Were You In A Car Crash? Our Car Accident Attorneys Can Help.
Last updated on February 24, 2025
New Jersey had more than 585 fatal traffic accidents in 2023, according to the New Jersey State Police Fatal Accident Investigation Unit. The result is that more people are experiencing long-term health challenges after car accidents. Not only are they left to navigate the medical system on their own, but they can also be easily overwhelmed with bills and other financial challenges.
At Benjamin M. Del Vento, P.A., you are not alone. At our law office in Livingston, our team of car accident lawyers stands with you and fights to keep you healthy – physically and financially. Our firm dates back over 50 years, with all the experience and fortitude that entails.
What You Need To Know About Car Accidents In New Jersey
Car crashes come in many forms; below are the most often seen types of car crashes, mostly occurring due to distraction, drowsiness or impairment:
- Head-on collisions – Two vehicles traveling in opposing directions collide, or one driver is driving the wrong way.
- Rear-end collisions – One vehicle slamming into the rear of the one in front of it.
- T-bone collisions – The front of one vehicle striking the side of another, often caused by running a red light or failing to stop or slow down at a red light or stop sign.
- Sideswipe collisions – A vehicle crashes into another car’s side, which occurs when a driver fails to clear a blind spot, doesn’t look in the rearview or side mirror before changing lanes or allows a vehicle to drift.
- Rollover collisions – A vehicle flipping over during an accident with a high rate of fatalities.
These consequences often involve broken bones, spine injuries, brain trauma or severe wounds and lacerations. The results can be even worse for commercial vehicle accidents or multicar pileups.
The Devastating Injuries Of Car Crashes
Every driver will likely experience a fender-bender at some point. Major crashes, however, can cause life-altering injuries. Some of the most common injuries that our team has seen among our clients include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken bones
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Amputation
- Partial or complete paralysis
The severity of these injuries can permanently damage your quality of life and your ability to work. The medical treatment for such injuries can also result in thousands of dollars in expenses.
Determining Liability In New Jersey Car Accidents
When involved in a car accident in New Jersey, determining liability is a critical step toward securing compensation for injuries and losses. Multiple parties could be responsible, and liability is generally determined through a comprehensive investigation into the accident’s circumstances.
Potentially liable parties include:
- Drivers: Most commonly, involved drivers carry accident and injury liability, especially if they were engaging in negligent behaviors such as speeding or driving under the influence.
- Trucking companies: If the accident involves a commercial truck, the trucking company could be liable if they employed a negligent driver or failed to maintain their fleet properly.
- Employers: If the accident involved a work vehicle or task, the employer may be liable if the driver was performing job-related duties at the time of the crash.
- Government entities: Poorly maintained roads, defective traffic signals or unclear signage can contribute to accidents, often making the involved government entity legally responsible.
- Manufacturers: If a vehicle defect or faulty auto part caused or contributed to the accident, the manufacturer might be held liable for resulting injuries.
Gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses and reviewing police reports help establish liability, which is essential for a successful compensation claim.
Compensation For Car Accidents And Injuries
Car accident victims in New Jersey can receive various forms of compensation based on their injury severity and case specifics. Here are some examples of potential damages:
- Medical expenses: Coverage of your accident-related medical expenses, such as current and future medical bills, hospitalization and rehabilitation
- Lost wages: If accident injuries prevent you from working, you may be eligible for compensation for lost income due to the accident injuries.
- Pain and suffering damages: This is additional compensation meant to cover the long-term costs of severe injuries, such as ongoing physical pain, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Property damage: Most likely, you are eligible for compensation to address the repair or replacement of damaged vehicles and property.
Severe and catastrophic injuries often yield higher compensation due to the victims’ need for long-term care and extensive medical treatments.
You Cannot Rely On Fair Treatment From Insurance Companies
Insurance companies are well aware of the reasons accidents happen but are reluctant to pay for the expensive injuries that follow. Our car accident lawyers hold them responsible for a fair and complete settlement. This frequently includes financial compensation for medical bills, ongoing care needs, lost wages and other expenses related to your injuries that can result from:
- Commercial vehicle accidents – When a more significant and heavier commercial vehicle collides with a car, the aftermath involves devastating injuries for the driver and any passengers in the smaller vehicle. These types of accident claims are known for being more complicated, particularly when considering defendants who are influential companies with large legal teams. These powerful entities will not hesitate to wield their power, focusing on minimizing the compensation you are entitled to.
- Motorcycle accidents – Many find motorcycle riding to be an enjoyable activity. However, it lacks the driver protection that comes with cars and trucks, which often fail to see motorcyclists. Collisions between the two can violently throw riders from their bikes, resulting in potentially catastrophic and life-changing injuries, not to mention potential fatalities. A lack of helmet use can make a bad situation worse.
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents – Pedestrians and bicyclists face risks from motorists when walking or biking. In a split second, a speeding vehicle operated by a distracted driver can result in severe and potentially deadly injuries. For far too many accident victims, the outcome could range from broken bones and loss of a limb to paralysis and death.
In the decades we have been practicing injury law at Del Vento Law, we have come to learn the full extent of these and other injuries and what they are worth.
The Steps That Should Follow A Car Accident
There are several things that you can do to maximize your financial compensation after a car crash. These steps can also make the claims process much less stressful. Try to follow this list after a motor vehicle accident of any kind:
- Get medical treatment immediately. Remember, not all injuries appear immediately, so you should get help even if you think you are fine.
- Contact the police. You should have the police write an incident report so you have formal documentation from law enforcement.
- Get the name, insurance information and contact information of the other driver and any witnesses available.
- Take photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, your vehicle and the other driver’s vehicle. These can be very helpful when demonstrating the severity of a crash and which party is at fault.
Another important step is to consult a personal injury lawyer. The insurance companies of the drivers involved will try to contact you at some point to get your statement. You should always have representation from an attorney before speaking with them, as they frequently try to get you to admit liability.
Benefit From Our Experience And Insight
Our goal as your legal representation is to make you whole by securing a settlement that accurately reflects these consequences. We also help surviving families get compensation when these accidents prove to be fatal. Let our car accident lawyers be your advocates; call 973-869-5325 or send us an email using our online form.