Traffic collisions cause thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths every year, and the vast majority of those wrecks could’ve been prevented if just one person involved had acted more responsibly. When you want to file a lawsuit against someone who caused you harm in a crash, you may have an unexpectedly tough time, depending on what type of insurance you have and what circumstances led to your accident.
No matter what injuries you’re dealing with or who is to blame for causing them, representation from a seasoned personal injury attorney will be essential to getting a favorable case result after a traffic collision. With a knowledgeable Mt. Laurel car accident lawyer by your side, you’ll be able to more proactively enforce your rights and more efficiently navigate around legal and procedural roadblocks that might otherwise prevent you from getting paid fairly for your losses. In a previous case, we recovered $2.8 million for a woman and her daughter, who were injured in a highway crash.
What is the Choice No-Fault System for Car Accidents?
In New Jersey, every motor vehicle owner is required to buy at least a basic insurance policy, including $5,000 of property damage liability insurance coverage and $15,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. A driver has a choice of whether they want to spend extra money for a standard policy with more liability coverage. With both types of policies, an injured person’s PIP coverage will reimburse them for the costs of medical care they need for accident-related injuries to their policy limits, and standard policies may also cover other losses like missed work income, in-home assistance while recovering from an injury, and death or funeral benefits in the event of a fatal injury.
The biggest difference between the two types of policies, though, is that people with basic policies—and those with certain types of standard policies—have a limited right to sue after a wreck. This means unless you suffer a serious injury that’s likely to have debilitating and permanent consequences for you, you may not be allowed to file suit for additional damages not covered by your insurance once you hit your policy limits. As a Mt. Laurel car crash attorney can explain, there may be other exceptions to this rule under specific circumstances, and there are no restrictions against suing someone else for property damage caused by a vehicle crash.
Recovering Fairly Through a Lawsuit or Settlement Proposal
When you have standing to file suit over an auto accident, an attorney can demand compensation for both economic and non-economic losses not covered by your insurance, including:
Physical pain and suffering
Emotional and psychological anguish
Loss of life’s pleasures
Future medical bills and disability-related costs for things like wheelchairs and home modifications
Lost future working capacity
Unlike insurance, which works on a no-fault basis, you’ll need to specifically prove someone else was responsible for your wreck to recover through this sort of claim—something a skilled vehicle accident lawyer in Mt. Laurel can provide vital assistance with.
Speak with a Mt. Laurel Car Accident Attorney Today
This is just a brief overview of how complex the law surrounding auto accident claims can be. When you’ve been seriously hurt in a crash caused by someone else, trying to get paid what you deserve for your damages without help from a seasoned legal professional is almost certain to end without you getting anywhere close to what you need.
The help you need is available from a Mt. Laurel car accident lawyer well-known for winning claims like yours. Learn more by calling Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers today and scheduling a free, no-obligation consultation.
