Woodbridge Car Accidents
Car accidents are a real danger throughout New Jersey and the entire country. In Woodbridge, New Jersey, car accidents threaten safety of residents, commuters, and visitors every day. Woodbridge road users are at risk from the same types of accidents as those that occur on roads in similar suburban areas throughout the United States.
Here, as elsewhere, personal injury from car accidents can be devastating. Some injuries can affect every aspect of the injured person’s life. In Woodbridge, New Jersey laws dictate a lot about what kinds of relief is available to people who become injured as a result of someone else’s behind-the-wheel negligence.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Woodbridge, New Jersey
Like other suburban locations, the roads in Woodbridge, New Jersey, are made unsafe by irresponsible driving behaviors and other threats. Some of these include:
Distracted driving. When drivers lose focus on the road from cell phone use or another type of attention-diverting behavior, the risk of accidents intensifies. Drivers must remain attentive to the road ahead to respond to the presence and actions of other road users, possible road conditions or obstacles that threaten, or any other potential dangers they may encounter.
Aggressive driving. Impatient or inconsiderate drivers are one thing, but some drivers actively create dangers that lead to accidents. Dangerous aggressive driving behaviors include speeding, weaving in and out of lanes, cutting off other vehicles, running red lights, and breaking other traffic safety laws.
Drunk driving. Drivers who get into the driver’s seat after a few drinks run the risk of causing a serious accident. Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or other substances are in no condition to be behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Additionally, those who have taken prescription medications must be careful when operating an automobile, as some drugs can cause drivers to zone out or become dangerously lethargic.
Drowsy driving. In addition to medication-induced drowsiness, other types of sleepiness can cause accidents. For this reason, professional truck drivers must abide by rules that call for specific rest requirements. Other drivers should adopt similar measures on long trips or even when busy schedules cause them to become run down and affect driving alertness.
Poor weather. The weather is often a factor when car accidents occur. When rain, ice, or snow are present, drivers should adjust their driving to accommodate visibility issues or slippery road surfaces that come with inclement weather.
Poor road conditions. Even on bright and clear days, road conditions can cause accidents. Potholes and damaged road surfaces can cause tire damage or even cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
Types of Car Accidents that Threaten Road Safety in Woodbridge
All kinds of car accidents happen in Woodbridge, New Jersey. These include:
- Rear-end crashes
- Sideswipes
- Back-over accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Wrong-way driving collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Roll-over accidents
- Multi-vehicle pile-ups
Types of Injuries Common in Car Accidents in Woodbridge
Car accident injuries range from the temporary discomfort from bumps and bruises to serious life-altering impairments. The types of injuries that are often associated with car accidents include:
Lacerations. Deep or extensive cuts may require stitches or involve scarring.
Soft tissue damage. Pulled muscles or damage to ligaments and tendons may require medical and pharmaceutical interventions, extensive physical therapy, and a lengthy recovery.
Broken or fractured bones. Bone injuries may take weeks to heal or may never heal completely.
Neck and back injuries. Injuries to the neck and back can be incredibly painful, even debilitating. These injuries can cause severe mobility issues, including possible paralysis.
Internal organ damage. Vital organs can be damaged from the impact of being slammed against a cars interior or being thrown from the vehicle in a collision. A particularly gnarly crash may involve serious organ damage from being pierced or impaled.
Brain and spinal cord injuries. Ranging from concussions to paralysis to death, injuries to the brain and spinal cord involve the body’s most complex systems. When a person hits their head or damages their spinal cord, it can affect all parts of their body, including motor function, sensation, communication, and even their personality.
How Do New Jersey’s No-Fault Laws Affect an Injured Person’s Right to Collect Damages?
New Jersey is one of several states that observe no-fault laws when it comes to car accident liability. These laws hold that drivers in the state must purchase car insurance that will provide coverage for any accident-related injuries suffered by the policy holder, or others listed on the policy. Except in extreme cases, these no-fault laws prevent people from suing anyone else to recover damages through a personal injury lawsuit.
Types of Damages Available for Losses Suffered in Car Accidents in Woodbridge
For accidents involving damages under a certain threshold, those injured in New Jersey accidents should be able to collect an insurance payout under their policy’s personal injury protection provision. These insurance benefits should cover medical expenses, lost income, and other out-of-pocket expenses in addition to reimbursement of any property damage costs.
For more extensive injuries, the law allows people to seek recovery for damages related to the following significant accident-related losses:
- Significant disfigurement or scarring
- A displaced fracture
- Loss of fetus
- Loss of body part
- Permanent injury to a body part that prevents normal functioning
How Do New Jersey’s Comparative Negligence Laws Factor into the Calculation of Car Accident Damages?
In cases where the system allows personal injury damages, state laws in New Jersey may limit compensation if the person claiming damages is partially liable for the accident. The theory of comparative negligence states that damages available in a car accident case must reflect the degree of responsibility the injured person has for the accident that caused their own injuries.
In other words, a person who suffered $100,000 in damages will have that amount reduced according to how much culpability for the accident is theirs. Therefore, a court may agree that the person proved that they suffered $100,000 in damages, but it may find that the individual was 20 percent at fault for the accident. This scenario would result in the court approving an $80,000 payout to the injured person.
Are Punitive Damages Available in New Jersey?
A court case may result in punitive damages, if the judge or jury finds that the defendant’s actions were so irresponsible or malicious that they call for additional punishment beyond the compensation damages awarded. New Jersey limits punitive damages to $350,000 or less. State law also says that punitive damages cannot amount to more than five times the allocation for compensatory damages.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Seek Damages?
It is not necessary to have a lawyer represent you in a New Jersey car accident case. However, it may be beneficial to enlist a knowledgeable attorney to help you understand your rights under New Jersey law. A seasoned lawyer can also determine a target recovery amount, uncover evidence to build your case, arrange expert witness testimony, and navigate legal intricacies that will result in full and fair compensation to address your losses.
Woodbridge Car Accident Lawyers at Mikita & Roccanova Can Help You Understand Your Rights after a Collision
If you were seriously hurt or lost a family member in a car accident, you should have someone on your side to help you seek redress for your losses. The Woodbridge car accident lawyers at Mikita & Roccanova are available to provide assistance. Our experienced legal team can investigate the cause of the accident and help you recover the damages for which you are entitled. Call us at 732-705-3363 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation. Located in Hazlet and Highland Park, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout Ocean County, Sussex County, Neptune, Middlesex County, and Pennsylvania.