Cherry Hill Car Accident Lawyers
More than 71,000 people live within the almost 25 square miles of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and that does not even include the thousands who travel to and through the area daily to shop or go to work. In addition, Cherry Hill is bisected by the New Jersey Turnpike and contains Routes 38, 70, and 73.
With all that traffic and visitors to the area, there are plenty of opportunities for car accidents to occur. There will be drivers in a rush to get to work who will drive aggressively. Other drivers may be unfamiliar with the area and cause accidents. There are many causes of car accidents in New Jersey and throughout the U.S.
When you are injured in a car accident, many questions will begin to emerge, including how it will impact your life personally and financially. A Cherry Hill car accident lawyer can help minimize the financial impact it will have on you. They can lay out your legal options and will assist in defraying any costs associated with your injury.
Can I File a Claim Against an At-Fault Driver in New Jersey?
New Jersey is a no-fault state. As far as filing a claim against the driver responsible for the cause of an accident, some insurance plans prohibit you from doing so. In exchange, you can file a claim with your own insurance to recoup your medical expenses associated with any injury that you sustain and a portion of any salary you lose because you are forced to miss work.
All drivers are obligated to purchase car insurance in New Jersey. The type you purchase will dictate your legal options if you become involved in a car accident. Regardless of the insurance you choose, you have a right to file a claim against an at-fault driver if you sustain a catastrophic injury, such as an amputation or a traumatic brain injury (TBI), or the accident causes death.
You have two options for insurance: the basic policy and the standard policy. If you chose the basic policy, it limits your right to file a claim against another driver to previously listed specific circumstances. Under the standard policy option, you can choose the unlimited right to sue option, which allows you to file a claim against an at-fault driver for expenses associated with your accident. Most New Jersey drivers chose the basic policy and the limited right to sue option because it has a lower premium. You should also know that if you are involved in a car accident, you cannot then change your insurance policy to give you the option of filing a personal injury claim.
If you do have the option to file a claim against an at-fault driver, a Cherry Hill car accident lawyer can explain your legal options and what you might need to do. It is also important to note that you will only have two years to file a claim from the date of your accident. If you fail to do so in that short time period, your case will likely be dismissed.
How Can I Recoup Losses?
For some New Jersey residents, their insurance will prohibit them from filing a claim against another driver. Since it is a no-fault state, anyone injured in a car accident can file a claim against their insurance through their personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. Regardless of your role in an accident, you can claim with your insurance.
You will only be able to collect on economic damages incurred due to your car accident, including:
- Medical costs: Your PIP insurance can recover any medical expenses associated with your injuries. This includes doctor visits, tests, treatments such as surgeries, and any future medical expenses.
- Lost income: You may be unable to return to work due to your injuries or rehabilitation schedule. In those instances, you could be losing out on salary. You can recoup that lost salary through a claim.
- Car repairs: Your car insurance can also cover any damage inflicted on your car during the accident.
- Associated charges: Any costs associated with the damages to your vehicle outside of the direct repairs are also covered. These could include renting a car while your car is in the shop.
What Are Common Types of Car Crashes?
Car accidents occur frequently, and certain circumstances on the road can lead to common types of accidents. Common types of car accidents include:
- Head-on collisions: Head-on collisions can be the most dangerous and deadliest of car accidents, as the sudden impact can force a driver forward and potentially get thrown through a windshield or hit their head on a hard surface. Head-on collisions often occur because someone is driving down the wrong way on a one-way street or too intoxicated to know what they are doing.
- Sideswipe accidents: These accidents take place when two cars are traveling side-by-side and the two make contact. One usually occurs when a driver does not properly check their blind spots and attempts to merge lanes.
- Side-impact collisions: These are also known as T-bone collisions and mostly occur in intersections when one car fails to yield. That driver may not be paying attention or trying to beat a red light.
- Rear-end collisions: These are the most common car accidents and can range from minor fender-benders to significant crashes. A rear-end collision can occur when a car stops short, causing the vehicle behind to make contact, or one car is not paying attention and collides with the vehicle in front of them.
A Cherry Hill car accident lawyer can help you out no matter your circumstances. They can assess the full extent of your damages and help you file a claim.
What Can I Recoup?
If circumstances allow you to file a claim against an at-fault driver, the options of what you can recoup are more involved than what you can seek through your PIP insurance. Through a claim, you can seek non-economic expenses, including loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and the family of a person killed in a car accident can seek death benefits.
It is also important to note that New Jersey follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning that if you have contributed to the accident, your percentage of fault will be deducted from the overall compensation award. The court will determine the percentage of fault of each party.
If you file a claim and the court finds that you are more than 50 percent responsible for a car accident, you will be barred from collecting any damages. Because of this, it is possible that you will not be able to claim the full amount that you were initially anticipating.
Cherry Hill Car Accident Lawyer at the Law Office of David S. Rochman Will Determine Your Legal Solution After a Collision
You may be confused about what to do after a car accident, but you may have legal options. Our Cherry Hill car accident lawyer at the Law Office of David S. Rochman will work with you and help you determine the best course of action. Call us at 856-751-2345 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout Burlington County and the surrounding areas.