Metuchen Car Accident Lawyers

Car accidents are a leading cause of injuries and death. Nearly 6 million car accidents occur annually in the United States, resulting in nearly 3 million reported injuries. Suffering injuries in a car accident can completely alter the course of your life, with costly medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. At Wiley Lavender Maknoor, PC, our Metuchen car accident lawyers have seen first-hand the devastation car accidents can have on entire families, and our team is dedicated to protecting your rights and fighting for the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

What Are Common Types of Car Accidents in Metuchen, New Jersey?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that car accidents occur every 13 minutes nationwide. A wide array of circumstances causes numerous types of car accidents. Some of the most common types of car accidents include:

Rear-end collisions: Rear-end collisions are the most common type of accident and occur when one driver fails to stop in time and crashes into the rear of the vehicle in front of them.
Head-on collisions: Head-on accidents are among the most dangerous crashes because both vehicles move toward each other, magnifying the impact force.
Side-impact or T-bone accidents: Side-impact collisions occur when one vehicle in one direction strikes another at a perpendicular angle, typically in an intersection.
Multi-vehicle accidents: Multi-vehicle accidents, also known as pile-ups, involve three or more vehicles and often result in extensive damage and severe injuries.
Rideshare accidents: Rideshare accidents involve vehicles operated by ride-hailing services like Uber or Lyft, often leading to complex legal scenarios involving multiple parties, including passengers, drivers, and the respective companies.

What Are Common Causes of Car Accidents in Metuchen?

Unsafe driving habits and careless drivers cause most car accidents in Metuchen and throughout New Jersey. The most common causes of car accidents include:

Distracted driving: Distracted driving is quickly becoming the most common cause of accidents in the United States and is the leading cause in many states. Cell phone use, eating, arguing, interacting with children and pets, fiddling with onboard technology, and many other driving activities divert attention from the road.
Drunk driving: Driving under the influence endangers everyone as alcohol slows brain function, reduces reaction time, limits processing ability, blurs vision, and reduces focus.
Drowsy driving: Driving while fatigued can be just as dangerous as drunk driving, as significant sleep deprivation causes the same neurological impairments as alcohol.
Speeding: One of the most common causes is driving faster than the posted speed limit, which reduces one’s ability to stop quickly or avoid sudden obstacles.
Reckless driving: Aggressive driving, such as excessive lane changes, cutting off others, and ignoring traffic signs and laws, poses a significant risk of causing an accident.
Weather: Slick roads caused by rain, snow, and ice make it difficult for tires to maintain traction and can cause cars to slide over the surface, increasing the risk of collision.
Tailgating: Traveling too closely in the heavy traffic congestion of the city frequently results in rear-end accidents.

What Are Common Car Accident Injuries?

Injuries sustained in car accidents range from mild to severe and can occur in even minor collisions. The most common injuries include:

Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries
Broken bones and fractures
Burns
Concussion and head injuries
Crushed or severed limbs
Cuts and lacerations
Disfigurement and scarring
Internal bleeding
Nerve damage
Organ damage
Partial or full paralysis
Psychological trauma
Whiplash
Soft tissue injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Wrongful death

What Compensation Can I Seek for My Car Accident Injuries?

Compensation for your injuries and losses is based on economic damages, such as medical expenses, lost income, or rehabilitative therapies, and non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, loss of life enjoyment, or disability.

New Jersey is a comparative negligence state, meaning each driver is assigned a percentage of fault after an accident. If you have less than 50 percent fault in the accident, you can seek compensation from the other driver, though your percentage of fault will be deducted from the total you recover.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?

In New Jersey, you have two years from the date of the accident or death to file a personal injury claim.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Metuchen?

The information you gather after a car accident can provide valuable evidence for documenting your injuries and proving liability for your claim. If you are able, you should take the following steps after an accident:

Call the police and report the accident and any injuries.
Photograph the scene, including vehicle damage, license plate numbers, weather and road conditions, injuries, signage or lack thereof, and other factors contributing to the accident.
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver
Limit conversation at the scene. Do not argue with the other driver, apologize for the accident, or post photos or comments on social media. What you say can be used against you later.
Gather contact information, statements from witnesses, and photos or videos they may have taken of the accident.
Seek medical attention even if you believe your injuries are minor. Some internal injuries have delayed symptoms that can be life-threatening if left untreated. The medical report documenting your injuries is also crucial to your claim. Without one, the claim will likely be denied.
Maintain all communication, invoices, estimates, and medical records related to the accident and your injuries.
Report the accident to the insurance company.
Consult an experienced Metuchen car accident lawyer before making any decisions or filing your own claim. Working with a knowledgeable lawyer skilled at negotiating with insurance companies will protect your legal rights and increase your chances of recovering compensation for your injuries and losses.

Why Choose Wiley Lavender Maknoor, PC

If you are injured, recovery should be your only focus following an accident, not fighting with insurance companies over your claim. Our Metuchen car accident lawyers at Wiley Lavender Maknoor, PC will work to ensure your claim is handled correctly, your rights are protected, and we will fight for you to recover maximum compensation.

Our legal team can help you in the following ways:

Investigate the accident scene and interview witnesses.
Establish your current and future necessary medical care.
File necessary documents by deadlines.
Work with experts, if applicable.
Negotiate insurance companies for a settlement.
Represent you and litigate the case in court should it proceed to trial.

Our Metuchen Car Accident Lawyers at Wiley Lavender Maknoor, PC Help Clients Injured by Negligent Drivers

Suffering injuries due to someone else’s carelessness can cost you expensive medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. If a negligent driver has injured you, our Metuchen car accident lawyers at Wiley Lavender Maknoor, PC can help you seek justice. Call today at 732-494-6099 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Metuchen, New Jersey, we serve clients in Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Union County, and Somerset County.