Plainfield Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents can be traumatic and complicated, especially if you or a loved one were injured in the incident. But as leading Plainfield car accident lawyers, the GGL team has helped many clients pick up the pieces after a vehicle crash.
Here, you’ll find practical information to help you through this tough time so you can move forward and exercise your rights — including common causes of car accidents, what you can expect afterward, and some guidelines for seeking legal help from a personal injury attorney.
Common Causes for Car Accidents
All busy communities are prone to car accidents, and Plainfield is no different. With so many people on the road, traffic crashes can be almost unavoidable. However, by familiarizing yourself with some of the most common causes, you can reduce your risk of being involved in a crash and keep yourself a little safer when you get behind the wheel.
Some causes of car accidents in Plainfield that our attorneys see often include:
Distracted driving is the result of someone taking their attention off the road. The most common medium that people can’t seem to keep their eyes off is a smartphone. Whether someone glances down to read a text or check social media, looking at a smartphone while driving is dangerous.
Other forms of distracted driving include eating, talking to passengers, or listening to the radio too loudly. Put simply, anything that diverts someone’s attention can increase their risk of an accident.
Thankfully, following the speed limit is easier than ever, thanks to built-in GPS and navigation apps. These technologies can help you keep up with speed limit changes and ensure you drive lawfully. If you are taking a long drive, consider using cruise control to maintain the right speed and do your part to prevent traffic accidents.
Impaired driving remains a major threat to residents. After all, drunk drivers have slower reaction times and are more reckless, increasing their risk of causing a serious crash. Driving impaired can also lead to mistakes like speeding, striking obstacles, and even driving the wrong way on a road.
Plainfield may not get as much snow as other areas of New Jersey, but even a few days of heavy snowfall can cause a spike in accidents. You should also be wary of rain, fog, and other inclement weather that impacts your visibility and control over your vehicle. When roads are slick or you can’t see very well, you must drive slower and give yourself more time to react.
Some drivers just don’t like to follow the rules, and they seem to have no problem violating traffic laws and safeguards like speed limits, traffic signals, or construction zone safety guidelines. Unfortunately, these shortcomings lead to major accidents, so make sure you brush up on NJ traffic laws so you know what you are and aren’t allowed to do.
What To Do After a Car Accident
Despite your best efforts, and even if you do everything perfectly, you might still be involved in a car crash. If so, here’s what you need to do:
Make Sure Everyone’s Safe
First, make sure you, any passengers, and other parties are safe. If someone is seriously injured, render whatever aid you feel comfortable providing and call for help.
If you are badly injured, try to stay calm and avoid any sudden movements unless absolutely necessary. Abrupt movements can make certain injuries, like broken bones or a damaged spinal cord, worse.
Clear the Roadway if You Can
If you are relatively uninjured and your vehicle is functional, move your car to the shoulder of the road or a nearby parking lot. Clearing the road will help prevent a traffic jam, meaning law enforcement can get to you sooner. If you cannot move your vehicle, stay with it if it’s safe. If you are in immediate danger, such as in the middle of a busy roadway, move yourself to safety to avoid any further harm.
Call 911
If you haven’t already done so, call 911. Provide your location, tell them what happened, and let them know the severity of the injuries.
Document Everything
In order to preserve the success of any insurance claims or potential legal suits, you need a full picture of what happened and its result. Therefore, you should take photos, gather witness information, and write down what happened. However, make sure that you don’t admit fault — otherwise, you risk harming your chances of recovering compensation via an insurance claim or a lawsuit.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if your injuries seem minor, seek medical attention. The rush of adrenaline you experience during a car accident can offset feelings of pain and delay any medical treatment you might need to prevent unassuming injuries from getting worse. So let medical professionals evaluate you and document the extent of your injuries.
Report the Accident
After you’ve addressed your immediate medical needs, report the accident to your insurance company. You should also provide them with the other party’s information, including their insurance provider and policy number. Make sure you get a claim number or call number to document the exchange.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer
Finally, connect with Plainfield car crash lawyers. Attorneys like GGL offer a free consultation, ensuring you can get the guidance you need without incurring any out-of-pocket costs. While waiting for your consultation, don’t accept any settlement terms from your insurance provider or the other party.
Common Car Accident Injuries
The extent of your car accident injuries can vary based on a wide range of factors, including:
- How fast your vehicle was traveling
- The angle of the impact (i.e., head-on, side swipe)
- The size of your vehicle and the other vehicle
- Whether you were wearing a seat belt
- Whether the airbags deployed
Depending on the above factors, you may suffer various injuries, including:
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- A concussion
- A traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Broken bones
- Lacerations and bruises
- Back and spinal cord injuries
The most severe accidents can result in injuries that require surgeries to recover from. You may even be left with permanently debilitating injuries such as paralysis or reduced mobility. This means that car accidents have the potential to incur significant costs in order to recover.
But even under the best of circumstances, you may be bruised and sore for weeks, resulting in missed time at work and lost income. With so much at stake, it’s vital that you connect with experienced Plainfield car accident attorneys as soon as possible.
How Much Is Your Case Worth?
Every Plainfield car accident is unique, which means it can be difficult to determine what your case is actually worth. The value of your case depends on several factors, including:
- The severity of your injuries
- The impact on your quality of life
- Lost wages and employment opportunities
- Medical expenses, both current and future
Some losses — such as lost wages and medical bills — are easy to calculate because they have a concrete numerical value. However, it can be tough to assign a number to the psychological trauma you and your loved ones suffered. That is where the experience of your lawyer will come into play.
Experienced Plainfield vehicle accident lawyers will help estimate the value of your case based on these and other elements. Legal teams like GGL will tell your story and emphasize any psychological impact that the event had on your life. While no amount of money can undo what you went through, the goal is to recover the resources you need to focus on recovery.
Potential Damages in a Car Accident Case
In a car crash claim, compensation is referred to as damages. You can receive damages for physical injuries, property damage or loss, and even emotional harm. Here are some of the types of damages you might be able to recover by working with car accident lawyers in Plainfield:
Medical expenses are among the most common losses you’ll face due to a car crash. These may include:
- Hospital visits
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medication
- Medical equipment
The team at GGL will work with your care providers to calculate your past medical expenses and any projected costs, like ongoing physical therapy or prescriptions. This allows us to pursue a fair amount of damages that will cover any and all medical costs related to the accident.
Pain and suffering damages cannot be traced to a specific dollar amount, meaning it can be tough to determine how much to request. Fortunately, experienced lawyers can guide you through this process and pursue a fair amount of damages based on what you went through.
For example, the GGL team will position your story to outline how the accident has impacted your life and damaged your peace of mind. By conveying the facts of the case in a relatable way, we increase your odds of recovering a fair amount for your pain and suffering.
If you missed work because of the accident, you have the right to request compensation for lost wages. These damages can make up for workdays you’ve missed so far, as well as future work you’ll miss due to the accident.
For example, if you’ve missed 30 days of work and your doctor wants you to stay out of work for another 30 days, we’d request 60 days of lost wages when filing your claim.
There are a lot of hidden out-of-pocket costs that you can incur after a car accident. Some examples include childcare, home and vehicle modifications, and transportation.
When evaluating your case, GGL will consider all the expenses you incurred as a direct result of the accident. We will then factor these costs into your claim to maximize the value of your case.
If your loved one is severely injured or killed in an accident, you may be eligible to file for damages, known as “loss of consortium.” These benefits are based on the companionship and support you are deprived of when your spouse is no longer with you.
Much like pain and suffering, loss of consortium can be difficult to evaluate accurately, especially when death is not involved. However, the GGL team will explore all types of damages to create a complete and just claim.
Punitive damages explicitly punish the at-fault party who caused your accident. The court typically only awards punitive damages if the at-fault person was reckless or displayed severe negligence.
For instance, if the at-fault driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you may be able to pursue punitive damages.
Other damages could include funeral expenses or costs associated with permanent disfigurement or disability. Experienced lawyers will consider all avenues of recovery so you can request a fair amount.
Is New Jersey a Fault or No-Fault State?
New Jersey operates under a no-fault system for car insurance. This means that after an accident, your own insurance company pays for your medical treatment, regardless of who caused the accident. However, you may also step outside of the no-fault system and file a claim against the at-fault driver.
During a claim, the courts will consider what percentage of fault might be attributed to you. However, even if you are partially responsible for the accident, you may be eligible to file a claim if you are not deemed more at fault than the other driver.
Why Hire GGL?
Choosing the right Plainfield car accident lawyers can significantly impact the outcome of your case. While no attorney can guarantee a positive outcome, the GGL team is focused on one thing: winning your case. Our team works with fierce tenacity and confidence, fighting for what’s right on your behalf.
When you partner with Garces, Grabler, & LeBrocq, you’ll benefit from our:
Experience
GGL’s team has extensive experience in car accident cases and can guide you through every step of this complex journey. We will consider all types of damages to maximize the value of your claim and pursue a fair outcome. GGL lawyers can speak knowledgeably about court processes, negotiations, and other processes involved in settling your case — all while keeping you in the loop from start to finish.
Personalized Approach
Each car accident claim is unique. That’s why GGL’s Plainfield car accident lawyers provide personalized legal strategies tailored to your specific situation. We don’t rely on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Once you partner with GGL, you’ll have our full attention. We will fight on your behalf and diligently work to resolve your case quickly. If the other party is unwilling to offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to go to trial and argue your case in the courtroom.
Commitment
GGL is committed to fighting for your rights and maximizing the value of your case. GGL Plainfield car accident lawyers are known throughout New Jersey for being tenacious negotiators and fierce litigators. Whether we fight for you in the negotiation room or in court, we want you to win!
Local Knowledge
New Jersey laws and insurance policies are complicated. However, the GGL team has local knowledge that helps us pursue your case effectively. We can bring you up to speed on your options and guide you accordingly so you can make an informed decision.
Contingency Fee Structures
The last thing you should have to worry about after an accident is paying for an attorney. The good news is that our Plainfield car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that if we don’t win, you don’t owe us a dime.
If we win a settlement in your case, our fees will be deducted from your damages, meaning you won’t have to pay any out-of-pocket costs. This approach lets our team focus on delivering results while giving you peace of mind.
Need Experienced Plainfield Car Accident Lawyers? Call GGL Now
Contact GGL online or at 1-800-923-3456 to schedule your free case evaluation. We’ll connect you with Plainfield car accident lawyers who can help you win.
