Monmouth County NJ Car Accident Lawyers
Law Offices of Michael S. Williams – Proudly Serving New Jersey Residents for nearly 20 Years
Car accidents are one of the most common causes of personal injury lawsuits, with nearly 6 million accidents occurring in the United States each year. Roughly 3 million people are injured in car accidents annually, 2 million of which sustain permanent injuries. New Jersey car accidents cause nearly 300,000 injuries each year.
A car accident can completely alter the course of your life. Injuries, particularly severe ones, often result in expensive medical bills, lost wages, property damage, among other expenses. If injured in a car accident caused by another’s negligence, there are legal options.
The Law Offices of Michael S. Williams has been representing clients injured in car accidents for close to 20 years, securing millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts. We never overpromise or underdeliver and always stand by our clients and maintain communication every step of the way.
Our offices are located in Tinton Falls and New Brunswick, New Jersey. We represent car accident victims who live not only in Monmouth and Middlesex County, but throughout the state.
What Are Common Types of Car Accidents?
Distracted driving, weather conditions, and traffic congestion – especially in such an urbanized state as New Jersey – increase the risk of car accidents. Common types of car accidents in the Garden State include:
- Rear-end accidents: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end collisions are the most common and occur when one driver fails to see a stopped vehicle in front of them and collides into the rear.
- Head-on collisions: Head-on collisions are one of the most dangerous kinds of crashes because both vehicles are moving toward each other, often at a high speed, magnifying the force of impact.
- Side-impact accidents: Also called T-bone accidents, this collision occurs when a vehicle moving in one direction strikes another vehicle at a perpendicular angle, typically at an intersection.
- Sideswipe accidents: Sideswipe accidents occur when two or more vehicles traveling parallel to one another strike, generally caused by failure to look before merging.
- Multi-vehicle accidents: Multi-vehicle accidents typically result from a chain reaction, such as a rear-end accident that causes multiple cars behind to also crash into one another. This is especially dangerous for the middle cars sandwiched between other vehicles.
- Rollover accidents: The force of a flipping vehicle often causes severe injuries to the occupants. Additionally, rollover accidents can create fires and potential explosions from spilled fuel when upside down.
- Blind spot accidents: Drivers who fail to check blind spots before moving can easily collide with another vehicle. This is one of the most common accidents.
- Low-speed or fender-bender accidents: Even at low speeds, heavy vehicles can generate substantial force upon impact, and the angle of impact matters more than the speed in this type of accident.
- Merging accidents: Drivers who fail to check blind spots while merging into traffic can cause an accident, sometimes involving more than one car.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?
According to the NHTSA, roughly 94 percent of all car accidents are caused by human error. Despite how responsible you are on the road, you cannot ensure that others are taking the same precautions, and accidents are bound to happen. Some of the most common car accident causes include:
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving is now one of the most common cause of accidents, largely due to cell phone use and onboard technology systems. Eating, arguing, and interacting with passengers also interferes with the ability to focus.
- Drunk driving: Drunk driving puts everyone on the road at risk. Alcohol slows brain functions, reducing reaction times, hindering information processing, blurring vision, interrupting focus, and causing sleepiness.
- Drowsy driving: Driving while sleep-deprived can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence because significant lack of sleep results in the same brain impairments as alcohol.
- Speeding: One of the most common accident causes is driving faster than the posted speed limit, which reduces the ability to stop quickly.
- Reckless driving: Cutting off other drivers, swerving in and out of lanes, and ignoring posted signs pose significant risks.
- Weather: Slick roads due to rain, snow, and ice makes it difficult for the tires to maintain traction. Traveling too closely, speeding, and sudden lane changes can cause cars to slide across the surface and collide with other vehicles.
- Road conditions: Improperly maintained roads can cause tires to pop and affect a driver’s ability to brake appropriately.
- Running lights and signs: Roughly 40 percent of all car accidents occur at intersections, and drivers running through red lights or stop signs are the main cause.
Can I Sue the Other Driver?
Yes. If another driver is at fault you can sue them. A lawsuit can be filed for several types of losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering from all injuries such as orthopedic, neurologic and psychological injuries
- Medical expenses in excess of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverages
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning potential
- Lifelong medical treatment related to the accident
- Disability
- Wrongful death
Who Pays for My Medical Treatment?
New Jersey is a no fault state when it comes to motor vehicle accidents. This means even though the other driver may be at fault and liable for your pain and suffering, your medical treatment is covered under your own automobile insurance. This is regardless of fault. If you are operating a motor vehicle for work and you are in an accident, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance would also be responsible for providing medical treatment.
Comparative Negligence in New Jersey
New Jersey is a comparative negligence state, which affects the amount of compensation you can receive, based on your percentage of fault. For example, if 20 percent at fault, the total compensation will be reduced to 80 percent. If 51 percent responsible, compensation will be denied.
How Much do Injury Attorneys Charge?
We offer legal representation on all non workers’ compensation injury matters on a contingency fee basis. So no attorney fee unless you are compensated for your injuries. Workers’ compensation, while also on a contingency fee basis is governed by the Workers’ Compensation Act and its rules are different. Fees attorneys are allowed to charge are set by the New Jersey Court rules.
Attorney shall not contract for, charge, or collect a contingent fee in excess of the following limits pursuant to paragraph (c):
(1) 33⅓% on the first $750,000 recovered;
(2) 30% on the next $750,000 recovered;
(3) 25% on the next $750,000 recovered;
(4) 20% on the next $750,000; and
(5) on all amounts recovered in excess of the above by application for reasonable fee in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (f) hereof; and
(6) where the amount recovered is for the benefit of a client who was a minor or mentally incapacitated when the contingent fee arrangement was made…shall not exceed 25%.
(d) The permissible fee provided for in paragraph (c) shall be computed on the net sum recovered after deducting disbursements in connection with the institution and prosecution of the claim…
Michael and his team are experienced in handling all car accident matters and will help the injured victims focus on treatment and back back on their feet.
It’s two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit for adults and two years after a minor turns 18 years old. So call our team today.
New Jersey Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Michael S. Williams Advocate for Clients Injured by Negligent Drivers
If you have been injured in a car accident, speak with our experienced New Jersey car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Michael S. Williams. Call us today at 732-351-2800 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. With offices conveniently located in Tinton Falls and New Brunswick, New Jersey we serve clients in Monmouth and Middlesex County and throughout the state.
