Car accidents are shocking, and a crash might disrupt your life for the foreseeable future. There are financial, emotional, and physical consequences to bad collisions, all of which deserve compensation.
After you call 911 to report the crash and get medical attention for any injuries, contact our attorneys. We can review any photos you took at the scene and may get more from eyewitnesses or the police. A lawsuit may cover current and future damages, whether it settles or goes to trial. We can make trials less intimidating and help victims through court appearances. Give us as much time as possible to prepare your case and reach out right after a crash.
Get a free and confidential case review when you call the car accident lawyers of Agrapidis & Maroules, P.C. at (201) 777-1111.
What is the First Thing I Should Do After a Collision in Fair Lawn?
The first thing you should do after a wreck is dial 911. N.J.S.A. § 39:4-130 makes calling the police mandatory if someone is injured, dies, or there is more than $500 in property damage to any involved car.
Tell the 911 operator if you are hurt, and they can also send an ambulance. Wait for the police to arrive, even if the other driver does not.
Tell officers what happened when they arrived. Photograph any damage to your car and debris left on the road. Officers should record details in an accident report, which we can help get from the Fair Lawn Police Department in the following days.
How Important is Going to the Hospital After a Fair Lawn Car Accident?
If you are hurt after a car accident, go straight to the hospital. Building medical evidence is one of the most significant things you can do to help your case.
If you notice injuries hours or days later, get assessed then. You may go to an urgent care facility or the emergency room, whatever is appropriate for your injuries.
Suppose you have the limitation on lawsuit option for your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, as most New Jersey drivers do. In that case, our car accident lawyers must prove you suffered a “serious” injury so you can sue for non-economic damages. Otherwise, you may not recover compensation for pain and suffering.
Serious injuries include displaced fractures, dismemberment, and significant disfigurement or scarring, among others.
Do I Need Photos for My Car Accident Lawsuit?
Photos are strong evidence in car accident lawsuits. Do your best to photograph the scene before you leave, as it will not remain intact for long.
Take pictures of each car’s final landing point and their distance from one another. Photograph dents in your car or other damage, like scratches or broken windows.
We may get more photos from eyewitnesses and the police, so do not worry if you did not take many yourself.
First responders will clear away debris and tow totaled cars quickly. You may have to go right to the hospital, so immediately after a crash is your only chance to photograph the scene.
How Soon Should I Start My Case After a Crash in Fair Lawn?
Start your case right after a crash and call our lawyers immediately. § 2A:14-2(a) provides two years to file lawsuits after collisions, which is not very long.
During those two years, you may be recovering from bad injuries and dealing with overwhelming damages. Let us focus on building your case while you heal physically and emotionally.
Lots of evidence is fleeting, making prompt preservation crucial. We can quickly contact eyewitnesses for their statements and get relevant surveillance camera footage, two examples of evidence that often gets lost with time.
Do Car Accident Lawsuits Cover Future Damages?
By the time we file your lawsuit, you may already have incurred expensive damages. Still, there may be more damages in the future, and we can include those in our total calculations.
If it takes years to reach a full physical recovery, you may incur future lost wages. Your physicians may testify about upcoming procedures you need as well, supporting requests to cover future medical damages.
Facial injuries, burns, and other permanent injuries can be disfiguring, causing long-term emotional distress. Your lawsuit may also cover future non-economic damages, especially if the jury hears your testimony.
How Fast Can I Settle My Fair Lawn Car Accident Case?
Though wanting to settle your case quickly is normal, accepting the first offer is generally inadvisable. It will likely be less than you deserve, and we can work towards getting more on your behalf.
Some cases settle within a few weeks. Leveraging witness statements, medical records, and video footage often yields good settlements soon into negotiations. Fast settlement is not guaranteed, no matter how strong your case is.
Defendants might stall negotiations, making plaintiffs feel more desperate for compensation. We can stop that from happening and go to trial instead.
What if My Fair Lawn Car Accident Lawsuit Goes to Trial?
Do not let a trial intimidate you. We will prepare you for court, so you feel ready if the time comes. A trial is our chance to prove fault by presenting evidence to the jury. Instead of both parties agreeing on a settlement agreement, the jury decides how much the defendant pays.
Even if your case goes to trial, we may keep getting settlement offers. You can accept any fair offer we receive or continue with the trial and get damages from a jury award.
Trials mean court appearances, which we will keep you aware of. You may testify during a trial, which we will also prepare you for. The trial might only take a few weeks once it begins, especially if we have strong evidence of the defendant’s negligence.
Call Our Fair Lawn Lawyers for Help Now
Discuss your case for free with our car accident lawyers by calling Agrapidis & Maroules, P.C. at (201) 777-1111.