What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Somerville?

Seek medical attention, call 911, take photographs, talk to witnesses, collect contact information, request medical records. and contact an experienced car accident lawyer.

Can You Recover Compensation After a Car Accident?

Medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Somerville Car Accident Lawyers

Q: 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.

A sudden car accident in Somerville can instantly disrupt your health, your finances, and your daily life. New Jersey law gives injured people the right to seek financial compensation for those losses, but acting quickly matters: Evidence can disappear and legal deadlines apply. We recommend consulting with a qualified attorney as soon as possible for the best chances at pursuing a successful legal outcome.

Our Somerville car accident lawyers at Rebenack Aronow & Mascolo L.L.P. have years of experience helping injured Somerset County clients recover the compensation they deserve. Somerset County roadways, including busy corridors such as Route 22 and Route 206, see frequent traffic and a high volume of serious crashes each year. That reality means local legal knowledge and hands-on experience matter when building a strong injury case.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Somerville?

Call 911 right away and seek medical attention, even if there are no apparent injuries. Take photos of the scene, collect driver and insurance information, and get witness names when possible. Report the crash to the insurance company, but avoid giving recorded statements before speaking with an attorney. Keeping records of all medical visits and expenses from the start can help support a claim later.

Can I Recover Monetary Compensation After a Car Accident?

Yes, individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents have a legal right to seek financial recovery for their losses. Depending on the circumstances of the crash and who caused it, a claimant may pursue compensation by filing a claim through their own insurance policy or by filing a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage. The recoverable damages may include:

Medical expenses, both current and future
Lost wages and reduced earning ability
Pain and suffering
Property damage
Other out-of-pocket costs related to the accident, like prescriptions

What Types of Injuries Are Common in Car Accidents?

Car accidents often cause serious harm, even in crashes that appear minor at first. The most common injuries our Somerville car accident lawyers see in clients include:

Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
Broken or fractured bones
Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord damage
Internal bleeding or organ damage
Lacerations and scarring

How Do Insurance Companies Handle Car Accident Claims?

Insurance adjusters typically review police reports, medical records, and other evidence like traffic camera footage and car damage estimates to decide how much they will pay. They often try to settle claims quickly and for as little money as possible, sometimes using a claimant’s own statements to reduce a payout. Having our Somerville car accident lawyers handle those communications can help protect the full value of your claim.

Can I Still Seek Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault?

New Jersey’s modified comparative fault rule allows a person to seek compensation even when sharing some responsibility for the accident. The total award is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned. For example, if someone is found to be 20% at fault and damages total $100,000, the recovery would be $80,000. No compensation is available when a person is found more than 50% responsible.

What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured?

New Jersey requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage, which can help cover injuries and damages when the at-fault driver has no insurance. In these situations, a claim is filed through the injured person’s own policy. Our Somerville car accident lawyers will review the available coverage and work to recover the compensation that is owed, even when the other driver cannot pay.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Lawsuits in New Jersey?

New Jersey gives injured people two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing that deadline typically means losing the right to seek compensation altogether. There are limited exceptions, such as cases involving minors, but those situations are rare. Filing well before the deadline gives our Somerville car accident lawyers time to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build the strongest possible case.

What Is Negligence, and How Does It Apply to Car Accident Cases?

Negligence means a driver failed to act with reasonable care, which then caused harm to someone else. Running a red light, texting while driving, and speeding are all common examples of negligent behavior. To win a car accident claim, the injured person generally must show that the other driver was negligent and that the negligence directly caused the injuries.

Can a Car Accident Claim Go to Trial?

Most car accident claims settle before reaching a courtroom, as insurance companies often prefer to resolve cases without the expense of a trial. However, when a fair settlement cannot be reached, taking the case to court may be the best path forward. Our legal team prepares to litigate from the beginning; that puts pressure on insurers to offer reasonable compensation rather than drag out the process.

Why Is Legal Representation Important After a Car Accident?

Car accident claims involve carefully gathering medical documentation, meticulous liability investigations, insurance negotiations, and legal deadlines that are hard to manage while recovering from injuries. Our Somerville car accident carefully gather evidence, build strong cases, and aggressively push for full and fair compensation. We are also familiar with the local courts and procedures, which makes a real difference for clients pursuing claims in Somerset County.

What Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?

Most personal injury attorneys, including our Somerville car accident lawyers, work on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless the case results in a settlement or court award. The fee comes as a percentage of the recovery, so there is no financial risk in seeking legal help after an accident.