Reporting a Car Accident: Steps to Take
New Jersey Car Accidents
You often think that you will be prepared in the event of a car accident but then, when it happens, panic and fear takes over. You might know the steps that you need to take but you cannot figure out the order to complete them.
The steps you take immediately following a car accident are important, especially to you and your passengers’ health. They are also important to your legal rights in the event that you suffer damages. Read further to learn what steps you need to take after a motor vehicle accident.
Steps to Take After a Howell Car Accident
Remember to follow these important steps after a New Jersey car accident:
Evaluate the Scene
Some accidents are minor fender benders and while you will still want to notify the police, your insurance company, and see a physician, it might not warrant calling for an ambulance. However, if any of the parties’ involved suffered severe injuries or are in physical pain, one of the first steps you should do is to call an ambulance. Additionally, while it is generally important to avoid leaving the scene of the accident, you should never stay if the situation is unsafe.
Call the Police
It is best to call the police and file a police report right from the scene of the accident. Depending on the details of the car accident, you may even be legally required to call the police. In New Jersey, you are required to report any accident with damages over $500. Because it is not always easy to determine the value of an accident right after it occurred, it’s best to always call the police anyway. This report may become important evidence in your case down the line. Fortunately, in today’s technological times, someone is likely to have a cell phone on them.
Contact Your Boonton Insurance Company
It is also necessary to notify your insurance company of the accident as soon as possible. In fact, some policies require that you report the accident within a specified period of time. Failing to follow the individual requirements of your insurance company can lead to a denied claim. Additionally, the insurance company may have its own requirements such as photographs of the damage or a copy of the police report.
Because New Jersey is a no-fault auto insurance state, it does not matter who is at fault for the accident. Regardless of fault, you will file your initial claim under your car insurance policy.
Consider Your Need for Legal Representation
Not every car accident will require legal representation. However, if you were severely injured in a car accident, then it is possible that your insurance policy will not cover the full extent of your damages. By the time you factor in property damage, medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering, the damages can quickly exceed your policy coverage.
Additionally, if the other driver is attempting to place blame on you with a personal injury claim, it may be useful to have legal representation. Under New Jersey’s pure comparative negligence laws, the driver who holds the majority percentage of the blame may still owe the other party damages in the event that both are at fault.
Contact Drazin & Warshaw to Discuss Your Red Bank Car Accident
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a car accident in New Jersey? You need a competent, capable, caring, and trusted attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you deserve. The skilled attorneys at Drazin & Warshaw represent clients injured because of car accidents in Middletown, Howell, Marlboro, Manalapan and all across New Jersey. Call our offices at (732) 747- 3730 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. You don’t pay until we win. We have offices conveniently located at 25 Reckless Place, Red Bank, NJ 07701, as well as offices in 3315 NJ-35, Hazlet, NJ 07730 and 937 Cedar Bridge Ave, Brick Township, NJ 08723. If it is more convenient for you, our attorneys are also available to come see you anywhere in New Jersey.
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 Drazin and Warshaw, P.C. directly.
