New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer

In the United States, car accidents happen on a daily basis. To most drivers, the sight of an accident on the side of the road is a relatively normal part of their daily commute. However, to the people actually involved in them, auto collisions can be traumatic and life-changing events. A car crash may result in injuries, property damage, and even loss of life.

Recovery after a New Jersey auto accident can be a long, difficult, and expensive process. While some accident survivors walk away with bumps and bruises or no injuries at all, others suffer severe injuries that change the course of their lives. A New Jersey car accident lawyer at our firm may be able to help you recover damages in a civil claim and gain a sense of closure after your collision.

New Jersey Car Accidents

Though New Jersey may be a small state, we have our fair share of car accidents each year. In the year 2020, there were over 190,000 crashes reported by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. That amounts to over 5,000 crashes every day. While not every accident resulted in injuries, over 41,000 of them did, and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported 559 car accident fatalities in New Jersey for the previous year (2019).

The number of car crashes in New Jersey drastically decreased, however, between 2019 and 2020, with roughly 86,000 fewer crashes in 2020 than in 2019. This may be attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic and the decrease in commutes while people worked from home.

Auto Accident Injuries

After a car crash in New Jersey, the first thing you should do is to seek medical treatment, even if you do not suspect that you are injured. Some injuries may not be immediately obvious or visible. Below are some common car accident injuries and symptoms that should not be ignored:

Broken Bones

During an auto accident, the force of impact may throw you back or to the side, causing you to hit the door, window, roof, dashboard, or steering wheel. Even being jolted into the center console can break a rib. Pay attention to any pain in your body after an accident, especially if moving causes increased pain. Broken bones may also make your limbs sit at an odd angle.

Concussions and Head Injuries

The human skull is designed to protect the brain, but the brain is a fragile organ and can easily bruise after a strong impact to the skull during a car accident. Concussions are caused by the brain bouncing inside the skull and can range from mild to severe, often resulting in confusion, nausea, and headaches. They can take weeks or even months to recover.

Head injuries can be severe, especially if there is any bleeding around the brain. Car accidents may result in traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, which can permanently affect motor skills, memory, cognitive functioning, and more.

Internal Bleeding

Internal bleeding is a serious problem and should never be ignored, but it can be hard to identify since it happens inside your body. If you feel weak or numb on one side of your body; develop a sudden, severe headache; become short of breath; or notice a deep purple bruise (especially if it appears to be spreading), go to an emergency room right away.

What Causes Car Crashes in New Jersey?

The road is full of hazards that can cause or contribute to collisions. Here are some common causes of auto collisions in our area:

• Weather – New Jersey weather tends to vary, especially during the winter. Icy or wet roads can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicle quickly. Hydroplaning and spin-outs are common in the winter and spring.
• Irresponsible drivers – Distracted driving and driving under the influence are both incredibly dangerous and illegal acts that claim the lives of thousands every year. Though there has been a push in recent years to reduce these behaviors, with a particular focus on texting and driving, careless and reckless drivers continue other motorists at risk. Shulman & Hill may be able to help you hold a negligent driver financially accountable for your losses after an auto accident.
• Vehicle malfunctions – Even the vehicles boasting the most advanced safety features may develop issues unexpectedly, which is why it is so important to take your car in for regular maintenance and pay attention to warning lights. Mechanical or electrical problems, especially with the brakes, can lead to severe car accidents.
• Over-tiredness – Driving for long periods of time on long stretches of road, like on the highway, can cause a driver to become drowsy, making it more likely that they will doze off behind the wheel and drift off the road or into another vehicle.

Pursuing Legal Action after an Auto Collision in NJ

While car crashes are often traumatic, many people want to simply move on and put the accident behind them after it happens. Pursuing legal action may sound overwhelming at first, especially if you are also dealing with an injury, but it can help bring closure and lessen the financial strain. With the right lawyer, filing a lawsuit can even be a relief rather than a stressor. Shulman & Hill’s team of experienced, compassionate attorneys strives to make the process as easy as possible for our clients and their loved ones.

Pursuing legal action after a New Jersey auto accident may help you recover some of the expenses incurred after a car crash injury. Medical bills, for example, can be extremely daunting, and a lawsuit may help you cover some or all of your bills. Aside from financial losses, New Jersey car accident lawsuits may provide compensation for pain and suffering, loss of financial and/or parental support if a loved one passed away in an accident, and lost wages if you are unable to work during your recovery.

Contact a New Jersey Car Accident Attorney

If you suffered damages in an auto accident in NJ, you do not have to suffer alone. Shulman & Hill’s expert New Jersey car accident lawyers are here to help you recover the compensation you may be entitled to and hold the party potentially responsible for your accident accountable. Contact us today to schedule your free case consultation.