A tailgating accident can be a traumatic event, causing serious injuries. If this has been the case for you, consider getting in touch with Morelli Law Firm. While an Englewood tailgating accident lawyer works on your case to help you seek compensation, you can concentrate on your recovery. Call us today at (212) 751-9800 for more information.
If you feel uneasy about hiring a lawyer due to your finances, do not worry. Morelli Law Firm operates on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning there are no upfront or out-of-pocket fees. The only time we charge you is if and when you get compensation for your damages. If not, then you owe us nothing.
The Statute of Limitations
Before you get started on your case, you must know how long you have to gather all the necessary paperwork to file your lawsuit. The New Jersey Statutes §2A:14-2a gives you two years to bring your personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party. Similarly, if you lost a loved one in a tailgating accident, the New Jersey Statutes §2A: 31-3 also allows two years to file your wrongful death lawsuit.
Failure to file your lawsuit within the two-year time limit can prohibit you from filing at all. In that case, you will no longer be able to hold the at-fault party accountable for your damages. Paying all your accident-related expenses would then fall on you. However, in certain circumstances, the statute of limitations can be tolled or paused.
You may want to consider talking to a lawyer to look at how much time you have and what your options could be.
Injuries in a Tailgating Accident
A tailgating accident falls under the rear-end collision category. According to the Mayo Clinic, whiplash is a common injury caused by these types of accidents. Whiplash is when someone’s neck quickly snaps back and forth, like cracking a whip.
After the tailgating accident, you might think you are okay and that medical care is unnecessary. However, symptoms of whiplash can come about a few days afterward. If you are experiencing headaches, dizziness, fatigue, tingling in your upper extremities, or neck pain, you may be suffering from whiplash.
Injuries from a tailgating accident are not just limited to whiplash. You may have also suffered from:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head or brain injuries
- Bruises and laceration
- Internal bleeding
If you have not consulted a medical professional since the accident, do so right away. You do not know what other serious underlying injuries you could be suffering from. In addition, getting medical help can serve as evidence when building your case.
Englewood Tailgating Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Recoverable Damages
Once you have gone through a tailgating accident, it may be difficult to get back into your routine, as you may not have the funds or the physical capability to do so. The good news is that when you attempt to hold the at-fault party accountable, they may have to reimburse you for your damages.
These damages are classified into two categories. Economic damages cover your losses that have a monetary value. Examples could be:
- Medical bills: This award covers medications, surgeries, hospital stays, ambulance rides, medical devices, doctors’ appointments, and more.
- Lost income: You may have missed work because of your doctor’s visits, or you were in too much pain to go to work. In other cases, you probably had to work a lower-paying job because your injuries kept you from working as you did prior to the collision.
- Property damages: Your car and other belongings inside may need to be repaired or replaced entirely.
- Funeral and burial expenses: If your loved one died in the accident, you might have had to cover the costs of their memorial service, cremation, or other related events.
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, do not have a dollar value. For example, these could account for:
- Pain and suffering: the physical and mental pain after the accident
- Lost quality of life: if the aftermath of the accident keeps you from doing the activities you once enjoyed
- Lost consortium: the absence of your late loved one’s affection, guidance, and company
Keep in mind that the above is not an extensive list of all the damages you can recover. An Englewood tailgating accident lawyer can evaluate your damages and put a price on them for you. Contact Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800 for a free consultation.
How a Lawyer Can Assist You
When you hire a lawyer, they take on certain responsibilities to try to get you the most favorable outcome. Two of the main duties include:
Collecting Evidence
If you have not already, take pictures of your injuries from the accident, as they can show that these are a direct result of it. In addition, photos of the accident scene will show the condition of your vehicle, the road, and the weather. If businesses nearby or the state had video cameras around where your accident happened, a lawyer can review the footage to prove that the other party was negligent and caused the accident.
After the accident, a police officer should have come to the scene and recorded the crash report. This document should contain the time, location, and sequence of events that ultimately led to the accident.
If they were able to, the officer could have obtained any eyewitnesses’ contact information. In that case, a lawyer could call them and get their account of the accident. Otherwise, an accident reconstructionist could come in and review any footage, preferably from video surveillance, to determine who caused the tailgating accident.
Handling All Communications
It may be daunting for you to face the at-fault party, their insurance company, and their legal team by yourself. A lawyer can handle all communication between all of you on your behalf. This can include negotiating a settlement and updating you on any changes throughout the course of your legal battle.
Get Started on Your Case Today
If you or a loved one has been in a tailgating accident, help is available. You should not have to undergo more suffering by paying for all your damages that happened through no fault of your own. An Englewood tailgating lawyer can be your legal advocate and fight for justice on your behalf. To get started, reach out to Morelli Law Firm at (212) 751-9800 now.