Hoboken Car Accident Lawyers Serving New Jersey
A car accident can happen at any time to anyone. Unfortunately, not all of these accidents end without an injury. Some completely change the lives of victims who end up needing years of medical treatment. If you or your loved suffered injuries in a car wreck due to someone else’s negligence, contact Hoboken car accident lawyers Jared Glugeth and David Pierguidi for a free consultation: 201-699-5070
At Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C., our Hoboken auto accident attorneys represent those seriously injured in car crashes due to the negligence of others. When you put us on your team, we understand what’s at stake and fight tirelessly for your recovery. Contact us today!
New Jersey Car Accident Statistics
Every year the New Jersey Department of Transportation collects data on the number of car accidents across the state. Their most recent report lists the total accidents recorded annually between 2004 and 2020. Over a 15-year period ending in 2019, the number of crashes statewide decreased by about 2.5%. However, during the pandemic in 2020, the number of crashes was 31% lower than the previous year for obvious reasons—that year, there were far fewer vehicles on the road.
However, despite the fact that there were fewer accidents, injuries and fatalities were actually more common than in previous years. In 2020, there were 550 accidents with reported fatalities in New Jersey, which was higher than in 2019. In addition, around 22.4% of all accidents had an injury in 2020.
In Hudson County, there was a similar decrease in accidents between 2019 and 2020. There were 12,711 crashes in 2020, and 2,369 of those involved an injury or death. This means that the rate of injury and death in Hudson County was slightly less than the state average.
Common Auto Accident Injuries
With so many different types of vehicles on the road, the seriousness of crash-related injuries varies widely. However, even less severe injuries may develop into something worse over time.
Some of the most common injuries in car accidents are:
- Spinal Injuries (neck and back),
- Knee injuries,
- Shoulder injuries,
- Soft tissue injuries,
- Whiplash,
- Concussions,
- Bruises,
- Contusions,
- Fractures,
- Organ damage,
- Spinal cord injuries, and
- Traumatic brain injuries.
Not all of these injuries seem serious at first, but all have the chance to develop into something life-threatening. For example, concussions may lead to cognitive decline in the future, even if the victim doesn’t have many symptoms. Neck and back soreness could be a significant spinal injury. Ultimately, it’s always best to seek medical attention after an accident, even if you don’t think you’re injured.
Types of Car Accident in New Jersey
People can file claims for a variety of auto accidents, including:
- Rear-End Collisions: One vehicle strikes the back of another, commonly occurring at traffic lights or in heavy traffic.
- Head-On Collisions: Two vehicles crash into each other from the front, often resulting in significant injuries.
- Side-Impact Collisions (T-Bone Accidents): These occur when the front of one car hits the side of another, typically at intersections.
- Sideswipe Accidents: Vehicles traveling in the same direction collide along their sides.
- Single-Vehicle Accidents: Involving only one car, such as when a vehicle hits a tree, guardrail, or other obstacle.
- Multi-Vehicle Pile-Ups: Involving several cars, making fault determination more complex.
- Rollover Accidents: A vehicle flips onto its side or roof, usually due to sharp turns or high speeds.
- Hit and Run Accidents: A driver causes an accident and leaves the scene without providing contact information or offering help.
- Drunk Driving Accidents: Caused by a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Distracted Driving Accidents: Resulting from a driver being distracted by activities like texting, eating, or using a GPS.
- Pedestrian Accidents: A vehicle hits a person who is walking or crossing the street.
- Bicycle Accidents: Involving a collision between a vehicle and a bicycle, often due to the driver not seeing the cyclist.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Involving motorcycles, which can lead to severe injuries due to the rider’s exposure.
- Uber/Lyft Accidents: Accidents involving rideshare vehicles, where liability may include the rideshare company and the driver.
Each type of accident has distinct legal implications and may require different strategies for filing a claim. It’s crucial for individuals involved in car accidents to seek legal advice to understand their rights and determine the best course of action for their specific situation.
Types of Damages in Car Accidents
There are two categories of damages associated with car accidents: economic and non-economic. Instead of putting all damages in one category, the law divides them into these distinct groups. This is because not all losses affect a victim in the same way. Here’s an overview of each damage type and what they typically include.
Economic
Economic damages are the backbone of your car accident claim. Essentially, they are the direct financial losses associated with your collision, both past, and future.
Some examples of financial losses in a car accident include:
- Medical expenses;
- Lost wages during recovery;
- Property or vehicle damage; and
- Reduced earning capacity.
Out of all damage types, economic damages are the easiest to calculate. A car accident lawyer usually takes all of the receipts or bills for these losses and simply adds them up. However, if your injuries require medical treatment in the far future, they may consult an expert to determine the potential cost of that future treatment. So, if you have $10,000 in vehicle repairs, $20,000 in medical costs, and $20,000 in lost wages, your total economic damages are $50,000.
It’s important to note that economic damages also include the money you lose if your injury requires a job transfer. This may happen if the injury causes a permanent disability that limits your ability to perform your job. In this case, your attorney might ask an economic specialist to estimate the lifetime reduction in your earnings.
Non-Economic
Some losses in a car accident don’t have a financial cost, but rather a physical or emotional one. This is where non-economic damages come in. Instead of covering financial losses, they cover the intangible costs of your injury. So, what counts as an “intangible” loss? Here are some examples:
- Mental anguish;
- Pain and suffering;
- Poor quality of life;
- Loss of consortium; and
- Permanent disability or disfigurement.
These losses don’t have an economic value—in other words, there are no receipts or invoices you check to determine their monetary value. These injuries are subjective and affect victims in different ways. Ultimately, it depends on the specifics of the case. This is why it is important to hire a sophisticated and experienced lawyer. At Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C., we use every available resource to prove the value of your injuries and recover significant compensation for our clients.
How New Jersey’s Negligence Law May Affect Your Case
In some states, victims may not receive compensation if they are even partially responsible for their own injuries. However, this isn’t the case in New Jersey. Under NJS § 2A:15-5.1, victims may recover damages as long as their share of fault is 50% or less. However, their total award is reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if you have $100,000 in damages but were 25% at fault for the accident, you may only recover $75,000 maximum. Unfortunately, if the insurance company finds you more than 50% at fault, they may deny your claim. This is why it’s essential that your car accident lawyer collects enough evidence to show the true extent of the defendant’s negligence.
How Long You Have to File a Lawsuit
Typically, attorneys try to negotiate an out-of-court settlement. At Glugeth & Pierguidi, we analyze each case individually and determine if the case should be fully litigated or settled. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, we then file a lawsuit. In New Jersey, the time limit or statute of limitations to file a lawsuit for a car accident is two years from the date of the crash. This means victims only have two years to build a case, attempt a settlement, and bring an action against the defendant. If you don’t file by this deadline, your case will likely be dismissed.
Why Hire a Hoboken Car Accident Attorney for Your Claim?
While not every car accident claim requires an attorney, there are a few reasons to consider hiring one. First, an attorney knows what they’re looking for when searching for evidence of the defendant’s negligence or damages. They’ll look through photos and videos of the accident, gather witness testimony, and even consult with experts to determine the extent of your damages.
They can also help you:
- Connect with medical resources;
- Calculate the total value of your claim;
- Negotiate with the insurance company;
- Handle communication with the adjuster;
- Make timely case filings on your behalf; and
- Prepare your case for trial if needed.
At Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C., our attorneys work with clients during every step of the process. Our goal is to help ease the burden of the claims process so that victims may focus on recovering from their injuries.
Important Items for Your Initial Consultation
As you look for the right car accident lawyer, there are a few pieces of information you should have ready for consultations. The more information you have, the easier it is for the attorney to evaluate your case and its potential outcome. If you schedule a consultation, make sure you bring the following:
- A detailed account of the accident: Any information helps piece together the events leading up to the crash.
- Your insurance policy information: Even if the other driver is uninsured, you may have other potential sources of compensation. Your own insurance policy is a good place to start.
- Medical records: To understand the extent of your injuries, the attorney may want to see an official diagnosis from your medical provider. This helps them understand the short and long-term consequences of your injury.
- Any evidence you have: Whether you have photographs, video, or other forms of evidence, bring them to your consultation.
- Contact information for witnesses: If you happen to know any eyewitnesses, bring their contact information. Their testimony may help build your case.
Having some or all of this information is a good first step in building your claim. Even if you don’t end up retaining a car accident lawyer, you’ll have a better idea of how your claim might play out.
Talk to a Hoboken Auto Accident Lawyer at Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C.
The attorneys of Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C. know how devastating car accidents are for victims and their families. Injuries may have lasting financial, physical, or emotional effects. That’s why we work with every client one-on-one instead of handing their case off to a legal assistant or associate attorney. Here, you work with one of the firm’s partners from day one. If you or a loved one sustains an injury, call us at 201-699-5070 to schedule a free consultation with a New Jersey auto accident attorney.
