What Are the Damages I May Be Entitled To?
If another driver is at fault for the injuries and other losses you suffered, they may also be obligated to compensate you accordingly. This could include money for the following:
- Medical bills and rehabilitation expenses, including hospitalizations, surgeries, medications, doctor’s appointments, physical or occupational therapy, or medical and mobility equipment
- Long-term care expenses for medical and personal support you may need if you suffer from permanent disabilities
- Loss of wages or income due to missed work or reduced earnings if you are on part-time or light-duty work while you recover from your injuries
- Loss of future earning potential and employment benefits if you cannot return to your job or other work due to disability
- Physical pain and emotional trauma or distress
- Loss of enjoyment and quality of life after suffering physical disability or permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs if your car was damaged or totaled in the accident
Why Should I Have a New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer Handle My Case Right Away
If you’re dealing with expensive losses after an accident, it’s understandable that you might be hesitant to hire an attorney to handle your case. However, working with an attorney will increase your chance of maximizing compensation for your injuries and losses. Some of the benefits of having an attorney in a car accident case include the following.
You May Not Realize the Extent of Your Injuries
You might not be inclined to talk to a lawyer after a car crash if you think you weren’t seriously hurt. However, many car accident injuries can take weeks or even months to cause pain or show other symptoms. Waiting too long to talk to a lawyer may jeopardize your rights to compensation for your medical bills. Your attorney can get you to a medical professional to thoroughly examine any injuries you suffered in the car crash.
A Car Accident Lawyer Will Have Experience Investigating Crashes
Evidence critical to your car accident claim may be lost in the days following the crash, or you might not have time or resources to gather the evidence you need. Your attorney will know what evidence to look for following a car accident and how to preserve it.
An Attorney Can Communicate with Other Parties on Your Behalf
You may be contacted by insurance adjusters or defense attorneys soon after a car accident. Instead of communicating with them yourself and exposing yourself to the risk of loaded questions, hire a lawyer to speak on your behalf. It’s best to have an experienced legal representative protecting your rights and interests in any dealings with insurance companies or other parties.
What Will My Car Crash Lawyer Do for My Case?
You can expect car crash lawyer Steven Ellman to help you with every detail of preparing and pursuing your car accident case, including:
- Investigating the crash scene and preserving and securing all available evidence.
- Documenting your injuries and losses to calculate the compensation you may be owed.
- Retaining expert witnesses in accident reconstruction, automotive engineering, medicine, vocational counseling, or finance to help build a robust and persuasive argument for your rights to financial recovery.
- Identifying all potentially liable parties and applicable insurance coverages.
- Explaining your legal options and preparing you for your case so that you can make informed decisions.
- Filing insurance or legal claims on your behalf to aggressively pursue maximum compensation in a negotiated settlement or at trial.
What Should I Do If I Think That the Car Accident Was Partially My Fault?
New Jersey law does not automatically prevent you from pursuing compensation for a car accident that is partially your fault. New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means an accident victim can seek compensation as long as their share of fault is not greater than that of other involved parties. In other words, you can still seek financial relief as long as you are not more than 50 percent responsible for your injuries.
However, under the comparative negligence rule, your compensation may be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault for the accident. For example, if you sustained $50,000 in losses from a car accident for which you were 10 percent at fault, your award may be reduced by $5,000 to reflect your share of the blame.
The comparative negligence rule makes it essential to act quickly to protect your interests and minimize your liability after a car accident. Take the following steps if you believe you are partially to blame for a crash include the following:
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene to document significant evidence, such as vehicle damage, skid marks on the road, traffic controls, visible injuries you suffered, and weather or road conditions at the time of the accident.
- Avoid discussing the accident with anyone involved, including the other driver, and do not apologize or make any statements that might be construed as an admission of fault.
- Seek prompt medical attention to have a doctor diagnose and document the injuries you suffered in the crash. Follow through on your provider’s treatment recommendations and instructions.
- Report the accident to your insurance provider as soon as possible.
- Request a copy of the police accident report.
- Gather copies of your bills, invoices, receipts, pay stubs, income statements, and other documentation related to the treatment of your injuries.
- Do not provide a recorded statement to or answer questions about the accident from an insurance adjuster.
- Refrain from posting about the accident, your injuries, or your legal claim on social media.
Finally, get help from New Jersey car accident attorney Steven Ellman. He can communicate with insurance adjusters, law enforcement officers, and defense lawyers on your behalf to protect your rights and interests. Steven Ellman will advocate for you and work tirelessly to prove the accident was not your fault.
609-354-2133 
