Steps to Take After a New Jersey Car Accident

No one sets out to get injured in a car accident, however, that is the reality for more than 50,000 New Jersey drivers per year. While we hope that you never become one of these statistics, we also think it’s important for you to know what to do in the event you’re ever in a car accident. These tips can not only help ensure your physical safety, but they can make it easier to collect the compensation you need on the road to recovery. 

Here are the steps you need to take after a New Jersey car accident:

1. If You Can, Pull Over to the Side of the Road

Sometimes, such as in the event of a left-hand turn accident or t-bone accident, pulling off to the side of the road may not be possible. If it isn’t, try to put your vehicle’s flashers on to alert other drivers to slow down and exhibit caution. 

However, if you can, try to pull over to the side of the road. This will help keep you out of harm’s way until local law enforcement arrives on the scene. 

2. Call Local Law Enforcement

Speaking of law enforcement, once it is safe to do so, call them. This is important for several reasons. First, they can help keep you and your passengers safe, but they will also interview everyone involved in the car accident to file a police report. 

This police report is one of the most important pieces of evidence in a New Jersey personal injury claim because it details the date and time of the accident, as well as the location, contact information of all the parties involved, and a detailed description of how the accident occurred. Usually, the police will give you information about when and where you can view and download the crash report online. However, if not, you can always obtain one by visiting the police department in the county where the accident occurred. 

3. Get Prompt Medical Care

When you call the police, the paramedics will accompany them. It’s highly recommended that you allow them to check you out for injuries. 

A car accident can rattle you and unfortunately, your high adrenaline level may end up masking any pain you have. Oftentimes, symptoms of car accident injuries, such as whiplash may not appear right away, so those involved in an accident may turn down medical care because they believe they’re okay. 

The problem with this is that it’s not always easy to tell if you’re injured. Concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and internal bleeding require diagnostic testing. By going to the hospital, you can not only get yourself checked out for these serious injuries but also create a paper trail that documents them, including their severity and associated costs. 

4. Call a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer

Once you’ve been checked out by a doctor and notified your insurance company of the accident, your next step should be to call a New Jersey personal injury lawyer. Though many insurance companies claim to be on your side, the truth is that they’re not. Insurance companies are only focused on keeping their bottom line, which means paying you less than you deserve. 

This is primarily why hiring a personal injury lawyer is a smart idea if you suffered severe injuries from a car accident. Car accident injuries may leave you with expensive medical bills and lost wages from having to take time off work. Unfortunately, your day-to-day expenses don’t stop simply because you’re injured. But with a skilled lawyer by your side, you can obtain the compensation you deserve on your road to recovery. 

In New Jersey, injured drivers have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. The sooner you do this the better. We know that two years sounds like a long time, but when you’re dealing with the aftermath of a serious car accident injury, it can go by in a flash.

Contact a Cherry Hill Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a car accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at DiTomaso Law represent clients injured because of car accidents in Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Haddonfield, Medford, and throughout New Jersey. Call 856-414-0010 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 901 Route 38 East, Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002, as well as an office in Philadelphia, PA.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.