Being in a car accident can leave you with physical and psychological trauma that can impact all aspects of your life. You may not be able to return to work, resulting in lost wages, and you could face significant medical expenses you have no way of paying. If you suffered losses after a crash, one of the most consequential decisions you can make for yourself is to contact a Trenton car accident lawyer.
At Wapner Newman, our team of experienced car collision attorneys can help you understand your rights and gather the necessary evidence to prove that you deserve compensation for your losses. We focus on the details so you can focus on healing.
Contact Wapner Newman at (215) 569-0900 to speak with a car accident attorney in Trenton.
Why Choose Us
Offering Reliable and Experienced Representation
At Wapner Newman, you are more than just another case. We understand how difficult going through a car accident is and the kind of trauma you could be dealing with as you step through our doors. That is why our Trenton car accident lawyers provide compassionate and tenacious representation to help you recover losses.
Each of our clients is assigned one of the firm’s principal partners, who will have an entire legal team behind them to investigate the accident, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurers on your behalf. We will fight for fair compensation, and because we have decades of litigation experience, we never shy away from taking a case to court if it is in a client’s best interests. If you have suffered losses in a collision, our car accident attorneys can offer the support you need in recovering damages.
Our personal injury lawyers have helped clients recover millions in settlements and jury awards.
Understanding Your Options After a New Jersey Car Accident
New Jersey is a complex state when it comes to motor vehicle collisions. That is because it follows choice no-fault laws that allow drivers to decide whether they want to be able to sue for damages. You make this choice when you purchase your insurance.
If you choose limited tort no-fault insurance, which lets you claim losses from your own insurance company without having to prove fault, you can only ask for economic losses. These are medical expenses as well as lost wages. Limited tort insurance does not allow you to step outside of no-fault laws unless you have suffered serious injuries, including permanent disfigurement and serious impairment of a bodily function.
Full tort insurance lets you file a lawsuit against the at-fault person, no matter what injuries you have sustained. You have the right to claim both economic and non-economic damages. Keep in mind that suing the other party requires that you prove liability. In most cases, that means demonstrating the other driver acted negligently.
To prove negligence, you have to establish that the other driver owed you a duty of care that they breached and their conduct led to injuries you can be compensated for. Because of the complexities of the New Jersey system, you need to have Trenton car accident attorneys by your side as you begin a claim.
In New Jersey, you can still recover damages if you were partly responsible for the accident. That’s because the state follows modified comparative negligence laws, which allow you to claim losses as long as you hold a lower percentage of fault for the accident than the other party.
Most Common Causes of Trenton Car Accidents
In 2021, Mercer County experienced 8,287 car collisions. Car accidents can occur for many reasons, but the majority of them come down to driver errors.
Distracted Driving
One of the most pressing concerns throughout the state is distracted driving. A driver engaged in any other activity while they are behind the wheel is a danger to themselves and others on the road. Distractions can range from cell phone usage to changing radio stations, but they all make a driver less likely to notice hazards on the road.
Intoxicated Driving
Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is another common cause of car crashes in New Jersey. These substances affect your reflexes and coordination, making it more difficult to act appropriately to changes on the road. Although the legal blood alcohol concentration limit is generally 0.08%, having just one drink can make a driver more dangerous.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving refers to the act of operating a car in a dangerous manner. It can involve behaviors like speeding, running red lights, and improper lane changes. A reckless driver understands that their actions could harm others on the road.
Fatigued Driving
Someone who’s exhausted and sleepy is also a danger behind the wheel. They’ll be distracted and could easily miss hazards appearing on the road. In the most severe cases, a driver can fall asleep while driving and lose control of the vehicle.
Speeding
A driver who is traveling at speeds faster than the legal limit or road conditions allow may not have enough time to respond to hazards as necessary to avoid a collision. The force of any impact will also be more significant, potentially resulting in severe injuries.
Defective Parts
If a vehicle has a defective part, its failure could lead to an accident. Everything from malfunctioning brakes to exploding tires can cause the driver to lose control of the car. In these instances, the manufacturer could be liable. If the vehicle recently went through a maintenance procedure, those who made those checks and didn’t notice the problem might also be at fault.
Road Conditions
Roads that have damaged pavement, severe potholes, and even poor lighting can all lead to crashes. Liable parties in these accidents can be the government entities in charge of road maintenance.
What to Do After a Trenton Car Accident
Crucial Steps to Follow
Right after the accident, you need to first ensure you’re safe. Check yourself for serious injuries before you get out of the vehicle. If you’re in severe pain, have trouble moving, or hit your head, you shouldn’t attempt to move around too much.
Contact emergency services immediately and have them assess you even if you think you’re not injured severely. This also begins a medical record of what you suffered as a result of the accident.
The next step is to contact the police if they’ve not already been called. By law, you have to report any accidents that result in injuries, death, or property damage of $500 or more. You should always play it safe, however, and contact the police after an accident. Notifying them also ensures that you will have a police report you can rely on to prove what happened.
Exchange information with the other party and start gathering evidence at the scene. Take photos of the vehicles, the street, and your injuries. You should also get contact information for any eyewitnesses so that you can rely on their testimony later.
Call your insurance company and let them know you’ve been in an accident. Keep this conversation short and immediately after reach out to a Trenton car crash lawyer.
Car Accident FAQs
Our Trenton car collision attorneys offer answers to commonly asked questions. Learn more below about what you can expect from the claims process.
What damages can I claim after a car accident?
After being in a car accident, you can claim economic and non-economic damages if you have suffered significant injuries or have full tort insurance. Economic damages focus on financial losses, including medical expenses and lost wages. Non-economic damages allow you to get compensation for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium if a loved one died in the accident.
Do I really need an auto collision lawyer to file a claim?
Although you’re not required to have representation to file a claim, it’s always a good idea to do so. A lawyer will negotiate with insurers and also advocate for you in court if necessary. This allows you to focus on healing and makes it easier to receive fair compensation.
Can I still file a claim if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Yes, New Jersey’s comparative negligence laws allow you to still file a claim if you were partly at fault. Keep in mind that you can’t bear the majority of the blame, and your percentage of fault will be subtracted from your winnings.
Will my case go to court?
Not every case goes to court. The fastest way of getting compensation is to settle with the insurance companies involved. If that’s not possible, we’ll resort to litigation.
If you have more questions or concerns about the process of filing a claim after a car accident, our team of experienced car accident lawyers at Wapner Newman can help.
Trust Experienced Trenton Car Accident Attorneys
After being involved in a car accident, you need reliable and experienced representation to get the compensation you deserve. At Wapner Newman, we can help you understand your rights and guide you through the entire claim process.
Schedule a free consultation with Wapner Newman by calling (215) 569-0900.