Even the safest drivers aren’t immune to harm on the road. No matter how careful you are behind the wheel, all it takes is a moment to end up in a dangerous and even life-threatening situation. Thanks to someone else’s carelessness or bad judgment, you could be facing painful injuries and mounting bills from the damage caused by the wreck.
No one should have to pay the price for another driver’s mistakes. With the help of an Elizabeth car accident lawyer, you can recover valuable financial compensation to help you get back on your feet after a crash.
The attorneys at Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C., have spent decades representing New Jersey residents injured on the road through no fault of their own. We are experienced advocates, litigators, and compassionate professionals who understand the pain you’re going through. With our skills and resources, we are prepared to fight for you to secure the compensation you deserve.
Why You Need an Elizabeth Car Accident Attorney
Many drivers don’t immediately think of seeking legal help after a collision. However, the guidance of an attorney can provide significant support at each step of the recovery process. Let’s look at a few ways a skilled Elizabeth car wreck lawyer can help New Jersey accident victims.
Protecting Your Rights
A car accident puts you in a precarious situation physically, emotionally, and financially. Unfortunately, many insurance companies try to exploit drivers’ vulnerability and lack of experience after an accident. It’s too easy to be manipulated into admitting fault or agreeing to a settlement payment far less than your claim is worth.
A lawyer can help ensure you’re informed about your rights and options at each stage of the claims process. Your attorney can handle all communications with insurers and other parties. Their guidance can help you protect your rights and avoid the common pitfalls that can reduce your compensation.
Gathering Evidence for Liability
Compelling evidence is critical for the success of a car accident claim. Your lawyer can investigate the cause of the accident and collect the evidence needed to support your case. An attorney can access police reports, cell phone records, camera footage, and witness testimony that can be critical to proving fault. Their analysis of the evidence can identify the responsible parties and build a case for their liability.
New Jersey’s no-fault insurance system can add complexity to car accident claims. Depending on their coverage, accident victims may face limits on the type of compensation they can recover from liable parties. An attorney can review your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and help determine your eligibility for additional damages, such as emotional distress.
Negotiating for Fair Compensation
An attorney evaluates the full value of your claim, including past and future medical bills, lost income, and potential noneconomic damages. With their legal knowledge and negotiation skills, an experienced auto accident lawyer can fight for you to receive the maximum eligible compensation for your damages.
Types of Car Accident Cases an Elizabeth Car Crash Lawyer Handles
The attorneys at Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C. have extensive experience with many roadway incidents. We serve clients who’ve suffered:
- Rear-end collisions,
- Head-on crashes,
- Side-impact (i.e., T-bone) collisions,
- Sideswipes,
- Multi-vehicle accidents,
- Accidents involving intoxicated drivers,
- Distracted driving collisions, and
- Rideshare accidents.
Each type of collision comes with unique features and challenges for victims seeking compensation. A car crash lawyer can provide the experience and legal insights to help you best navigate the claims process based on your situation.
Compensation for Car Accident Victims in New Jersey
Car accident victims may recover financial compensation for the physical, emotional, and economic damage caused by a crash. Car accident damages in New Jersey can include:
- Medical expenses—hospital bills, follow-up visits, surgeries, prescriptions;
- Future treatment costs—long-term physical therapy, prosthetics, home care, medical equipment;
- Property damage—costs of repairing or replacing a vehicle;
- Lost wages—income and employment benefits lost while recovering from injuries;
- Reduced earning capacity—future income lost due to debilitating injuries; and
- Noneconomic losses—emotional distress, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and other psychological tolls of a wreck.
With the support of a car crash lawyer, victims may file a personal injury claim to seek compensation from the driver at fault in the accident.
However, your compensation claim can suffer if you’re partly to blame for the crash. Under New Jersey’s contributory negligence law, drivers who share part of the fault in an accident have their legal compensation reduced according to their degree of fault. For example, if you’re 20% at fault in an accident and have $100,000 in damages, you can only legally recover $80,000. Drivers who are more than 51% at fault in a crash can’t recover any compensation for their damages.
What to Do After a Car Accident
Car accidents are terrifying and paralyzing experiences. Knowing how to respond to a crash can help protect yourself and your potential claim. Here are some critical steps to take if you’re in an accident:
- Get to safety. Check yourself for injuries and get out of the way of oncoming traffic. Look for others who might be hurt and move them away from the vehicle if it is safe.
- Call 911. Describe your location and any visible injuries to emergency services. Ensure the police come to secure the scene and make a report.
- Exchange information. Get the contact and insurance information from any drivers involved, and share yours with them.
- Document the scene. If it is safe, take photos and videos of the crash site. Take pictures of the vehicles’ positions, damage, injuries, road conditions, and skid marks.
- See a doctor. Have a complete medical examination to check for injuries that might not be immediately visible. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan closely.
Once you’re safe and secure, it’s time to contact a lawyer. A skilled Elizabeth car accident attorney can evaluate your case and help you prepare to navigate the claims process strategically.
Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C.: Your Elizabeth Car Accident Lawyer
Recovering from a car accident is a challenging process that can leave victims stressed and overwhelmed. Fortunately, you don’t have to take it on alone.
At Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C., our goal is to help people across New Jersey understand and exercise their legal rights after the devastation of a crash. Our attorneys have over 30 years of combined experience fighting for accident victims and a track record of multimillion-dollar settlements to back it up.
We offer free, no-obligation case evaluations for accident victims. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.