Should I Get a Lawyer for A Car Accident that Wasn’t My Fault?
If you have been involved in a car accident that was not your fault, you may think you do not need legal counsel. However, hiring a lawyer is a good idea if you are hoping to get compensation for injuries or repairs, and want to be sure that you can avoid liability for the crash.
Depending on how serious the accident was, you may need to bring your vehicle to the shop, visit a doctor for medical attention, or be forced to miss work. An experienced NJ motor vehicle accident attorney can help protect you and get you the compensation you deserve.
Speak to A Car Accident Lawyer Before Filing an Insurance Claim
If you’ve been involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you will likely be filing a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company, your insurance company, or both. If you plan to speak with an attorney, it is best to meet with them and discuss your situation before filing such claims.
Property damage such as the damage to your vehicle, as well as bodily injuries will typically be covered by the at-fault parties insurance, but your own insurance may cover some expenses as well, specifically if you have a personal injury protection (PIP) plan.
Avoid speaking with the insurance companies without speaking to a lawyer first. Insurers will do whatever it takes to reduce the amount they have to pay, so leave it to your lawyer to deal with receiving compensation.
Damages You Are Eligible to Collect After a Car Accident
Depending on the severity of the accident, you could file for various damages. Some of the damages your lawyer can help you secure include:
Future expected medical costs: Medical bills we can reasonably anticipate you will incur in the future due to the accident.
Lost wages: Time you had to miss from work while recovering from your injury or receiving medical care.
Reduced earning capacity: If your injury impacted your ability to do your job and earn a living on a short-term or long-term basis.
Pain and suffering: You could potentially be eligible for thousands of dollars.
Punitive damages: If we can show that the other driver was behaving recklessly or maliciously.
Why Is It Important to File a Report After a Car Accident that Wasn’t My Fault?
In general, it is in your best interest to have the police file an accident report at the scene of the accident, even if you haven’t suffered any obvious injuries. If injuries show up later, you have a better chance of receiving compensation with the police report to back up your claims.
You are required to report an accident to the police under the following criteria:
The accident involved an injury or death
A driver fled the scene after the crash
A driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs
The crash damaged a vehicle so badly it required a tow truck to remove it from the scene
The accident involved a commercial motor vehicle, such as a truck
If you were in a minor accident that does not fall into any of these situations, you don’t legally need to call the police, but it is always in your best interest to have a third party at the scene. For this reason, we recommend that you report even minor accidents.
Talk to An Experienced NJ Car Accident Attorney Today
If you have any questions or concerns about getting the compensation you need to pay for your medical care, lost wages, or other losses stemming from a New Jersey traffic accident, the Law Offices of Gold, Albanese & Barletti, LLC is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Contact Gold, Albanese & Barletti, LLC
Whether you’ve been injured at work, in an automobile accident, or due to medical malpractice – you deserve justice and fair compensation for your injuries. Since 1997, the personal injury attorneys of Gold, Albanese & Barletti have established a legacy of justice for our clients. We will work tirelessly on your behalf to get maximum compensation for your injuries. There are no upfront legal fees and we don’t get paid unless you win your case.
Our firm is licensed and admitted to municipal, state, federal and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Since 1997, we have helped thousands of clients and established a track record of success across a wide array of legal practice areas.