Burlington County Car Accident Lawyers
Burlington County is located in South Jersey along the Delaware River and bordering Philadelphia. Burlington County is one of the state’s most populous counties. Car accidents occur regularly in many highly populated urban areas in the county.
Suffering injuries in a car accident can be traumatic and create financial hardship. If you have been injured in an accident, our Burlington County car accident lawyers at the Law Office of David S. Rochman can help you seek compensation for your injuries and losses.
What Types of Car Accident Cases Does the Firm Handle?
In New Jersey’s highly populated urban areas, traffic congestion is daily, resulting in numerous accidents annually. Our Burlington County car accident lawyers handle various types of car accident cases, including:
- Head-on collisions
- Low-speed collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- T-bone or side-impact collisions
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Burlington County?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 94 percent of all car accidents are caused by human error. Regardless of our responsibility, accidents can still happen when others are reckless. Some of the most common causes of car accidents include:
- Distracted driving: Driving while engaging in other activities is considered distracted driving, which has become one of the top causes of accidents nationally and the leading cause in many states.
- Drowsy driving: Many studies have shown that sleep deprivation causes the same neurological effects as drunk driving.
- Drunk driving: Alcohol reduces brain function reaction times, inhibits the ability to process information, blurs vision, interrupts focus, and causes sleepiness.
- Reckless driving: Swerving in and out of traffic, cutting other drivers off, tailgating, and speeding are considered aggressive driving behaviors.
- Speeding: Driving faster than the posted speed limit reduces the available stopping distance, greatly increasing the risk of an accident.
- Weather: Speeding, making sudden lane changes, and traveling too close to another car in bad weather increase the risk of accidents.
What Types of Car Accident Injuries Are Common?
Injuries can occur quickly in car accidents, even during minor collisions. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Broken bones: The force of impact or rollovers causes tremendous strain on bones, leading to fractures and often multiple breaks.
- Bruising: Even minor accidents can cause bruising, such as seat belt restraints tightening or airbag deployment.
- Concussions: Concussions occur when the head strikes against something hard, such as the steering wheel, windows, or the backs of car seats for rear-riding passengers. Concussions range in severity and can result in headaches, blurred vision, and speech and memory problems, usually only temporarily.
- Neck and back injuries: The sheer force of a car accident can result in neck and back injuries, leading to nerve damage along the spine that interrupts the body’s signals to the brain and mobility problems, including partial and full paralysis.
- Organ damage: The force of impact causes internal organs to move violently, causing bruising, lacerations, or crushing to the organs’ soft tissue, leading to severe and life-threatening injuries. Trauma to the organs can also result in dangerous internal bleeding, requiring immediate medical intervention.
- PTSD: Car accidents are traumatic; long after the body heals, the mind may re-experience the trauma. PTSD can be managed through treatment.
- Traumatic brain injuries: Trauma is a severe injury that can alter brain functions and cause changes in personality, speech, temperament, and cognitive ability. Depending on the severity of the injury, recovery can take years. However, the damage is permanent in the majority of cases.
- Whiplash: One of the most common car accident injuries, whiplash occurs when the head moves backward and suddenly forward, bruising the brain against the skull.
What Should I Do if I am in a Car Accident in Burlington County?
The actions you take following an accident are important:
- Report the accident: Call the police and report the accident.
- Document the scene: Take photos of the scene, including the damage to both cars, injuries, road conditions, signage, lighting, and anything else that may have contributed to the accident.
- Gather statements: Ask witnesses for their contact information and a statement of what they witnessed.
- Seek medical attention: Always seek medical attention within. Some internal injuries do not present symptoms for hours or days.
- Maintain records: Keep all documents and correspondence you receive related to your accident claim.
- Hire an attorney: Working with an experienced car accident lawyer helps keep you protected and increases the likelihood of receiving compensation.
What Compensation am I Entitled to After an Accident in Burlington County?
New Jersey is a “no-fault” state, meaning each driver’s insurance pays for medical bills, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. However, under certain circumstances, you may be able to sue for compensation to cover certain losses, such as:
- Disability or disfigurement
- Lost current and future wages
- Medical expenses
- Ongoing medical treatment related to the accident
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
New Jersey is also a comparative negligence state, which can affect the compensation you receive based on your contribution to the accident. Under comparative negligence, each driver is assigned a percentage of fault in the accident, which will reduce your compensation award.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Personal Injury Claim in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is two years from the date of the accident or death.
Our Burlington County Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Office of David S. Rochman Help Injured Car Accident Survivors
Suffering injuries in a car accident is emotionally and financially taxing. If a negligent driver has injured you, our skilled Burlington County car accident lawyers at the Law Office of David S. Rochman can help you seek the compensation you deserve. Call us today at 856-751-2345 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, we serve clients in Burlington County and surrounding areas.