When a car or truck driver, a government entity or private or public venue acts irresponsibly, causing you harm, there’s a good chance you’re eligible for compensation to pay for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. But you need a New Jersey personal injury lawyer to get the best results from your case. An insurance company may make a low-ball offer, but your injury attorney in NJ at RAM Law ensures you’re compensated fully. Call your New Jersey personal injury law firm as soon as possible after an accident to get the ball rolling.
Do I Need a Personal Injury Attorney in NJ?
A personal injury attorney has the knowledge needed to help accident victims seek compensation for your losses. Accidents happen without warning and may cause devastating injuries that impact your life for months, years or sometimes permanently. You need an injury attorney in NJ to take care of your case so you can take care of yourself and not stress about any outcomes.
If you’ve suffered an injury because of someone else’s negligence, learn your legal options. Without an experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyer on your side, you may not receive enough compensation to cover all your expenses related to the accident.
The legal process can be confusing and difficult to understand, especially if you’re also dealing with financial challenges or physical pain. If you’re looking for a results-oriented New Jersey personal injury lawyer, look no further than RAM Law. The experienced personal injury lawyers at RAM Law have a proven track record of helping clients navigate the legal process and getting the best possible results.
How Do I Know If I Have a Personal Injury Case?
Being injured in an accident doesn’t always mean you have a personal injury case, but chances are that you have a case if you’ve been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. To file an NJ personal injury claim, there are some things that must be established, such as:
An accident caused your injury
You suffered losses or damages because of your injury
Your injuries were caused by the actions or negligence of another party
The other party breached their duty of care
Duty of care means that the other party was responsible for your safety. For example, drivers expect other drivers to drive responsibly and obey the rules of the road. When you’re in a public building, you expect the owner to keep the property maintained so that people aren’t hurt because of broken stairs, falling ceilings or other types of neglect. Ultimately, the best way to know for sure if you have a valid personal injury case is to schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable, experienced New Jersey personal injury attorney.
What Kind of Accident Claims Does an Injury Attorney in NJ Handle?
There are many different kinds of accidents that happen in many different locations, and some types of accidents are more common than others. In 2021, for example, there were more than 221,000 vehicle accidents in New Jersey alone. Some of the most common types of accidents that often lead to injuries include:
Car accidents. Thousands of people are hurt in accidents involving cars, SUVs and rideshare drivers every year.
Bus accidents. When buses such as city buses, Greyhound buses, tour buses or school buses are involved in accidents, other vehicles and their occupants may be severely injured, and passengers on the bus may also be hurt.
Motorcycle accidents. When motorcycles are involved in accidents, the rider is at risk of severe injury or death.
Bicycle accidents. Mistakes by a person riding a bike or by the driver of a motor vehicle can lead to devastating injuries to the bicyclist.
Scooter accidents. Those who use scooters too often don’t use protective gear such as helmets, which is one reason that collisions involving scooters may lead to horrific injuries.
Pedestrian accidents. When a pedestrian is hit by a car, it may lead to death or lifelong injuries.
Train or subway accidents. Serious injuries can happen if a train or subway derails or is involved in an accident.
Passenger injuries can happen when you’re riding in the vehicle of a friend, co-worker or family member, or when you’re riding in an Uber, Lyft or on public transportation, such as a bus or train. There are also several types of accidents that may trigger a personal injury case that don’t involve motor vehicles, such as:
Construction accidents. Working in the construction industry can be very dangerous and may lead to accidents involving cranes,scaffolding or industrial sites.
Workplace accidents. A wide variety of accidents on the job lead to people getting hurt such as falls, electrocution or getting trapped by equipment. People may also be injured in car accidents at work or may become victims of violence when security was lax.
Slip and fall accidents. Injuries caused by slip and fall accidents can happen just about anywhere and may be caused by problems such as missing handrails, slippery surfaces, unsecured mats or uneven surfaces.
Dog bite incidents. Thousands of people experience dog bites each year that are serious enough to require emergency medical care. Dogs that attack may injure people with vicious bites that can lead to both physical and emotional damage.
Injuries from defective products. Dangerous or defective products may cause injuries when least expected. Examples of these products include e-cigarettes, toxic substances, faulty medical devices and defective cribs. Defective equipment may be found in vehicles such as faulty airbags or defective tires.
Entertainment incidents. It’s not uncommon for people to suffer injuries on amusement park rides or in public and private swimming pools.
An accident-related injury can happen without warning. While dealing with your injury and its impact on your life, the last thing you should have to deal with is figuring out how to obtain compensation. Regardless of the cause of your injuries, a New Jersey injury lawyer is specially trained to know the steps that need to be taken to file a claim, including how to undergo a thorough investigation to get the best possible outcome.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Accidents?
Accidents can be caused by simple momentary errors in judgment, but they may also be caused by carelessness, recklessness and irresponsibility. Examples of some of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents include:
Speeding. One of the top causes of accidents that result in injuries is disregard for the speed limit. In some cases, drivers fail to take conditions into consideration and don’t slow down if there’s a sudden storm or hazard on the road.
Drivers that are struggling with fatigue may have a hard time controlling their vehicle.
Distracted driving. Every driver is faced with distractions almost every time they get behind the wheel of their vehicle. Distractions include cell phones, radios, food and drink, noisy passengers or incidents happening on the side of the road.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Many drivers don’t realize how much alcohol and prescription drugs can affect their reflexes or their judgment when operating a motor vehicle.
Aggressive driving. Drivers that are frustrated by personal issues, heavy traffic or are agitated about being late may drive aggressively or recklessly, putting others in danger of serious injury.
Equipment failure. Accidents can be caused by sudden equipment failure, such as bad brakes or loss of steering.
Poor road conditions. Road conditions often play a role in vehicle accidents. Drivers may encounter issues such as black ice, potholes, oil spills or missing guardrails. Poor cargo loading can trigger accidents because of flying debris.
Vehicle accidents can be even more deadly when they involve semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, fire trucks or other large vehicles racing to meet a deadline or on an emergency call. The sheer size and weight of these vehicles can cause great harm to others if they’re not operated responsibly at all times.
Individuals may slip, trip or fall on a single level or down flights of stairs. These accidents can happen in both public and private buildings including offices, shopping centers, parks and schools and may happen because of wet floors, tripping hazards or poorly marked areas. Injuries on the job have many possible causes ranging from faulty equipment, falls or exposure to harmful chemicals or exposed electrical wiring.
What Types of Compensation Can a New Jersey Personal Injury Attorney Obtain after an Accident?
There are several different kinds of compensation that may be awarded in a personal injury case. Damages fall into three categories that include:
Economic losses. Financial losses and expenses that you have to deal with after an accident, like lost wages, property damage and medical bills, are categorized as economic damages.
Non-economic damages. Some damages affect your quality of life, but don’t have a monetary value. This includes emotional distress, loss of consortium and pain and suffering.
Punitive damages. If your injuries happened because of intentional malice or reckless disregard for your safety, your NJ personal injury lawyer may file a claim for punitive damages. Examples of punitive damages include assault and habitual drunk driving.
The amount of compensation received in a personal injury case varies greatly. Receiving the maximum amount of compensation possible, especially in a complex case, depends on the skills of a New Jersey personal injury law firm, which you get in spades with RAM Law attorneys.
Who’s Liable for Accident-Related Injuries?
When you’ve been injured in an accident through no fault of your own, determine who may have been responsible for the accident. There may be multiple people who play a role in causing an accident. Examples of parties who may be considered liable include:
The other driver. Drivers who operate a motor vehicle recklessly, while intoxicated or while not exercising care for the safety of others may be liable for injuries in an accident.
A vehicle manufacturer. When a vehicle malfunctions because of defective parts, the manufacturer may be liable.
A vehicle mechanic. A company that was hired to repair or inspect a vehicle may be liable if the problems with the vehicle lead to a wreck.
City or county government. A city or county government may be partly responsible for accidents caused by roads or sidewalks that aren’t well maintained. They may also be considered liable for dangerous conditions in public parks or buildings.
Product manufacturers. If injuries happen when products are found to be unsafe or improperly labeled, product manufacturers may be liable.
It’s not always clear who’s responsible for an accident. Identifying all the parties who may be partially liable when a personal injury occurs requires an experienced personal injury lawyer in NJ who gathers evidence, calls expert witnesses and uses a wide range of tools to strengthen your case.
Why Hire a RAM Law NJ Personal Injury Attorney?
The more serious your injuries, the more likely it is that you need the skills of an experienced New Jersey injury lawyer. Benefits of hiring an experienced and reputable personal injury lawyer include:
Familiarity with the legal system. A personal injury lawyer has extensive knowledge of laws that apply to New Jersey personal injury claims. If you try to handle your own claim, there’s likely to be hours of research involved and you may not uncover all the information that’s pertinent to your case.
Skilled at gathering evidence. A New Jersey injury lawyer knows what evidence is needed to prove a personal injury claim and how to go about gathering it. They have the tools and contacts needed to thoroughly investigate your case and to find evidence you may not even know you need.
Dealing with insurance companies. Insurance companies protect their profits by trying to settle for as little as possible when an accident victim files a claim. Your NJ personal injury lawyer knows what moves the insurance company is likely to make to avoid paying the full compensation that you’re entitled to, and is skilled at negotiating on your behalf.
Some personal injury claims result in an acceptable settlement without going to court. Other claims must be settled in court, and if your claim goes to court, get an experienced injury lawyer to represent you. Your lawyer makes sure the filing of a lawsuit is done in a timely manner, prepares a persuasive and compelling argument in your favor and quickly responds to arguments made by the other side.
What Should I Do First if I’m Injured in an Accident?
There are some important steps that should be taken whenever an accident happens that results in injury. If you’re hurt in a motor vehicle accident, steps to take to bolster your claim include:
Moving your vehicle to the side of the road to prevent further collisions if it’s safe to do so
Calling 911 for medical assistance and law enforcement
Exchanging insurance and contact information with the other driver
Gathering information from the scene including photos and witness statements if possible
Providing details to your insurance company
Consulting a NJ personal injury law firm as soon as possible
Write down the details of what happened as quickly as you can after the accident. Make note of things that may have contributed to the accident such as the weather, the road condition or the position of the sun. Write down details when you’re involved in other types of accidents right away, such as slip and fall accidents or workplace accidents. If you experience an injury at work, notify your employer right away and file a workers’ compensation claim.
What Should I Avoid Doing after an Accident?
After an accident, it’s not uncommon to feel emotional or confused. When you’re upset, anxious or in a state of shock, you may say or do things that could jeopardize a personal injury case. Example of things you should avoid doing after an accident include:
Admitting fault. Even if you think an accident may have been your fault, don’t admit fault at the scene or in conversations with other people or insurance companies after the accident.
Discussing with the other party’s insurance company. Insurance representatives may sound warm and friendly, but their job is to protect the profits of the company they work for. Don’t discuss your case with the other party’s insurance company. Refer them to your personal injury lawyer.
Accepting a low settlement. Soon after the accident, you may be offered a low settlement by the other party’s insurance company. Don’t accept this settlement without allowing a NJ personal injury lawyer to evaluate it.
Failing to get medical care. After an accident, obtain a thorough medical evaluation even if you don’t think you’re hurt.
Posting on social media. Avoid posting anything on social media related to the accident. Also avoid posting anything that makes it appear that you’re able to lead an active lifestyle or aren’t hurt.
If your doctor recommends a course of treatment such as physical therapy, show up for all appointments. Also, keep records of all medical bills and other accident-related expenses.
What Kind of Injuries Are Caused by Accidents?
Accident-related injuries may be as minor as a few cuts and bruises or they may be catastrophic. Some of the most common injuries caused by accidents include:
Whiplashand back or neck injuries. Car accidents often cause the neck to be jolted forward and back, leading to neck injury and pain.
Spine injuries. Back injuries from an accident can cause fractured vertebrae, herniated discs and ongoing chronic back pain. When there’s impact to the spinal cord from any type of accident, it may lead to temporary or permanent paralysis.
Broken bones. Falls from high places, being ejected from a vehicle and sports injuries are just a few examples of the kinds of accidents that can easily cause bones to break.
Soft tissue injuries. This type of injury includes damage to muscles, joints or tendons such as sprains or strains.
Burn injuries. Hazardous substances, defective products, fire and explosions can cause burn injuries.
Brain injuries. Concussions and more serious traumatic brain injuries may happen when there’s an impact to the head from a fall or vehicle accident.
Internal injuries. Blunt force trauma from a vehicle collision or from a construction accident, fall or workplace accident can damage internal organs such as the spleen, kidneys or intestines.
Scarring or disfigurement. Dog bites, hazardous substances and crush injuries can lead to permanent scarring or disfigurement.
Amputations. Limbs that have been trapped and crushed aren’t always repairable and may have to be amputated.
Physical pain and damage that’s done to your body isn’t the only way you may have been hurt in an accident. After going through trauma, many people experience anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, which can be just as damaging to your quality of life.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Personal Injury Claim?
It’s not uncommon for accident victims to be anxious to have their personal injury claim settled. It’s stressful to wait for the outcome of your claim, especially if the accident has had a major financial impact on your life. The amount of time it takes to settle a personal injury claim depends on a combination of factors such as:
The type of accident you were involved in and its severity
The extent of your injuries and the duration of your medical treatment
Availability of evidence
Every personal injury claim is unique. Cases that are able to be settled out of court are resolved more quickly than cases that go to trial. Complex cases that involve multiple parties and severe injuries may take years to settle. Once your personal injury attorney is familiar with the details of your case, they can give you a better idea how long it might take to settle.
When You Are Injured, Our Personal Injury Lawyers at Rebenack, Aronow & Mascolo, L.L.P. Will Help
An accident can be life-changing and saddle you with mounting medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Our seasoned Personal Injury lawyers at Rebenack, Aronow & Mascolo, L.L.P.can help. Call 732-247-3600 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We are located in New Brunswick, Somerville, and Freehold, New Jersey, and we serve clients in Middlesex County, Monmouth County, and Somerset County.
