Every driver in New Jersey knows that the roads can be treacherous.  Even when you drive as carefully as possible, you can easily end up in a car accident.  Whether your accident was on a busy roadway like I-80 or the Garden State Parkway, or in your own neighborhood, you need a strong lawyer by your side if you were injured in the crash. At The Epstein Law Firm, P.A., our top-rated New Jersey car accident lawyers have a reputation for providing smart and effective legal services.  That reputation extends both throughout the community itself and with the judges who may decide your case. With over 120 years’ collective experience and thousands of satisfied clients, our team is well-qualified to protect your rights if you were injured in a car accident.

Many car accident victims are nervous about pursuing fair compensation for their injuries because the legal process may seem overwhelming.  The lawyers at The Epstein Law Firm, P.A. remove this nervousness by using their experience and knowledge to pursue compensation for car accident victims, which allows the victims to focus on treatment and getting better.  To learn more about how our respected New Jersey car accident lawyers can help protect your legal rights, call today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Understanding What Caused Your Car Accident

Understanding the cause of your car accident is step one to locating potential sources of financial compensation.  Many New Jersey car accidents are caused by:

If someone else caused your accident, you may have the right to file a lawsuit against the negligent driver for compensation.  Our New Jersey personal injury lawyers will investigate and diligently prepare your claim to establish that right, which requires showing:

  • The driver had a duty to drive carefully (as we all do)
  • The driver’s actions or inaction amounted to a breach of that duty
  • That breach caused the accident
  • You were injured as a result

Understanding the Value of Your Car Accident Claim

At The Epstein Law Firm, P.A., we learn what happened in your case by speaking to you and any witnesses about what happened.  We examine any physical evidence, such as photos and videos, as well as your medical records and the police report. We may even work with experts in accident reconstruction to build the strongest possible case to support your claim.

All of this work is undertaken with the goal of getting the maximum amount of compensation possible—the fair value of your car accident claim.  We work to win a compensation award that compensates you for what the accident has cost, both in terms of your expenses and more intangible costs.  Compensation in New Jersey is divided into two basic categories:

  • Economic damages, which include your costs for medical expenses, physical therapy, in-home care, property damage and your lost wages and employment benefits.
  • Non-economic damages, which compensate for your intangible losses, such as pain and suffering, inconvenience, emotional trauma, loss of your loved one’s company and more.

Our New Jersey Car Accident Lawyers Have a Proven Track Record Of Outstanding Results For Auto Injury Lawsuits

Why Choose The New Jersey Car Accident Lawyers at The Epstein Law Firm, P.A. to Protect Your Legal Right to Compensation After an Auto Accident?

Choosing an injury lawyer in the Internet age is often overwhelming.  At The Epstein Law Firm, P.A., we want to make it simple. Our goal is to get maximum financial results for our injured clients.  When you choose us, you can expect to benefit from our:

  • Winning reputation.  We have over 120 years’ combined experience successfully advocating for New Jersey car accident victims.  Our reputation precedes us when we enter into negotiations with the insurance company or walk into the courtroom. 
  • Commitment and attention.  Many law firms churn out injury cases without regard to the quality of the legal services they provide.  We ensure that every client gets the attention their case needs to succeed. Even the small details matter to us: at The Epstein Law Firm, P.A., your calls are promptly returned, and your lawyer handles your case.
  • Aggressive advocacy.  Our lawyers don’t back down from large insurance companies and their teams of defense lawyers.  Some of our lawyers even have experience working for the big firms we might face off against. We know how they think, and we use that to our clients’ advantage.  We use the motto that the bigger they are, the harder they fall.
  • Flexible fee structure.  We only get paid attorneys’ fees if we win financial compensation for you.  Our lawyers want to make high-quality legal representation accessible for accident victims who are unexpectedly facing large medical bills and may be unable to work–so we only get paid if you do.

Call Today to Speak with Our Results-Driven New Jersey Car Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one have been hurt in a car accident, it is never too soon to ask for a lawyer’s opinion.  We are here to give you our honest opinion about whether you have a valid claim against the at-fault driver, and can also help you obtain benefits from your own insurance company.  

Contact our offices to schedule a free case review with an experienced New Jersey car accident lawyer today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Claims

On average, a motorist will get into a car accident once every ten years. These car accidents can be a minor inconvenience, involving only property damage, or could involve life-altering injuries. Whatever the situation, if you have been in a car accident, you probably have many questions. At The Epstein Law Firm, we are a trusted resource for people across New Jersey who have been injured in all types of motor vehicle accidents. Our history of success in personal injury and wrongful death litigation stands as a testament to our skill and dedication.

The information below contains general answers to some of the questions people have about motor vehicle accidents. To discuss your accident and your injuries, call us at 201-231-7847 to set up a free initial consultation.

What should I do if I was in a car accident?

What should I do after an accident?

Immediately following an accident, you or someone in your vehicle should call the police. The police will prepare and file an accident report. This report could contain valuable information about your accident. If you are able to do so, you should take pictures of your car, the other driver’s car and the accident scene with your phone. You should exchange insurance information with the other driver, but should not discuss the accident any further. Any statements you make at this time could be used against you.

You should also seek medical attention. For serious injuries an ambulance will arrive at the accident scene. Even if you don’t believe you need immediate medical attention, you should have a doctor look at you to see if you sustained any injuries. The reason for this is that if you wait too long to seek medical attention, the insurance company may claim that the accident was not the cause of your injuries. After getting medical treatment, you should then contact a lawyer.

What are punitive damages? Are they available in my car accident case?

A third category of damages, punitive damages, may be available if the party who caused your accident acted intentionally or in a way that was especially shocking. Punitive damages are designed solely to punish the person who caused your accident. For example, if you were injured in an accident caused by a defective product in the vehicle, and the manufacturer knew about the defect (and profited from it), we may have a strong argument to support punitive damages. Punitive damages are also often awarded in drunk driving accident cases.

I have a settlement offer from the insurance company on the table. Should I accept it?

You should always speak with an experienced car accident lawyer before accepting any settlement offer. Once you accept, you cannot go back and try to get additional compensation even if you have additional expense. Remember, insurance companies are also much more likely to offer a fair settlement if they know you have legal representation to explain your rights. The insurance company–even your own–is always motivated to settle for the lowest possible amount.

What is “no-fault” insurance?

No-fault insurance is also known as Personal Injury Protection, or PIP. With PIP, you do not have to prove that the other driver is at fault for the accident. This coverage is required in New Jersey, although drivers can select between a standard policy and a basic policy. The standard policy provides additional PIP coverage, as well as additional coverage for bodily liability.

Another factor in your car insurance policy is your right to sue the other driver. If you select a “limited right to sue” in your policy, you will save some money. However, if you are in an accident and the other driver is at fault, you will not be able to sue them for your pain and suffering unless you sustain a permanent injury. Under New Jersey law, a permanent injury can include the loss of a limb or other body part, a displaced fracture, significant disfigurement or scarring. You can also bring a claim if you lose a fetus or if a loved one is killed in the accident.

What if the other driver claims that I am at fault for the accident?

New Jersey follows the “modified comparative fault” rule. This means that a jury will have to find that the other driver was more than 50% at fault for the accident in order for you to recover any damages. Once your case hits this threshold, your recovery can be reduced by your percentage of fault. Therefore, if you sustained $100,000 in damages but the jury found that you were 10% at fault for the accident, your recovery would be reduced by $10,000 and you would recover $90,000.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim?

New Jersey’s statute of limitations on personal injury and wrongful death claims is two years. Therefore, you have two years from the day of the accident to bring a wrongful death claim. As a practical matter, however, you want to speak to an attorney well before two years. In a car accident, particularly one involving serious injuries, your lawyer will want to look at the accident scene and the vehicles. Generally speaking, the longer you wait to file a case, the more difficult it will be to prepare the strongest claim for damages.

Testimonials

A friend of a friend referred me to this firm. I was blown away by the amount of professionalism, courtesy and care. I highly recommend this firm to anyone seeking a personal injury attorney.

David L.

Thank you so much for everything. Thank you for always responding so promptly and for really going to bat for me. I believe that your heart is big for your clients on many levels.

G. C.