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New Jersey Car Accident Attorney

If you suffered severe injuries or lost a loved one in a car accident, call the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C. Our New Jersey car accident attorneys offer personalized legal advice that is sound and compassionate. Established in New Jersey in 1998, the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C., has worked to recover millions in compensation through verdicts and settlements for car accident victims.

The car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C., are:

  • Experienced in all areas of car accident law;
  • Passionate about providing one-on-one legal services; and
  • Driven to secure results for car accident victims.

Call or contact the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C., today to discuss how our attorneys can best represent you in your car accident recovery. We will provide you with the attention, experience, and dedication you deserve, and we only charge legal fees when we win your claim. Our attorneys represent accident victims in Paramus, Hackensack, Union City, and throughout New Jersey.

New Jersey Car Accident Resources

Why Choose Us?

At the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C., our car accident attorneys leverage more than ninety years of legal experience to fight for and defend your legal rights. We know the tactics insurance companies use to reduce victim payouts and ensure insurance companies cannot take advantage of you and your situation.

Additionally, our car crash lawyers provide you with regular updates and help your claim in any way possible, including:

  • Keeping your claim trial-ready;
  • Determining all sources of liability and compensation for your accident;
  • Handling creditor and insurance company correspondence on your behalf;
  • Preparing and filing any necessary court documents;
  • Retaining any needed experts;
  • Negotiating and settling your car accident claim; and
  • If necessary, taking your case to trial.

Call the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C., at (201) 928-0300 to learn more about the advantages of retaining one of our New Jersey car accident lawyers. Your consultation is free, and there are no upfront costs to retain our firm.

What Are Common Causes of Car Accidents?

Car accidents cause severe injuries every day in New Jersey. Often, these accidents are the result of distracted driving. Distracted driving happens any time a driver takes their eyes, hands, or mind away from the activity of driving.

Distracted driving may include, but is not limited to:

  • Eating;
  • Texting;
  • Holding an intense conversation with a passenger;
  • Using GPS; and
  • Applying cosmetics.

Other common causes of car accidents include:

  • Drunk driving;
  • Speeding;
  • Tailgating;
  • Drowsy driving;
  • Faulty vehicle parts;
  • Inclement weather; and
  • Hazardous road conditions.

What Are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries?

The forces caused by a car accident can inflict catastrophic injuries on victims. These are injuries that will have a significant, long-term or permanent effect on a victim, including physical and emotional trauma. Vehicle occupants can sustain injuries to any part of the body in a car accident. Common examples include:

At the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C., our personal injury lawyers have experience handling cases involving all types of bodily injuries. We are prepared to pursue maximum financial compensation for the injuries that you or a loved one has suffered, including compensation for estimated future medical costs.

Is New Jersey a “No-Fault” State?

New Jersey is a “no-fault” state. Therefore drivers carry personal injury protection coverage, or PIP, on their car insurance policies. Drivers often file an accident claim against their own car insurance policy’s personal injury protection coverage before seeking other compensation.

New Jersey also requires drivers to carry liability insurance. A claim against the other driver’s liability coverage is usually the next possibility for compensation. Fault laws can be complicated to navigate on your own, seek experienced help with your car accident claim and contact the New Jersey car accident attorneys from our law firm.

Limited vs. Unlimited Right-to-Sue Insurance

In New Jersey, drivers can purchase limited or unlimited right-to-sue motor vehicle insurance. This determines a crash victim’s options when pursuing financial compensation after a car accident. With a “Basic” insurance policy in New Jersey, a driver will only have the minimum required amounts of coverage, as described above. With a “Standard” policy, a driver also has bodily injury liability coverage, which pays for the medical bills of others.

There are two types of Standard car insurance policies: limited right-to-sue and unlimited right-to-sue. With limited right-to-sue coverage, a driver can take legal action against the person or party that caused the accident if he or she suffers an injury that meets New Jersey’s tort exemption threshold. This includes broken bones, significant scarring and disfigurement, permanent injuries, and death.

With unlimited right-to-sue car insurance, a driver retains the right to hold someone else responsible for a car accident that he or she did not cause, with no injury threshold. This means that at any level of injury, a victim with unlimited right-to-sue coverage can file a claim against another driver. Discuss your type of car insurance after an accident with our attorneys to understand your legal options.

What is Comparative Negligence?

New Jersey follows the law of comparative negligence regarding car accidents. Comparative negligence reduces a victim’s compensation by the percentage the victim was responsible for the accident.

For example, if a victim is thirty-percent responsible for a car accident, thirty-percent is deducted from any future injury award. An injured victim at greater fault than the other driver cannot seek compensation for their injuries.

What Damages Can Be Recovered After a Car Accident in New Jersey?

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident in New Jersey, no amount of money may be enough to make up for your losses and pain and suffering. However, obtaining fair and full financial compensation from an insurance company can help you pick up the pieces and move forward with less financial stress. The average car accident claim in New Jersey involves financial compensation (also known as damages) in the following categories:

  • Economic. Economic damages are the financial ways in which a car accident impacted a victim. Common examples include past and future medical care, lost wages, lost capacity to earn in the future, vehicle damage, legal fees, travel expenses, and out-of-pocket costs. Proof of economic damages often comes in the form of pay stubs, receipts, medical records and bills.
  • Noneconomic. Noneconomic damages are all of the losses suffered by the victim that do not involve finances. A car accident can inflict many different types of noneconomic damages, including physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, psychological trauma, mental anguish, and loss of consortium. It can be difficult to prove noneconomic damages; evidence may include an injury journal and testimony from a medical expert.
  • Punitive. Rather than making a victim whole again, punitive damages intend to punish a defendant for especially wrongful or grossly negligent acts. If a defendant was reckless, malicious or intended to harm the victim, the courts may award punitive damages to penalize the defendant and warn others against similar wrongdoing. Punitive damages are less common than economic and noneconomic damages in personal injury lawsuits.

Currently, New Jersey only imposes a cap, or maximum limit, on punitive damages. This cap is $350,000 or five times the total amount of compensatory damages – whichever amount is greater. This damage cap is meant to prevent victims from receiving exorbitant punitive damage awards. To learn the approximate value of your car accident case and the damages available, consult with an attorney about your specific losses.

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What Steps Should Be Taken After a Car Accident?

If you get injured in a car accident in New Jersey, you need to take certain actions to protect yourself. You should seek medical care immediately, for example, to preserve your physical health and safety. You should also consult with an attorney to protect your legal rights. If you can, take the following steps after an automobile accident in New Jersey:

  1. Call 911 to report the crash. Remain at the scene of the accident until the police arrive.
  2. Check yourself and others for injuries. If someone is injured, call for paramedics.
  3. Do not admit fault for the accident or apologize to the other driver.
  4. Exchange information with the other driver while you are still at the accident scene.
  5. Before you leave, take photographs and gather eyewitness information.
  6. Get medical treatment without delay. Keep in mind that some injuries are not immediately apparent.
  7. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan and keep copies of your medical bills and records.
  8. Notify your car insurance company of the accident as soon as possible.
  9. Do not give the insurance company a recorded statement or accept the first settlement.
  10. Contact an experienced car accident attorney before accepting a settlement offer.

Your priority immediately after a car accident is your safety. Then, once you have seen a doctor for your injuries and are in recovery, focus on your financial well-being by contacting an attorney to help you negotiate a fair car accident settlement from your insurance provider. If you suffered serious injuries or have right-to-sue insurance, your New Jersey car accident lawyer can also help you go up against a third party in pursuit of maximum financial compensation.

Can a Car Accident Attorney Help Victims Recover Higher Damages?

Statistically, plaintiffs almost always receive higher monetary damages with attorneys than without. Even after paying attorney’s fees, you could recover greater financial compensation for your losses if you are represented by a car accident lawyer in New Jersey. Hiring a lawyer comes with many advantages that can improve your financial recovery, including:

  • Knowledge of the law. With an in-depth knowledge of New Jersey’s car accident laws and how to navigate the no-fault insurance system, a lawyer will know exactly what to do – and what not to do – to increase your payout.
  • Accurate case evaluations. An attorney can help you understand the true value of your claim – not the diminished value that an insurance company might use to save itself money. This can allow you to demand a fair and full settlement.
  • Aggressive negotiation tactics. A lawyer will not be afraid of going up against a powerful insurance company or legal team to demand maximum financial compensation on your behalf. Your attorney will use aggressive negotiation strategies to get the best possible results.
  • Trial capabilities. An attorney who can take your case to trial has a better chance of convincing an insurance company to offer a fair settlement. An insurance company will want to avoid the cost of going to court, even if that means offering a higher settlement.

At the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C., we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that you won’t pay your car accident attorney unless we succeed in securing financial compensation for your losses. If we do win your case, we will charge our fee as a percentage of the overall amount won. That way, you will not pay our legal fees out of pocket. This payment arrangement ensures that you always receive more in compensation than your lawyer does in payment.

What Is The Statute of Limitations For Auto Accident Victims in New Jersey?

While most car accident claims settle outside of court, it is essential to note that New Jersey places a two-year statute of limitations, or deadline, on filing a car accident lawsuit. With few exceptions, victims must file a lawsuit within two years of their car accident. Otherwise, they lose their opportunity to recover compensation.

The state’s car accident laws are complex and challenging to understand. That is why it is crucial to have the experienced professionals at the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C., on your side. Our New Jersey personal injury attorneys will gladly answer your specific questions and ease your concerns about your car accident claim.

Contact Our New Jersey Auto Accident Lawyers

Contact the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C., through our contact form or by phone at (201) 928-0300. Let us focus on your car accident claim so you can move forward with your life. Our auto accident attorneys in New Jersey offer free consultations to victims in need of legal assistance.