New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer

Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Claim After an Accident?

Handling a personal injury claim in New Jersey can be daunting because of the numerous legal complexities involved. At The Law Offices of James C. DeZao, P.A., our dedicated attorneys are here to streamline the process, ensuring your claim is filed correctly and effectively. We manage all the legal challenges on your behalf, allowing you to prioritize your recovery, with our goal being to secure the compensation you rightfully deserve.   

Assessing the Value of Your Claim 

Our team carefully evaluates the worth of your claim by considering multiple factors, including the extent of your injuries, pain and suffering, future medical needs, and any long-term impacts on your life. This thorough assessment is essential for building a solid case and pursuing the compensation you deserve from the responsible party. Without expert guidance, there’s a risk of undervaluing your claim, which could lead to a lower settlement than you are entitled to.

Guiding You Through Legal Procedures

Recovering from an accident is difficult enough without the added burden of navigating legal procedures. Our attorneys are well-equipped to handle legal forms, documentation, and strategies to pursue your claim. We manage all communications with insurance adjusters and address legal nuances, ensuring that your rights are protected and that the insurance company does not take advantage of oversights or errors. Attempting to handle these details without professional support could result in a settlement far below what you deserve.

Negotiating with Insurance Companies

Dealing with insurance companies can be difficult, as their main objective is usually to minimize the amount they pay out. Our attorneys are experienced at negotiating with insurers and will advocate strongly on your behalf to pursue the best possible settlement. Having an experienced lawyer by your side signals the insurance company that you are serious about your claim, which can often result in more favorable offers. Without professional representation, you risk the insurer taking advantage of any weaknesses in your case and potentially offering a settlement far below what you truly deserve.  

How Our Firm Can Assist You

At The Law Offices of James C. DeZao, P.A., we start with a free consultation to understand your situation, review evidence, and provide personalized legal advice. You can discuss your concerns during this consultation and receive guidance on your next steps. Our team is dedicated to building a strong case, negotiating fair settlements, and fully assessing the value of your claim, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. We will take your case to court to fight for your rights if negotiations don't result in a fair offer.

Trust Our Expertise

Choosing The Law Offices of James C. DeZao, P.A. means choosing a team committed to advocating for you every step of the way. We manage all aspects of your personal injury case, from gathering evidence to handling negotiations, so you can focus on what matters most—your recovery. With our professional legal support, you can be confident that your claim is in capable hands, helping you achieve a just and fair resolution. Don't navigate this challenging process alone; let our experienced attorneys work to secure the compensation you deserve.

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.

What is Modified Comparative Negligence?

Modified comparative negligence is the concept that accident victims who are found to be partly liable for accidents are only partly entitled to financial compensation. New Jersey Statutes 2A:15-5.2 states that the level of liability for the plaintiff(s) and defendant(s) must be determined by calculating the “full value of the injured party’s damages” and figuring “the extent, in the form of a percentage, of each party’s negligence or fault.” Whatever percentage determined for the fault of the “injured party” must then be taken out of the total.

Let us use an example to explain this legal concept. Imagine that Driver A is at a four-way intersection. They have dutifully stopped at the stop sign, and then they make a left turn. However, before they can make it all the way across, they are T-boned by Driver B; leaving Driver A with $1000 in damages. The courts may determine that Driver B was at fault, being the one who directly hit Driver A, and may thus have to cover the damages.

However, if the drivers’ insurance companies find that any of Driver A’s actions may have contributed to the incident, then modified comparative negligence is considered. In our hypothetical scenario, the courts might discover that Driver B had sounded their horn at Driver A. And Driver A could not react to the honk because they had their music turned up too loud. A driver who cannot hear what is happening outside their field of vision is endangering other drivers. So Driver A may be found to be 30% at fault. Instead of receiving $1000 to cover their damages, they would only receive $700; and have to pay the rest out of their own pocket.

What Happens If I’m More Than 50% at Fault?

This determination may sound harsh as is, but there is one detail in this law that is significant for plaintiffs. NJ Statutes 2A:15-5.1 states that people can claim money for damages to themselves or their property “if such negligence was not greater than the negligence of the person … or combined negligence of the persons against whom recovery is sought”. In short, you cannot claim money from the defendants if you are found to have been more responsible for the accident than they were.

Continuing with the earlier example. If Driver A’s inability to hear Driver B honking at them is considered 50% at fault, Driver A could still claim money from Driver B’s insurance company. However, if Driver A had not even used their turn signal to show that they would be turning left; then this plus the loud music might push them to be, say, 70% responsible. That would mean that under New Jersey law, Driver A can no longer claim any money for their damages.

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.