Somerville Car Accident Lawyers

Car accidents can turn your life upside down. On top of any physical injuries, you may also need to deal with emotional trauma, psychological damage, and financial stress: the combination of all these aftereffects can feel helplessly overwhelming. Plus, you may not know where to start if you need to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Let our Somerville car accident lawyers at Rebenack Aronow & Mascolo L.L.P. tell you everything you need to know.

What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Somerville?

Seek medical attention immediately after your accident, even if you do not feel hurt. Certain internal injuries, such as concussions and nerve damage, may not present external symptoms right away. Plus, a call to 911 will allow the medical personnel to document your injuries.

During your 911 call, you should also report the accident to the police and gather as much information as possible. Take photographs, talk to witnesses, collect their contact information, and request copies of any generated medical and police reports. You should also keep track of any expenses: save your medical bills, receipts for car repairs, and any documentation of lost wages due to an inability to work. All of these records will prove the extent of your losses.

If you want to file an insurance claim to cover the costs associated with your accident, be cautious: the insurance providers may pressure you to quickly provide a statement to the insurance company or sign documents that you do not understand. We strongly recommend consulting with an experienced lawyer before entering into these negotiations: the companies will use anything you say to diminish your claim, and they often lowball their first offer in order to save money.

Can You Recover Compensation After a Car Accident?

If someone else’s negligence or recklessness caused your injuries in a car accident, you may be entitled to damages for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

New Jersey courts follow a modified comparative negligence rule: as long as you were less than 50% responsible for the incident, you can still collect compensation. However, the judge may reduce your payout amount if they determine that you were partially at fault for the accident. For example, if they decide that your decision, jaywalk, or lack of a turn signal contributed 30% to the accident, even if you prevail in a personal injury lawsuit, you may see 30% less of your final payout amount.

Somerville car accident victims can usually claim compensation for two types of damages: the first, economic damages, helps cover injuries with specific associated dollar amounts, such as rehabilitation bills, extended hospital stays, and medication deductibles. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, help cover damages without specific numbers, such as pain, suffering, and a degraded quality of life.

In certain rare cases, the judge may award you punitive damages to punish a particularly reckless or egregious driver and dissuade them from similar future behavior on the road.

What Types of Injuries Are Common in Car Accidents?

Our attorneys have assisted car accident victims who suffered from many types of collision-related injuries, ranging from minor cuts to broken bones to concussions. In more severe cases, our clients have struggled with internal organ damage or traumatic brain injuries, which required extensive medical treatment and long-term care.

Generally speaking, the more severe the injury, the longer and more intensive the necessary treatment: victims may require therapy, surgeries, and rehabilitation, all of which can add up financially.

How Do Insurance Companies Handle Car Accident Claims?

Insurance companies often prioritize minimizing payouts over offering claimants a fair settlement; they may downplay the severity of your injuries or try to push the liability onto you.

In some cases, they may try to pressure you into accepting a quick settlement. Your post-accident stress may tempt you to accept their first offer, but be careful. These settlements rarely cover the full extent of your losses, and you may need to pay significant amounts of money out of pocket for your treatment.

Even in the most clear-cut cases, such as those involving uninsured or underinsured drivers, the insurance companies may still attempt to limit your payout.

Why Is Legal Representation Important After a Car Accident?

A seasoned car accident lawyer will negotiate on your behalf with insurance companies, helping you reject insufficient offers, raise your payout, and even take them to court if they refuse to pay you what you deserve.

Additionally, an experienced local lawyer will know the ins and outs of New Jersey’s personal injury laws and will likely have the connections to build your strongest professional case. If you file a lawsuit, you may make many legal mistakes that could slash your payout or jeopardize your compensation completely. Our lawyers will help you avoid all these accidents and demand the payout you need.

Plus, if and when you take the insurance company or at-fault driver to court, a lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation, gather evidence, and consult experts to strengthen your case, which can come in handy in cases involving multiple parties or disputed liability.

Protect Your Rights With the Somerville Car Accident Lawyers at Rebenack Aronow & Mascolo L.L.P.

When you need to claim compensation to cover your accident-related costs, trust the Somerville car accident lawyers at Rebenack Aronow & Mascolo L.L.P. to build your strongest case. We know all the local traffic laws and have worked with the courts and insurance companies in your area, so we can streamline your process, relieve your legal burden, and maximize your chances of success. Call us at 732-247-3600 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation. Our offices in New Brunswick, Somerville, and Freehold, New Jersey, allow us to serve clients in Middlesex County, Monmouth County, and Somerset County.