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Edison Car Accident Lawyer

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With more than 200,000 car accidents every year, New Jersey can be a dangerous state to drive. Each day, there are more cars on the roads, contributing to traffic congestion that often leads to aggressive and reckless driving. And with everyone having a smartphone in their pocket, distractions abound.

Edison drivers can experience these risks while driving just as drivers in other cities throughout the state can. Fortunately, if you’ve been hurt in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses.

For Edison residents, it’s vital to understand more about car collisions in the city and how Edison car accident lawyers can help after a crash. Our personal injury attorneys are ready to help.

Common Causes for Car Accidents

The potential causes of a car accident are limitless, from distracted driving to reckless driving. Environmental factors, including road conditions and visibility issues, can make accidents more likely.

Some of the most common causes of car wrecks our Edison attorney see include:

Aggressive drivers make the roads less safe for everyone. Most people have experienced being angry at another driver for something they did on the road, but when that anger suddenly turns into aggressive actions like tailgating or braking, the problem can put lives at risk.

In New Jersey, where congestion is such a concern, road rage is common. Many people are stressed about having to get to work on time or pick up their children, and that leads to high emotions that quickly become volatile. This puts anyone on the road in danger.

Driving requires your full attention, but many people assume that they can do more than one task at a time, leading to an increased risk of being in a car accident.

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents. Distractions can be visual, manual, or cognitive, and they may involve actions like:

  • Eating and drinking
  • Sending text messages
  • Applying makeup and other grooming habits
  • Reaching for objects in the car
  • Talking on the phone

Every year in the United States, about 3,100 people die because of distracted drivers. Teen drivers may be the ones most likely to engage in distracted driving, but even taking your eyes off the road to look at a passenger in the back seat is enough to cause a serious accident.

Just one drink can impact your vision and hearing, as well as decrease your reaction times and your coordination. Every day in the United States, 37 people die because of drunk driving.

The most common way of testing for intoxication is by measuring your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels. The legal limit is 0.08%, but this doesn’t mean that having a BAC below that doesn’t make you too intoxicated to drive.

A single drink makes you a more distracted driver, putting yourself and everyone else on the road at risk. Driving under the influence of drugs, whether legal or illegal, is also a concern in Edison.

Drugs alter perception, cognition, balance, attention, coordination, and reaction times. No matter how the drug is consumed, whether inhaled, drunk, or injected, it can make you an unsafe driver.

Speeding is one of the top causes of car accidents in New Jersey. In fact, speeding is acontributing factor in 29%of all fatalities that occur because of car accidents.

When you’re driving too fast, you have less time to react to obstacles on the road. Additionally, speeding increases the force that your body will be under if you do have a collision. This leads to worse accidents and a higher risk of fatalities.

But speeding doesn’t just refer to driving over the speed limit. Adhering to the limit when the road conditions are poor can put you at the same level of risk.

Keep in mind that speed limits are not arbitrary. Traffic engineers work to assign speed limits to help protect everyone. Going over the speed limit by even a few miles per hour can often put you at significant risk.

Reckless driving refers to actions drivers choose to take that endanger the lives of others on the road. Some of these actions that can be considered reckless — especially if factors like pedestrian traffic and visibility issues are present— include:

  • Tailgating
  • Speeding
  • Running red lights
  • Driving aggressively
  • Braking suddenly
  • Running stop signs
  • Driving under the influence
  • Driving while distracted
  • Driving without headlights

Speeding alone is considered reckless driving in many instances. You are more likely to get charged with reckless driving if there are visibility issues, traffic congestion concerns, or pedestrians.

If you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol and you get behind the wheel, you may also be considered a reckless driver. This means you can be charged with both DUI and reckless driving.

The condition of the roads also impacts the likelihood of getting into a car accident. In New Jersey, this is often a concern in the form of the deterioration of highways and other major roadways.

Potholes are a serious worry. Potholes occur when the top layer of the road wears away to reveal the exposed concrete base. A large enough pothole can lead drivers to lose control of their cars while also affecting their tires.

Additionally, potholes put a notable strain on your car’s shock absorbers and suspension, potentially leading to expensive repairs while also making it more likely that you experience a tire blowout. This can also lead you to lose control of the car.

Being sleepy or tired when you get behind the wheel has the potential to lead to accidents. A driver who is drowsy will not react as quickly as they need to and may even fall asleep and lose control of the car. Losing consciousness for just a few seconds is enough to cause life-threatening car accidents.

When you’re driving while drowsy, you may experience symptoms such as difficulty concentrating or remembering directions, and you may feel restless or deal with frequent yawning.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to rest before proceeding with your trip. When possible, go to one of the many rest stops available for these purposes to ensure you don’t pose a risk to other drivers.

The weather is out of a driver’s control, but how they react to it is not. Going over the recommended speed limit for low visibility if there’s snow, rain, or fog can lead to car accidents. If you live in an area where snow tires are a requirement, and you don’t have them, it can also lead to car crashes.

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What To Do After an Edison Car Accident

To ensure that you and your passengers, as well as any other drivers involved, are safe, calling the emergency services is the first thing you should do after an accident. Let them know if you or anyone else has noticeable injuries.

Under New Jersey law, you have to stop nearby after an accident. Never leave the scene since doing so can result in fees and legal issues.

The next step you should take is to exchange contact information with the other driver. Get their name, license information, plate number, and registration number.

While speaking with the other driver, don’t talk about the accident itself or who was at fault. It can also be a good idea to write down what happened during the accident while it’s still fresh in your head.

If there’s no police officer present at the scene, you’ll need to report the accident to the local, country, or state police. You’ll also need to inform your insurer of the accident as soon as possible. Not doing so immediately could impact future claims.

You also want to take pictures of the accident. If you have scrapes, cuts, or other injuries, make sure to take pictures. Do the same with any damage that occurred to the car. Document road markings and weather conditions as well. All of this will help the police, your insurer, and your lawyer.

A lawyer can ensure you have the right evidence to support your claim. Make sure to seek legal guidance from an Edison car accident attorney as soon as possible after your crash to protect your rights.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents can result in many types of injuries, from minor scrapes to serious spinal cord injuries that can take away your livelihood and leave you in a wheelchair. Some of the most common injuries that car accident victims suffer include the following:

It’s common to experience bruising after a car accident. Typically, bruises heal after a week or two. Many times, the seat belt itself will leave a bruise on your chest.

It’s important to keep an eye on the bruising, however, and ensure that no other symptoms go along with it. Symptoms like numbness or loss of motion, nausea, vomiting, or blood in the urine are all signs that the bruise points to internal injuries.

This is why it’s so important to let paramedics check you after you have been in a car accident, even if you feel fine right after it occurs.

A heavy collision can result in broken bones, though they are not always easily detectable right after the accident happens. This is especially true if you have broken ribs. It is common for people who have been in a car accident that occurred at high speeds to experience broken bones.

If you notice a broken bone, you will want to seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Not only can you prevent the bone from setting incorrectly, but you can also ensure that there are no internal injuries as a result of the fracture.

Whiplash is the most common injury people suffer from when they get into a car accident. Whiplash is the result of your neck moving very fast forward and backward, similar to the movement of a whip. It occurs most often to people traveling in cars that were rear-ended.

The force of a collision can cause injuries to neck tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Neck strains are common after a car accident.

Burns and cuts can leave scars that can change a person’s appearance. These scars may require plastic surgery and can lead to mental health concerns like depression and anxiety.

Burns can occur in car accidents because the car’s movement might put you in contact with the engine or the radiator. Burns are some of the most painful injuries, and they are the ones most likely to leave scars.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) occur when the brain sustains impact. If your head hits a window or any other part of the car, or if the movement is powerful enough to snap the neck forward, you can get a TBI.

Some TBIs do not result in long-lasting consequences, but many can leave you suffering permanent issues that impact your quality of life.

A concussion is the mildest form of TBI. It occurs when the brain moves around the skull, bruising itself and potentially stretching out of shape. This can lead to chemical changes within the brain, resulting in more problems. All concussions need medical attention.

The impact of a car crash can dislocate or fracture vertebrae while also tearing or bruising the spinal cord. It can result in total or partial paralysis.

Most of the time, spinal cord injuries require physical therapy, and they may even warrant surgery. Lasting mobility issues and chronic pain often accompany spinal cord injuries, making it vital to get medical attention as soon as possible if you experience loss of movement, loss of sensation, difficulty breathing, and tingling.

Insurance Adjusters Are Not On Your Side

Part of dealing with the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident in Edison is dealing with insurance adjusters. These professionals are likely to be friendly and even appear helpful, but it is vital to remember that they are not on your side. Whether you are talking to your own adjuster or an employee of the other driver’s carrier, you will benefit from limiting what you share.

Insurance adjusters are trained to look for conflicting information in your claim. Getting even a minor detail wrong the second time you tell your story could be enough for the insurer to deny your claim. For most people, speaking directly with the adjuster is a risk not worth taking.

In some cases, an adjuster could actively attempt to avoid paying out your claim. They could take your words out of context, implying that an off-hand statement you made was an admission of liability.

The good news is that attorneys can help with this part of the process. Our firm can deal with your insurance company so you don’t have to. This avoids the risk of saying something that could hurt your case. Let our Edison car crash lawyers help you seek justice.

How Much Is Your Case Worth?

Every car accident is unique, as is every injury you may have sustained. That is why it’s important to consult car accident lawyers in Edison for help in getting compensation. There are many variables to consider, and it is important to find a lawyer who is experienced in taking all of them into account.

The extent of your injuries and their severity impact how much your case is worth. If you have injuries that require ongoing treatment or result in chronic pain, you will likely receive more compensation than if you suffered a few bruises. Your insurer will also consider whether the injury will affect your quality of life or your job.

Property damage also comes into play, as does financial loss if you have to miss work because of medical issues. Your insurance policy coverage terms matter as well.

Remember that insurers will always undervalue your case. By turning a lawyer, you benefit from having someone on your side who will fight for your rights and the kind of compensation that you deserve.

Potential Damages in a Car Accident Case

You may be eligible to pursue damages if you have sustained injuries or property damage. For example, you may have medical expenses after a car collision. These costs count as losses for which you can recover compensation.

Medical expenses might include:

  • Ambulance fees
  • Physical therapy
  • Cognitive therapy
  • Permanent disability
  • In-home services
  • Consultations with healthcare professionals
  • Accessories, like crutches
  • Hospital bills
  • Pharmacy bills

If you need future medical care after a car crash, your Edison attorney can calculate these expenses at future rates so that you can receive the help you need.

Similarly, if the family of a loved one who died because of the accident files for wrongful death, they can also get coverage for the loved one’s hospital bills and burial expenses.

Loss of companionship or affection is another type of damage you can claim. If someone died because of a car accident or suffered severe injuries that changed who they are, family members can claim damages for loss of companionship and support.

Pain and suffering is another type of claim you can make. This refers to mental and physical distress, depending on the severity of the injuries you suffered and even the prediction of future pain associated with the injury.

If you suffer from depression, anxiety, or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) because of the accident, you can include these issues in your pain and suffering losses because of the way they lower your quality of life.

You can also claim damages related to wage losses. If you had to miss work because of injuries, or if you had to change or modify the kind of work you do because of the injuries, you will likely be able to get compensation to cover these losses. Additionally, if your car was damaged, this falls under compensable losses.

Is New Jersey a Fault or No-Fault State?

New Jersey is a no-fault state. This means the people involved in the accident get compensation from their insurers.

In New Jersey, you are required to have three types of insurance, including:

  • Personal injury protection (PIP)
  • Liability insurance
  • Uninsured motorist insurance

New Jersey also has a “choice” no-fault law that allows you to select between a limited right to sue and an unlimited right to sue. A limited right to sue allows you to sue the person at fault beyond what PIP and no-fault laws provide, but you can only do so if you have sustained severe injuries.

With an unlimited right to sue, you can sue the person at fault, no matter what your injuries were.

What You Can Expect After Contacting Our Firm

Our firm is here to help you maximize your recovery following a motor vehicle collision. Some of the things you can expect our firm to do in order to win your case include the following:

Evidence Gathering

Once you contact our firm, the first step is a thorough investigation into your accident. We gather key evidence such as police reports, medical records, witness statements, and photos of the scene. This process builds a strong foundation for your claim and helps us understand the full extent of your losses.

Negotiations

Negotiations are a common part of the car accident injury claim process. Of course, most people would rather avoid facing off across a negotiating table with an attorney or skilled negotiator. Our firm is ready to represent you during this process while leaving all major decisions up to you.

Settlement

It is common to resolve a car accident injury case through a settlement. This approach allows you to receive compensation in less time than it might take to go to trial. The decision to settle is yours, but we can provide you with all the information you need to make the smart choice.

Trial

If the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, we are prepared to take your case to court. Our goal is to get you all the compensation you deserve. Sometimes, a trial is your best chance at recovering damages.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is “no-fault” insurance in New Jersey?

New Jersey’s no-fault insurance system requires you to seek compensation from your own insurance company following a crash instead of suing the at-fault party. The downside to this system is that your benefits are generally less than what you can recover through a civil suit. Thankfully, it is possible to step outside this system in serious cases.

Can I Sue For Punitive Damages?

Punitive damages are generally not awarded in car accident cases. One potential exception involves drunk driver accidents.

Do I Need an Attorney?

Only you can decide if you need an attorney for your car accident case, but representing yourself comes with serious risks. Legal deadlines and complex rules of evidence could derail your case if you attempt to handle it on your own.

Why Hire GGL?

You don’t have to deal with the consequences of the injuries and property damage that can happen during a car accident on your own. When you have a trusted advocate on your side to help you with your claim, you can focus on healing instead of legal worries.

The dedicated Edison car accident lawyers at Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq have over 30 years of experience fighting for accident victims. With a no-nonsense attitude and a tenacious spirit, we can offer the guidance you need to get through this difficult time.

We’ll never under-settle your case and fight to give you the best chance at securing the compensation you deserve. Call 855-204-9827 or reach out to us online to schedule your free consultation today.