CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS
South Jersey Car Accident Lawyers
New Jersey is one of the most densely populated states in the country. That means that there are more motorists traveling on the roads and highways across the Garden State compared to other states. While most South Jersey drivers obey the rules of the road and avoid unsafe or irresponsible driving behavior, this is not true for all motorists. When drivers fail to make safety a top priority by speeding, talking or texting on the phone, weaving in and out of lanes, or cutting off other drivers, this can cause a serious car accident resulting in severe injuries.
If a loved one is injured in a car accident, and the other driver was at fault, you may be entitled to financial compensation. An experienced car accident lawyer will protect your legal rights, assist you with the claims process, and recover the damages to which you are entitled.
What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents?
Unfortunately, car accidents happen when you least expect them. Depending on the type and severity of the accident, it can result in injuries ranging from minor cuts and scrapes to life-threatening injuries and fatalities. The following are examples of the most common types of car accidents that occur in New Jersey:
- Rear-End Accidents: These are the most commonly occurring accidents, and often occur when the motorist who rear-ended the other vehicle was distracted or not paying attention. As a result, in the majority of cases, the person who did the rear-ending is usually considered at fault. Injuries from rear-end accidents are often fairly minor, including whiplash. However, if left untreated, whiplash can cause chronic pain and discomfort.
- Sideswipe Accidents: These usually occur on busy highways when a vehicle starts to drift into another lane or changes lanes without checking its blind spot. These also do not usually cause serious injuries, unless a motorcycle is involved.
- Head-On Collisions: These are some of the most devastating car accidents that often cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities. They often occur when a driver goes the wrong way on an exit ramp or crosses a median and ends up driving in the wrong direction.
- Rollover Accidents: While any vehicle is at risk for a rollover accident if the driver is driving too fast when turning or approaching a sharp curve in the road, SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans are more prone to these accidents because they have a higher center of gravity. Injuries from a rollover accident can be severe.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in South Jersey?
The majority of car accidents are caused by some type of driver negligence, although weather conditions and vehicle malfunction can also increase the risk of a serious accident. The following are examples of the most common causes of car accidents in South Jersey and across the state:
- Distracted Driving: All motorists are expected to keep their attention focused on the road at all times. Too often, however, drivers are talking to texting, reaching for something in the back seat, or adjusting the radio or temperature controls. It only takes a moment of distraction for a serious car accident to occur.
- Impaired Driving: Despite the fact that drunk or drugged driving is unsafe, irresponsible, and illegal, motorists continue to get behind the wheel while impaired. Depending on how much a person had to drink or the amount of drugs in their system, this can cause a range of impairments, including slower reaction times, reduced coordination, and poor judgment, all of which can significantly increase the risk of a serious car accident.
- Reckless Driving: This includes a range of behaviors, from speeding and tailgating to weaving in and out of lanes without signaling and cutting off other drivers.
- Drowsy Driving: Drowsiness can cause some of the same impairments as alcohol, particularly if the driver has gone without sleep for 24 consecutive hours or more. It is important to pull over, get some fresh air, or take a short nap if you start to experience the symptoms of drowsiness, including frequent blinking, yawning, an inability to concentrate, and falling asleep at the wheel.
- Inexperience: According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), newly licensed teen drivers are four times as likely to be involved in a car accident as drivers over the age of 20.
- Inclement Weather: While motorists cannot control the weather, they can take steps to avoid driving if conditions are hazardous or use extra caution if driving cannot be avoided.
- Mechanical Issues: Tire blowouts, brake failure, and lighting issues can increase the risk of a car accident. Motorists also have a responsibility to make sure that their vehicles are properly maintained and that any necessary repairs are made as soon as possible.
What Steps Should I Take After a South Jersey Car Accident?
A car accident can be a shocking and chaotic experience, particularly if you suffer serious injuries. The situation can be far less stressful if you know what to do in the moments immediately following the accident.
Keep the following tips in mind if you are ever involved in a car accident in South Jersey:
- Do not leave the scene. Never leave the scene of an accident, particularly if anyone involved in the accident suffered injuries. If you leave the scene before a police officer arrives, you could face a hit-and-run charge.
- Call 911. Report the accident as soon as possible. If there are injuries, notify dispatch so they can send an ambulance to the scene.
- Seek immediate medical attention. Even if your injuries seem minor, it is imperative that you are examined by an emergency medical technician at the scene of the accident. Oftentimes, the stress from the accident can cause an adrenaline spike, which can mask pain and other symptoms of an injury. If you fail to get medical attention, an undiagnosed injury could become more serious and difficult to treat. In addition, this can have a negative impact on a personal injury claim, as it sends the message that your injuries must not be very serious if you did not find it necessary to get checked out.
- Collect evidence. Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle, your injuries, the accident scene, any skid marks or debris on the road, and the weather conditions.
- Exchange information with the other driver. Share contact information, driver’s license numbers, and insurance information. Avoid saying anything to the other driver that can be interpreted as an apology, as this can be used against you during the claims process.
- Get statements from witnesses. If there were pedestrians or other motorists in the vicinity who saw the accident happen, ask if they would be willing to provide a statement, and ask for their contact information.
- Notify your insurance company. Make sure that you only provide the basic information about the accident. Insurance companies are in the business of making money, so they will use a range of tactics to avoid paying a large settlement.
- Contact an experienced car accident lawyer. A dedicated South Jersey car accident lawyer will protect your legal rights, determine who is responsible for causing the accident, negotiate with the insurance company, and pursue the maximum financial compensation you deserve.
South Jersey Car Accident Lawyers at Kitrick, McWeeney & Wells, LLC Protect the Legal Rights of Car Accident Victims
If you or someone you know was seriously injured in a car accident, do not hesitate to contact the South Jersey car accident lawyers at Kitrick, McWeeney & Wells, LLC. We will thoroughly review the details of the accident, ensure that your legal rights are protected, and negotiate the best possible settlement outcome. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 732-800-9474 or contact us online. Our offices are located in Manasquan and Brick, New Jersey, where we serve clients across the state.
Manasquan, NJ
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