Car accidents take seconds to happen, but can affect your life for years. They catch you off-guard, because they happen so quickly. You have very little time to react. If you anticipate a car accident every time you get into your car, you can put a plan into place. That way, you’ll always have things ready to increase your chances of a successful lawsuit (assuming the accident is not your fault).
- Call the police! The police will send an ambulance to your location. The ambulance will take you to the hospital to receive treatment. But, wait! The ambulance is going to take a few minutes to arrive, and that’s good for you, if you’re able to move around.
- While you’re waiting for the ambulance, start taking photos of the crime scene and ask the other driver, if you are able, for their insurance information.
- Ask any witnesses if you can have their contact information. They’ll be a great addition to your case.
- After receiving medical treatment, reach out to your physician about receiving any and all relevant paperwork. You want anything that documents your injury, such as x-rays, charts marking when your injuries occurred, this can be used to bolster your claim.
- Last but not least, get a car accident lawyer such as the ones available at Davis & Brusca, LLC. Lawyers are your best friend when you’re trying to win a case. You want to make sure they are trained to deal with your type of claim, and that they’ve got the experience that you need.
What Is PIP?
PIP is Personal Injury Protection, a no-fault insurance that helps you pay part of your medical bills, and covers part of your lost wages. This is a specific insurance that New Jersey gives every driver in NJ. However, it does not cover all of your cost, so be prepared to go to court to fight for full compensation.
Can You Sue For an Accident That Was Half Your Fault?
New Jersey has a lawn that is known as “comparative negligence law”. This law states that, if you were partially at fault for an accident, you can still sue the other driver’s insurance company. The court will need to determine who was most at fault and adjust the compensation received based on that decision.
Example: If the court decides the accident was 30% your fault, you’re going to receive 30% less compensation.
What Happens if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
When the other driver does not have insurance, that means instead of suing the motorist’s insurance, you can file with UM insurance for financial compensation. UM insurance means underinsured or uninsured motorist. This means if you are injured in an accident with an uninsured motorist, you can file with your own insurance company, so that they have to help cover your damages and medical costs. However, your insurance only gives you up to 30 days (in most cases) to file a UM case. If you don’t have UM insurance, the collision coverage on your insurance policy may cover damages to your car, but won’t help with medical bills.