In 2019, the New Jersey Department of Transportation reported the total number of injury crashes in the state in 2018, announcing 61,043 motor vehicle collisions that led to injuries that year. Of those crashes, Bergen County had the second-highest rate of crashes, at 6,292 injury collisions.
If you were in a passenger vehicle accident in Englewood, you might still be dealing with the consequences of the collision, whether that means you are trying to recover from a severe injury or fix the financial mess it left you in. It might even be both.
The team at Morelli Law Firm wants to help you fight for the financial recovery you need. An Englewood passenger vehicle accident lawyer from our firm can take over your case if you are in a position where you need to focus more on your physical or mental recovery. Call our team at (212) 751-9800 and let us know what kind of legal assistance you want. From there, we can collaborate on how to build your case and start taking steps forward.
Passenger Vehicle Accident Cases Can Involve Multiple Types of Vehicles
While many passenger vehicle accidents involve only standard cars, many other accidents involve other types of vehicles. Our team has handled a variety of accident cases involving:
- Cars
- Trucks
- Motorcycles
- Pedestrians
- Bicyclists
- Taxis or rideshare service vehicles
- Buses
- Construction vehicles
Whether your collision involved only passenger vehicles or other elements, Morelli Law Firm wants to review your case. Our legal team may be able to develop a strategy to help you pursue compensation, but we cannot start doing so until you call us at (212) 751-9800. The first call includes a free case evaluation, which is a quick way for you to get the information you need to understand how an Englewood passenger vehicle accident lawyer might handle your case.
You Decide Whether You Want to File an Insurance Claim or Lawsuit
Once our team understands the kind of case you have, they can explain which legal options you have, which generally include filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Many passenger vehicle accident victims choose to file an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s auto insurance, as it can be a quicker route to receiving compensation if successful.
The Claims Process
After an accident, you should notify the at-fault driver that you intend to file a claim with their insurer and exchange insurance information if you had not already done so at the scene of the accident. When you file a claim, you will be assigned a claim number and contacted by a claim adjuster. When the claims adjuster calls, they will generally ask for a statement by you on how the accident occurred so that they can determine who caused the accident.
While you can speak with the claim adjuster on your own, we advise that you refer them to your lawyer, as their prerogative may be to focus on any statement you give that admits to partial or full fault for the accident. You want to avoid this so that your potential compensation does not get adjusted.
In New Jersey, the New Jersey Revised Statutes §2A:15-5.1 mandates that you may still be entitled to compensation even if you are found partially at fault as long as your percentage of fault is less than that of the other driver. However, any compensation you win may be reduced by the percentage of fault you hold.
The Negotiation Stage
Once your claim is processed, you will then enter a series of negotiations between you and the insurance company. You may hire a lawyer to serve as your representative during negotiations, and they can also advise you on any settlement offers you receive.
The negotiation stage can be a long process, depending on the amount and the kind of damages you are claiming. Certain non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, might have a cap on how much compensation you may be entitled to demand.
Your lawyer may help you calculate your damages and determine if a claim settlement is fair to your situation or if it might be worth pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. In some cases, negotiations come to a standstill due to disagreements between involved parties on what is owed. You need to keep careful about any stalling, as your time is limited if you want to file a lawsuit.
Bringing a Lawsuit
All personal injury lawsuits must abide by the statute of limitations under New Jersey Revised Statutes §2A:14-2. Generally speaking, you have about two years to file your lawsuit, and this deadline starts on the day of the car accident.
If you fail to meet the statutory deadline, the at-fault party does have a right to contest your case and request the judge assigned to your case to dismiss it. If your case gets dismissed, you might lose your eligibility to receive compensation entirely.
Your lawyer may take precautionary measures to avoid this conclusion. Some people choose to file a personal injury lawsuit immediately, which is also an option. Doing so may help you pursue more damages, such as:
- Medical treatment costs
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses, such as for medications or support devices
- Income loss
- Repair or replacement costs for property that got destroyed or damaged in the accident
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced earning capacity
Englewood Passenger Vehicle Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Call Morelli Law Firm When You Need Legal Guidance
After a passenger vehicle accident, people can be unsure about what they can pursue. Vehicle repair costs might be obvious damage to pursue, but you might be entitled to several other forms of damages if the accident harmed you in other ways. Contact Morelli Law Firm and get a free consultation about what your legal options are in your case. You might be surprised by what you learn.
Our staff is responsive and dedicated to treating every client with respect and consideration. Your concerns matter, and we want to help you pursue the compensation you need. Call us at (212) 751-9800 today and learn more about how an Englewood passenger vehicle accident lawyer can help you.