Car Accident Lawyer Newark

New Jersey car accidents occur quickly and, in many crashes, the drivers do not have a chance to swerve out of the way before the collision. After the dust settles, a driver may only then start to feel the extent of his or her injuries. Depending on the accident, a person may walk away with minor injuries while others receive emergency care right away. For more severe accidents, the innocent driver may have to deal with costly medical bills, physical therapy, medical treatments, and more. Despite being called auto “accidents,” many of these collisions happen because someone was being careless on the road.

If you or someone you care about has sustained injuries after a car accident, please know that you may have grounds for a lawsuit against the other driver. A car accident lawyer in Newark at Rispoli & Borneo can offer advice on how to get back onto your feet. You do not have to accept what has happened. You can pursue legal action as a way to financially recover from the incident as well as obtain a sense of justice.

Proving Negligence

In civil lawsuits, the plaintiff must be able to show proof of how the defendant caused the accident to occur. To prove that the other driver had been negligent, the plaintiff has to demonstrate that the defendant had a responsibility to use reasonable caution while driving, had failed to uphold this duty which caused the accident, and then the plaintiff suffered loss because of it.

Negotiating a Settlement

With help from a Newark car accident lawyer at Rispoli & Borneo, it is possible that you can negotiate a fair settlement. But, if we are unable to reach a settlement offer that is sufficient, we can then help prepare you for court. The more evidence you can bring forward that shows the severity of your injuries and the financial burden you accumulated, the more likely you are to receive a reasonable settlement offer.

Third Party Liability

In some cases, a third party may be held responsible for the auto accident. For example, if an employee for a trucking company was in an accident with you, the employer may have some liability. This is even more true for situations where the driver didn’t do anything wrong, and a mechanical failure led to the accident. If the person responsible for truck maintenance at the company didn’t adequately check breaks, the engine and other parts, a terrible accident may ensue. A Newark car accident lawyer will be able to determine who the liable party is in a crash, including third parties.

It can be difficult to deal with the legalities of a car accident lawsuit without assistance from a car accident lawyer Newark clients recommend from  Rispoli & Borneo. Unless you have experience in the legal field, it can be challenging to know where to begin and how to protect yourself along the way. Innocent drivers who became part of an auto accident often suffer the very worst of the injuries, vehicle damages, and other losses. We can help you seek the compensation you require in order to get to where you were before the accident occurred. We urgently encourage you to reach out sooner, rather than later.

Distracted Drivers

If a distracted or otherwise negligent driver caused you to suffer an injury due to an accident, call the law firm of Rispoli & Borneo to speak with a top car accident lawyer Newark offers. Negligent drivers should be held accountable for the damages they cause victims, and our attorneys may help protect your rights.

A car accident lawyer in Newark can review your case, and may determine how much compensation you may be entitled to receive. If you believe your accident was caused by a distracted driver, the following information may be helpful to you.

The Danger of Distracted Drivers

A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute concluded that the simple act of reaching for one’s cell phone, followed by dialing a phone number or texting, increases the likelihood of getting into an accident by three times. Any distraction lasting as short as 4.6 seconds, if driving at a rate of 55 mph, means that the driver has travelled the length of an entire football field while not paying sufficient attention to their driving.

What is considered distracted driving?

Anything can be a distraction to a driver, if they allow it. When distracted, drivers are more likely to operate their vehicle in an unsafe manner. Distracted drivers cause thousands of accidents in the United States every year that result in injuries, as well as deaths.

Distracted drivers can be held liable for damages that they have caused. A car accident lawyer Newark drivers trust, such as the attorneys at Rispoli & Borneo, may negotiate a settlement or pursue a lawsuit on your behalf.

Common Distractions for Drivers

One of the most common distractions for today’s drivers, especially teenagers, is using a cell phone while driving. However, there are many other distractions that can cause accidents, as an experienced car accident lawyer Newark respects would likely tell you. They include:

• Consuming food and/or beverages.
• Conducting conversations with passengers.
• Focusing on a music player, whether it’s a wi-fi device, car stereo, or MP3 player.
• Brushing hair, applying makeup.
• Reading maps on GPS devices or printed map books.
• Watching DVDs.
• Operating the vehicle’s navigation system.
  

Distracted Driving and the Law

Laws vary by jurisdiction when it comes to which distractions are illegal for drivers, such as cell phone use. However, if a car accident lawyer Newark provides can prove that a distracted driver negligently caused your injury, it may not matter if that particular distraction is illegal. Common distractions that are often illegal when driving include:

1. Emailing, texting, or browsing the Internet.
2. Talking on a cell phone.
3. Using a handheld or hands-free cell phone while in a school zone or highway construction work zone.
4. Using a cell phone while 18 years of age or younger.

The Mental Impact of Car Accidents

When many people think about car accidents, they focus on the physical injuries that result from them. While these accidents can cause a variety of different physical ailments, they can also affect a person’s mental health. A vehicle accident is a very traumatic event and can cause a person to feel a wide range of emotions. People who were in car accidents may deal with the mental effects of it for a long time. If you are struggling with mental health issues after a car accident, a Newark car accident may be able to pursue damages on your behalf.  

What Types of Mental Health Issues Can a Car Accident Cause?

A car accident can lead to a number of different mental health problems, such as:

• Depression: While many people may feel sad from time to time, depression is a whole other animal. People who are depressed feel hopeless, irritable and guilty all the time. Some may even contemplate suicide. Some victims of car accidents may develop depression and don’t feel the same anymore.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A car accident is such a traumatic event that some people may develop post-traumatic stress disorder because of it. Symptoms of this condition include panic attacks, flashbacks, and avoidance of things and places associated with the traumatic event.

• Anxiety: Some people who get injured in car accidents become increasingly anxious. They may have emotional outbursts frequently and have trouble focusing on their work and other important tasks. These individuals may also have trouble sleeping.

What Are Some Ways to Heal After a Car Accident?

While your emotional health may suffer after a car accident, it does not have to be permanent. If you take the necessary steps to heal yourself, you can regain your emotional health. Here are some tips to consider:

• Take Good Care of Yourself: If you have been in a car accident, it is now even more important to look after yourself. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep. The better you take care of yourself, the better you will feel emotionally. Avoid drinking too many alcoholic beverages, as they can make the issue worse.

• Talk to Your Loved Ones: One of the worst things you can do is keep your emotions bottled up. Don’t be afraid to talk to close family members and friends about how you’re feeling. They can give you a shoulder to lean on and provide you with the support you need.

• Seek Therapy: If you are struggling with depression or engaging in self-destructive behavior, you should talk to a licensed therapist. He or she can help you talk through your feelings and teach you healthy ways to cope. It may feel a little uneasy talking to a stranger about your troubles, but it gets easier. Remember that a therapist is there to help you, not judge you.

If you have been hurt in a car accident and suffering emotionally because of it, make an appointment to speak with a Newark car accident lawyer from Rispoli & Borneo.

What Kind of Compensation Can You Receive from a Car Accident? 

Car accidents are traumatic and incredibly expensive. A car is likely one of your most expensive possessions, and if it is ruined that can leave a devastating effect. Even worse, your body is irreplaceable, and if you sustain serious injuries from an accident, you deserve to get any kind of help possible to have your body go back to its normal state. There are many things a car accident lawyer in New Jersey will attempt to recover. Some of these include: 

• Compensation for pain and suffering because of the accident
• Compensation for any kind of therapy you need to recover from the trauma you experienced 
• Compensation for property damages, such as your car, any items that were damaged inside your vehicle, and anything else that was destroyed because of the collision
• Compensation for  your medical bills, including your hospital visit, compensation for prescription medication, and for physical therapy and copays for doctor visits
• Compensation for lost wages due to missed work

There can be a wide range of things you may deserve compensation for. Basically, anything that will attempt to make your life back to normal again should be something you are compensated for. Sometimes, we will seek additional damages since it can be emotionally traumatic to be involved in an accident and to lose some of your functioning body because of it.

 

Compensation You Can Receive From A Car Accident Infographic

Newark Car Accident Statistics

According to NHTSA, more than 700 people are killed in car accidents each year in the state of New Jersey. Many victims who do survive crashes are left with serious injuries and long-term or permanent disabilities.

If you have been injured in a crash caused by someone else, make sure you have a skilled car accident lawyer fighting for you so you get the financial compensation you may be entitled to for the losses your injuries have caused.  

How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help You? 

Car accident lawyers in New Jersey know how the state’s laws work and what court strategies have had successful outcomes. This will help get you the highest amount of compensation possible, in turn, helping you to get back to your normal life as quickly as possible. Your lawyer will make sure you meet all filing deadlines, have all the proper evidence and documentation necessary for court, and will hire expert witnesses and even an investigator if necessary, to help prove your case. Your lawyer will be advocating for you throughout the entire process, and it is crucial that you hire someone you know will have your best interests in mind when making decisions. Finally, your lawyer will also give you advice on your case, such as whether  or not to take an insurance settlement, and make this stressful process much simpler.

A Newark Car Accident Lawyer You Can Trust

The attorneys of Rispoli & Borneo have helped many victims of car accidents recover their damages. If you were injured by a negligent driver, call our office immediately to make an appointment with a car accident lawyer Newark injury victims can trust.

Getting Help from a Car Accident Attorney Newark Trusts

Have you been injured in a car accident? Are you feeling confused about what you should do, and wondering whether or not there is any legal recourse for what happened? If you answered ‘yes’ to either of these questions, consulting a car accident attorney from Rispoli & Borneo might be in your best interests. Your call is free and confidential, and you risk nothing except a few minutes of your time. Please call us now.

The Types of Car Accidents

Anyone can be injured in a car accident, and they can happen at any time. Deciding who’s responsible for an accident is hard work, but did you know that the type of accident you’re involved in can further complicate who’s fault it was? Certain accidents have certain assumptions about who was at fault. 

While these are just assumptions, these assumptions can really throw your court case off as the other side will rely heavily on said assumptions. So know them before you walk into court. 

The Type of Impact

The type of impact has certain assumptions as to who’s at fault. There are three types of impacts, head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, and side-impact accidents. 

Head-on collisions often happen when someone is traveling the wrong way down a one-way street, an exit ramp, or they’re on the wrong side of the road. Fault is usually extremely clean, because one driver has to be driving in the wrong direction. These accidents are some of the most fatal accidents that can happen. 

Rear-end collisions are very common and have the potential to be less damaging because they often occur at lower speed. The rear driver is often presumed to be at fault, but that’s not always true. The rear driver is often presumed to have under-or-overestimated the amount of stopping power they needed, and time to stop.

Side-impact accidents often result from someone not yielding at intersections or other areas on the roadways. This is an extremely dangerous accident to get into, because the sides of your car are not made to survive structural damage like what it would acquire during this type of wreck. 

Types of Driver

The type of driver that’s behind the wheel of a car also comes with stigma. Driving is a rite of passage for teenagers, and despite this, teenagers being behind the wheel have a lot of stigma following them if they wind up in an accident. Typically, people are more inclined to believe the teen was at fault, even if the evidence doesn’t line up. In this instance, a teenager would want to get a car accident attorney in Newark, NJ, such as one from Rispoli & Borneo. 

A teen may get into accidents because they are overconfident in their abilities to drive, lack experience, or they’re distracted.

In the same vein, are elderly folk. Elderly drivers are considered being more often at fault (another stigma surrounding elderly people), because they may not be as alert, or reaction time. 

However, a good lawyer can help figure out who was at fault and why. You should never abstain from filing a lawsuit against someone that caused an accident, because that accident may have caused injuries. So no matter, teenager, young adult, adult or elderly person, if they caused your accident, and you sustained damages, you should reach out to a lawyer. 

There are laws in place, but laws don’t stop reckless drivers or accidents from happening. Risoli & Borneo P.C. will be there for you to serve as your car accident lawyers in Newark, NJ. 

The Costs of a Car Accident in Newark

On average, a car accident victim will face upwards of $126,000 in related financial losses. A majority of people will not be able to cope with such a large amount of expenditures without going into extreme debt. Luckily, for people who have been the victim of another person’s negligence or wrongdoing, there are laws that protect them. If you believe another party caused your car accident or is partially to blame, you may be able to hold them liable for their actions.

At Rispoli & Borneo, we have been helping clients overcome their financial struggles that were the result of a devastating car accident for more than 25 years. Monetary compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, emotional distress, and other losses is available for nearly all car accident victims. To find out if you have a valid claim, please call a car accident attorney now.

What You Can Seek Compensation For

As we mentioned above, there are many different expenses that occur due to being in a car accident. If it was not your fault, you should not have to pay anything for these. Some of the most common things we may seek compensation for include:

• Compensation for medical costs, such as hospital bills, prescription medication, copays for doctor visits, and physical therapy costs.
• Compensation for damaged property in the accident. This may include both your car and anything that was damaged inside the car due to the accident. 
• Compensation for pain and suffering and for costs associated with therapy that may be necessary because of the trauma faced in the accident. 
• Compensation for lost wages due to missed work. If your job is greatly impacted by this accident, or if you can no longer do the same type of work because of it, you need to be compensated fairly. 

The car accident attorneys in New Jersey from Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. will know how to look at your case and see what current and future damages you should be filing for. You not only need to make sure all of the bills you have paid so far are covered, but you also can look to the future and make an estimate of how much more this injury will cost you. Finally, you can sometimes get compensation because of the major life changes you may be facing due to this injury. Things like loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, or pain and suffering are all damages that don’t have a specific number, but could be included in your case.

We are experienced in this field and know what judges have found fair in the past, so will be able to advise you accordingly. Just be sure to contact us well before the statute of limitations for a car accident has expired, as that makes your case automatically not valid anymore. 

How Will We Execute Your Case? 

There are several different tactics we use in court to try to win your case. We have extensive experience in the car accident field and know what has been historically successful in court. This is a huge reason it is important to find a local New Jersey car accident attorney, because we know the different judges and authorities in the field and how cases have been won with them in the past. 

We may also call in expert witnesses or hire an investigator to see what happened in the accident. We will read the police report, if applicable, and any medical statements written by your doctors about what may have happened to your body in the accident and what the recovery process may look like for you. One of your doctors may even be called to the stand as an expert witness. 

Handling car accident cases is what we do every day. We have the experience you need to seek compensation for damages from the accident you were in. Don’t hesitate to contact us to set up a consultation as soon as possible to go over all of the details so we can begin planning our strategy in court. 

We Seek to Protect YOUR Interests and Legal Rights

For decades, we have been successfully recovering damages from car accident claims. It is from this experience that we have found victims who take their own precautionary steps to secure their interests, in addition to retaining a car accident attorney, enhance their ability to recover maximum damages. We advise car accident victims to take the following steps:

1. Call 911 – Immediately after a car accident, you might be offered a sum of money from the at-fault driver in exchange for not calling 911 or the police. In general, this is not recommended. Even if you feel okay, you could have internal or silent injuries that could be serious or life-threatening. Failing to call the police could nullify your insurance coverage, right to pursue damages and any possible evidence.
2. Stay Calm – If you are alert at the scene of the accident, make an effort to stay calm. Cooperate with the police and be cordial to the person who caused the accident. Avoid saying anything that might hinder your claim. For example, do not admit any fault even if you believe you are partially to blame.
3. Seek Medical Care – Depending on your injuries, an ambulance might have taken you to the hospital and you might not have been able to conduct the above steps. This is not a problem and can be taken care of by a car accident attorney. If you were not taken to the hospital by ambulance, after talking with the police and notifying your own insurance company, you should get medical attention. This is regardless of what you may or may not be feeling physically or emotionally. Failure to do so could not only cause you harm but could make a difference in the outcome of any legal claim.
4. Document Your Case – If you’re planning to file a car accident claim, try to document every event that unfolds from the moment of the crash. Safeguard receipts, bills, invoices, and any costs associated with the accident. You might want to document your injuries by keeping an injury journal and taking ongoing photographs of the wounds.
5. Get Legal Advice – Prior to agreeing to any settlement offer made by the insurance adjuster, it is important to consult a Newark car accident attorney. A lawyer can help you to understand your rights, options, the laws, statutes, and process. You can find out what you can expect from filing a claim and learn about the advantages of having a car accident attorney on your side.

Do not waste any more time in reaching out to a car accident attorney Newark clients recommend. Give Rispoli & Borneo a call.

How a Claim Might Affect Your Insurance

If you are in the process of filing a claim, you probably have many questions about the process. One common question is about how it will affect your insurance. As a car accident attorney in Newark might explain,  this is a complicated matter. However, this guide will go over what you should know. Additionally, you should speak with your Newark, New Jersey car accident attorney to get more specific information about your situation.

Insurance Rates

If you file a claim with your insurance provider, then your rates will likely increase no matter what. Even if you win your claim, that will likely not change your insurance rates. You do have the option to skip filing an insurance claim, although this is typically a very risky option. It is true that it will keep your insurance rates from increasing, but you will be at risk of receiving nothing. If you lose your claim, then you will have to pay your medical bills and all other expenses out of your own pocket.

Paying Your Insurance Provider Back

If you win your case after filing an insurance claim, a big portion of the amount you are compensated will go to your insurance provider. After all, your insurance company already compensated you for your expenses. If you kept the legal compensation, it would be like you were compensated twice.

However, your insurance provider may have been granted special rates when it compensated you. Whereas, the defendant in your case will have to compensate you for the full amount, meaning you will be able to keep the difference for yourself. Additionally, you may also receive some general compensatory damages. A car accident attorney Newark families trust can explain this in more detail when you call for a consultation and case review. 

General Compensatory Damages

This type of damage is associated with non-financial losses. You may have heard about “pain and suffering” as something you can be compensated for. This is the classic example of general compensatory damages. There are other things that also fall into this category, such as disfigurement, loss of ability, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional turmoil. A car accident attorney in Newark will explain what general damages may be applicable for your own case. 

If you suffered any non-financial damages, then you will keep all the compensation for those damages for yourself. After all, your insurance provider did not provide any compensation for these losses. Although they are rare in personal injury cases, you will also be able to keep any punitive damages for yourself as well. This is an amount of money the judge orders the defendant to pay in order to punish the defendant. Personal injury cases usually involve accidents, so additional punishment is not usually appropriate. Your car accident attorney in Newark  can tell you if you should expect punitive damages. For a consultation, call Rispoli & Borneo, P.C.

Car Accident FAQs

If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident, contact a car accident lawyer in Newark clients trust to file a lawsuit, and pursue legal justice and compensation. 

How can a car accident affect a victim’s mental health?

The impact of a collision can greatly impact a survivor’s mental health. Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety are three of the most common mental illnesses that may develop following a car accident. Depression may cause car accident survivors to feel hopeless, guilty, suicidal, and irritable. Unable to feel like themselves again, some suffering from depression may choose to end their life. Post-traumatic stress disorder, otherwise known as PTSD causes the car accident victim to relieve the trauma through reoccurring flashbacks and panic attacks. This stress may hinder victims from associating with people, places, or things that remind them of their car accidents. Anxiety alters a car accident victim’s life as they may have difficulty focusing on their work, sleeping, or functioning in their daily life due to extreme nervousness and emotional fragility.

How can a car accident affect a victim’s physical health?

Common physical implications of a car accident include whiplash, neck, back, and spinal injuries, and loss of brain functionality. After an accident, car accident survivors may experience high adrenaline which masks their pain. They could have internal bleeding, or concussion that may not physically present themselves right away. Anyone involved in a vehicle collision should seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible following an accident. Even if the person appears unharmed, they could have mild to severe physical and mental injuries. Some injuries may affect an individual for months or years after an accident takes place.

How may a car accident lawyer help following an accident?

After an accident takes place, and those involved have sought necessary medical intervention, a car accident lawyer should be notified. They will instruct their clients on what the next steps are. During the initial consult, an attorney will hear their client’s case and formulate a legal plan of action. Pursuing compensation for injuries sustained is a priority for car accident lawyers, as they fight for their client’s rights. Rispoli & Borneo P.C. strive to advocate on behalf of their clients, as they seek justice for their car accident cases. They desire their clients to focus on their healing rather than feel overwhelmed by the legal process of pursuing compensation. 

What are some reasons why car accidents occur? 

Car accidents may be a result of distracted driving. If the person behind the wheel driving is focused on anything other than the road, and the vehicle they are driving it may end in a collision. Texting, talking on the phone, listening to music, and passengers are all distractions that can cause the driver to not drive properly. Once distracted, it only takes a second for a collision to occur. If the driver is not aware of his or her surroundings, they may hit another car, road sign, or pedestrian crossing the road. Driving a car is likened to operating a loaded weapon, and can be equally as dangerous. Drivers should consider carefully the responsibility they carry before getting behind the wheel. 

What should car accident survivors do following an accident?

After an accident has occurred, the driver should call 9-1-1. Once police and emergency services have arrived, the drivers and passengers will be medically examined for any injuries they may have sustained. After medical evaluations, the police will take a statement of why the collision took place, and what happened. Insurance information will be exchanged between drivers, and at this time a car accident lawyer should be called if the situation calls for one. If the persons involved are unsure if an attorney would be beneficial, they should contact a Newark car accident lawyer and ask.