Car accidents can range from minor fender benders to multi-car collisions. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a car accident in Hightstown, you do not need to go through this difficult time alone.
At the Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C., our Hightstown Car Accident Lawyers have experience handling both minor and major car accidents. We will use our deep knowledge of the New Jersey legal landscape to ensure you get the compensation you are owed.
How Can a Hightstown Car Accident Attorney Help You?
The insurance claim process and the legal system are not user-friendly. They are almost designed to be complicated. Having a Hightstown car accident lawyer at your side who has experience with these institutions can make all the difference. Not only will they make the process smoother for you, but they will help you build the strongest case possible.
- Initial Consultation: At your first meeting with one of our attorneys, you will go over the circumstances of your case. This will include how the car accident occurred and any injuries you have suffered. The lawyer will then present you with all your options.
- Collecting Information: Our dedicated attorneys will gather all the evidence needed to give you the strongest claim possible. The legal team will collect your medical bills, witness statements, footage of the accident, and any other information that will aid you in getting your rightful compensation.
- Dealing with Insurance Companies: After an accident, insurance companies will try to get you to settle for the least amount of money possible. Our attorneys will deal with the insurance companies so you can focus on recovering from your accident.
- Legal Representation: When insurance companies refuse to offer a reasonable settlement, we will file a lawsuit on your behalf. Our attorneys will fight for you in court and work to get you the compensation you deserve.
What To Do After A Car Accident in Hightstown?
After a car accident, you may be disoriented and confused. However, the steps you take after a crash can have a significant impact on your future personal injury lawsuit. Below are a few steps to take after you are involved in a car accident.
- Ensure Your Safety: After an accident, you should ensure you are not in immediate danger. Try to move to the side of the road and out of the way of any oncoming traffic.
- Seek Medical Attention: Your number one priority after an accident should be your health. Even if you do not think you are injured, you should be examined by a medical professional. This examination will serve the dual purpose of revealing any injuries that are not immediately apparent and documentation of your injuries.
- Notify the Authorities: Legally, you must report an accident to the police. When they arrive, they will document the accident. You can use these reports later as evidence of the incident.
- Document the Scene: You should try to take photos of the accident scene and your injuries. Additionally, you should try to get the contact information of all the drivers involved and any witnesses.
- Contact a Lawyer: You should contact a Hightstown personal injury attorney as soon as possible after a car accident. A Hightstown car accident attorney will help you build a strong case and protect your interests.
Common Car Accident Injuries In Hightstown
Car accidents can result in injuries that permanently alter a victim’s life. After an accident, injuries can vary widely from minor scratches and bruises to death. A few of the most common injuries are detailed below:
- Limb Loss and Amputation: In a crash, an arm, leg, toe, finger, or other appendage can be severed or damaged severely enough to require an amputation. The loss of a limb can permanently disable a victim whose life is forever changed.
- Neck Injuries: Whiplash is a common injury that occurs after the soft tissue of the neck is injured. During an accident, the neck can be injured when it is rapidly forced in a back-and-forth motion.
- Internal Injuries: When a crash forces a victim’s body into an object or the body is hit by flying objects, internal organs may be damaged. These injuries may not be readily apparent after an accident but require emergency medical treatment.
- Broken Bones: Common injuries in car accidents include broken legs, ribs, arms, wrists, and ankles. These injuries can range from simple breaks to severe compound fractures that may require multiple surgeries to repair.
- Back Injuries: The back is critical to everything you do, so your whole life can be affected when it is injured. These injuries may not show up until a few days after an accident and can result in serious, long-lasting pain.
- Burns: Sometimes, a car catches on fire after a crash, leading to victims suffering burns. Severe burns may require surgery and skin grafting.
- Knee Injuries: During a crash, knees can be smashed into any part of a vehicle. Injuries can range from simple bruises to multiple fractures.
- Lacerations: Broken glass is a common hazard after a car accident. The lacerations that result can be minor and shallow or significant and deep. Major lacerations may require stitches.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Hightstown
Car accidents can happen anywhere and in a wide variety of conditions. Most crashes are caused by a negligent driver. Some of the most common causes of car accidents are listed below:
- Speeding: Many accidents are caused or are aggravated by traveling above the speed limit. The higher the speed, the more likely that the injuries will be severe.
- Distracted Driving: A top cause of car accidents in the United States is distracted driving. Whether looking at a phone or fiddling with a GPS, distracted drivers are not focused on the road, making them more likely to get into an accident.
- Driving Under the Influence: When drivers are operating while under the influence of alcohol, their reaction times are lowered. This decreased reaction time leads to accidents with tragic results.
- Aggressive Driving: Tailgating, brake checks, and other aggressive driving actions cause many car accidents that can be easily avoided if cooler heads prevail.
- Drowsy Driving: When drivers have trouble staying awake, they are just as dangerous as drunk drivers. Their lowered reaction times lead to devasting car accidents.
- Unsafe Lane Changes: Sometimes, drivers do not adequately check their mirrors before changing lanes. This can result in multiple car collisions that affect cars in every lane of traffic.
- Potholes: When a car hits a pothole, the driver may lose control of the vehicle or blow out a tire, resulting in property damage and injuries.
What Types Of Damages Can Car Accident Victims Recover in Hightstown?
To win a personal injury lawsuit in New Jersey, you need to prove that the accident affected you in some way. In other words, you must show that you suffered damages. In Hightstown, there are two types of damages in a car accident case: compensatory and punitive.
- Compensatory Damages: When a court awards compensatory damages, it tries to put the injured party in the position they would have been if the accident had never happened. These are the most common types of damages and are divided into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
- Economic Damages: These damages are monetary and include any direct expenses that the victim incurred because of the accident. Economic damages are easy to calculate, including medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
- Non-Economic Damages: These damages are non-financial and more complicated to calculate than economic damages. Pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life are all examples of non-economic damages.
- Punitive Damages: When a court awards punitive damages, it aims to punish the negligent party. A party’s conduct must show a conscious disregard for the effect of their actions on others. Courts rarely award these damages.
How Much Is My Hightstown Car Accident Claim Worth?
There is no simple answer regarding how much your car accident claim is worth. Settlements and verdicts are heavily dependent on the facts surrounding your accident. You can estimate your case’s worth by adding up your medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages. This will give you a ballpark to estimate what your car accident case is worth in New Jersey.
Statute of Limitations for A Car Accident Claim in Hightstown
In every state, there are statutes of limitations. These laws limit the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit. In Hightstown, you have two years from the date of your car accident to file a legal claim. This deadline is usually strictly enforced, and if you miss it, you will be barred from compensation no matter how extreme your damages are.
There are a few exceptions to the statute of limitations. For example, if the injured party is mentally unfit or incompetent at the time of the accident, the two years will not begin to run until after the victim becomes competent. Additionally, there are cases where the time starts when the injured party discovers the injury, not necessarily when the injury occurred.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Hightstown Car Accident Lawyer?
After an accident, you are dealing with medical bills, repair costs, and lost wages. This makes the prospect of a lawyer’s bill intimidating and may discourage you from seeking counsel. However, it should not.
The Hightstown car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. work on a contingency basis. This means that you do not owe any money to the attorney up-front; they only get paid if you get paid. If you win a monetary judgment in court or receive one through a settlement, you will owe the attorney a pre-agreed percentage, but if you do not win, you do not owe our firm anything.
Need Legal Help? Contact a Hightstown Car Accident Lawyer Today!
After a car accident, your life can permanently change. While you are dealing with this traumatic experience, the last thing you need is to deal with the legal process. Healing should be your number one priority. At the Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C., our dedicated Car Accident Lawyers in Hightstown will take some of the burden from you and guide you through the legal process. Our legal team understands that you are going through a life-changing time and want to help in any way we can. Contact us at (215)799-9990 for your FREE consultation TODAY!