Given the fact that many New Jersey residents will be involved in a car accident at some point in their life, it is worth being prepared. The moments after an accident can be a blur, and motorists will benefit from committing a few important steps to memory. Better yet, the list below can be printed out and placed in the glovebox.

• Check for injuries – Immediately after an accident, motorists should check to see if they are injured. Motorists should be careful just because there are no visible injuries does not mean that there was no damage caused by the accident.
• Do not admit fault – It is natural to speak to the other motorists involved in the collision; however, resist admitting fault or apologizing for your driving. It will ultimately be up to a judge or jury to determine who was at fault, and your statement may be used against you.
• Keep your cool – Some drivers get angry after an accident. Motorists should do everything they can to avoid escalating the situation.
• Exchange information – New Jersey law requires motorists who are involved in an accident remain at the scene and exchange information, including name, address, contact information, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance information.
• Document the scene – When possible, motorists should photograph the scene and talk with any witnesses. While police officers should do this, there is no guarantee that they will, and this information could be critical to a subsequent New Jersey car accident lawsuit.
• Call the police – The law in New Jersey requires that motorists call the police if they were in an accident resulting in injuries or property damage. The responding police officer should complete a police report, which can be helpful to memorialize what happened.

Motorists who have recently been in an accident should be wary when dealing with insurance companies — even their own. Insurance companies are for-profit companies that rely on taking in more money in monthly premiums than they pay out in claims. Thus, it is not uncommon for insurance adjusters to “low ball” accident victims in hopes of settling their claim for far less than it is worth. Other times, insurance companies deny an accident victim’s claim by citing complex language in the insurance policy in hopes that they do not consult with an attorney. New Jersey accident victims should be sure to speak with someone whose interests are aligned with their own.

Have You Been Injured in a New Jersey Car Accident?

If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a New Jersey car accident, the dedicated personal injury lawyers at the Aretsky Law Group, P.C. can help. At the Aretsky Law Group, we have recovered millions of dollars for our clients over the past 28 years. We represent car accident victims in Bergen County and across New Jersey. To learn more about how we can help you with your situation, call 800-537-4154 to schedule a free consultation today.

Fort Lee Created a Media News Storm in May of 2012

In what could easily be characterized as a perfect example of media histeria over a botched analysis, Fort Lee, NJ, became the talk of the nation. The reporting headlined what was supposedly a decision by the police in Fort Lee to start ticketing folks for texting while walking. The press even pointed to examples of pedestrians who had been fined $85 for so doing. When the smoke cleared, the truth was that nothing had really changed other than an emphasis. The Fort Lee Police were looking very hard at those who were jaywalking, and IF they were also texting they were more likely to get a ticket. But is there a time in the future when texting while walking will be cause for a ticket in New Jersey. It could easily happen. Bills have been offered to accomplish that result in New Jersey, but have not yet been passed. Should there be such laws? There is certainly plenty of science to show us that the risks to health, posture, life, and limb are significant for those who are inclined to walk head down, eyes on screen.

The Ohio State University “Distracted Walking: Injuries Soar for Pedestrians on Phones”

According to a report compiled by n 2004, an estimated 559 pedestrians were treated in emergency rooms for injuries received while using a cell phone. That number dropped to 256 in 2005, but has risen every year since then. Meanwhile, the total number of pedestrians estimated to be treated in emergency rooms dropped from 97,000 in 2004 to 41,000 in 2010. If you have been involved in any type of accident where texting or the use of a cell phone caused or contributed to the accident, and you believe that you are due compensation, call the New Jersey personal injury attorneys at Aretsky and Aretsky, Attorneys at Law – 201-580-3411.

You probably learned this in Drivers’ Training, and maybe you’ve seen it on a bumper sticker, but this word to the wise can never be repeated too frequesntly: whenever you are driving anywhere next to or behind a semi trailer truck, if you can’t see the driver in his mirror, he probably can’t see you. Most accidents between a semi truck and another vehicle are not nearly as dramatic as the one below. About once every six – ten years, you are going to be involved in some kind of car accident, truck accident. When that happens to you or a friend, please call our personal injury attorneys for help. We offer you a huge difference from others. Our senior attorneys will speak to you directly about your case. We are small enough to care. Call Now at 201-580-3411 Please don’t try to go it alone with the insurance company claims adjuster. They have only one goal. To limit or deny your claim. They don’t care at all about your rightful repayment. They are paid to keep costs low. You need a skilled and experienced negotiator who knows just how far the insurance company will go on a case like yours. Call us and discuss your situation. There is no cost or obligation for that initial call, and all personal injury cases are taken on contingency. That means – You don’t pay us anything until you are paid.

The law is very specific about time limitations when it comes to personal injury cases. You typically only have two years from the date of your injury to file a claim for personal injury damages. If you fail to file your claim within the statute of limitations, you lose your right to seek compensation from the responsible party or parties. But let’s say you didn’t realize right away that you were hurt because it wasn’t until you visited the doctor five years later that your doctor discovered a few irregularities. What then? Do you not have any recourse?

You Have Two Years to File Most Personal Injury Claims

You may, depending on the circumstances surrounding your case. We advise you to consult a personal injury attorney such as Aretsky & Aretsky as soon as you suspect that you may have a personal injury case. We can assess your case and advise you regarding your legal options. In general, most of New Jersey’s laws regarding personal injury claims have a statute of limitations of two years. Claims of slander, defamation or medical malpractice would be among the exceptions.

The Discovery Rule

New Jersey also has the “Discovery Rule,” which extends the statute of limitations to when the person becomes aware of or should have become aware of the injury. In other words, the clock doesn’t start ticking.

New Jersey’s Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations in New Jersey is as follows: Two years: wrongful death, products liability, premises liability (slip and fall), medical malpractice One year: defamation, slander, Because of the statute of limitations, it’s important that you act quickly and that you take the appropriate steps to seek compensation.

What to Do if You Are Injured?

• Get medical attention for your injuries. Make sure you document all your injuries. If you can, make sure you get as much documentation about the cause of injury as possible, including any police reports, photos, witness phone numbers/statements.
• Keep careful notes about the effects of your injury, including any time off work, photographs of the injury, a detailed log of any pain or other symptoms).
• Do not provide any statements to anyone except police until you have spoken with an attorney who can advise you as to your rights and responsibilities.
• Do not sign any forms requesting release of liability or giving up your right to seek damages.
• Contact a personal injury attorney.

In our next post, we’ll discuss the types of damages that you may seek as compensation for an injury and who is liable or responsible for these damages. Photo credit: Lee Haywood

Personal injury can be experienced as a result of someone else’s accidental or purposeful negligence, including:

1. Physical Injuries: You have suffered from one or more physical problems related to an incident that happened at work, at an amusement park, or while walking down the street. Whether it happened directly or as a result of negligence on the part of an individual or corporation, the result is that you have had to seek medical attention and pay for medical services out of pocket, for a condition that you did not have prior to this incident.
2. Emotional Injuries: You were involved in a situation that was emotionally abusive and/or taxing for an extended amount of time, whether at your place of employment, or while working under a particular manager, or even being publicly slandered and losing your reputation. You have had to change jobs or even move to a new city as a result, and may have suffered from depression or anxiety and have had to seek professional help and even take medication as a result of the situation you faced.

You may be able to receive monetary compensation for the damages you have suffered, including:

1. Property Loss
2. Income Loss
3. Emotional Distress
4. Physical Limitations or Pain
5. Medical Bills
6. Loss of Enjoyment of Life
7. Limited Enjoyment with a Spouse or Child Due to Such Related Conditions

There are two options for pursuing legal action in any of these cases. The first is to file a formal lawsuit against the person, business, corporation, or even the government for damages caused by negligence, whether intentional or not.

Another option would be to have an informal settlement, where both parties involved reach an agreement on the damages to be paid to the victim (plaintiff), without ever needing to take the case to court.

Depending on the details of your particular situation, we would recommend that you contact us today for a free consultation so we can assess the best possible options for you. There is no need to suffer through this alone any longer.

Experienced personal injury and divorce attorney (Bergen County) Eric Aretsky discusses personal injury. If you have been injured through someone else’s fault, you are probably wondering “Do I have a case?” and if so “How much money will I be awarded?”In this two minute video, Eric Arestsky shares how he works with a personal injury client to build a strong case, establishing both 1. liability and 2. damages. Liability establishes that the other party is indeed at fault for your injuries.

Damages establishes how much compensation you may be entitled to. Aretsky and Aretsky have over 20 years experience representing clients in the Bergen County area in personal injury cases.If you’ve been injured, give us a call to set up a consultation and find out if you may be entitled to compensation.