Car accidents happen at random and can change your life in an instant. In addition to painful injuries and increased stress from the wreck, you may face other serious problems. How will you pay for medical bills? If you cannot return to work, will you be able to pay your bills? Who will pay for the property damage? What if you are permanently disabled?
Consult with an Experienced Personal Injury Law Firm
You do not have to face these problems alone. The Wieand Law Firm is here to help you through this tough time. Call for a free consultation with a car accident lawyer who knows how the insurance claims process and New Jersey’s legal system works. Our goal is to answer any questions you may have and work with you throughout the claims process to maximize the compensation you receive for your injuries.
The Wieand Law Firm will fight hard to make sure that you are fully compensated for any damages caused by the negligent or reckless driver. This may include money for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, loss of consortium, punitive damages and more. For a free and friendly legal consultation, call us today at 1 (215) 666-7777 or fill out the online contact form.
The Wieand Law Firm is proud to serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey including the Gloucester County areas of Deptford, East Greenwich, Elk, Franklin, Glassboro, Mantua, Monroe, Washington and Woodbury. Don’t wait to get the legal help you need. Call today!
What Should I do After an Auto Accident?
If you are involved in a car wreck it is important to know what to do. The following steps should be taken after a car accident.
- Seek Medical Attention – If you are seriously injured, call 911 and seek immediate medical attention.
- Exchange Insurance Information – exchange information with other drivers involved. Write down their contact information, license plate number and insurance information.
- Preserve Evidence – It is important to preserve evidence at the scene. Take photographs of the scene, where the cars came to rest after the accident, property damage to your vehicle and the other driver’s vehicle, and defective stop signs, red lights, roadways or other factors that may have contributed to the accident.
- Talk to Witnesses – Get the contact information of witnesses to the accident including their name, telephone number and address.
- Report the accident to police and your Insurance Company. Never give a recorded statement to any insurance company until after you speak with a lawyer!
- Don’t Admit Fault – Admissions by a party may be used against you in Court. Do not admit fault at the scene of an accident.
- Injured? – Don’t try to negotiate with your insurance company alone. Call an experienced injury attorney for legal advice. Insurance companies are notorious for making low-ball offers to seriously injured auto accident victims. Never accept an offer before speaking with a personal injury lawyer. Don’t sign a release of claims which will prohibit you from bringing a legal action at a later time!
What is Lawsuit Threshold or Limitation on Lawsuit Option Automobile Insurance
In New Jersey drivers are permitted to buy auto insurance that provides less coverage and protection in exchange for cheaper premiums. This is known as the Limitation-on-Lawsuit option or Verbal Threshold. Consumers who purchase New Jersey automobile insurance are subject to the Limitation on Lawsuit option unless they affirmatively choose to “opt out” of it.
If you don’t opt out of the limitation on lawsuit option, your ability to make a claim for non-economic loss, or pain and suffering, may be affected. If you are subject to the Limitation on Lawsuit option you must prove that you have sustained one of the following injuries in order to recover damages for pain and suffering:
1) death;
2) dismemberment (such as a loss of arms, legs, fingers, toes or a foot);
3) significant disfigurement or significant scarring;
4) displaced fracture (a broken bone that is more than a simple fracture);
5) loss of a fetus (unborn child);
6) permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, other than scarring or disfigurement. In general, an injury is considered permanent when the body part or organ, or both, has not healed to function normally and will not heal to function normally with further medical treatment.
In addition, a named insured’s immediate family members residing in the same household will also subject to the lawsuit limitation if chosen. Thus, they may not be able to make the recovery they need in the event of a serious accident through no fault of their own. Attorney Brent Wieand strongly recommends that all New Jersey drivers opt out of the lawsuit limitation option. The small amounts saved on insurance premiums is not worth the loss of protection in the event of serious injury.
Insureds that opt our of the lawsuit limitation may bring a claim for any injuries sustained in an automobile accident, without regard to type or severity of injury.
No matter what option you select, if you are injured in a car accident you should consult an experienced lawyer to discuss your legal options and make sure you receive full compensation for your losses.
Call 1 (215) 666-7777 for a Free Legal Consultation with a Gloucester Car Accident Lawyer at the Wieand Law Firm.
*Disclosure: The Wieand Law Firm is based in Philadelphia and serves clients throughout all of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We are proud to serve all of Gloucester County, New Jersey.
