New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer
We Can Help You File a Claim
Most of us hit the roads every single day, going to work, school, the store, or wherever our hearts desire. Getting behind the wheel can be liberating and even fun — after all, it empowers us to get to where we want to be. But it can also be dangerous.
Fortunately, we usually return home safe and sound. But auto accidents are a tragic fact of modern life, and the damages can be severe — even deadly. In most cases, car crashes are the result of negligence, which means that one of the parties involved failed to act responsibly or follow the traffic rules. When that happens, you are entitled to compensation for your losses.
At The Law Offices Of James C. DeZao, P.A., we take auto accidents seriously. If you’ve suffered damage because of someone else’s negligence on the roads, you shouldn’t shoulder that cost by yourself.
These cases aren’t always easy, but an experienced lawyer can help you navigate the process with compassion and care. We’re here to fight for what you deserve.
Send us a message or call (973) 358-6134 to speak about your case.
How Can Our Car Accident Lawyers Help You?
The New Jersey car accident attorneys at The Law Offices Of James C. DeZao have represented the injured throughout Morris County and beyond since 1985. With our decades of experience, there are not many types of accidents or injures we have not seen or personally represented. You can count on Attorney James DeZao and his dedicated team to fight for every bit of compensation you deserve.
When you hire our firm to represent you after a car accident, you can expect us to:
- Build your case and negotiate a fair settlement: Our team can investigate your accident and gather evidence in order to build a strong case and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company.
- Help you understand the value of your claim: Our team knows how to assess the full extent of the damages you have incurred as a result of your accident, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. By understanding what your claim is worth, we can then fight for the compensation you deserve.
- Handle communication with the insurance company: Dealing with insurance companies after a car accident can be frustrating and time-consuming. Our team can handle all communication with the insurance company on your behalf so that you can focus on your recovery while also protecting you from saying anything that could jeopardize your case.
- Represent you in court if necessary: If the insurance company is unwilling to offer a fair settlement, our team can take your case to trial in order to secure a more favorable verdict.
Here's what past clients have said about working with us:
“James C. DeZao is the best attorney you can have on your side when faced with the decision to hire a personal injury attorney. He was very genuine from the outset, and I can’t say enough about how professional and knowledgeable he was. He was always helpful and willing to make sure I understood what was going on during the entire legal process. I got a great result thanks to James C. DeZao and his team, and they are more than highly recommended and would rate 10 stars if available.” - Ivan V. ★★★★★
“I was recommended to the firm from a friend after a recent accident. Veronica was always available to answer any questions that I had and explained the whole process to me. Overall, I had an amazing and was very satisfied with my experience.” - Nicole L. ★★★★★
How Does NJ’s No-Fault Law Affect My Claim?
New Jersey is a no-fault state when it comes to car accidents. That means the injured party must first collect compensation for their injuries and other losses from their own insurance company, regardless of who was at fault.
There are three main types of insurance policies that motorists have in New Jersey:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): PIP insurance can help pay for medical and rehabilitation expenses for you and your passengers after a car accident, even if you have health insurance. This can be a big help, especially if you have a high deductible or if your health insurance doesn't cover all of your accident-related medical costs. In some cases, PIP may also cover lost wages, but it will depend on your personal policy.
- Liability Insurance: This type of insurance policy covers damages that the other driver suffers if you are at fault for the accident. New Jersey only requires motorists to possess liability insurance for property damage. However, there are options for personal injury liability coverage at additional costs.
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage: New Jersey also requires drivers to possess a minimum amount of UIM coverage in case they are involved in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance or only has a minimum amount of coverage.
Unfortunately, many victims of car accidents believe that because of these no-fault laws they must accept whatever offer the insurance company provides. This is FALSE! There are many ways that our experienced team can help maximum your claim, despite PIP insurance and no-fault laws. Give us a call today at (973) 358-6134 so that we can listen to your story and help explain your options!
Types of Car Accidents We Represent
Car accidents are one of the most common reasons that people file personal injury claims. Although car accident cases are common, they are often far from simple. There are a wide range of situations that can warrant a car accident claim, and our legal team has experience with them all.
Contact us for assistance following:
- Distracted driving accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Speeding accidents
Possible Liable Parties in Your Car Accident Case
Determining liability is an essential step in recovering compensation after a car accident. It is crucial to identify the negligent party and find the people who will be responsible for paying for your medical expenses and other damages.
Often, other drivers are responsible for car accidents. By driving recklessly and ignoring traffic laws, negligent drivers put others at risk.
Third parties who were not directly involved in a car accident could be held liable for damages if their negligence contributed to the collision in some way. For example:
- A vehicle manufacturer who produced a defective car
- A government entity, municipality, or construction company that built a dangerous road
- An employer who didn’t properly train their workers who drive as part of their job
- A bar, restaurant, liquor store, or party host who served alcohol to someone who eventually drove drunk
These are only a few examples of parties who could be liable for a car accident. It is important to discuss the details of your case with an attorney to find the people responsible in your unique situation.
How Much Can a Lawyer Help You Recover?
Wondering what you could recover in an auto accident case? The law is designed to put you in the same financial position you would have been in had the other party not acted negligently. That means you may be entitled to more than just the damage to your car but the full cost of even the most serious injuries.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, an experienced attorney can help you recover for the following losses:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Property damage (including the cost to repair/replace your car)
- Wrongful death following the loss of a loved one
- Emotional distress
These are a few examples of compensable damages, but every case is different.
You can schedule a free consultation with our car accident attorney in New Jersey by calling (973) 358-6134or contacting us online.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Depending on the vehicle, speed, angle of the collision, and whether restraints were used and air bags deployed, there could be any number of injuries of varying severity that result from a car accident.
Head & Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur due to a blow to the head or because the head forcefully shakes back and forth, and the brain strikes the inside of the skull. These injuries could be mild, and symptoms could resolve within days, or the injury could be severe and life changing. A TBI could cause loss of physical control and emotional, intellectual, or personality changes. The ability to speak, see, concentrate, and remember could also be impaired.
Other head injuries can happen, including eye injuries that reduce or eliminate vision; injuries to the ear that result in partial or complete deafness; and facial or jaw fractures and dental injuries that result in loss of teeth.
Neck & Spine Injuries
Of possible neck and back injuries, whiplash is the most common. Whiplash can injure the vertebrae, ligaments, or spinal cord. This can result in paralysis or loss of function in the limbs or portions of the body. Severe chronic pain in the neck and back could also result.
The impact of the crash could fracture ribs and/or the sternum (breastbone), especially if a driver or passenger was not using seat belts and hit the dashboard or steering wheel. Airbags should cushion the blow, but injuries can still happen.
Broken Bones & Soft Tissue Injuries
Hip fractures and injuries to abdominal organs are common in motor vehicle accidents. The liver, spleen, and kidneys can be injured in accidents where the vehicle is struck from the front or the side.
Leg and knee injuries can be caused by an object like a telephone pole or tree smashing into the vehicle. This can cause injuries ranging from bruises to fractured bones and meniscus tears.
Ankles, feet, and toes can be strained, sprained, broken, or even amputated, depending on the type of accident and vehicle.
Don't Talk to the Insurance Company Without an Attorney
No matter what vehicle was involved, what caused the accident, or what the resulting injuries were, you should protect your rights to possible compensation by not trying to resolve your legal claims with insurance companies on your own. You could do serious harm to your claim without even knowing it. Without knowledge of negligence and insurance law, as well as the most recent legal developments and jury verdicts, you’re not likely to understand the value of your case or whether a proposed settlement is fair. If you have been injured or have lost a family member in a motor vehicle accident, we can’t go back in time and prevent the accident. But through a successful personal injury lawsuit, we may be able to recover the cost of treatment for injuries, property damage, and economic losses from the responsible parties.
New Jersey Accident Resources:
The Opinions That Matter Most
Hear What Our Past Clients Have to SayResults may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
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“He was very genuine from the outset, and I can’t say enough about how professional and knowledgeable he was.”
- Ivan V. -
“Always available to answer any questions that I had and explained the whole process to me.”
- Nicole L. -
“They have made my overall process less stressful. I would recommend this law firm to anyone.”
- Marijana K. -
“I am very pleased with all of your guidance and recommendations.”
- S.T.
The Right Attorneys. Right Now.
What Sets Us Apart?
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Hundreds of Millions Recovered For Our Clients
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Personalized Attention & Curated Legal Plans
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Committed & Passionate Advocacy
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Always Available & Accessible To Our Clients
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Capable of Handling a Wide Variety of Case Types
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