can expect to recover, call Stark & Stark attorneys for a free evaluation. We’ll help fight for the compensation you deserve.
How New Jersey comparative fault laws may affect compensation
If you are involved in a car accident, it is possible for the court to find that you are partially responsible for causing the injury to yourself or another person.
Historically, this would mean that your case would be dismissed. It would only take 1% of liability on the victim’s part to free the negligent party from any culpability.
However, with comparative fault statutes, the negligent party can still be held responsible. The damages you can recover would be reduced by a percentage corresponding to your fault.
For example, if you are found to be 25% responsible for causing a collision involving two cars, your compensation will also be reduced by 25 percent. This does not mean that you will pay 25% of the damages to the other party; rather, your compensation amount will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you. So for instance, let’s say your case ends up in court and a jury awards $100,000 in compensation. If you’re found to be 25% at fault, that reward will be reduced and you’ll walk away with $75,000.
How Stark & Stark can help
Our NJ car accident attorneys have decades of experience as legal professionals. Stark & Stark can help you with your claim by:
- Reviewing the details of your situation and advising you on how to recover damages that may be available to you
- Negotiating an appropriate out-of-court settlement for your case, if possible
- Representing you in court, if negotiations fall through or if you decide to go to trial
It’s not always easy for someone who has been injured in a crash to navigate the stresses of insurance claims and lawsuits on their own. Stark & Stark can help ease that burden by taking care of all aspects of your claim so that you can focus on your recovery.
Call a New Jersey car accident lawyer today
If you’ve been in a car accident, Stark & Stark can steer the course for your recovery. You should not worry about dealing with insurance companies or navigating court systems when you are trying to recover from injuries sustained in an auto accident – let Stark & Stark do it for you.
Call our office today to speak with an NJ car accident lawyer for no-cost legal advice.
Common car accident injuries
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries are caused by the sudden, violent movement of the head. This can be caused by being shaken or slammed against something during a collision.
Brain damage can be “mild,” causing you to become forgetful, experience mood swings, or have trouble concentrating. This is known as a concussion, and although concussions are usually less severe than other types of traumatic brain injury, they can have serious implications, especially if left untreated.
Spinal cord injury (SCI)
The spinal cord is the information superhighway of your nervous system, which allows for communication between different parts of your body. When your spine is injured during a car accident, it can result in permanent damage to your nerves and result in loss of muscle control. This can cause weakness or paralysis throughout the body.
If you are suffering from back or neck pain after a car crash, this may be the result of a spinal cord injury.
Burn injuries
Burn injuries are caused by intense heat, electricity, chemicals, or other substances. They can be very painful and cause permanent scarring. If the burn is deep enough, it could result in death.
It’s important to seek immediate treatment after being burned. Not doing so can make recovery more difficult.
Burns can be treated with plastic surgery to help with scarring. This is an extensive and painful process.
Back injuries
Back injuries are the most common type of injury after an auto accident.
If you feel pain, numbness, or tingling in your back, this could be a result of a herniated disc or other issues.
Spinal cord injuries, herniated discs, and bulging discs can all result from a car accident. A herniated disc occurs when the gel cushioning between the vertebrae presses against the nerves, which causes pain and numbness.
If your back injury is not treated right away, it will only get worse. This can affect your ability to work over time.
Insurance is another reason why it’s so important to address your injuries as soon as possible. Reporting your injuries promptly to insurance could affect your ability to receive treatment.
Contusions and soft tissue damage
Contusions are bruises that result from trauma. Just like cuts, bruises take time to heal. If you were in a crash and have deeper contusion injuries, this could lead to muscle damage or soft tissue damage.
Symptoms can become more apparent as the days and weeks pass by, but your doctor may recommend physical therapy to help with symptoms.
If you do not receive proper treatment for soft tissue damage caused by a car accident, this could lead to permanent disability.
Broken bones
Broken bones are fairly common in car accidents. Just like contusions, broken bones take time to heal properly. If the bone was not set correctly during the initial stages of recovery, it can lead to permanent disability when you try to return to your normal activities. Unfortunately, broken bones are also prone to infection.
Attorneys at Stark & Stark are not only legal advocates – we can help you find the best treatment for your condition. We’re here for you every step of the way, and physical recovery is the first step.
Contact an experienced NJ car accident attorney today
Attorneys at Stark & Stark focus on what our clients deserve. Our full-service law firm helps victims obtain cash settlements for lost wages, the cost of future care, damaged personal property, medical expenses, emotional trauma, and more.
Call us today to find out how our experienced New Jersey car crash attorneys can help at 800-535-3425.
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