Piscataway Car Accident Lawyers
Your car accident injuries will have an immediate effect on your life, and their impact may stay with you for some time to come. If another driver was responsible for the car accident, they have a legal obligation to compensate you. However, getting this money is never easy. You need representation from an experienced car accident attorney to have the best chance of success in the legal process. The Piscataway car accident lawyers at Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, can help.
Key Takeaways About Piscataway Car Accident Cases
- Piscataway has a number of dangerous roads, owing to both heavy traffic congestion and the way that the roadways are designed.
- If you are able to show that another driver was responsible for the crash, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
- You must go through an entire legal process, which involves proving your case and negotiating a settlement, before you can receive any money.
- You are always better off in the legal process when you do not try to go it alone and you hire a car accident lawyer.
- You must act quickly to get legal help because your case can be at risk from aggressive insurance company tactics and losing the evidence that you need to win.
Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Piscataway
Because of its location at both the gateway to New York City and as a major thoroughfare in the Northeast, Piscataway roads can present their share of hazards to drivers. Here are some of the more dangerous roads in the Piscataway area:
- I-287, which is a congested roadway that often has heavy truck traffic
- Route 22, which features short merges and dense retail traffic
- The Centennial Avenue corridor of Route 18, which has heavy congestion, aggressive merging, and high-speed traffic
- Stelton Road, which has frequent stop-and-go traffic, distracted driving, and dense commercial activity, contributes to rear-end and turning collisions
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Piscataway
Motorists often do not pay as much attention to the road as they should, and they sometimes have no respect for traffic laws. A motorist can cause a serious car accident through their carelessness or recklessness.
Common causes of car accidents in Piscataway include the following:
- Drivers who are distracted, whether it is because they are on their mobile device or doing something else behind the wheel
- Failure to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Getting behind the wheel while fatigued
- Failure to yield the right of way when required by law
- Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
After a car accident, the steps you take can directly affect both your health and your ability to recover compensation. Taking quick action helps protect your medical condition, preserve evidence, and strengthen your injury claim.
After a car accident, you should:
- Seek immediate medical attention and continue all recommended follow-up care, even if your injuries seem minor at first.
- Watch for delayed symptoms such as headaches, neck pain, dizziness, or back pain, and seek treatment right away if symptoms appear.
- Report the accident to your insurance company promptly, but avoid speculating about fault or giving detailed recorded statements without legal guidance.
- Preserve evidence from the crash, including photos, medical records, witness information, and repair estimates.
- Contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible so an attorney can investigate the crash, deal with insurance companies, and protect your right to pursue full compensation.
What Is the Car Accident Legal Process?
The other driver’s insurance company will be involved in your car accident case, no matter how you choose to pursue compensation. Many car accident victims elect to begin the legal process by filing a claim with the responsible driver’s insurance company on the advice of their lawyer. Here, you must present evidence that shows that the other driver should be liable for the crash and documentation of your damages. If the insurance company accepts liability, it will proceed to make you a settlement offer. Since this offer will likely be low, you will then need to negotiate full compensation.
Alternatively, you maintain the right to sue the responsible driver in court. In this case, their insurance company would be the one who was obligated to defend them in court and would still negotiate your settlement.
How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth?
Before you can file a car accident claim, you must know the full value of your case. You may not have a full understanding of your damages until you reach the point of maximum medical improvement. At that point, the calculation of your car accident damages is an individualized exercise that reflects how you have suffered personally.
Your car accident settlement should pay you for the following elements:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Wrongful death damages if a loved one died in the accident
What Are Common Challenges in the Car Accident Legal Process?
Car accident cases are never routine. To get the compensation you deserve, you must go through at least one insurance company that does not want to fully pay you. In addition, much can happen in the early days before you are ready to deal with the legal process.
The following are challenges that you may face in a car accident claim:
- The evidence may disappear before you get a chance to collect it.
- The other driver’s insurance company may try to blame you for the accident.
- The insurance company may underestimate the value of your claim.
- The other driver’s insurance company may try to pressure you to speak to them.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey Car Accident Cases
How long do I have to file a car accident claim?
New Jersey’s statute of limitations in car accident cases is two years from the time that you were injured or should have known that you were hurt. Missing this deadline can have grave implications for your case, and it can cost you your ability to be compensated.
How much does a car accident lawyer charge?
Our car accident attorneys work for you on a contingency basis. They do not ask you to pay them anything up front, and they are only paid for their time and services if you receive money in connection with your car accident injuries.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?
You should not speak with the insurance adjuster who represents the other driver, especially without your car accident lawyer present in the conversation. There is no upside to speaking with the other driver’s insurance company because they will try to use anything they learn against you.
What if I was partially to blame for the car accident?
New Jersey uses the law of modified comparative negligence. This law keeps you from receiving any compensation if you were more than 50% to blame for the car accident. It also reduces your compensation proportionally if your fault was under that amount.
Piscataway Car Accident Lawyers at Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, Will Guide You Through the Legal Process
Right after you have been injured in a motor vehicle crash, speak to the Piscataway car accident lawyers at Mikita & Roccanova, LLC, to learn more about your case. Our experienced legal team will explain the legal process to secure fair compensation. Schedule a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys by filling out our online contact form or by calling us today at 732-705-3363. We have offices in Hazlet and Piscataway, NJ, and we serve clients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.